Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZ 900 RS Café 2018 A nod to Godier-Genoud?

Now that Kawasaki is joining the neo-retro bandwagon, it's not doing it by halves. Far from calming things down, the new Z 900 RS adds two ladles of kerosene to the locomotive. The first is herbal tea with the standard version, the second more espresso with the Café edition. And now Kawa is tugging at the other heartstrings, that of competition. Not in performance, but in spirit.

Although... With its 111 horsepower, the Z 900 RS has what it takes to keep up with the most committed riders. With this racer-oriented Café, the rider can really get into the game. And that starts long before the key is released from the ignition. With its green color scheme, dotted with a white wave, the machine catapults us back to the glorious days of the 70s, when Kawa bikes gave the competition a run for their money. What's more, with its old-fashioned, chunky fork head, the memory flips - can't you just see the nimbus of a Z2R floating around the Z 900 RS Café?

The retro craze has seen a number of creations blossom in all directions, with fearsome visual expressions that often go hand in hand with notorious discomfort. Kawa takes a different approach with its café-racer look-alike. The riding position has evolved from that of the 900 RS, with low handlebars that bring the torso forward. But without excess - just enough for a sporty attitude without the discomfort. Purists will grumble, but backs will appreciate.

The Z 900 RS Café's eye-catching color scheme and old-sport nose make it a real eye-catcher. A few details then support the impression. Nothing better than a vintage saddle with integrated backrest to continue the illusion. And for dessert, a brushed finish for the muffler and black for the handlebars.
One of the prerogatives of this nostalgia-tinged segment is the adoption of spoked wheels. The Z 900 RS Café does without them, as does the standard version. You'll have to console yourself with the same band-aid: the shape of the spokes, which are supposed to imitate spokes. Moderately convincing...
More stylish, the Café remains technically identical to the Z 900 RS, with a trellis frame, a 4-cylinder engine distantly extrapolated from the ZX-9R and assisted by traction control, and an inverted fork.41-mm inverted fork with radial brake calipers, dual needle gauges with digital window, and, above all, a silhouette in homage to the 900 Z1.

A touch retro-sporty, the Kawasaki Z 900 RS Café can be enjoyed as is, or as a starting point for customization. The Japanese brand returns with lustre to a segment that only the former W 800 defended. Alas, the breath of time comes at a high price. At 12,500 euros, it's still less expensive than a BMW NineT Racer or a Thruxton R, but it still stings. The machine will be available between January and March 2018.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos