Kawasaki Z900rs

[Mick_J]

The sun was out the temp was above freezing so I took a Kwacker 900rs out for a spin.  What a brilliant little bike it is, very sharp with a lovely exhaust note as standard.  Once out on the open road I noticed how nimble it was, quick steering and good brakes with nice handling to boot.  Brakes and suspension coped well with everything I gave it and it tracked a nice line through bends.  I had the high seat on 835cm and it felt as if I was sitting on it rather than in it like the 14 but I preferred that as my legs had more room convincing me that I do need a better, higher saddle on my 14.  It will pull from 2000 in top but really needs a kick down when pulling up hill at low revs, but like the 14 it does not need a gearbox when rolling along.  One thing I found odd and brilliant at the same time was the gearbox, it's very easy to find neutral as it has a mechanism to help with this but it means you cannot select 2nd gear from a standstill which I found odd at first as I often pull away in second if the bike is on a downhill slope.  All the controls were as you would expect very smooth and the dash has plenty of information without being cluttered, it's not as lazy as the 14 but is giving away 350cc but is much less frantic than the other 1000cc offering from Suzuki, Yamaha and the Z1000.  The 14 felt a bit lazy and heavy on the ride home so I was quite impressed with the little Kwacker.  If any of you get a chance to ride one take it, it's a cracking bike.

[shanered6]

I think Kawasaki's retro offerings are far better looking than the other jap manufacturers and by the sound of it ride well to 

[Notty]

The sun was out the temp was above freezing so I took a Kwacker 900rs out for a spin.  What a brilliant little bike it is, very sharp with a lovely exhaust note as standard.  Once out on the open road I noticed how nimble it was, quick steering and good brakes with nice handling to boot.  Brakes and suspension coped well with everything I gave it and it tracked a nice line through bends.  I had the high seat on 835cm and it felt as if I was sitting on it rather than in it like the 14 but I preferred that as my legs had more room convincing me that I do need a better, higher saddle on my 14.  It will pull from 2000 in top but really needs a kick down when pulling up hill at low revs, but like the 14 it does not need a gearbox when rolling along.  One thing I found odd and brilliant at the same time was the gearbox, it's very easy to find neutral as it has a mechanism to help with this but it means you cannot select 2nd gear from a standstill which I found odd at first as I often pull away in second if the bike is on a downhill slope.  All the controls were as you would expect very smooth and the dash has plenty of information without being cluttered, it's not as lazy as the 14 but is giving away 350cc but is much less frantic than the other 1000cc offering from Suzuki, Yamaha and the Z1000.  The 14 felt a bit lazy and heavy on the ride home so I was quite impressed with the little Kwacker.  If any of you get a chance to ride one take it, it's a cracking bike.

deposit put down? 

[Blubber]

So....What did the dealer offer for the 14

[grog]

Strange world Notty. My mate did same yesterday, spent an hour on one. Pretty much carbon copy of what you said. He didnt like tall seat his only negative.

[grog]

MJGT, sorry mate, thought it Nottys post. Read with eyes closed.

[gsxbarmy]

I do like the z900RS, maybe might buy one to replace the Triumph when that gets a bit too heavy for me in future years. I see also that Kawasaki have just released details of a z1300 retro as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T4sAGDPh5Q

Suzuki I think are getting a little left behind......

[Sweaty]

Love the look of the Z900rs & sounds like a great bike. Can't say the same for the z1300 though, too boxy looking for me, which the seat and tail exaggerate.

[KiwiCol]

I'm with you on that Sweaty, I reckon it looks just awful.  A mish mash of different ideas, new & old. Maybe designed by a commitee

[VladTepes]

I'm with you on that Sweaty, I reckon it looks just awful.  A mish mash of different ideas, new & old. Maybe designed by a commitee

Me too, looks bloody 'orrible.

[grog]

April fools day next week, surely not gonna build that.

[shanered6]

I think the front end is a very close match to the original but with a modern twist .... but the back end is terrible !

[seth]

It needs twin rear shocks and another 5 litres tank capacity then it would start to get interesting .
I bet they sell a lot of them tho .

[Notty]

I'm with you on that Sweaty, I reckon it looks just awful.  A mish mash of different ideas, new & old. Maybe designed by a commitee

Me too, looks bloody 'orrible.

wouldn't have one if it was free ! 

[Mick_J]

So....What did the dealer offer for the 14

Didn't ask, didn't want to be insulted