If there's one motorcycle brand that is quite underrated yet very aspirational for some, then it has to be Kawasaki. The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has a product portfolio for different genres of a motorcyclist. Today, one such genre of motorcyclist would be happy to know that the brand has launched the updated Kawasaki Z900RS at Rs 16.47 lakhs. (ex-showroom)
Kawasaki could not be able to meet the stringent BS6 emissions norms, and thus the Z900 was not on sale for a while. But now, the brand has taken an ambitious approach and brought in the new Kawasaki Z900RS with a 948cc inline four-cylinder engine that meets the RDE norms, which will be effective soon. Kawasaki believes- the all-new Z900RS will appeal to those who fondly recall the launch of the iconic "son of Z1," the Z900-B1, in 1977.
The design identity is typical of Kawasaki, with rounded LED headlamps, a slim tail lamp integrated with ribbed pattern seats, and a teardrop-shaped fuel tank. The 2023 Kawasaki Z900RS is 2,100mm long, 865mm wide, 1,150mm tall and has a 1,470mm long wheelbase. The bike weighs around 215kg. The seat height of the Z900RS is 835mm and gets a ground clearance of 135mm. With modern Retro Styling, Z900RS appeals to classic buyers preferring performance and looks. Kawasaki Z900RS will be available in two colours scheme- Candy Tone Blue and Metallic Diablo Black. It gets spoke-style cast wheels to look like classic wire-spoked wheels.
Kawasaki Z900RS gets a lightweight trellis frame chassis, with inverted front forks with around 120mm of wheel travel, whereas the rear gets a horizontal back-Link suspension with 140mm wheel travel. How well the ride quality performs out in the real world is something we can tell once we get to test-ride the bike.
The powertrain duties are being fulfilled by an updated 948cc inline four-cylinder that produces around 110hp of peak power and 99Nm of torque. The engine comes mated with a 6-speed transmission with assist & slipper clutch.
The braking duties are being handled with dual semi-floating 300 mm discs with dual radial-mount, monobloc, as opposed to 4-piston callipers at the front. The rear setup includes a single 250 mm disc with a single-piston calliper.
The 2023 Kawasaki Z900RS goes against Triumph Bonneville T100 and the Speed Twin. And Z900RS is being updated with the new RDE norms; it is here to rule the roads until the era of electric motorcycling takes over. BTW, do you know Kawasaki has showcased the prototype of its upcoming electric motorcycle based on the Z range of street naked at Intermot 2022 in Cologne, Germany?
