Test: Kawasaki Z900 (Baujahr 2019)
Pure and unadulterated
In addition to the retro 900s called Z900RS, Kawasaki also has the modern form in its range, which is simply called Z900. Confidence is good: Motorcycles of a company whose products played in the first Mad Max strip can't be bad in principle. But it's better, let's try it out.Introduction
Looking a bit nasty she does a yes, this Kawasaki Z900. But I don't care, I still like them. Probably because we have a lot in common. You may not see at first glance, but it is. Although my bone structure (without that I would have ever seen it) is not kept in green-metallic, but we are both not exactly narrow in the middle of the body, rather generously laid out. We also preach renunciation. Now not on physical pleasures, but on sham innovations.
I think I have to explain something about that. With the exception of the indispensable ABS, I consider 95% of all innovations in motorcycle technology to be superfluous. Many people think that this is hopelessly outdated, but I have arguments. Flat TFT screens only distract me. Various driving programs only show the inability of the engineers to create a cleanly tuned chassis. I would never come up with the idea of changing the spring preload on the rear wheel by means of a kinter wheel, as would be possible with my machine. Either the factory setting fits, or just doesn't.
And please: Unless it is the first motorcycle ever, I don't have to drag my lady of the heart to buy a motorcycle to find out how the moped behaves with loading. That's how I feel. And if you don't know, silk painting should be quite exciting as a hobby.
Where was I? Oh yes, here is the complete list of all the electronic helpers of the Kawa 900 Z:
Abs.
Cool. And the cockpit first: An analog ring for the speed is always visible. After the start, an electronic flicker appears in it, which reflects the current speed. And it also has a speedometer. The other advertisements are so small that they must be minor things like the daily kilometers. I didn't look up, I don't care. Firlefanz-unsuspicious, the cockpit, and with it again completely with me.
Once all around
Sugomi style is the name of the design line, as I have researched. Tip for those who like a Z 900 in principle, but don't get warm with the design: I also had to look longer. The more intensively I did this, the better I understood the design. By the way, with the optics, we would have mentioned everything that should be complicated about the Kawasaki. The rest is quite simple: turn on, put on it and off for it. Before we do that, take a step back. We have to prefer a part of the conclusion, because this bike is definitely not one thing: in some way suitable for touring. There are not even mounting places for a luggage roll, the windscreen is simply not available and - thanks to Sugomi - any subsequent windshield would look like what it would be: tinkered with afterwards.
The driver is fully in the wind, so a passenger could get wind protection behind the driver. The Kawa designers found this unfair, so they constructed the most unsuitable Socius Square I have ever seen. A joke, a sitting position high (that's it with the windshield), and an uncomfortable seat bun round off the malheur to the most uncomfortable.
But let's go now
But now enough of the preface, finally off for it. Moooooment, another tiny note: Actually, I don't like row four-cylinders, because they get too emotional for me. Good for Tourer, but not for the I-will-fun faction.
Wrongly thought: If the (by the way 948 cc big) 900s comes quietly after the start, rises with the speed of the sound rapidly. Above all, the intake noise falls positively into the ear. Good job.
The four-cylinder spins off from low speeds, but now enough is reasonable: Red range from 11,000, that's where we want to go. Let's get there, quickly, without a hole or a hanger on the way there. Okay, 11,000 aren't record-breaking now, but many engines are already dense earlier. Not so with the Kawa: It just storms off, 125 hp we believe immediately.
The chassis is suitable for this, although Dietmar and I initially had the same problem: How to find a suitable seating position? I sat too far in front with rather short legs at first, the knee closure did not fit. Moved backwards, everything was fine. The opposite with Dietmar with the long bones: At the front it was better suited, which in both cases one would have assumed rather the other way.
No matter: If the seat position fits, you can look forward to the chassis. Here again the proof of my thesis that this whole rum folder with some kind of suspension settings is cheese: If the chassis fits from the ground, you don't have to adjust anything. And here, at the Kawasaki Z900, it fits in every situation. Fast, or slow, the mix of comfort, driving safety and precision is always great. Congratulations, Kawa!
Conclusion - what gets stuck
The Kawasaki Z900 is a power. The whole thing gets all the better if you get the approximately 9,000 euros (yes, it's so cheap!) cost price. The Kawa can effortlessly annoy far stronger machines on country roads, making the 9,000 even more fitting.
However: On the other hand, this is quite a lot of money for a motorcycle, which can only be used to a very limited extent. The evening round around the block, even if it's a little bigger? Let's go, off for it. Or to the city for shopping? Join them, as long as you like to shop alone and a maximum of one backpack full.
Everything else is done by the second moped ... nevertheless: thumbs up!
Testbike -> Thanks to Heller & Soltau in St. Michaelisdonn.Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction
- Price: 9,095€
- Used (2 years old): 6,700€
- Years of construction: since 2016
- Availability: good, wide choice
- Colours: metallic-black with matt-black; black-metallic with matt-white; green with matt grey; grey-metallic with ebony
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