‘It looks and feels old-school’ 100 miles
What have we learned after 1000 miles of café-style thrashing?
Even before throwing a leg over Kawasaki’s new Zed I’m smiling. It’s a stunner. So often manufacturers try to copy historic designs and fall short. Kawasaki, however, have hit the retro nail squarely on the head. It’s a beautiful blend of nostalgia and modernity. The classic Kawasaki green really looks the business, especially with that single headlight and 1970s throwback nose cowl.
Settle into the saddle and the journey back in time continues. The seat is wide, and surprisingly high. I’m only 5ft 6in and it’s a stretch around the large fuel tank to the dropped bars. Chrome analogue clocks are a lovely touch, with only the modern switchgear detracting from the authenticity. Even on tickover it sounds period, giving the impression it’s running on carbs, not slick fuel injection. The standard four-into-one chrome exhaust sounds throaty, the power delivery is instant, and you only need to tickle the throttle to get a cold Dunlop rear searching for grip.
600 miles (first service)
Now the bike is run-in we can start to make more use of the 109bhp available. There’s certainly some bark to the Café RS, and real bite at 7000rpm. The lack of fairing gives a greater sensation of speed and it’s hard work holding on above 100mph (not that most will ever try). The nose cone is all design over function. Wide bars exaggerate the feeling of the wind tugging at your jacket’s seams every time you let the speed build.
750 miles
I’m probably riding the Café a little harder than it was designed for, but that engine and the bike’s composure egg you on. One you’re really pushing on, the suspension starts to fall a little short, so a visit to K-Tech is planned to improve the forks.
Increased speed also puts too much pressure on the brakes, which feel a little lacking. They need more bite and struggle to haul the Zed down from high speeds. The standard Dunlops aren’t really up for a spirited ride either. They are also on the list for a change to something sportier.
‘Even on tickover it sounds period’