12-19-2017, 06:12 PM
So, Adam Waheed weighs in:
https://www.ridersdomain.com/magazine/mo...rs-review/
His take on the throttle sounds very accurate. The engine is rowdy like a Kawasaki should be, and it picks up very quickly right off the bottom, but nothing a smooth throttle hand cannot deal with.
I was a little surprised to hear he was noting the too-soft rear suspension. No such issue on the Z900, it has more than enough range to cover the needed damping. I am running mine at about half the available range. Rebound and compression are combined in one circuit with a stepless screw adjuster.
Since I know Waheed is a pretty accomplished track rider, I have to take him at his word about the brakes being "adequate". I would not be surprised if they were toned down from the R model. Radial mounting is cosmetic only. The binders on the R are very, very powerful by comparison.
He also notes the footpegs are more forward and lower than the R, in keeping with the more cruiser/standard/retro mission.
There's a lot of interest but also a lot of competition. Mainly from Triumph in the Thruxton, but let's face facts, no Thruxton will come close to this Kawasaki anywhere with equal riders, if outright performance is the issue.
But it usually isn't with this type of bike and I am not altogether sure that many buyers won't continue to put the Triumphs at the top of the list of possibilities. Do ya really need 111 HP? Well, do ya?
https://www.ridersdomain.com/magazine/mo...rs-review/
His take on the throttle sounds very accurate. The engine is rowdy like a Kawasaki should be, and it picks up very quickly right off the bottom, but nothing a smooth throttle hand cannot deal with.
I was a little surprised to hear he was noting the too-soft rear suspension. No such issue on the Z900, it has more than enough range to cover the needed damping. I am running mine at about half the available range. Rebound and compression are combined in one circuit with a stepless screw adjuster.
Since I know Waheed is a pretty accomplished track rider, I have to take him at his word about the brakes being "adequate". I would not be surprised if they were toned down from the R model. Radial mounting is cosmetic only. The binders on the R are very, very powerful by comparison.
He also notes the footpegs are more forward and lower than the R, in keeping with the more cruiser/standard/retro mission.
There's a lot of interest but also a lot of competition. Mainly from Triumph in the Thruxton, but let's face facts, no Thruxton will come close to this Kawasaki anywhere with equal riders, if outright performance is the issue.
But it usually isn't with this type of bike and I am not altogether sure that many buyers won't continue to put the Triumphs at the top of the list of possibilities. Do ya really need 111 HP? Well, do ya?