Goodbye MT09SP, hello Z900RS

[Seeker]

The new bike was delivered this morning and the MT09 picked up. The Yamaha was the wrong bike for me, too uncomfortable, too rough around the edges.

I was more excited about the Z900RS arriving than the MT09SP when it arrived which is a good sign, the Zed is a pretty looking bike (imo). I fitted the low seat and took it out for a quick 40 mile trip.

So far so good, ok I'll admit the ride is still a bit harsh but better than the Yam and I haven't made any suspension adjustments yet - I may still be fighting my light weight. It runs hot, a bit like the Street Triple I had - a few minutes of sitting at traffic lights and the fan kicks in. I don't think my SV fan has ever kicked in, nor did the MT.
The gearbox was markedly better than the MT09 and overall, the bike was more refined.
You don't get a service book any more, it's been replaced by a USB stick, progress, I suppose. The bike came with a 4 year warranty, a discount on the first oil filter (both from Kawasaki) and 10% off clothing and accessories from Preston Superbike.

https://i.ibb.co/YpDQ4px/DSCN0287.jpg

I was hoping that this was my last big expenditure this year but the delivery driver showed me this:
https://delkevic.co.uk/Kawasaki%20Z900RS%20DELKEVIC%20ceramic%20black%204 %20into%204%20exhaust%20system

I really hope they don't make a chrome or polished stainless version...

[Bibio]

congratz on the new bike. those aftermarket cans look hideous to me and i much prefer the one thats on the bike but if you like them then thats all that matters.

[STRAMASHER]

They are pretty bikes. Not seen that colour before, or maybe its really popping in the good light. Kwack done a terrific job with these.

Those exhausts you linked are horrendous though (I realise what they are trying to ape) but all my local heroes / peers had Alfas/Marshalls/Kerker's etc 4-1's so I like the stock set up!
Link pipe de-cat seems to be popular.

happy riding and polishing

[Seeker]

Thanks. These look better but are even more expensive, I'll probably pass...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHse8Xrx7JY

[Dave20046]

I think the stock one suits it.

I have similar looking pipes to the ones you linked, I don't think they'd suit your bike as well...but mainly, good luck keeping them black

[Adam Ef]

Very nice.

Theres one of these always parked up down the road from where I work in the same colour and it always catches my eye.
+1 for liking the stock exhuast that's on there.

[Craig380]

Love the colour scheme, takes me right back to the Z1A/Z900s of the 70s. Hope you enjoy it!

[SV650rules]

Nice looking bike, +1 for stock exhaust - front mudguard looks short ( aren't they all these days, no more than a token ) will you be modding it ?

The stock seat height is given as 32.9 inches - which would be high for me ( had a DRZ400SM 35" seat height and good job it was a light bike as could only get one toe down on one side) stock SV650 AL7 seat height is 30.9". Did you get a lowered seat version ? The stock seat looks comfortable but don't know about the lowered one ?

[garynortheast]

Very nice looking bike Seeker. Another vote here in favour of the stock exhaust. Those custom ones embody everything I disliked about 1970s Japanese silencers, particularly those bloody nasty looking seams.

[Seeker]

front mudguard looks short ( aren't they all these days, no more than a token ) will you be modding it ?

- yes!

Did you get a lowered seat version ? The stock seat looks comfortable but don't know about the lowered one ?

I bought the lowered seat separately and that is what's shown in the picture. My AL7 has a custom seat which raises the height a bit so they are now about the same, on both bikes I can put both feet down albeit on the balls of my feet.
Personally, I found the stock AL7 seat extremely painful, I've only done about 40 miles on the Z and whilst I can tell the padding has been reduced there aren't any pressure points, it is much better than the stock AL7 seat (for me). I hope to ride a bit further tomorrow.

Those custom ones embody everything I disliked about 1970s Japanese silencers, particularly those bloody nasty looking seams.

Yes, it's a pity about that. One of the companies is Doremi and they also make a set of exhausts for the H1A/B 500 triples which don't have seams, so they have the skills. I suppose the seams make it more authentic?

[shiftin_gear98]

Looks very nice Seeker, much nicer than the MT09. Enjoy.

[Toooldtodie]

It runs hot, a bit like the Street Triple I had - a few minutes of sitting at traffic lights and the fan kicks in. I don't think my SV fan has ever kicked in, nor did the MT.


I thought that when I got my GSX-S, the fan kicks in even when in 1st or 2nd gear filtering through town.


I think they deliberately set the temperature low as some sort of warranty insurance against a toasted engine, many people I've spoken to have the same experience of their fans cutting in quickly.

[SV650rules]

Could be that IL4 engine has less natural cooling than a V twin because each V twin cylinder is surrounded by air, where the centre two of an IL4 have a cylinder on each side in close proximity pumping heat into water - may be that they need to start cooling early because things can get a bit out of control if they leave it too long.

[gadget]

Out of all the 'new retro bikes' out there from all the manufacturers the big Z is by far the nicest looking imo, that colour is just awesome, proper old school.
Exhaust wise ... I remember seeing a Z900 back in the day that was wearing a 4 into two Marshall, it really suited the bike (proper madmax style!). Don't know if there's anything like them about now but if it were my bike ....I'd search for them or something very similar.
Congratulations btw ... really nice bike, it ticks a lot of my boxes.