Kawasaki Z900RS

[Bheezy27403_imp]

My first street bike was a 1980 CM400T. Loved it.

[Wisedrum]

The latest CB400SF has a VTEC engine rated at 55 hp with a wet weight of around 440 lbs. That's about 20 more horses than the old CB350F.

I think that power to weight ratio would make it an ideal bike for zipping around town and twisty back roads.

Flyn/Bheezy, ..I don't think it's a power to weight ratio thing for me, I think it's a torque/rpm thing for me. I like riding around at 2500-3500 rpms without strain and enjoy the "pull" when I twist the throttle at those rpms on a liter bike. The CB and ST excel at my type of riding. All of the bikes I listed/test rode will go fast enough to break the speed limit in Utah, but I don't like having to run 6,7,8000 or more rpms to do so. Some guys love banging them off red line. I got over doing that by the late 70's. I like an "easy" ride for lack of a better term. It's a personal idiosyncrasy I have.

It's the feel of a good torque that satisfies my ride.
The CB and the W have it, somehow like a steam locomotion not needing much revs. In order to keep my driving license and stick to speed limits I seldom have to rev them higher in their highest gear then your mentioned rev range except on the AB, where things are a little bit faster. And the bikes pull right away when being accelerated into higher revs.

But I think a lot of manufacturers seems to tune their bikes for having a similar torquey character.
That's what I'm reading in motorbike tests today but I've not tested other bikes these days.

Wisedrum

[redbirds_imp]

From Web Bike Japan... http://japan.webike.net/moto_news/leadin...n=20171119

[toecutter_imp]

Any idea on where the bike is produced? i think I read somewhere it might be made in thailand... Debating between this and the cb1100 although the z900rs is a bit lighter

[LongRanger_imp]

Japan's my guess. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[DaSwami_imp]

I still get a kick hopping on my TU250X around town, I'm darn near as big as the bike and probably look ridiculous, but I have a blast.

I find I like different bikes for different moods!

[Houtman_imp]

I still get a kick hopping on my TU250X around town, I'm darn near as big as the bike and probably look ridiculous, but I have a blast.

I find I like different bikes for different moods!

One of my riding buddies has one as well and loves it , rode it once but it was not for me.

[redbirds_imp]

Now on Kawasaki's US site at $10,999. About 70lbs lighter than the CB.

[nhawk7504_imp]

Now on Kawasaki's US site at $10,999. About 70lbs lighter than the CB.

70 Pounds is a lot. Gonna be a completely different animal. About the same as my liquid cooled Honda 919 which I only sold because the first previous owner replaced the forks and gauges so the mileage was off and the front end was a tad shorter. The RS won't have the engine pinging and fins. Won't have retro engine look, retro forks, retro twin shocks. What I really liked about the 919 is the way it settled in at about 72 mph on the highway. The RS will likely be the same.
I'd have both if I had the money and time. I also test rode the Ducati Supersport and that has its place too. Very nice machine. Bent over the front but that again is good at higher speeds and I like highways myself just to clear the cobwebs sometimes.

[Cormanus]

The RS is apparently on a dealer's floor in Brisbane at an advertised price of AU$17,999 ride away. On today's exchange rate, that's about US$13,500.

The café version arrives early next year.