Kawasaki Z900RS

[Seeker]

A Kawasaki Z900RS showed up at our local bike haunt yesterday in the expensive paint ("candytone brown/orange") on an 18 plate with 39 miles on the clock.

It's a bike I have hankered after but I think it's physically too big for me

I parked my L7 alongside and it was dwarfed by the Z. I don't need a 900cc bike (says the rational part of my brain) but it sure is a pretty looking machine (says the emotional part).

Considering it was a dry day and the bike had only done a few miles, it had sure dirtied itself quickly - the ludricously small front mudguard hadn't done anything for the spray.

[Talking Heads]

Liked the pictures on the web, when I got to look at one in the shop it lost its appeal.
For the money I would rather buy something a bit more authentic.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-...2/123006366968

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by Talking Heads

Liked the pictures on the web, when I got to look at one in the shop it lost its appeal.
For the money I would rather buy something a bit more authentic.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-...2/123006366968

Authentic is one thing but if you want a bike to ride regularly its worth thinking about the realities. A 1978 Z1000 puts out 80 ish bhp and is heavy. The engine is air cooled and was cutting edge 40 years ago but is agricultural by todays standards. It has poor brakes and most importantly it handles like a sack of spuds. Its old and is likely to be unreliable. Apart from that its £11000
If you can put up with all that,buy it.

[Talking Heads]

Already got a bike for riding regularly
There's no doubt in my mind the Z900RS will be a hit, but it just doesn't press my buttons the way the old aircooled one does.
You're right to point out the shortcomings of the older bike, but these are easily ignored.

[NTECUK]

Still think the Street RS Trump's it..

[Talking Heads]

If there's no RS900s available, just get a Z1000SX...?
More bike for less money and isn't a fake anything.

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by Seeker

I don't think that they're aiming for the same market niche, besides I've already had a Street Triple (675). If I wanted a pretty looking Triumph it would have to be something in the Bonneville range but my nearest dealer is 40 miles away (and I don't trust them) whilst I have a Kawasaki dealer 2 miles away.

Triumph have definitely improved their reliability but I don't think they've reached Japanese standards yet, so I'll stick with the big 4.

Yes it's very pretty.

But and may I be forever smitted.
I do love the BMW R9T if you are going for the retro style.
I also love the Triumph Thruxton. Phew I'm saved...

[Dave-the-rave]

The only thing wrong with the old Z's is the price nowadays.
This 'investment' thing grips my ****.
Gold is an investment.
Diamonds are an investment.
A £15000 Z900 is just baloney.