The all-new 2023 Kawasaki Z9000RS has landed. A classic retro styled bike that is just as comfortable around town as cruising through the mountains. Time to see how it rides.

First Impressions

The Kawasaki Z900RS definitely looks the part.

The iconic teardrop fuel tank and the bullet shaped analogue dials really add to the classic retro styling of the bike. Coupled with a digital display with all the information you could want at your fingertips (except for perhaps a navigation system but there is plenty of room to attach a phone via a Quad Lock to show Maps).

The seat is very comfortable with ample padding and the riding position is adjustable via the Kawasaki Ergo-Fit system.

The first part of the ride involved navigating the city streets through the south of Brisbane. The bike performed flawlessly, happy to cruise at low speeds. The curb weight of the bike is 214kg which is about average for this class. Kawasaki has introduced a horizontal back-link rear suspension which contributes to a mass centralisation of the bikes centre of gravity. This results in the bike feeling very nimble and manoeuvrable, even at low speeds. The bike is also quiet at city speeds so you won’t annoy the neighbours.

Out of the urban jungle and onto the open road, and the real fun begins. The power delivery of the Z900RS is, simply put, awesome! Twist the throttle and the engine roars to life. The acceleration is very, very smooth and there is plenty of torque and useable power at your disposal. This is delivered via dual throttle valve technology designed to tame engine response whilst contributing to performance. Overtaking is no problem with plenty of torque to get you around obstacles without the need to change down gears.

Featuring ABS and selectable Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), the bike has been designed for acceleration out of corners by maximising forward drive from the rear wheel. This made riding through the twists and bends of Rathdowney very fun indeed.

Conclusion

Presented with the opportunity to test ride a 2023 Kawasaki Z900RS on a shop ride from Springwood to Rathdowney, I couldn’t resist to see what the Z900RS was like to ride (having rode sports bikes my whole life until moving to cruisers last year). Riding the Z900RS allows you to experience the best of both worlds. From its’ relaxed upright seating position and classic retro styling to the power of the 948cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine, riding the bike was super enjoyable. Would I buy one? YES!

Tech specs in a nutshell

• Max power: 82kw @ 8,500rpm
• Max torque: 98.5 Nm @ 6,500rpm
• Compression: 10.8:1
• Transmission: 6 speed
• Fuel capacity: 17L
• Weight 217kg