BMW R nineT versus Kawasaki Z 900 RS
BMW R nineT
Kawasaki Z 900 RS
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- pretty to look at
- purist
- cool driving experience
- Numerous customizing options
- Successful design
- Precise handling
- Fragrant sound
- Price
- nothing for giants
- Handles for the pillion passenger are missing
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.220 mm Height : 1.265 mm
Seat : 803 mm until : 805 mm
Weight : 222 (max: 430 ) kg
Length : 2.100 mm Height : 1.150 mm
Seat : 835 mm
Weight : 215 kg
Engine
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 948 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 73 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 110 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 6.000 U/Min Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 340 km
Performance: 111 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 99 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 320 km
Chassis
Space tube, motor supporting (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-Down 45 mm (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Tubular space frame (high-strength steel) Front suspension:
41 mm upside-down fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link strut (travel 140 mm) Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)
Brakes
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc brake (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc (∅ 250 mm)
Conclusion - what's stuck?
The R nineT is not only fun to drive, but also looks great! And it is probably this combination that makes the bike so desirable for motorcycle fans worldwide right from the start.
BMW describes it as follows: "Design your motorcycle, design your life." It also has a lot to do with lifestyle and so the nineT leaves hardly any customizer wishes unfulfilled in terms of diversity. It is the basis for deep individualizations, which sets the machine apart from the competition. In addition to the already diverse model and design variants, there are plenty of Customizing accessories, so everyone can make their own roadster dream come true. Even the on-board electronics are designed with numerous interfaces in such a way that changes do not represent a major hurdle.
Even if the NineT is purist in almost all respects, it does not do so in terms of price. Not at all when you make the most of the numerous possibilities for change to realize your own exclusive dream bike. But individuality always has your price. However, the success proves BMW right again in this case, because the BMW R NineT is so popular that one should expect extremely long delivery times.
Conclusion - what gets stuck
A really successful bike which is really fun but above all looks really good. Now, of course, you can still find something to complain about. For example, among the more extreme retro fans, there may be those who miss the two-sided struts compared to the legendary Z1. Or find the LCD between the round instruments superfluous. The Most strikingly missing is the Z9000 RS compared to the Z1 but certainly the exhaust system with 4 silencers. But who ever wants this can fulfill this wish for about 3000€ at the company Hattech https://www.hattech.de/380-kawasaki/z900-rs-z900-rs-cafe. Otherwise, the motorcycle test crew agreed that the Z900 RS in Candytone Brown makes an even better figure than our test model in Sparkle Black which would be worth us the 300€ surcharge in any case. But that's a matter of taste, of course.
The test machine was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau.
