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You don't get a service book any more, it's been replaced by a USB stick, progress, I suppose.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.



I was hoping that this was my last big expenditure this year but the delivery driver showed me this:
https://delkevic.co.uk/Kawasaki%20Z9...haust%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]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

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

- yes!

Originally Posted by SV650rules

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.

Originally Posted by garynortheast

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?