![\"The](\"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/P1020384-300x200.jpg\")
This wildcat\u2019s heart is the 948 cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve inline-four found in the Z900, yet it\u2019s been re-engineered with shorter intake and exhaust duration cam profiles and a lowered compression ratio to accentuate low- to mid-range torque. The combination of a 12 per cent increase in flywheel mass and the addition of a secondary balancer, driven off a gear on the sixth web of the crankshaft, work to dramatically dampen vibration.<\/p>\n
These changes, combined with overall increases in usability, make for a Z900 that feels more well rounded than any of its family members, so much so that the RS feels more like a standalone model. It\u2019s easy and fun to ride around town in lower gears, with power building steadily in the lower revs until it spools up through a very muscular mid range.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve heard other testers call the RS\u2019s power delivery \u201ctwitchy\u201d \u2013 too abrupt to inspire confidence during aggressive cornering. I don\u2019t agree. The power is intense at higher rpm, yes, and its ready availability requires a smooth throttle hand, but in no way do I see this punch as a detriment. Perhaps these testers are newer riders or didn\u2019t have enough time to adapt to the bike\u2019s behaviours, because frankly, it\u2019s the surge that comes on above 6,000 rpm that makes the RS so darn fun, especially when you\u2019re charging around town or across mountain roads.<\/p>\n
![\"Turning](\"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ND4_0799-300x200.jpg\")
Seeing so much of the engine exposed in such a high-performance motorcycle is always a bit of a thrill, especially in the case of the RS, where the retro vibe is so well infused with its modern componentry: visuals like the beautiful header pipes as they gather into a classic megaphone-style silencer, and how the Kawasaki design team incorporated just enough finning to flatter the modern engine.<\/p>\n
Kawasaki says its engineers had never done \u201csound research\u201d before the RS was in development, which seems surprising considering Kawasaki\u2019s past success in the cruiser market. The RS uses a straight pipe and glass wool packing within the silencer for a seductive and wholly appropriate growl, perfectly matched to this bike\u2019s feisty nature.<\/p>\n
Power to the Pavement<\/strong><\/p>\n The RS shifts tidily using the assist and slipper-clutch design we\u2019ve enjoyed on recent Kawasaki models. First gear is quite short, which makes for some exciting launches. Definitely not a gear you\u2019ll use once above parking-lot speeds, even if the slipper function of the clutch will save you from a wheel-hopping rodeo ride in case of a premature downshift. The bike also utilizes a taller final drive for a more relaxing ride at highway speeds, an attribute I can confirm after many kilometres spent rushing to and fro on California\u2019s high-speed freeways.<\/p>\n The RS is very agile in all riding conditions, and feels light, if a bit wide, as soon as you throw a leg over, despite its ride-ready weight of 214 kg. The ergonomic triangle is what we\u2019d expect from a standard with a handlebar that\u2019s wider, higher and closer to the rider than the Z900\u2019s. Foot pegs are lower and slightly more forward. It\u2019s easy to relax in this position, yet you can still get your weight closer to the handlebar for extra leverage during cornering, or simply to fight the windblast on a highway stint.<\/p>\n Looking at the RS\u2019s nostalgic profile, you wouldn\u2019t necessarily know it harbours enhancements like a sophisticated traction control system. The KTRC offers two positions: Mode 1, which allows full power and a bit of wheel slip, and Mode 2, for full-time traction management, decided by individual wheel speeds as well as engine, chassis and rider inputs.<\/p>\n Dual 300 mm discs up front and a single 250 mm rear disc combined with the standard-equipment Nissan ABS work flawlessly, hauling the spirited RS down from speed with ease. The bike\u2019s 17-inch wheels, shod with Dunlop Sportmax GPR-300s, felt sure-footed in all conditions.<\/p>\n Curb Appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n While the all-new Z900RS is definitely a solid performer, its most endearing quality has to be its heartwarming curb appeal. The cast wheels do a surprisingly good job harkening back to the original Z1\u2019s spoked design, while the embellished bobbed front fender adds flair. The styling element that\u2019s most on point, however, is the teardrop tank, though an aficionado might complain about its unsightly pinch weld.<\/p>\n The bike\u2019s wide, old-school seat visually balances excellently the curvaceous tank. Although the seat is comfortable enough for short days, with plenty of room for a passenger, my sit bones did ache after three long days in the saddle.<\/p>\n In the cockpit, the dual, black, bullet-shaped tach and speedo pods are stylish and extremely easy to read. An LCD screen bridges the pods, offering all the extraneous info we\u2019re used to seeing on our modern mounts: gear position, fuel gauge, current and average fuel consumption, coolant and external temps, time, even an indicator to let you know you\u2019re riding in an economic fashion, which is far from the riding style this bike incites. The RS SE is available in the sharp, sparkling Candytone Brown\/Candytone Orange (tested here) for $13,199, or in Metallic Spark Black for $200 less. If you really want to cause a stir, opt for the Z900RS Cafe edition, with the super-classic bikini fairing in Vintage Lime Green for $13,599. The RS pricing might feel high in relation to its closest sibling, the Z900 ABS, which goes for $9,799, but if the enhanced engine, well-executed bodywork and excellent fit-and-finish doesn\u2019t justify the surcharge, the incomparable feeling you get riding the RS just might.<\/p>\n Future Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n While the \u201960s and \u201980s tend to get most of the warm-fuzzy recollections, the \u201970s saw the beginning of many great things: Stephen Hawking brought to light the mystery of black holes, Apple built and sold its first computer and Atari let us play Pong.<\/p>\n In the world of motorcycles, the landscape would be forever changed as Japan made an indelible impact with its sophisticated, large-displacement engines powering race-ready rockets like the Z1-900.<\/p>\n The world in general is so much more complicated today, with so much commotion and constant overload that perhaps we\u2019re more willing than ever to appreciate a motorcycle that celebrates simpler times.<\/p>\n Kawasaki\u2019s Z900RS is more than a cool-looking collectible that\u2019s insanely fun to ride. It\u2019s a breath of super-groovy 1970s fresh air.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kawasaki\u2019s all-new Z900RS offers a welcome trip down memory lane Bell-bottoms and disco weren\u2019t the only cool things happening in the \u201970s. Steve McQueen was still making movies and caf\u00e9 racers were the bike du jour. Star Wars, The Godfather and Jaws regaled the masses, while On Any Sunday pulled the heartstrings of riders, describing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[366,1534,1838,1854],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Preparing](\"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ND4_0885-300x200.jpg\")
The suspension is less sporty than we\u2019re used to with the Z lineup, and consequently more comfortable for a variety of everyday riding situations. The inverted front fork offers 120 mm of travel and features 10-way adjustable compression damping and preload adjustability, while the rear shock provides 140 mm of travel and infinitely variable preload and rebound adjustability. I spent many of my kilometres on the RS tearing across mountain roads, preferring an increase in rebound dampening for a tighter response.<\/p>\n
\nNote to a new owner: The surface of the LCD panel appears easy to scratch. We received our unit with what looked to be abrasion marks from wiping, perhaps with too rough a cloth or a gas station towel.<\/p>\n