What is everyone's opinion on the new Kawasaki z900 rs?

My local dealership let me take the cafe out for a test ride. I haven't riden my 1100 in awhile so I don't want to compare it to that, but I was on my 300 so the power was insanely different (as expected). I wasn't able to take it on a long ride, so I can 't say anything about long term, but riding position was nice. It did seem to be kind of a transition as far as handlebars, my KZ has the original style bars (upright) and the cafe still has handlebars (rather than clip ons), but very flat and low. My brother has a 90 cbr600 so comparing it to that the handlebars were a little higher. The biggest thing I noticed for design flaws was the fill for the coolant. It's tucked almost into the heart of the bike. For location comparison it would be between the carbs and crankcase breather area on the kz, except there is a lot more stuff packed into the bike as a whole.

When I got back from the ride they had unloaded a w800 so I got a chance to look at that while I was there too. Definitely a cool bike. Not sure if I would pay full price for one, but if a good deal came up and I had space I would probably get one (the w800). Same for the rs cafe. I'm not too into the regular rs, but it would still be cool to have.

They look nice enough, but they make a motorcycle that has good styling, but has "modern" thinking for the most part in the background. Seat is modern idea of a seat, short and narrow with little padding. Pegs are set high and only good if you are roadracing at 5'6" or less. The back is all chopped off like all new offerings. I do like it, despite my gripes. The Zephyrs were likable as well, but had basically the same gripes from me. They make a motorcycle and take away most the good things of the original, and add new things that don't matter $0.02 to me. Lighter weight (smaller, cheaper, wind blows you all over), No centerstand of course, would add 2lb. Everyone needs wide tires, like 190/45-17 or whatever don't we? I still like it despite these gripes as compared to other offerings currently, but I would do things a lot different on a retro bike.

I'd need to take one, go 1 down 4 up on the sprockets! Put a Kerker header on it! Just like I did in 1978. Then put an air shifter on it also.
Then make about 25 passes at the local drag strip. '
Then I will Opine! :woohoo:

I was disappointed when I looked at it. Looked too small for me and I doubt it would last 40 years like our bikes. :whistle:
Steve

In 40 years they'll be chopping them up to make Z1's

A guy in Germany sells Body kits for

•The Z 953 kit is for Kawasaki Z 1000, 2003 – 2006 model.
•The Z 748 kit is for Kawasaki Z 750, 2004 – 2006 model.

deals-and-wheels.de/en

I got one 3 weeks ago. I like it a lot. It feels good, sounds great. It reminds me my older KZ750. I do think they are priced a little bit high but there are some many leftover models you can get 2-3K $ cheaper.

Scirocco wrote: A guy in Germany sells Body kits for

•The Z 953 kit is for Kawasaki Z 1000, 2003 – 2006 model.
•The Z 748 kit is for Kawasaki Z 750, 2004 – 2006 model.

deals-and-wheels.de/en

wow. that first one is :woohoo: id just be happy with a 750 zephyr but they might as well be extinct in the US.

I'd like to hear those pipes

That is a great looking Bike Korsar.

Too clean, it needs to get dirty

hugo wrote: Very nice bike indeed. A Z1000 in a Trellis chassis, w/out plastics, but really has nothing to do with the old Zs or KZs. No more than than a FZ10 relates to a '78 XS1100, or a GSX-S1000 to a '80 GS1000......or a Ford F150 today to a '70 F100....they could have called it a Versys 900.

At least the Honda CB1100 retains air cooling...

That's pretty much my take. They look pretty cool but I'd be much more interested in an air cooled 4 with an upgraded frame, wheels, forks etc. Something like the restomods that Bulldock and Sanctuary build.