that’s how much feel and stability
is available. The new trellis frame
weighs in at only 13.5kg and helps to
give the Z900 its excellent total wet
weight of only 210kg.
Adjustable front forks and rear
monoshock are well sprung for a
standard setup and give you the
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right from the factory. Braking looks
good and works well although I
found the front ABS cut in too
early which was a little annoying
when upping the pace through s
ome tight stuff.
Ergonomics are very well thought
out – especially for urban riding. A
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the ground at a standstill while the
seat is comfortable for anything but
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gives you loads of leverage and the
‘rider triangle’ is relaxed and roomy
for easy manoeuvrability.
As I mentioned, Kawasaki has used
its ‘Sugmoi’ design principle for the
Z900. This starts with the aggressive
and low headlight with bodywork
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with a minimalist approach to the
engine area devised to draw attention
to its functional beauty. A condensed
overall appearance emphasised by
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its sporty performance and this is
exactly what the ‘Sugomi’ or “call of
the wild” (which is what it means)
KAWASAKI Z900
PRICE: $12,499 (plus on-road charges)
WARRANTY: Two years,
unlimited distance
SERVICING INTERVALS: Every
6000km or 12 months
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled in-line four
cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4
valves per cylinder
BORE x STROKE: 73.4 x 56mm
DISPLACEMENT: 948cc
COMPRESSION: 11.8:1
POWER: 92.2kW @ 9500rpm
TORQUE: 98.6Nm @ 7700rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed, wet
multi-plate assist and slipper clutch,
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SUSPENSION: Front, 41mm inverted
fork, adjustable preload and rebound,
travel 120mm. Rear, monoshock,
adjustable preload and rebound,
travel 140mm.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 795mm,
weight 210kg (wet), fuel capacity 17
litres, wheelbase 1450mm
TYRES: Front, 120/70/ZR17.
Rear, 180/55/ZR17
FRAME: Steel trellis
BRAKES: Front, twin 300mm discs
with four-piston ABS calipers. Rear,
250mm disc, single-piston ABS caliper.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 5.72 litres
per 100km, premium unleaded
THEORETICAL RANGE: 297km
COLOURS: Pearl Mystic Gray/Metallic
Flat Spark BlackVERDICT: EVERYONE LOVES
A SMOOTHIESPECS
design projects when you’re
looking at the Z900.
A compact and feature-packed
instrument panel has a gear position
indicator and a bar tachometer
which offers three selectable display
modes. The tacho doubles as a
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preset rpm. You can set the shift-up
timing between 5000 and 11,000rpm
in 500rpm increments. The shift
indicator function can also be
turned off. The funky thing about
the instrument panel is that the
LCD screen has a ‘negative display’
which is white letters on a black
background, giving the Z900 a
very modern feel.
Accessories are functional and, of
course, stylish. You can get a taller
meter cover, single seat cowl, ergo-
fit high-seat which increases the seat
height 20 mm and features two-tone
leather and a debossed Kawasaki
logo. You can also get a tank bag,
DC outlet, radiator cover, sliders,
engine cover rings, front axle sliders,
tank pad, and knee pads.
In producing a motorcycle to
take on the might of Yamaha’s
dominant MT-09 I think
Kawasaki has done an amazing
job. They have produced a better
motorcycle and offer it for only a
couple of hundred dollars more
($12,499 v $12,229 for the MT-09).
If you’re after a true bang for your
buck naked, welcome the new
player – the Z900. DBIKE TEST