Kawasaki Z900 (parts bin special) first service.

[Mick_J]

Well I've done the first 636 miles and have had the bike in for it's first service.  It's very different to any of my other bikes I own so it fits in well gives me another choice of bike to ride.  So why do I call it a parts bin special?  Well it has so many oddities (or contradictions) to the way it has been designed and built, feels like different people from different departments all had a go at getting rid of old stuff.

It boasts new for 2025 Radial front brakes, bikes have had radial brakes for years so it's nothing new but after going on about the braking system upgrade it still has a single piston sliding calliper on the rear, why? they haven't been fitted to anything over 500cc for years.  Next it boasts of a new up to date full LED lighting set up but no self cancelling indicators.  Then it has a full electronic revamp with 6 position IMU, cruise control and comms pack (suggesting it can tour) but it has a crap seat which is no good for touring and virtually no rear seat and no ambient temperature gauge.  It has a high revving engine and close ratio gear box set up for sporty performance and then they have an economy icon in the display.  And finally it still uses a skinny rear axel with a castellated nut and split pin to keep it all together, they went out in the last century.

All of the above combine to make it an odd combination in many respects but they seem to work well together, the brakes are very good, the lights and electronics all work perfectly well enhancing safety with cornering ABS and cornering Traction Control.  The engine and gearbox are very smooth and responsive and even one of my pet hates (the quick shifter) works very well on this bike.

Overall I am very happy with my new bike, it is tremendous fun to ride, the handling is excellent, it is very agile but stable at the same time, it's an enjoyable bike to ride.  Corners have been cut to keep the price down but the overall package works well together.  I have fitted some extras and have a few more on order to make it more suited to me.  So far so good.

[Hooli]

I believe an eco light is mandated by law on everything these days. A mate's 2 year old 125 has one & that does 160+mpg when thrashed