KAWASAKI Z900RS’ RETRO SPIRIT
LET me correct you in case you surmise that the Kawasaki Z900RS is a retro motorcycle. It might look like one but it most definitely not a rehash of an old(er) motorcycle.
Cleverly, Kawasaki chose the term RS, or retro sport, to classify the Z900RS and set it apart from the previous generation Zephyrs, which are of the retro genre.
Basically, water-cooling, upsidedown forks and monoshock rear suspension do not mix well with the retro look, no matter how much paint is thrownatabike.
This does not mean the Z900RS is a bad motorcycle. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It is a great bike in a category of its own. No other motorcycle can match the Z900Rs for handling and power.
Other nakeds may be more powerful or faster, but are categorised in different niches. This is where the motorcycle industry is heading, from the naked Honda CB1000R to the Benelli Leoncino. It is all about creating its ownniche.
The Z900RS is all about having your cake and eating it too. Most comments about pure retro motorcycles are about compromised handling due to weight, suspension and running gear.
The RS skirts these issues by using modern components. The only concessions to retro-ness are round LED headlights, instruments, seat, bodywork and paint.
The motive power for the RS comes from its transformer-like cousin, bar some changes to boost low-end torque; lower compression; heavier flywheels; and milder cam timing.
In case you need reminding, it’s a four-stroke 948cc liquid-cooled DOHC 16 valve inline-four with fuel injection. Power is down to 82kW (111hp) and torque is now 99Nm down from an earlier peak of 6500rpm.
The upshot is a bike that accelerates harder off the line and feels more muscular.
It breathes out through Kawasaki’s chrome four-into-one exhaust and the story is that it took them 20 tries to make the system bark and pop to their satisfaction, while still conforming to sound regulations.
It is also festooned with fake fins, as another concession to retro-ness.
Suspension is fully adjustable 41mm upside-down forks front and monoshock rear and is set quite firm. This is good for scratching along country roads and canyons, less so for potholed city streets.
To RS’ credit, the ride is excellent on smooth surfaces and the ground clearance is more than up to the exuberant chassis’ manners.
Under that fuel tank is a stiff steel trellis frame, which doesn’t just promote handling, but also allows the RS to be just 216kg.
The six-speed transmission is aided by an assist and slipper clutch.
The brakes are twin radial calipers upfront squeezing 300mm discs mated with a conventional disc rear. Both are equipped with ABS and they are more than up to the job.
Electronics are upgraded from the base Z900 with three-stage traction control.
Engine modes? Absent and not required. The chrome-bullet shaped analogue clocks hark back to the original Zed, but with digital readouts stating range, average consumption as well as odometers and tripmeters.
The riding position mimics the Z1 of the 1970s with upright ergonomics.
Tall and wide handlebars greet you and mid-set footrests put feet forward slightly and the ergos are comfortable around town and help with low speed manoeuvres, but is a setback on the highway.
What the RS really needs is a windshield to help with the windblast at anything above 140kph. Since a full tank (17 litres) will take you past 300km, it’s either a sedate pace or an ugly windshield for touring.
While the styling may be a mishmash of old and new, overall, there were no negative responses to the RS’ looks.
Most people would comment positively on it, but a purist would balk at several aspects, especially the large radiator hanging off the front of the engine.
However, there are few purists out there and the majority of the bikers we quizzed had nothing but praise for the RS’s styling.
In the event, the RS is aimed more at the new riders who like the style of the old bikes but would not compromise on power or handling.
The RS was always only to borrow some historical aspects of the Z1 and not inherit the negatives, which the Zephyr series did.
Flexi-frames are out. In are the stiff trellis frame.
Twin shocks begone. Embrace the stiffer, more controllable monoshock.
In effect, the Z900RS is the NeoRetro, only resembling the old bikes in true Spirit but comfortably outperforming them.
At RM67,900 for the base model and RM69,900 for the SE option, the Z900RS is pricier than the Z900, but is more stylish than the modern bike.
ERRATA
In the report titled “Kawasaki launches genuine oil products” on Nov 17, page 44, New Straits Times (Cars Bikes & Trucks), the name of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia managing director should have been Datuk Jeffrey Lim and not as stated. The error is regretted.