Kawasaki Z900RS comparison with Z900RS Cafe - Black Dog Ride
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- Опубліковано 3 бер 2019
- I wanted to compare the Kawasaki Z900RS with the Z900RS Cafe.
So this week I wanted to go and check out the Black Dog Ride course so I can plan my video shoot for the 17th March, and when James from Penrith Motorcycle centre offered to come with me and for us to take the 2 different Z900RS models available, I jumped at the chance.
So I jumped on the Z900RS with the Jaffa paint scheme and off we went. The Black Dog Ride course is great, but the Z900RS was just exceptional. I really love this bike and it has a lot to offer.
Good retro styling with all the modern day safety, performance and convenience.
After an hour or so we pulled over, and James handed me the keys to his personal Z900RS Cafe and off we went again. There is no mechanical differences between the two bikes, mainly just body positioning differences due to the sportier handlebars, peg positions a little further back and the front fairing.
For me though, the Jaffa colored Z900RS wins my head and my heart.
Thanks to Penrith Motorcycle Centre www.penrithmotorcycles.com.au/
For more info of the Black Dog Ride go here www.blackdogride.com.au/
Z900RS Cafe review here • Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE -...
Z900RS Specs here
Model Z900RS ZR900CKFA/B
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement 948 cm³
Bore x Stroke 73.4 x 56.0 mm
Compression Ratio 10.8:1
Valve System DOHC 16 valves
Fuel System Fuel Injection, 36 mm x 4 with sub throttles valves
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Transmission 6-speed with Positive Neutral finder and Assist & Slipper Clutch
Frame Trellis high tensile steel
Suspension - front 41 mm cartridge fork with compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Suspension - rear Horizontal Back-link with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Wheel travel - front 120 mm
Wheel travel - rear 140 mm
Brakes - front
Dual 300 mm semi-floating petal discs. Dual radial-mount monobloc opposed 4-piston calipers, ABS
Brakes - rear Single 250 mm petal disc with single piston caliper, ABS
Tyre Size- front 120/70-ZR17 (58W)
Tyre Size- rear 180/55-ZR17 (73W)
L x W x H 2,100 x 865 x 1,050 mm
Wheelbase 1,470 mm
Ground Clearance 130 mm
Seat height 835 mm
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Curb Mass 214 kg (includes full fuel tank and all fluids at optimum levels)
Max Power 82.0 kW @ 8,500 rpm
Max Torque 98.5 N.m @ 6,500 rpm
Colour/s Candytone Brown with Candytone Orange or Metallic Matte Covert Green and Flat Ebony type 2
Warranty 24 Months Unlimited Kilometres
Throttle Downunder is a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing their love for all things with a throttle.....Boats, Cars and Bikes.
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Rob Charlwood
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The 'jaffa' color scheme was the signature color on the very first Z1. I owned a '73 green one and will be purchasing my own jaffa for my 70th birthday in a few months. Nice job Kawasaki!
Awesome Tom I hope you enjoy it
The best instrument panel of all the modern bikes. Beautiful.
I love analog instruments. About my only gripe is the bright chrome bezel, a simple black would reduce the reflections.
I love the Jaffa styled Z! The only problem is I would want to stare at the bike while riding. That Root beer color is captivating!
I agree Daniel, I think it's the best looking bike on the market
Interesting comparison! I won’t be changing the exhaust on my Jaffa because I think it’s got the perfect balance, it isn’t too noisy or too quiet and it’s got a great note, oh, and it’s 100% legal so no EPA worries.
Bar end mirrors: no. Too hard to lane filter and the stock ones are perfect imho.
I’ve done two track days at Phillip Island, and although it’s no track bike it certainly didn’t shame itself.
I’ve done 11,000 kms since last March (12 months) and it hasn’t missed a beat. The looks are unreal. Everyone wants to talk about it.
Only problem: snatchy throttle. It was terrible. Apparently some suffer from it. Some don’t. I fitted a Booster Plug made in Denmark which fixed it 100%.
Awesome to hear some real world advice. Glad you love it. And yes I have felt the snatchy throttle on one I rode too
I was set on getting either a ZX4RR,or a ZX6R,but then i saw the Z900RS & RS SE and fell in love.The colour schemes on most of them are superb.
Now i'm not sure if i want the Z900 RS Cafe?
They're all very nice bikes.
The Cafe has a nice racey body position, but I love comfort in the RS.
@@ThrottleDownunder 👍
I just ordered the 2022 z900RS Candy Blue and Gold so excited...
Fantastic mate. I'd still love one
Thanks - you've answered my pre-purchase question about the bars and seating position between the RS and RS Cafe. I'm with you, seeking an awesome UJM that'll do it all. Been away from motorcycles for a few years (last one was an '84 ZN750Ltd) but the Z900RS seems just what I'm looking for. Cheers!
Great choice Tim. I hope you get many years of enjoyment
Thanks brother. I love this bike and this review. God bless you.
Heith, thank you for your kind words. All the best.
Thanks for this review. I love your channel. It is a travesty that you have so few views.
I called the Dealership and spoke to James today. I mentioned this video to him. I am looking to consolidate my 2 bikes into one and the Z900RS is the perfect contender. First I have to figure out how I am going to do it. To trade or sell....that is the question.
Anyway, thanks again for the content. Your channel is one of the few I have ticked the notification bell on.
Luke thanks so much for the kind words, and I'm so glad you have called James. He's a really good fella and will look after you
They are great looking bikes for sure and sound awesome. Great video Rob 👍🏻🇦🇺
One of my all time favourites mates
I came to see that sweet Kawi and stayed to see what summer looks like. It's been a long winter.
G'day Jeff, I hope you have a great summer ahead, we are certainly cooling down here.
one year on and I'm doing exactly the same! Can't go to the dealers to do a bit of drooling over new bikes because of lockdown, so UA-cam is my last resort.
Thks for the test, l know now which version to choose
Yeah it's my dream's bike Z900RS
It's certainly worthy of your dream. Good luck in achieving it. You won't regret it
Mine too!!
Imagine if it was V6 engine, how great the sound would be! 😂
Looks great bike! Love it!!
Agree with the best looking bike comment. A nice review. Useful with the comparison. 👍Now added to my subscriptions......in good company with TMF and Teapotone ☺
G'day mate, thank you so much for the sub.
Love this bike 👍🏼
Liked the video and the subject. Handheld camera work almost made me leave the video in the first minute.
Cafe. hands down.
Well done! What aftermarket headers are on the cafe? Thanks for the review.
G'day Thomas, Akrapovic headers and link pipe with standard can
I want the jaffa RS with the cafe steering bar and a cowl. They make them in Japan already ...
Good review btw
And bar end mirrors: no. Just no.
Yes the Jaffa is the way, and they look great with the bikini fairing
Same here.
Nice test, do you think the seating position of the cafe would be hood for longer tours?
And I am very interested in which bike do you bought :)
G'day Vincent, yes I think the Cafe would be ok for longer trips for sure, the position isn't too aggressive, but the standard Z900RS would be more comfy.
The bike I have purchased is the new Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 twin, for a few reasons
1. Price and affordability for rego and insurance as I have way too many cars and a boat. Haha
2. Customisation plans for UA-cam series
3. There's a strong community in my area for this sort of bike to spend time with others sharing ideas and group riding
@@ThrottleDownunder good choice, I am in the same bike segment like you and have the Moto Guzzi V7 iii Stone.
If the Re had been available at the time I bought the V7 it would be on my short list as well.
For me are the Re, Moto Guzzi and W800 the real classics from look and engine and I love them all.
Looking forward watching your videos of the RE 😊
@@Vincent79Vega love the V7 too mate. Nice work
Groovy motorbikes here!
Is the cafe gets a 2inch handle bar risers,is it the same as rs now? Or does the pegs have to adjusted?
The original exhaust sound is so good I would feel crazy to change it. I like the upright seating position of the RS. but I like the lower seat and windscreen of the cafe. can you buy the front fairing separately ? or maybe put the higher handlebars on the Cafe. are the foot pegs in the same position on both bikes ?
plenty of ebay aftermarket cafe fairings at a fraction of the cost...little paint and Bob's your uncle !
Wish we had that color option for the Cafe in the U.S.
I have bleu in Canada.
Is the bike good for touring long distances?
I want one with the crome bar
On the back seat
Great review, I'm thinking of trading my Ducati for this.
And did you?
@@Porsche996driver I still have my Ducati but I want to sell it to get the 900RS. After checking it out at the dealership, I fell in love with it.
I am 6.2 in size am I to tall for this bike, I did sit on it feels to small but have not ridden it.
How tall are you, and what about pillion comfort between the 2?
I am still looking for the ED On the embelem.All is see is Z900RS. Could someone also explain what JEFFA means or stands for.
In Australia a Jaffa is a chocolate ball coated with an Orange colored candy. So we refer to the Orange and Brown Z900RS as the Jaffa colour.
You need to shift your exposure compensation up when you shoot the bike in the shade, the camera is obviously set to take automatic exposure based on the whole sensor rather than a single point.
Thanks mate. Yes this was shot some years ago amd I'm still learning every day
@@ThrottleDownunder stunning looking bikes, are you based on Sydney area?
@@soundknight yes mate I'm in the Inner West
Why does Kawasaki put such a ridiculous front fender on this bike? One puddle and the pipes are filthy.
Okay, I'm collecting the years but I'm not old yet. I think (subject to test ride) I just saw my next bike
Both of these are amazing bikes. It's the body position that you will need to see what fits best
I went into a Kawasaki dealership in Sydney today and asked if Australia is going to get the cafe version this year and he said that Australia doesn't get the cafe version?
This isn't true,is it?
Where are all the cafe versions here coming from if we don't get them?
I'm buying te café version, probably 2020 model. Probably give it a paintjob later on...using jaffa collors.
Great idea. I love the Jaffa colours
dude, just get the jaffa and mod it. Cheaper to do.
Gday mate, while we are on kawasaki, when is the gtr 1400 review, 2012 onwards,cheers mate
G'day Ron I'll do my best to get my hands on one.
If it had the old Z 4 x 4 exhaust, I'd love it....Anyone know if 4x4 pipes are available for this??
I have heard that there is someone making them, but I'm not sure. I'm sure a search would find it. But I agree, would be amazing
Try delkevic uk.
What tail tidy was used on the cafe version?
I'm not sure in afraid. This was filmed quite some time ago
Could bar end mirrors that come up over the top of the grips work ok?
G'day mate. I'm not really sure. I ride these a couple of years ago and I can't remember the set up. Hopefully someone in the comments section might help. Or jump on a Owners forum as ask.
What you reckon between Z900RS and Yamaha xsr900
For my choice it would be the Kawasaki. I think they look better and I'm more famiar
🤩🤩✌ megusta ✌✌👍
Just got a deposit on a 21 rs green
You'll love it mate, I'd buy one for sure. Much more usable than my Harley, so much fun
The new metallic green is fab, well done.
Cant find the answer elsewhere. Does the RS seat fit the Cafe? I want the green but want the flat seat for pillion on occasions.
*What does jaffa mean?*
I always thought that black dogs and black cats were bad omens
The rs would look better with the fenders and shocks from the W800 regular model. Full chrome look fenders and dual shocks.
They can’t put dual shocks on it. The whole bike is designed around a single shock rear suspension. That’s why they have the W.
Wow The Tail / brake light looks great , but is so weak !! you can barely see it
True but it was a very bright day and the gopro isn't great picking it up, however they are a relatively small tail light
This cafe is way better than the kawasaki lime green. That is the only downfall of the cafe, the color
Those of us who grew up watching Lawson dominate would disagree :-)
BRONZE!
The most unattractive hydraulic fluid container I have seen on a bike.
It's not ideal is it? But the rest of the bike and it's performance makes up for it.
Throttle Downunder yes, it’s a great looking bike, I prefer the black and red one, my mates got one, they look great in the flesh.
Just look at it as a beauty spot on an otherwise flawless woman...
I recall that was a feature on most 70s bikes
If my name was "Zed" would you call me "Z" ?
I understand Americans say Zee, but in Australia we speak English...English language comes from England.....and they say Zed 🤙😉😀.
No one is right or wrong, but being reminded that we are all different is what makes the world amazing. Stay safe Brother and keep an open mind. The world is wonderful out there
The original still looks better, shame Kawasaki didnt use the twin shocks as on the original Z900,
Original dash nicer. radiator ruins it. Don't need water cooling to perform well. I owned the original . They'd sell a lot more if they brought it out in original air cooled form
Would struggle very much developing enough power whilst meeting modern emissions standards.
so do you say zedebra or zebra ? one more reason happy we not part of that crumbling empire.
Australia crumbling? Yeah right
@@ThrottleDownunder he's a wanker, crumbling my arse. After watching Trump and Biden this arvo, they say we talk strange...
@@robcig hahaha thanks mate
why do you repeat everything 2-3 times comparing the café to this , why do you play paddy cake with your hands all the time ?? why do you need to say black dog all the time ..ya after 4 times we get it your looking for a place to film from