2018 Kawasaki ZR900RS: Hit or Miss?

[GS1150Pilot]

With all the troubles I had with my XR1200 down here in Florida I almost traded in for one of these... I love it! I went to demo it but they are all booked up. I tried the standard Z900 and it was a decent machine so I bet the RS will MOVE. Motor and transmission is a gem.

I'll be going to my local Kawasaki dealer when I get back to VT and work out a deal to get out of my XR... the XSR900 is not as nice in person but the Z900RS is even nicer... I love the brown and orange.

Don't be surprised if I buy this bike by season ends.

Go, Justin, go!

 

[Guest]

I think this retro 900 is the shiznitz! Had I not just bought a new VMAX a few years ago, I would have been first in line at the dealership for one of these! Now that Honda and Kawasaki have attempted retro bikes, what's stopping Suzuki? I bet these Z900's sell like hotcakes, unlike the CB1100 which was WOEFULLY underpowered.

 

[rphillips]

Yeah, Honda's were a very weak attempt, This Kawasaki is already way ahead, if for no other reason, just cause of the looks.

 

[exdirtbiker]

I can never figure out why anyone would have a brown vehicle. Let UPS have that. (Root beer doesn’t help).

LOVE the Rootbeer. ( when done well...) (not mine)

 

[glib]

LOVE the Rootbeer. ( when done well...) (not mine)

Mmm...gotta admit, that's pretty sweet. I guess even brown in the hands of a master...

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Freaking gorgeous paint there!

 

[rphillips]

Gosh that looks good, but no orange stripes. That looks more metal flake than metallic, I can't really remember, exactly, if the orig. Kawasiki "Root Beer" may have been more metal flake or not. been too many yrs.

 

[Steve]

That looks more metal flake than metallic, ...

That's what I call "Bass Boat metalflake". :encouragement:

.

 

[bobgroger]

I did notice on Cycletrader the least expensive Z900RS is listed at 10.6k, the least expensive new Z900, which has 15+ more HP, is $6k. Maybe we need to rethink this retro thing. And the Z900 resembles a Katana

 

[Runeight]

Local dealer has the brown/orange in stock. I?m waiting on the cafe version if it comes to the states. I think it will.

 

[exdirtbiker]

That's what I call "Bass Boat metalflake". :encouragement:

.

I always called it "George Barris Metalflake"

 

[salty_monk]

The radiator is still big and ugly though....
There is a design case for a fan fed unit up under the seat for sure... and maybe a small one that looks like an oil cooler would be acceptable at the front.
Could also be fed by intakes in the seat I guess. No seat warmer needed!

 

[bobgroger]

I always called it "George Barris Metalflake"

You have to remember the alternate color in '73 was a horrid green and yellow that made the brown look absolutely beautiful. 74 and 75 were better, in 76 a nicer green and rootbeer were the choices again.

 

[limeex2]

I did notice on Cycletrader the least expensive Z900RS is listed at 10.6k, the least expensive new Z900, which has 15+ more HP, is $6k. Maybe we need to rethink this retro thing. And the Z900 resembles a Katana

The person who is helping me with my 1100g top end has Kawasaki green blood. So green, Kaw gave him a Z900 to demo at his non dealer shop. He loves the Z900, puts up with the Jetson look because its so fun to drive. Yes, I like the looks of the 900RS. Seen pics of some mod-stockers already and they dress out nice. Other than Triumph's, best looking retro yet. Suzuki doesnt have the balls to do it.

 

[Cipher]

I like it, but then I had the original. Paid $2200 cash out the door for it. 19 years old and was gonna live forever.

So far you have.

 

[rphillips]

Hey Bob Let's think this old KZ 900 color thing over. As best as I can remember, all the 1973 KZ 900's were root beer W/ a "real wide" orange stripe down the side of the tank. I've never seen a real wide yellow stripe on green. In 1974 they went to much narrower stripes, root beer with narrower orange stripes, & green with narrow yellow stripes. "74", I think was the first year for the green & yellow, or have I forgot? Can you imagine the Z900RS, in green & yellow? Yee Gads!!!

 

[bobgroger]

Hey Bob Let's think this old KZ 900 color thing over. As best as I can remember, all the 1973 KZ 900's were root beer W/ a "real wide" orange stripe down the side of the tank. I've never seen a real wide yellow stripe on green. In 1974 they went to much narrower stripes, root beer with narrower orange stripes, & green with narrow yellow stripes. "74", I think was the first year for the green & yellow, or have I forgot? Can you imagine the Z900RS, in green & yellow? Yee Gads!!!

May have been country specific, I can't imagine anyone buying one...

 

[Runeight]

They also had a blue I believe.

 

[rphillips]

Thanks Bob, I've never seen those colors on the "73" paint scheme. Gosh that's even worse than the "74" green/ yellow. I appreciate that pic.

 

[exdirtbiker]

I always liked the American Graffiti car !
I have always love that color, and the one above is close enough to this: