the Ferret
Road warrior
:rofl: I'm guessing you would need a sawzall and a big drill offroad
New Kawasaki 900 Retro
- Thread starter Capo
- Start date
PowerDubs_imp
Road warrior
physics-teacher_imp said:
To be fair, the first things I changed on my CB1100 were a thicker stepped seat and wider more pulled back handlebars.
flynrider
Road warrior
I like what I see so far. It'll be interesting to see what the actual bike looks like.
I like standard motorcycles that don't look like they came from a Transformers film. It looks like Kaw has come up with a modern motorcycle with the styling of a 70's Z bike. Modern features like water cooling and monoshock suspension are definitely going to make it look different than an original Z1, but I'm OK with that. Much like the current Bonnie T120, it's not meant to be an exact copy of the original. Just a modern bike designed with a nod to the past.
I like standard motorcycles that don't look like they came from a Transformers film. It looks like Kaw has come up with a modern motorcycle with the styling of a 70's Z bike. Modern features like water cooling and monoshock suspension are definitely going to make it look different than an original Z1, but I'm OK with that. Much like the current Bonnie T120, it's not meant to be an exact copy of the original. Just a modern bike designed with a nod to the past.
I'm with you, Flyn (and with redbirds and anyone else who can live with modern compromises). The only gripe I'd have with the bike in the picture is the truly awful pillion seat.
Henrik_imp
Been there
Just a note on the W, certainly the 800 version didn't have less power than the Bonnie, and with more torque it felt like a much nicer engine to ride than the Bonnie. I nearly bought one, as I had found it much better than the Bonnie, but in the end the CB came out...
I love this new Kawasaki. Very much looking forward to see the finished product, and I would not be bothered by the pillion seat as I never sit there...
I love this new Kawasaki. Very much looking forward to see the finished product, and I would not be bothered by the pillion seat as I never sit there...
kmoney_imp
Road warrior
It's nice, but not amazing (at least to me). Looks are subjective, but this doesn't have the just sit and look at it because its beautiful from every angle quality that the CB does. I think part of it is that giant radiator.
Wisedrum
Road warrior
It's no wonder, that Kawasaki has launched
the retro field again. Again, because they
always did. Look at the Estrella, the W1, W650,
W800, the Drifters and the Zephyrs for example.
What do I think about the new 900?
They try to revisit a once very successful bike
with its cubic inches, that will draw attention by
itself. The CB is more attractive with its aircooled
engine, the fork and the rear suspension. Even with
its non spoked wheels. I like the more of cubic inches
and will stick to the Honda regardless of what the
Kawa is going to look and perform like when put
out on the market.
One word to the often acclaimed horsepower.
In my opion the W800 still has enough and the
CB has more than I can take. So, if the 900
will offer 100 or some horse power doesn't matter
much to me. They are so many bikes out there
with lots of hp, which aren't of any interest to me.
Horsepower by itself means nothing. The way a
bike communicates it is the biggest piece of the cake.
The W and CB have very nice taste so to say.
Wisedrum
the retro field again. Again, because they
always did. Look at the Estrella, the W1, W650,
W800, the Drifters and the Zephyrs for example.
What do I think about the new 900?
They try to revisit a once very successful bike
with its cubic inches, that will draw attention by
itself. The CB is more attractive with its aircooled
engine, the fork and the rear suspension. Even with
its non spoked wheels. I like the more of cubic inches
and will stick to the Honda regardless of what the
Kawa is going to look and perform like when put
out on the market.
One word to the often acclaimed horsepower.
In my opion the W800 still has enough and the
CB has more than I can take. So, if the 900
will offer 100 or some horse power doesn't matter
much to me. They are so many bikes out there
with lots of hp, which aren't of any interest to me.
Horsepower by itself means nothing. The way a
bike communicates it is the biggest piece of the cake.
The W and CB have very nice taste so to say.
Wisedrum
flynrider
Road warrior
I agree with you there. A real standard bike should comfortably seat two.Cormanus_imp said:
Henrik_imp
Been there
Spoke with a friend who is a Kawasaki dealer here about it. He has been eagerly awaiting something like this for a while, but he was sad to tell me that it seems pretty certain there will not be one for 2017. Possibly 2018 though...
Bummer!
Bummer!
ride4now_imp
Road warrior
Tezza_imp said:It will be a very hard decision for me...To part with the CB1100 and buy one or keep what has been a wonderful machine. It would make a nice addition to my first love if I could change the mufflers.
Tezza... that 900 of yours is just stunning. I think the original Kawasaki Z1 900 (as you have) is the most beautifully designed motorcycle ever made. Just beautiful! The new version as I've seen on this thread is nice...but I'd have to see much more before I would even consider moving on.
Offroad
Road warrior
I agree I owned a 750 and I only rode a 900 a couple times but that's always been the motorcycle of my dreams
feralchimp_imp
Running like a top
Nice tank, paint, and tail section. Much more of a frankenbike than the CB1100 with the rear monoshock and mismatched front fender. Definitely aiming for the XSR900 segment, which is a much worse-looking (IMHO) frankenbike, but will be interesting to see the price point and features since the XSR is tricked out with ABS, TC, and even cruise control iirc.
Tezza's bike above is an absolute stunner.
Tezza's bike above is an absolute stunner.
