New Kawasaki 900 Retro

[Capo]

As if on cue, Kawasaki belatedly enters the retro game. Whaddaya think?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-b...-imminent/


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[Cormanus]

Oh, nice work, Kawasaki. That's a lovely looking bike.

[redbirds_imp]

Drop dead gorgeous. I'm sure some will gripe about Kawasaki opting for liquid cooling but air cooled motors are getting more difficult than ever meeting emission standards while still maintaining the performance level riders demand. Good work Kawasaki.

[Capo]

This rendering shows a monoshock, a decidedly non- retro feature, not sure if that's what the production version will go with, but they certainly captured the spirit of the old Z. Or at least the Zephyr.


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[the Ferret]

Looks great. Should be a hit with the retro guys that want more horsepower, single shock, upside down forks.

[alphonsus_imp]

As if on cue, Kawasaki belatedly enters the retro game. Whaddaya think?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-b...-imminent/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.


This one is more in line with the XSR series, "retro inspired" maybe, with lots of modern design elements. Probably will be a bigger sales success than the W, judging by the success of the XSR and the Duc Scrambler. Not a huge fan of the look personally, but nice to see a non-transformers looking bike from Kawasaki.

[Capo]

Yes, but the W Kawasaki was a pastiche retro of a BSA or Triumph, not their own bike. I've seen people put Triumph badges on them! Lack of brand authenticity and timing held that bike from being a sales success in US, but they were lovely.


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[hb9400_imp]

How can that not be a hit but a retro Z1R would have been nice. I'm just not a fan of the spokes.
Suzuki needs to take notice and do a retro GS1000S.

[the Ferret]

As if on cue, Kawasaki belatedly enters the retro game. Whaddaya think?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-b...-imminent/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.


This one is more in line with the XSR series, "retro inspired" maybe, with lots of modern design elements. Probably will be a bigger sales success than the W, judging by the success of the XSR and the Duc Scrambler. Not a huge fan of the look personally, but nice to see a non-transformers looking bike from Kawasaki.

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.

I also think besides only a 2 year run of 650's in North America and no 800's, people were put off by the retro performance of the Kawasaki's. Slower than both the Moto Guzzi 750 and the Triumph Bonneville which was retro hp king until the CB1100 came along, and a lot of people are still unimpressed with the power of the CB1100. If this Kaw puts out over 120 HP it should be mildly popular.

[Capo]

As if on cue, Kawasaki belatedly enters the retro game. Whaddaya think?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-b...-imminent/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.


This one is more in line with the XSR series, "retro inspired" maybe, with lots of modern design elements. Probably will be a bigger sales success than the W, judging by the success of the XSR and the Duc Scrambler. Not a huge fan of the look personally, but nice to see a non-transformers looking bike from Kawasaki.

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.

I also think besides only a 2 year run of 650's in North America and no 800's, people were put off by the retro performance of the Kawasaki's. Slower than both the Moto Guzzi 750 and the Triumph Bonneville which was retro hp king until the CB1100 came along, and a lot of people are still unimpressed with the power of the CB1100. If this Kaw puts out over 120 HP it should be mildly popular.

that's not quite true, since Kawa has had the W650/W800 for the past decade. A really beautiful bike, with real retro build. Sadly discontinued from next year due to Euro 4.

I also think besides only a 2 year run of 650's in North America and no 800's, people were put off by the retro performance of the Kawasaki's. Slower than both the Moto Guzzi 750 and the Triumph Bonneville which was retro hp king until the CB1100 came along, and a lot of people are still unimpressed with the power of the CB1100. If this Kaw puts out over 120 HP it should be mildly popular.
Yes, I prefer the interpretive modern retro approach a la the CB and new Thruxton, and apparently this new Kaw, more than the replica/ knockoff approach of the W. Or the 'not even a retro but an actual old bike' approach of Royal Enfield!