The CB1100 Community Forum

Hey everyone! Dont know what it is lately but ive just started scoping out the Kawasaki Z900 RS. Actually i know what got me started on it. Aside from seeing it a while back when it was released and not really thinking much about it, i saw one on the road the other day and was like oooh what is that. Then it clicked.

Anyway, i really love the old school orange/brown paint scheme and the aggressive styling of it. So naturally ive been watching YouTube videos and looking at reviews, common issues, mods etc. Seems like owners are very happy with them. Im definitely not a fan of liquid cooling whatsoever. All of my bikes have been or are air cooled and i always felt there is no place for the extra complication on a motorcycle ya know.

However, i cant find myself staying away from it. Now mind you the CB is going nowhere, shes a beauty and very true to the roots and i love it. But, i think i might try to look at one in person down the road and get a feel for it. Im seeing in reviews that they seem to have a higher seat height. Im 5'9" so not super short but i dont want to be tip toeing on any bike etc.

Anyway, just figured i would share my thoughts and see if any of you guys have any experience with it or rode one etc. I get that its not super close to the original but i think its a cool package and came out great. Take care!

I loved it the first time I saw it at Paris motorcycle show last year but I’m waiting until they are couple years old to scoop one up for cheap. Nothing stands close to CB1100 in terms of style and being true to its mission. Only if those 2017 would finally drop to $7500 as left overs I’d pick one up.

(06-10-2019, 10:11 AM)Honda_Fan_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I loved it the first time I saw it at Paris motorcycle show last year but I’m waiting until they are couple years old to scoop one up for cheap. Nothing stands close to CB1100 in terms of style and being true to its mission. Only if those 2017 would finally drop to $7500 as left overs I’d pick one up.

Sweet, i would absolutely like to see one in the showroom and sit on it. Im seeing some 18's new for a little over 9k vs 11k msrp. I would hate to see a great bike lose its value and maybe not produced anymore but just like the CB, swoop in when the time is right ya know. Got my 14 new for 6K so i wouldn't mind the same for the Kaw ! Winter might be the time to do it.

I've sat on one at two different shops. IT's definitly a tall booger. One thing I didnt care for was the gap between the tire and rear fender. ALso didn't like the fact that I could see the radiator cap from the seat of the bike. If I recall the master cylinders were also those urine cups on stalks that I don't like, but aside from those visual nit pics, I bet it's a really fun bike to ride.

Last year I was in the market for either a '17 CB1100 or '18 900RS. My current #2 bike is getting long in the tooth and won't last forever. Unfortunately, I had an unexpected budget busting expense and new bike plans are delayed until later this year or early next year.

I was nearly ready to pull the trigger on the 900RS. I'd been to the dealer and did find it a bit high for my 5'8" height. I couldn't quite flat foot it, but I wasn't imitating a ballerina either. Kawasaki makes a low seat for it that reduces the seat height by 30mm (slightly more than an inch), which should do the trick. Like you, I'm also not crazy about the liquid cooled engine, but I think I can probably live with it.

Prices are down to about $8.5K (in my area) for leftover '18 models, which is about what I was shooting for when I still had bike money. I'm thinking by the time my budget has recovered, there might even be some better deals available.

Yea I'm a couple inches shorter than you flyn, and it was a ballerina thing for me. Good to know they have a low seat for it.

I've sat on one and yes it is tall but I like that being 6'. They're having Kawasaki Demo this Friday and Saturday at a local dealer (the one I bought my CB from) with demo rides. I've got a long ride scheduled Saturday so I'm trying to figure out a way to get out of work to get there Friday. I'd love to get a test ride in.

Thanks for all the input guys! Always exciting when a new bike really catches your eye. Ill find one in the near future and go check it out. If it feels good in the saddle then ill do a test ride etc. My only issue now is too many bikes in the garage ! Lol. I might be selling my beloved Roadliner, been a flawless bike, just dont really have the need for a couch on wheels anymore. I enjoy the simplicity and more nimbleness of a lightweight standard type bike. If i do get a Z900 RS down the road, i can always get a GIVI top box to go along with the GIVI rack i have on the CB. This way if i need to store something or do a longer ride i can have the luggage option that my Roadliner offers. Ah well we shall see!

(06-10-2019, 10:11 AM)Honda_Fan_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I loved it the first time I saw it at Paris motorcycle show last year but I’m waiting until they are couple years old to scoop one up for cheap. Nothing stands close to CB1100 in terms of style and being true to its mission. Only if those 2017 would finally drop to $7500 as left overs I’d pick one up.

Very cool. I was at the 2018 Paris show too. Remember this line-up at the Kawasaki exhibit?

I rode one at the Long Beach Progressive motorcycle show last November....it was a 2019 and performed flawlessly. The 2018 models have a fueling glitch that can be corrected with an ECU flash by GUHL. I wish it had twin rear shocks and a hidden radiator cap but I will be parking an orange/brown 2019 next to my CB1100 as soon as I sell my ZRXes. A lot of owners are trading seats with some taller Canadian owners because their bikes all come with the low seat version.....at 5’7” I’ll also be looking for someone to trade with.
The low seat is 35mm lower by the way.
It was getting a lot of attention....