I had the opportunity to spend time with the Z900 for few days, from Kuala Lumpur nerve wrecking traffic to fast highways, sweeping B-roads and the occasional badly patched tarmac.
I came away thinking Kawasaki has got the basic formula very right.
I like the way the new Z900 looks.
It is unmistakably a Z, but Kawasaki has sharpened the styling without making it look overly complicated.
I particularly like the aggressive front end and the way the tank flows into the side panels.
This Kawa looks compact and purposeful.
I don't need a motorcycle to look like a transformer from a science-fiction movie.
The Z900 looks ready to move even when it is parked. Maybe I am exaggerating.
I found the riding position immediately comfortable. The handlebars give me enough leverage without making the bike feel too upright, while the seat height is manageable for my 182cm frame.
What I really like is that I sit "in" the motorcycle rather than "on" it.
My knees naturally wrap around the tank and I can move around when I want to attack a corner.
After an hour or two, I still felt reasonably fresh. That matters to me because in Malaysia, a Sunday ride can easily turn into a three-hour affair once I start exploring the smaller roads.
The seat, however, isn't perfect. It is fine for shorter rides, but after several hours I am very sure I will be very aware that my butt existed.
This is where I started enjoying the Z900 the way it should be. On the Norts-South Expressway enroute to Lumut, the Z900 feels effortless.
The 900cc inline-four engine has that lovely turbine-like character I associate with Kawasaki's larger street bikes.
I only need to twist the throttle open and the bike picks up speed with very little drama.
From 100kph–120kph, I feel relaxed. There are plenty of power and torque at my disposal, so overtaking slower traffic doesn't require much planning.
Then I found an empty stretch and pushed towards higher speeds and the Z900 remains planted and stable.
I could feel the wind, naturally, because this is a naked motorcycle, but the chassis itself never gave me any reason to worry.
I briefly clocked just above 180kph, although I wasn't interested in chasing top speed. At those speeds, wind pressure becomes the biggest limitation rather than the engine.
This is one of my concerns. The Z900 has plenty of performance for high-speed Malaysian highway riding, but it offers almost no wind protection.
Above 140kph, the wind blast becomes tiring surprisingly quickly. Well many would argue this is a naked bike, what do you expect? I can’t agree more.
I rode it through the sort of roads I enjoy most; tight corners, fast sweepers, uneven surfaces and sections where the road suddenly narrows because somebody has decided that repairing half the lane is sufficient.
The Z900 changes direction easily. I can lean it over without fighting the motorcycle, and the inline-four engine gives me enough mid-range drive to exit corners strongly.
I particularly enjoyed the combination of third and fourth gear on twisty roads. I can concentrate on the road instead of constantly changing gears.
The bike also feels considerably lighter once I am moving than its weight might suggest. Kawasaki has done a good job of making it feel agile.
The suspension is generally well-judged, but there is one small compromise. On good tarmac, it feels controlled and confidence-inspiring.
Meanwhile on the B-roads, sharp potholes and ugly road repairs, I occasionally found it a little firm. It is not uncomfortable, but it isn't quite as forgiving as I would like.
The brakes are strong and predictable. I like that I can initially apply the lever gently and progressively increase pressure when I need more stopping power.
On Malaysian roads, where a car can suddenly change lanes without apparently knowing I exist, that confidence is important.
The ABS gives me another layer of reassurance without constantly reminding me that it is there.
There is another minor issue that I noticed in Kuala Lumpur traffic.
When crawling through hot, slow-moving traffic, the inline-four engine makes its light presence felt around my legs. But outside traffic, I did not feel anything.
After riding the Z900, I understand why this motorcycle continues to appeal to riders who want a proper everyday performance bike.
I get a strong, characterful engine, good brakes, capable suspension and a riding position that works both in town and on a long Sunday ride.
It isn't perfect. I would like better wind protection, a slightly more forgiving suspension setup on badly broken roads and a more comfortable seat for really long rides.
But none of those is a deal-breaker. Most importantly, I enjoy riding it.
The Z900 doesn't try to be an adventure bike, a superbike or a touring motorcycle.
It simply does the streetfighter job extremely well. For me, that is the biggest compliment I can give it.
If I were choosing a motorcycle specifically for Malaysian roads, I would seriously consider the RM43,900 Z900.
I can commute on it, attack the B-roads, cruise the highway and still have enough performance to make me grin inside my helmet.
My only complaint? I wish Kawasaki had fitted a seventh gear.
SPECIFICATIONS
Kawasaki Z900
Engine: 948cc, Inline 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve
Maximum power: 124hp at 9,500rpm/ 98.6Nm @ 7,700rpm
Maximum torque: 98.6Nm at 7,700rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front 41mm inverted fork (fully adjustable for rebound and preload); rear horizontal backlink, monoshock (preload/rebound adjustable)
Brakes: Front dual radially mounted Nissin 4-piston callipers with 300mm discs; rear single 250mm disc paired with Nissin single-piston calliper, ABS
Features: Riding modes (Sport, Road, Rain customisable Rider mode), 6-axis Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit for advanced ABS and corner braking management, integrated traction control, cruise control, TFT digital instrument cluster with smartphone Bluetooth connectivity
Fuel Capacity: 17 litres
Wet Weight: 213kg
Price: RM43,900 (without registration, road tax and insurance)
