Here it comes! 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Teaser
Kawasaki Z900RS
- Thread starter Capo
- Start date
postoak_imp
Been there
I really can't tell anything from that vid, but it sounds intriguing. I've always wanted a Kawasaki retro as well as a Honda.
the Ferret
Road warrior
Lets hope so.
jermo47_imp
First service completed
If that is a picture of it (cant get to anything right now) that looks amazing... if it comes with 17inch rims I may be very interested in this bike...use2b_imp said:
flynrider
Road warrior
My long term plan has always been to pick up a '17 CB11 to replace my aging CB750. This could change that. My first 5 bikes started with the letters "KZ". I've been following the rumors about this bike for nearly two years.
The pic that use2b posted is a concept image from last year. I'll be interested to know how close they got. I'm pretty sure water cooling will be a given, with the Euro 5 emission regs on the horizon.
Can't wait to see a pic of the real thing.
I think that's an original Z-1, not the new one. The obscured new version in the video has what looks like an LED headlight and bigger, rounder gauges.
The pic that use2b posted is a concept image from last year. I'll be interested to know how close they got. I'm pretty sure water cooling will be a given, with the Euro 5 emission regs on the horizon.
Can't wait to see a pic of the real thing.
kvdv_imp said:
I think that's an original Z-1, not the new one. The obscured new version in the video has what looks like an LED headlight and bigger, rounder gauges.
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
If it looks anything like the Z1 of the past it will have my attention. The original 4 cyl Kawasakis were gorgeous bikes. MD states that the engine will be the same unit as in the current 900 and that would be a good thing. My wife is ready to trade her beloved V-strom if Kawasaki comes through.
Even if it comes to Australia, I doubt if I'll be trading, but it looks as if it will be very tempting. The concept bike looks a great mix of old and new.
bigsheep_imp
Been there
I like the concept bike from the sidecovers up, the sidecovers down, not so much. To me it has the same problem as the Yamaha, the mix doesn't blend well in my eyes. I like the Honda and Triumph approach much better. I have no doubt they will squeeze every bit of power they can out of those 900cc's and have the honda beat for power, but so does the XSR900, and I wouldn't trade the CB for one of those, even if one can zip past me. If I get a chance to ride one at a demo day I certainly will try it, but I doubt it'll move me off my 2013 CB1100 red.
pittycheria_imp
Running like a top
The still pic of just the bike is an old bike not the new one
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
nhawk7504_imp
Been there
Mono Shock and upside down forks. That's the way to go. The roads are not getting any better. Mono gives more travel out back. So they'll have that right. Motor is a peach from what I've read. Nice easy clutch for commuting. Looks good. Oh, and minus the engineer guy who said, vibration is cool. Japanese guy named Beavis I think he said.
postoak_imp
Been there
But mon-schocks and upside down forks are not retro.
the Ferret
Road warrior
from what I have been able to cull, it's been de-tuned from regular Z900 (down 13 hp), weight up (up 5 kg), it has a longer wheelbase, it's wider,& taller too
New Kawasaki Z900RS coming in October 2017
New Kawasaki Z900RS coming in October 2017
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
Aside from the paint color and wire wheels, I don't see many retro (70's) styling or engineering influences on this bike. From an aesthetic standpoint, the monoshock creates too much distance between the tire and the fender, the water-cooled engine doesn't quite fit, and I think the exhaust looks cartoonish. Still, I'm sure it'll be a blast to ride and I hope they sell a boatload of them.
If the bike ends up looking like the rendering in the article that the ferret referenced then my hat is off to Kawasaki. I think that such a bike could potentially find a new market of buyers. These would be folks who don't want a full-on retro bike, appreciate modern day suspension components/geometry and yet who aren't exactly crazy about today's transformer styled machines.
To me, this rendering shows a nice integration of a couple of key classic Kawasaki styling cues (tank/duck tail) that work on a bike with a more modern configuration. This is similar to the approach that Yamaha has taken but the Kawasaki appears to be much more well thought out and better executed in my opinion. An air-cooled engine might have had greater appeal to me personally, but I appreciate the fact that Kawasaki has taken a straight up approach with their choice to not attempt a mask the non-retro components. This appears to be very straightforward motorcycle.
So no, I wouldn't call this a retro bike, but I would call it a really nice "modern standard". I actually like the looks of this rendering quite a bit. I'll be interested to see what the actual production bike looks like by comparison.
To me, this rendering shows a nice integration of a couple of key classic Kawasaki styling cues (tank/duck tail) that work on a bike with a more modern configuration. This is similar to the approach that Yamaha has taken but the Kawasaki appears to be much more well thought out and better executed in my opinion. An air-cooled engine might have had greater appeal to me personally, but I appreciate the fact that Kawasaki has taken a straight up approach with their choice to not attempt a mask the non-retro components. This appears to be very straightforward motorcycle.
So no, I wouldn't call this a retro bike, but I would call it a really nice "modern standard". I actually like the looks of this rendering quite a bit. I'll be interested to see what the actual production bike looks like by comparison.
flynrider
Road warrior
Exactly! I bought the CB1100 not because it was retro, but because it was a modern standard bike. I would have also been interested in the XJR1300 or CB1300 had they been available in this country.Guth_imp said:
For those looking for a retro bike, I agree that the Honda and Triumph products probably fit the bill much better than this modern standard with retro styling.
the_undecider_imp
Been there
I am excited about this bike. The Z900 is a fantastic ride. For those who want a lighter, faster Japanese retro, this is it.
Wisedrum
Road warrior
I prefer an aircooled engine and if possible, not an easy art in a so say lost world for it, with a lovely looking engine. Nowadays no other motorbike with more than 1 cylinder can beat the CB in this discipline. In former years only a few came close.
Wisedrum
Wisedrum
