Thanks!... Now I can whole heartily rip on Harley's and say "I've owned 2, I know they suck"
I loved the power-plant of the Z900, But the rest of the bike not so much...
So the Z900RS has a different cam and compression ratios for more mid range grunt and highway blasting. Shorter 1st and 2nd gear and a much taller 6th giving the bike a more highway ready feel with Holeshot punch. The fatter torque curve and transmission is designed to make the RS feel quicker than the Z900 and act more like a "traditional" UJM with more "punch" out of the hole. In my video you can see I was actively trying to keep up with that standard Z900 as the RS scooted off very quickly. They still boast a respectable 111hp, which is 14hp less than the Z900 but adds more on the fit and finish, really driving a true modern retro motorcycle. Also the Egos are way more relaxed vs the Z900. Bench seat upright handlebars and pegs that are not behind you but under you, the epitome of a UJM. I would say they are very much like the Triumph T120's which I put over 100 miles on when i was down there( AND I AM IN LOVE WITH THAT BIKE!), I sat on the RS and it was a dead giveaway that Kawasaki's relaxed seated RS is trying to steer folks away from the Bonneville. Also the RS gets the classic 80's Kawasaki gauges...
It's gorgeous, quick, comfy and highway capable...
I want it... In a Bad Way!
I wanted to Demo it but they were booked for DAYS.... Oh well I got a feel for the power-plant with the Z900, and handling which is great and was told very comparable between the 2 bikes.
Both are middleweight 470lbs wet bikes with 950cc I-4 motors. Liter bikes for sure.
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