Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZ 900 RS 50th Anniversary 2022 Incandescence time

We' ve all swiped a piece of clothing from our parents' closet. From the forgotten boxes at the back of the garage, or from under the pile of dust in the photo albums. The Kawasaki RS have taken the same approach, except that they've taxed their great-grandmother's '70s accoutrements. This year, they're taking nostalgia a step further, as it's her 50th birthday.

Of the four commemorative models, the Z 900 RS is clearly the most nostalgic. Its shape, its revival concept, its communication strongly focused on its filiation with the Z1 make it the best recipient of this anniversary. It discreetly names its anniversary with a "Z 50th" sticker on the top of the tank, and more openly displays it with its "Fireball" brown and dark orange color scheme.

But there's one thing that bothers us: the taste of déjà-vu.
" Obviously potato, since it's a replica of the 900 Z1. No, something else...
" Of course, you don't realize that the Z 650 RS 50th has exactly the same deco." No, still not....
" You're heavy! And if you mention the special version from Kawasaki Italy, tell yourself that... ".
No need to. Just go back to the beginnings of the Z 900 RS. The first vintage already offered this outfit under the name "Candytone Brown Orange".
But Kawa has little choice when it comes to honoring the memory of the Super Four. When it came out in 1972, it was available in Yellowball or Fireball. The latter was the best-selling model, and the yellow hue has already been adopted by the Z 900 RS SE.

There are, however, a number of differences that raise the 50th's level of finish, starting with the classy gold rims. The passenger grab bar is added as standard, the seat gets a different upholstery, the crankcases feature a DOHC symbol and, if you look closely, "Double Overhead Camshaft" emblems are added to the edges, just below the seat. It's not the words that interest us, but their calligraphy: precisely the same as on the Z1.

Virtually the entire Z family wanted to mark this fiftieth anniversary. Something for everyone. The Z 900 RS is already aimed at an experienced public. Not that it's difficult to access. Quite the contrary - it's easy to ride, superbly pleasant, supple with an exhilarating little grunt. But its price will already be substantial. Normal for a big cube (948 cm3) with 111 hp and 10 mkg, ABS, traction control, vintage-looking but LED lights, assisted clutch and anti-dribble, 4-piston radial calipers on 300 mm discs, multi-adjustable front and rear suspension, inverted forks and lively mode effects.

Opposite it, the Yamaha XSR 900 adopts Christian Sarron's colors this year. The two rivals will have plenty of time for a symbolic showdown. All that's missing is a Honda replica 900 Bol d'or and a Suzuki RGV revival, to make one hell of a neo-retro renaissance spirit line-up.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos