12-27-2017, 03:05 PM
mickey, I didn't get to ride the Z900RS, so I can't offer a ride report or any sort of hands-on functional comparo to my XSR. I was only able to sit on it and hear it run while blipping the throttle.
What I can now tell for certain, however, is that my XSR is a whole lot lighter, narrower, shorter (wheelbase and seat height), and, with my Dimotiv bar risers, more comfortable. Having read about twenty ride reviews of the Z900RS, I am 100% certain that my bike will out-handle and out-brake it, while accelerating a whole lot harder. I'm also certain that my bike has greater ground clearance and is much more flickable. I'll bet that the Z900RS has a plusher ride, though. Lastly, my bike doesn't have any of the jerky-throttle fueling issues of the Z900RS.
Now, keep in mind, this isn't really a fair, apples-to-apples fight here. My bike has braided steel lines and HH pads, so I have an advantage there in initial bite and overall sharpness. I have a full Akropovic carbon exhaust with a matching reflashed ECU and AIS block-offs, so not only is my fueling that much better again, but the bike also dropped a good ten lbs while adding ten rwhp, a couple ft-lbs of torque, and a whole buttload of midrange punch. At this point, my XSR produces the same rwhp as a Z900, so roughly a dozen more than a Z900RS, while weighing fifty lbs less. My suspension has also been set up properly for my weight and riding style, and XSR900 suspension is not the same as FZ/MT-09 suspension. The XSR's shock is significantly firmer than the MT's, both in terms of spring rate and damping.
So, no, it's not really a fair fight, comparing the performance of my XSR to the new Z900RS. Even bone stock, though, I'm certain my XSR was still much sportier, albeit a bit less comfortable.
What I can now tell for certain, however, is that my XSR is a whole lot lighter, narrower, shorter (wheelbase and seat height), and, with my Dimotiv bar risers, more comfortable. Having read about twenty ride reviews of the Z900RS, I am 100% certain that my bike will out-handle and out-brake it, while accelerating a whole lot harder. I'm also certain that my bike has greater ground clearance and is much more flickable. I'll bet that the Z900RS has a plusher ride, though. Lastly, my bike doesn't have any of the jerky-throttle fueling issues of the Z900RS.
Now, keep in mind, this isn't really a fair, apples-to-apples fight here. My bike has braided steel lines and HH pads, so I have an advantage there in initial bite and overall sharpness. I have a full Akropovic carbon exhaust with a matching reflashed ECU and AIS block-offs, so not only is my fueling that much better again, but the bike also dropped a good ten lbs while adding ten rwhp, a couple ft-lbs of torque, and a whole buttload of midrange punch. At this point, my XSR produces the same rwhp as a Z900, so roughly a dozen more than a Z900RS, while weighing fifty lbs less. My suspension has also been set up properly for my weight and riding style, and XSR900 suspension is not the same as FZ/MT-09 suspension. The XSR's shock is significantly firmer than the MT's, both in terms of spring rate and damping.
So, no, it's not really a fair fight, comparing the performance of my XSR to the new Z900RS. Even bone stock, though, I'm certain my XSR was still much sportier, albeit a bit less comfortable.