Kawasaki Z900 review | MCN | Motorcyclenews.com
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves, has been riding the 2020 Kawasaki Z900. Find out what he thought here.
Full review: bit.ly/2DyPwC2
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Still one the best 4cylinder money can buy, very balanced bike!
Yes, Nice good bike...love it .
one of the only 4 cylinder bikes below 10k
And still a fair price!! 👌🏻
And judging by the brevity of this video, not much of a bike or category the MCN crowd cares much about these days.
Frankly, it's the best in class, all things considered. Creamy smooth, broad torque, powerful enough, solid chassis, confidence inspired footing, acceptable fuel tank range (Yamaha? KTM? Ducati?), reliability and maintenance schedules that would put the best to shame.
One thing I will nitpick: Kawasaki cut costs a bit by not using the RS forks/brakes on the base Z. I do believe these are from the older Z800.
Is the z1000 worth it?🤔
@@nabahmadi5012 Nope. De-restrict the Z900 and it's faster than the stock Z1000, also much lighter on its feet, neutral behavior leaning over, super stable, noticeably smoother engine.
What a great bike! Let the good times roll!
Some ways, tyres are the most important. I bought a BMW with Dunlops, and it the bike was skittish, especially in the wet which knocked my confidence. Someone told me to change them for Metzelers. Althoughthe Dunlops were I good condition, I took their advice. Metzelers completely transformed the handling of the bike.
Thanks. I have a 2018, love it!
I never felt the snatchy throttle spoken of in this video. It feels so smooth and don't have to worry about accidentally wheeling like a mt.
I had the 2017 Z900. Throttle was about as close to perfect as any OEM Japanese bike I've ever ridden. I've ridden dozens in ownership and demos.
Dead smooth. High chance his using pre production bike
I love the black/ green frame! I want new generation too!!! Has upgrades and is fast!
I have the 2018 model and the throttle is smooth as butter from the minute you pull away mine is the 68 model so maybe they changed the 68 model compared to the 2018 I don't know. Anyway someone is saying that the MT 09 is far better than the z900 have they ridden both bikes to compare because I have and I finding Z900 is much more better in traffic in high-speed everything keep doing the reviews fantastic 😎
I've ridden the MT09 and Z900 and the Z900 is better in almost every area. With the new updates it's a no brainier.
I owned the Z900 and after a couple trades now have the MT-09. Agreed, the Kawasaki is a far better bike all round. Yamaha makes a firecracker of a triple and the engine is so entertaining it's almost easy to overlook all the other rubbish on the bike. Yet over the long run, the Kawasaki is a much more well rounded bike to live with. It's one of the better 4-cylinder engines made today, extremely vibration-free at all revs, very torquey (something missing from a lot of i-4 these days, outside the big cube bikes), fit and finish is good, switchgear is FAR better than the cheap flimsy Yamaha stuff, instrument display is years ahead of Yamaha, chassis is solid and confidence inspiring, suspension is actually stable, cosmetic bits around the bike (signal stalks, plastics, trim, wires, hoses, panels) is much better. And thank goodness Kawasaki hasn't started hacking off gallons of capacity from the tank which seems to be a weight-cutting trend with other brands for people that have ADHD and can't focus on riding longer than 70 miles.
Got my license suspended on an Z900RS last year in what seemed like a calm, effortless passing manouver on a twisty country road. Can tell you that engine is an absolute gem. It's hard to explain that grunt if you've never tried it. The mid revs is where this bike lives at.
Just don't do what I did, 'cause buses absolutely suck. And it's dangerous.
Aleksi Joensuu
Lol, good luck getting your license back....l how fast were you accidentally going?
@@Rick_Sanchez_C137_ Thanks Rick! It was only suspended a month and a half so I got it back in June. It was a LONG month and a half! 😆 The bike was a loan from Kawasaki also, and they had to come pick it up from my house the next day. It was _so_ embarrassing. Of course, the guy from Kawasaki was so nice he said it was he who tempted me into it 😄
I think it was 109kph in a 60kph zone for a moment. A couple kph more and it would have been 6 months. This was the third time I did it. First from points, then from doing a high speed run on a very slow - but just fast enough - BMW F650 single, and now this.
But there's a good side here: While I still had the license suspended me and my mates put our bikes in the van and went to a racetrack for our first track day. I was immediately taken with it and decided there would be no more speeding for me on the roads.
And it has held so far: I got myself a giant old Harley couch to pootle around the roads, and am looking to trade the Z750 I took to the track for a dedicated track bike. And the fancy car needs to be traded for a van too 😄
I recommend track riding to everyone. It's simply awesome ❤️
Ive lost my lic a couple of times but thats part of riding high performance bikes. I rode for 3 months on 1 point left and had to use cruise control on my S1000R, which is 1 level up from a bus lol
I love my 2019 z900 and the only thing i wish it had from the 2020 was the LED headlights... I honestly hade the new craze of just square digital screens on bikes and i care not about ride modes... the reason my bought the 2019 is because it doesn’t have all of those things
Me too , I like the leds on this one . But for the rest i like mine 2018 Z900 👍
I think the same, exactly
Pre-2020 is digital, and it's lame. Small little LCD where you have to push buttons 5 times to get the information you need. I had the 2017. That display was a joke. The new one is much more informative but I too don't care for the TFT stuff. Give me a very clear and legible analogue tach, and the rest can be LCD (positive display, not negative).
With rider aids it's a complete package now..... Good review as always!
I been thinking wich bike i should buy and i watch alot of review about MT O9 ,Versy 650 ,Honda CBR 650 ,Honda 500x where my friend chose Adventure bike like Versy 650 .My personal reference to chose the bike where i go first to the look of the bike ,the performance and the most important the sound espacially 4 cylinder engine which i love the most . The nearest in my mind now is Z 900 .Thank for the review sir 🙏.
Mike ought to do a comparative review with the MY2020 KTM 890 DUKE R
Awesome bike!
Started my bike-career 13 years ago with the Z750! They were all great bikes for fair money! Love it! 🔥🔥🔥
I have a 2018 Z900 and it's a great bike. I test rode the competition it's up against and in my opinion it's the best of the bunch, as it does everything well.
MT09 which seems more popular is not as good as the Z900 in my opinion, suspension isn't great and it feels like your riding a supermoto.
I have the same bike and I wouldn't give the mt-09 for second look.
Everyone comparing the mt to the z900 comment on how cheap the mt feels in all areas except the motor yet that is ignored in this video
I want the 2020 screen to replace my cluster on my 2018 😍
Rode the Z900 twice at demo rides and I will some day have one. Good god is it smooth!! I didn't experience any jerkiness of the throttle though.
My only experience was on 250 eliminators on the msf and my ninja 300. Went to a demo day at aim expo 2018 and the zx6r was booked. Picked a z900 and the staffer told me it is a lot of bike compared to my 300.
Way to intimidate someone on a demo ride. Got on and I was flabbergasted at how easy it was to ride and the smoothness was like riding on a silk magic carpet. Makes my decision that much harder between the gold trim 2020 zx6r or the 2020 z900 next year.
diamondheat9
Right now the end of year sales in some locations have the 2018 and 2019 Z900 for less than 7k.... you should look around....
I’d be more than happy with one on a better set of tyres.
On this new model they put Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 as stock tyres
I had 05 Z750 for 4 years and now it got replaced by Street Triple R 14. The biggest downsize of the Z for me was the weight that is over 220 kg´s curb. Great to see, they are trying to make the Zed lighter.
3:18 just because a bike isn’t in the same price category doesn’t mean you shouldn’t compare it. I would have liked to hear your one line of thought between the Z and the Street Triple R/RS.
Should've added quickshifter up/down
why not add automatic at this point and not even bother with clutch and shifter
maybe next year :)
Sure and better brake lines, cruise control, heated grips and less vibration.
How hard it is for Kawasaki to put a pair of radially mounted front calipers, even the GSXS 750 has them.
How hard is it for yamaha to put brembos on r1m ...
@@bazitube390 true lol
For asthetic reasons you mean. I am sure you me and the average driver won't understand the difference with cheap radial calipers
@@bazitube390 will get as soon as the ZX10R will have LED headlamps, TFT console, and Ohlins instead of Showa and maybe semiactive as an option 😉
@@santanury why spend money adding features to the bike when the performance is already dominating WSBK and liter bike sales are down across all makers?
I will buy it..The old model 😁😁😁
The only I like on this is LED and the LCD gauge
I had a 2018 z900, brilliant engine, smooth, powerful and torquey, it handled well, but my only complaint was the suspension was hard, spoiled the ride on our bumpy pot riven roads! I should of played more with the suspension set up I suppose!
Most uncomfortable seat ive ever sat on
Could you also review the 2020 Z650?
Everything about this bike is excellent. When my friend rides mine, I can see that led headlight for over a mile behind me. Lets the dummies know you're comin'.
Cant find the Z900
On the List for E10.
Any one got the info.
Cheers
Z900🔥🔥
Good initial review.
Test Z900 SE version pls
Does this dive in the front end under initial braking like the Z650? Is it boring at all? I found the transmission gears really close together on the original model I did a quick ride on?
Suspension is quite stiff and stock suspension can be stiffen for me 230lbs / 100kilo. More and its a very harsh ride. Z900 is a proper machine on the street. I guess u can get bored if you run it as track only bike.
@@mathiashammar1 Thank you for your comments. I am 215 lbs.
How different is the Z900rs ? Personal taste, I much prefer the looks of that.
The engine is tuned slightly different and the suspensions too but everything else is very similar. The seat is also a bit lower n this one.
The standard Z900 handles a little bit better than the RS and has more top end power while the RS has a little bit more low down grunt.
I’ve got a Z900RS, the Z900 is lighter so it obviously handles slightly better, it’s more of a sport bike. The Z900RS has got radial brakes which are better than the Z900 standard brakes. The build quality and paint is better on the Z900RS, it’s made in Japan whereas the Z900 is made in Thailand so I heard. Depends if you want a pure sport bike or something more traditional.
@@gm16v149 z900 rs costs a lot more than the z900. Atleast that's how it is in Asian counties. Don't know about other countries.
Vive Jk Same in Australia, the Z900RS costs a lot more. But it’s around the same price as the Triumphs and Ducatis and BMWs which are its main completion.
How good is the electronics
So Michael for under 10 grand in the US what is my best bet for a sporty fun bike?
Is it comfortable for someone 6 ft or more
You're saying the Dunlop Roadsport 2's aren't great. Then what do you recommend? Thanks
gosoku2 Michelin road series are incredible. Running the road 5s on this bike atm and they’re lovely
Rosso III
Dunlop Q3
Most oem tyres are under spec..
Are the ergonomics better for taller riders or does it still kill your knees? I heard the seat height and ground clearance were both higher?
There is a seat available to give 2 more inches. I think it is necessary for a taller guy. My inseam of my pants are 34 and 36". I want the higher seat.
Can I get it restricted to a2 license?
About fucking time.
Why did it take them 3 years for this though, it should have come like this, especially the TCS.
Thank god they god rid of that hideous dash!
L3eh123 I didn’t mind the dash lol. But this is much better and modern.
I liked it lol
Hideous was right. And they replaced it with a hideous TFT.
Somewhere in the marketing departments, young buck tech fools are running the game. "If they put TFT on their bikes, we need to as well." What is with the modern culture of screen-addicted people? Yet the Z900RS pods have font so small you can barely read it without wearing reader-glasses.
What about the lack of windscreen for above 120 km per hr?
It is a naked bike.
The Z900 is slightly less expenisive than the FZ09, he was mistaken about that. (Its only $200 but still).
What about the too close together for street riding transmission gear ratios? Some reviewers did not like it for street riding? They said you did not have to take off in 1st gear. What are your thoughts Michael? What is a bike that has similar qualities but with transmission ratios more suited to the street, or riding locally near the neighborhood? No twisties, curvy roads near me, except for one 8 mile stretch about 60 miles from me and I have to ride on the freeway, interstate to get there?
Just add a countershaft sprocket with one more tooth. They cost from 30 quid...
@@joaosoares3719 Thanks. Isn't the distance between each individual gear is still the same though?
100/125/150/180/210/250+km/h on each gear
what's the pb with that transmission ?
dry509 sounds like you don’t need a naked bike. The point of the gearing is you get to actually enjoy the bike and shift through the gears. On a super sport (or street triple..) 1st gear will get you to 70-100mph. 2nd gear 110-120mph. With bikes like that you don’t get to ride to redline and shift without always risking death or jail.
Never heard of what you mention here at all with all of the tests I have seen and heard. Ridden one myself and I found the ratios great for road riding so I don't really know what you are on about.
Missile nte കുഞ്ഞ് 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Hello...but the quick shifter?
No QS but can easily add one
awesome bike
Audio a little out of sync for anyone else?
How much??
Is an up/down quick shifter available as an option?
Nope. Aftermarket
MT09/MT09-SP has a tiny fuel tank and even with a 889cc engine is less fuel efficient than Z1000. MT09-SP is priced equally to Z1000 and has better tech, but the small fuel tank is a big no no for me. Also heard Yamaha paint jobs are not very good and even with minor scratches they rust even in their high end bikes.
Ahh so he pointed out the jerkey throttle on the kawasaki. My vulcan was sketchy to me at first because of that, til got used to it.
I tested a 2019. I didn't notice the throttle or jerking. I did notice 2nd gear wheelies at the twist of the throttle. Perhaps he is talking about that? I loved the bike. Spent 45mins testing it. Probably buying one. Needbtonlook around to be sure.
I have the 2022 Z900 ABS. I would not recommend it. Big time buyers remorse for many reasons. Start with the sloppy throttle and clutch. Also at $9,300 there are way better options. Ride before you buy. The riding position also sucks as does the rev power band and clunky stock exhaust and jerky ride feel regardless of rider settings. Pass on this bike. It’s too late for me. My mistake is too late to fix.
damn, i don't like hearing that. i'm supposed to pick up the z900se this coming saturday.
@@PDM-95 If it’s your first bike, then you might not notice the things I did and be happy with it.
@@techguy3373 haven't ridden in just over 7 years. will be my second bike. stepping up from a cbr250r. sorry to hear you hate it. that se is even more, and the dealers are raping us with the fees. sure hope it doesn't disappoint
@@PDM-95 You will like it then. I’m just picky. The stock exhaust is the absolute worst though. Very heavy and so quiet. Normally I wait a year before buying new full exhaust, but on this bike it’s almost necessary right away.
I testrode the Z900, people seem to fall for its cool looks. 300 km later, I didn't like it at all: poor transmission, no driver aids, awkward seating position: I ordered the Yamaha XSR900 and do not regret it a single instant. Check it out!
Why is there no news on the zx 25r? Specs on every other kawasaki relase this year was put upfront but they r hiding the zx25r specs. Why is that
Because our is only heading to two markets....japan and Indonesia. There are plenty of videos on the bike but you won't see it on MCN anytime soon. Sites have spec floating around 45hp. Easy to find if you actually looked.
@@diamondheat9 diamondheat9 i meant nothing from kawasaki about the bike. Except a recent teaser shows it redlines at 17k. Everyone knows the Specs floating around on the web. Speculating from 45-60. thought mcn would know something.
As many seem interested in that bike..
I just woke up from a nap, so it might b that but it seemed condescening of u to assume i haven't looked up the 25r. Theres a lot flaoting around on the web about the bike but nothing from kawasaki.
Pls review the z650..2020...
czcams.com/video/sqY0-C4HEsY/video.html
Here you go!
So there will be no more z1000?? Its sad. As zh2 is not a replacement nor does look better than z1000
Ninja1000SX is a fully clad Z1000R. Nothing sad about 240 whp and nearly 100 ft-lb in a 500 pound naked bike (modified figures).
No cruise control? Mt09 has one...
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This is by far the best bike review channel
On CZcams.
Cheers guys.
Good stuff.
Can you get a aftermarket quick shift and autoblip? Is it ride by wire?
Yes, yes and yes.
Boz aftermarket or by Kawasaki?
@@jerseycitykickboxingandcoa9196 Aftermarket.
I think that the new Street Triple 765 RS looks better and is more light.
Looks better till you get to the bug eye headlights. Updated it but still doesn't flow with the rest of the bike
And it is a lot more expensive.
@@fyorbane Well yeah, it's a lot more expensive in most markets, but here in Mexico the difference is $1000 USD or so, which I reckon is well worth it.
This or the z900RS tho?
This. I don't wasn't an old looking bike. Just personal preference.
RS plays in a slightly more retro camp. Think R NineT, Triumph Speed Twin, Ducati Scrambler 1200, XSR900/700, CB1000R, or similar stuff.
Por 9400 EU y todo lo ofrece es barata
210kg seems heavy
Bikes are heavy things.
This Z900: 210 kg = 462 lbs
MT09: 187 kg = 414 lbs
Yup.. it's a pig
BWX only if a pig is riding it
@@bwxmoto MT-09 is 193kg wet, not 187kg, but yes, this Z900 is heavier. Which is to be expected considering it has a bigger engine with one more cylinder. But considering it has more power and more torque than the MT-09 and that the suspension and overall balance are a lot better you won't be feeling that extra weight.
I weighed my XSR900 full tank of gas and it weighed 425 lbs with Yoshi exhaust.. MT09 is lighter even with stock exhaust.. so not sure what you're talking about.
1:29 റിയലി സ്മൂത് പവർ ഡെലിവറി....?😵 ഇങ്ങള് ഞമ്മടെ strell ന്റെ വീഡിയോ കണ്ടിട്ടില്ലെന്ന് തോന്നുന്നു....😌
😆😆
Sheeda evde poyallo kore malayalikall kanuvello😂
1000cc vandikal oodikkunnathu kondayirikkum
Bring back the z1000 to the states
Why? The z900 makes more power and rides better
Z1000 was a mess. Never truly cohesive and balanced. In stock condition the Z900 power to weight ratio is better. The Z1000 or Z1000R will go the way of the dodo bird with the new Z H2 flagship. The 1043 engine will live on in the Ninja 1000SX which is where it is better suited.
Great bike no doubt, MT09 just more fun bike over all though. Apart from the atrocious dash lol
Z is a better track day bike..more feedback from the front and smoother delivery..
More fun bike - in your opinion. I’ve had both and prefer the Z900. The ergonomics on the MT-09 is god awful. It’s like sitting on a barstool with your legs straight down. I hated it.
If they did something with the front it would be a great bike, but the headlights are hideous. They look like an insect or a Decepticon. Plus the swingarm is shite. Glad I got the CBR650R... ha ha.
Why is the swingarm shite? No proper explanation given. Looks are subjective. A 650 is a bit of a come down if you ask me.
Bang bang chicken balls are full!!
Dream Baek
I’ve owned a new z900 since august from owning an MT, and wow... this bike is fucking bland man, boring compared to yammies
I’d love this 2020 version with the new headlights, new dash, and modes which the 2019 is sorely missing.
The kilos earned you a 👍
Half Bike Review Ever
Who the hell cares about the euro compliance?
the whole video looking at this guy talking stuff I don't want to hear...I came here to see the bike in all its details for god sake !
s
All Kawasaki bikes look very weird IMO. Honda CB 1000R is the best sport naked money can buy at the moment especially aesthetically.
Everything looks weird since we departed about 2004.
Nice Bike indeed BUT in this day with NO Blibber and Quickshifter it is a NO buyer.....
Stop being lazy and shift your bike. You can easily add a QS and it is drive by wire so no blipper
Boring!
Sorry Kawasaki but it looks old already
How so?
João Soares just my opinion, everything they have done in recent years just looks crap imo, good bikes just not for me
@@motorbiketoureruk And what do you think looks good? Give me one or two examples.
João Soares street triple RS 2020
Rs660 Aprilia. Tuono 1100
Ktm superduke ,
@@motorbiketoureruk looks good or has good specs ;)
stop Making boring videos with crazy motorcycles
Crap video. What the hell does it look like side on?
To sum up mt09 and street triple are far better
The MT-09 has horrible suspension, the Street Triple R and RS are a lot more expensive and nobody buys the S (the dash looks awful).
@@joaosoares3719 I quite like the look of the Street Triple S dash :)
@@joaosoares3719 I quite like the look of the Street Triple S dash :)
Completely untrue.
Rubbish.