कावासाकी Z900

As an owner of the Kawasaki Z900, I have had the pleasure of experiencing this exhilarating motorcycle in various conditions, from city commuting to spirited weekend rides. I will delve into the aspects that make the Z900 a standout choice in the naked sportbike segment.
The engine is smooth, responsive, and delivers ample power across the rev range. Whether navigating through city traffic or carving through winding mountain roads, the Z900 offers effortless acceleration and thrilling performance. The throttle response is precise, and the transmission shifts seamlessly, enhancing the overall riding experience.

समीक्षक के बारे में

Hi all,
Hitting 36, I have got the urge to live my dream of owning a naked inline-4. As the years pass, life gets busier and hence it is more like a now or never decision.
I have set my eyes on the MY22 Z900, but the reviews about the after-sales support do not add confidence. Spoke to the Chennai dealer and they have shared the price list right away. I will be visiting the showroom this Sunday to speak to them with my better half.
Before finalising, I need guidance from the experts on the below questions.
I, for one, used to ride adequately. It was about 5 years since life has gotten very busy, but itching to ride again since the kids have grown up to a manageable age. Is Z900 a good machine for long tours? I mean 5-6 day tours? I understand that tourers like Versus are better but always wished to own an inline-4.
How are the fuel demands of the motorcycle? Does it always have to be 95 RON? Since I like to ride to less commercialized places, what alternative is possible, like the octane boosters are mandatory? How does it affect the health of the motorcycle?
Planning to go for the K-Care package, which covers the basic maintenance by Kawasaki for 3 years. Is it a good idea or is it better to give it to the specialists outside?
Having no grab rails, how easier is it to get one as I intend to ride with my wife?
Apart from frame sliders and a better windshield, what other basic accessories should I budget in? I am not a big fan of aftermarket upgrades and like to keep the bike as close to stock as possible.
I ride a 390 Duke, which has a good GC. Kawaker is 145 mm. How difficult is it to manoeuvre around the speed breakers?
I am 169 cms tall and I believe Z900 would be better suited considering my height. My budget is around 10L.
Eagerly looking for guidance.
Thanks and ride safe.
Here's what BHPian neil.jericho had to say about the matter:
I think you should go through this (Honda CB650R Review) very informative post from GoBlue before you make a final decision. Also, what sort of touring are you going to do? Is all of it going to be two up? How many kilometers will you ride in a year?
As I see it, the constraints of inline 4, two-up touring, naked and budget don't fall into place for you. One factor has to be eliminated or compromised on. A more logical way to look at it would be:
Versys 650 / V Strom 650, if you are willing to compromise on the 4 cylinders. You and your wife can tour in comfort. Head - 1. Heart - 0. Wallet - 1.
Z900 / CB650R, if you are willing to compromise on the touring part. The Honda might be a better big bike for you to ease back into motorcycling and it is probably roomier compared to the Kawasaki. Head - 0. Heart - 1. Wallet - 1.
Versys / Ninja 1000, if you are willing to compromise on the budget part. Head - 1. Heart - 1. Wallet - 0.
If you will do a lot of touring, I would suggest that you go with a bike that doesn't demand 95 RON and ride with complete peace of mind. That is where the Versys 650, V-Strom 650, CB650R and Ninja 1000 score very strongly.
On the accessories front, your number one purchase should be a radiator guard. Get it fixed before taking delivery.
Here's what BHPian Rachit.K.Dogra had to say about the matter:
Before I say anything, most motorcycles can do most things. You can tour on a Z900 too. However, it wouldn't be as comfortable for a pillion and luggage mounting will be a challenge. People say on long-distance touring, the wind blast of a naked bike can also be tiring.
If you want an inline-4 and you really plan to do 5-6 day tours, Versys 1000 should be a better option. Z900 is more of a street bike.
One thing I will add is where do you like to go touring? If it is hills, typically narrow hilly roads of our country tend to suit lighter bikes more. I am in no way suggesting that big bikes wouldn't do narrow hilly roads, it's just smaller bikes can be more fun and satisfying to ride. If it's long highway miles, something with wind protection might be better.
Here's what BHPian rb2399 had to say about the matter:
Please don't overlook this important aspect. Contrary to what others say, if the engine is designed to run on at least RON95 fuel, you better run it on RON95. Why'd the manufacturer put the minimum RON rating sticker on the tank if that's not needed?
This is based on my personal experience of owning and riding a Z800 that needs minimum 95 octane fuel. It knocked like hell during my ride to Sikkim thanks to the lower octane petrol she's fed with (albeit from a reputed brand/pump). Mind you, I don't flog my bikes and in spite of being easy on the throttle, the Z used to ping even on slight acceleration.
RON95 is more like an exception in India than a norm. If you are serious about going to faraway places, please keep this factor in mind.
This was THE deciding factor for me when I moved from the Z800 to the V-Strom 650 as the V runs on RON 91 which is widely available in India.
You may want to confirm with the Kawasaki guys if they've retuned the engine for our kind of fuel but I have my own doubts about the same!
Carrying octane boosters is highly impractical for outstation rides in my opinion. You just want to enjoy the ride and don't want the hassle of measuring and pouring the octane booster during every pit stop.

समीक्षक के बारे में

The Kawasaki Z 900 is a true masterpiece of engineering and design, offering riders an exhilarating experience on the road. With its powerful 948cc engine, the Z 900 delivers impressive performance and acceleration, making it a top choice for adrenaline junkies and speed enthusiasts. One of the standout features of the Z 900 is its sleek and aggressive styling, which sets it apart from other bikes in its class. The sharp lines and bold colors give this bike a modern and edgy look that is sure to turn heads wherever you go. In terms of handling, the Z 900 excels with its responsive suspension system and nimble maneuverability. Whether you're cruising down the highway or carving through tight corners, this bike offers a smooth and stable ride that instills confidence in the rider. Overall, the Kawasaki Z 900 is a top-notch motorcycle that delivers on both performance and style. If you're looking for a thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more, look no further than the Z 900.

समीक्षक के बारे में