Had this 2019 Z900RS for about 6 years now and got it new from MCO.

I like the fact that underneath it's all new technology but its retro looks go back to the bikes I was around in my early biking days of the late 70s and early 80s.

When I got the bike I had already owned a bright Orange 2004 Kawasaki Z1000 (model ZR1000A2) for about 6 years so sort of already knew what to expect from the inline 4 engines. The Z1000 was actually 953cc with 127bhp and 95.4 Nm Torque and the new Z900RS was 948cc 110bhp and 98Hm Torque, which meant it had more grunt down low not as much at top end range.

The Z1000 engine was really very good and couldn't fault it, but the newer design engine on the Z900 seems to have been refined a lot over the years and simply better. Whereas the Z1000 was a very revy setup, the Z900 is more comfortable lower down and even when you push on the revs it still doesn't get as excited as the old engine did.

It's not going to be the quickest bike around but that out-n-out speed is not what I'm looking for in this bike.

Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe

I like the unfussy nature of the clocks, which are old school design for speedo and tacho with the dash minimalised for the other electronic information. They are nice and easy to read unlike a lot of digital dashboards which too often are hard to read in strong sunlight. This centre console is digital and incredibly easy to read in any light conditions. The switch to change what's viewing and to reset Trip etc. is refreshingly easy to use without having to read the manual time and time again.

The standard bars on the Cafe are lower than the bars on the other RS models and give the bike a slightly sportier look and feel. I found that after a 100 miles around A roads they became a bit uncomfortable so swapped them for the bars off one of the other models.

Unfortunately due to the way the bike's components are laid out it wasn’t as simple as just changing the Bars! I had to buy a new clutch & throttle cables (longer), new brake pipe (longer) plus new brake master cylinder and mount (so system needed to be drained and setup again) and also a new RHS handlebar switchgear as the throttle cables needed to be re-routed. Fortunately the headlight fairing didn't need any modifications.

All the parts fitted were genuine New Kawasaki components but after buying a few direct in the UK I found the same genuine parts available via WeBike in Japan were much cheaper. Not only that, when looking to get bits from Kawasaki dealers I was getting quoted months as parts were not in stock in the UK, but WeBike had then and were able to deliver the same week. Link to WeBike in Pic below.

Bit of a faff but once done I much prefer the setup. (see pic below)

Also fitted a Black MRA Screen to block the sun from the console.

The Cafe also comes with a different seat to the standard RS models which at first I didn't get on with. I tried the lower genuine seat, which was better, but still couldn't quite get the right balance between that and the rear suspension setup.

I decided to try the K-Factory links to lower the rear a bit. I could then adjust the rear shock they way I wanted with the right SAG etc. and when the original Cafe seat was refitted it all felt so much better for the 150 miles + day trips. I did also have to get a different sidestand, also K-Factory.

Pic below of the K-Factory kit fitted and very good quality it is as well.

Thoughts on the bike...

There are great bikes, they are sporty enough to raise a grin and comfortable enough to do several hundred miles in a day.

Under the retro styling there' a modern chassis with fully adjustable suspension. Handling is sharp, balanced, and predictable. Overall the bike handles very well and copes with bumpy A roads without getting in a tangle. The brakes are very good and cornering is no issue on these.

The engine is smooth and sweet. The exhaust note even with the standard pip is crisp and sporty.

This has been my go to bike for the day trips out around Suffolk & Norfolk for the last few years and it's great.

Pic below with my TomTom mounted and a digital Speedo (£9 of Temu - just to try it out)