Kawasaki Z900rs Cafe
I'm on the fence in buying this bike. I have the money, I can afford the insurance. Finding a parking spot is a bit more of a challenge.
The bike is used, with 150 miles on it. No warranty left. Power is decent, handles well, smooth running, sounds great. This to me is one of the nicest looking bikes on the planet. $10k out the door. New ones are $12k list ++
My main issue is I really want a shaft drive bike, but cannot find the perfect fit. The V85tt almost works, but hesitate due to the service end of it being a Moto Guzzi.
Make no mistake, I love this bike. It is not really a cross country bike however. And the chain sloshing oil and the cleanup is annoying. This bike fits a niche of fun and accolades, and could easily get me dead or ticketed. Knowing that, restraint would be key. Oh how I crack me up sometimes. Like having a cannon and not firing it. LOL
So here it is
Here are the specs
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I know almost nothing about street bikes but that is a very nice looking ride!
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Here’s the KZ900 I always wanted when I was a teen.
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I think they did such a great job on that bike!
Chains have come a long way.
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Back in the mid 70's at 17 years old I had one of these 1972 H2 750 Triples. Sold it when I went into the Air Force. The new technology is wonderful, but I still have a spot reserved for these old classics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-GysYXuWYY6 -
I raced a Triumph Speed Triple at the Isle of Man and we coaxed 128 rear wheel hp out of that beauty. It's a beast.
If I was going to go all Kawasaki, this is the one I'd buy. I nearly did but came to my senses.
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I like the looks of that bike. I had a ZRX1100 Eddie Lawson Replica (In green of course) and it was a sweet retro bike, somewhat similar. The old original bikes are cool but the new ones are worlds better in every aspect.
As far as the chain goes, have you had a newer chain driven streetbike? The new o-ring chains last a LONG time with very minimal maintenance. Use a good Bel Ray chain spray like Chain wax, apply sparingly, let set up and wipe off any extra and you will not have splatter to worry about. The chains have grease inside the o-rings so really you are just lubing the exterior with a light coat. Not like the old standard chains of years ago.
Shaft drive is nice, but don't let the chain keep you from a bike you want.
BTW I bought the 2001 ZRX1100 new for $6250. Prices have definitely gone up since then.
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You raced at the Isle of Man???? Holy CRAP!!! Mad Respect!!!
As I recall that turbo had a lot of lug. I had two H2's. Terrible motorcycles at everything except accelerating. But only in a straight line. Damn things tried hard to kill me. I have a pretty good scar on my right leg from one of those occasions. God they were awful in corners.
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Who buys a bike and then only puts 150 miles on it before they decide to sell it???
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When I hit the lottery, I'm going across the pond to watch an Isle of Man TT.
Very cool, Nanuq, feel free to start another thread and post up a ton of pics & stories 🙂
MrMag, that's a sweet looking Kaw, Tastfully retro.
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@...: 31514408599835/comments/31514408681627
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/A46XATW8TMOQ/image.jpeg
Here’s the KZ900 I always wanted when I was a teen.
Working in a machine shop an employee had one of those. We were speaking about the bike and later a ukraine employee ask me... that man has 900 cows? I told him yes... I told the owner of the bike and we laughed for a very long time about that. The Ukraine guy thought he was very rich to own 900 cows.
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I say YES.
I really like it. I liked the ZXR1200, it had a similar look. Must be the fairing that gets me. Here's what I ride.
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susie: 31514408599835/comments/31514409167003
Who buys a bike and then only puts 150 miles on it before they decide to sell it???
The guy was 75 years old when he bought it. So that might have something to do with it. He parked it in the garage an didn't drive it much. His grandkid wanted it but he didn't want to give it to his grandson, so traded it in on a KTM 390 to give him instead.
I bought my Ducati with only 21 miles on it. Guy bought it for his girlfriend and she dumped him LOL. Great little bike, just a bit weak on the highway. As you may see, I like bikes that "pop". The orange is muddy in this pic, don't know why the cell camera can't do orange.
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@...: https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/1897989/kawasaki-z900rs-cafe
I'm on the fence in buying this bike. I have the money, I can afford the insurance. Finding a parking spot is a bit more of a challenge.
The bike is used, with 150 miles on it. No warranty left. Power is decent, handles well, smooth running, sounds great. This to me is one of the nicest looking bikes on the planet. $10k out the door. New ones are $12k list ++
My main issue is I really want a shaft drive bike, but cannot find the perfect fit. The V85tt almost works, but hesitate due to the service end of it being a Moto Guzzi.
Make no mistake, I love this bike. It is not really a cross country bike however. And the chain sloshing oil and the cleanup is annoying. This bike fits a niche of fun and accolades, and could easily get me dead or ticketed. Knowing that, restraint would be key. Oh how I crack me up sometimes. Like having a cannon and not firing it. LOL
So here it is
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/XN4KFN9TI4DF/20210114-124523.jpg
Here are the specs
It's a fine looking bike with decent specs, but it hardly looks like a cafe bike.
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My brother had this bike in 1971. A two stroke Beast! Kawasaki called it "The Fastest Production Vehicle in the World."
I rode it one time, got it up to 125 on the Atlanta Perimeter, and turned around and took it back. A death machine for a 20 year old kid.
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Mr. Perfect: 31514408599835/comments/31514419895835
https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/1897989/kawasaki-z900rs-cafe
It's a fine looking bike with decent specs, but it hardly looks like a cafe bike.
It is basically a UJM with cafe styling. I like it. I wish they would bring back more UJM type bikes. I would love a GS1100L like the old bikes of the 80's. Not all of us want v twins.
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Those Suzi GSX 1100's were great bikes. Bullet proof and strong, comfy, good looking. My buddy bought a brand new 1993 in 1996. Every shop had a few that were left over and they were dirt cheap.
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I had a Shadow once with shaft drive, it was nice BUT it sucked in the turns. It was explained to me that it was because of the way the power is transferred to the wheels was different between the two metheods. The rear tire always wanted to "skip" in the tight turns, I never experienced that on any chain drive bike that I've ridden and I've ridden a few.
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Not on my ST1100. I have pushed that bike hard through a LOT of corners from 135 MPH sweepers to the scary blind corners at the Dragon. Never was the bike's fault when I screwed up. One of the finest bikes ever built. I guess it's what you get used too. There used to be a guy who rode, no flew through the Dragon on a Goldwing while filming. He was very fast on a shaft drive.
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Bought it. What a great bike. It is everything I could have hoped it would be and then some. Amazingly easy to handle, smooth as silk, shifts like butter, stops on a dime, wicked bright headlight. Had to move the Ducati deeper into the house to make room for this one.
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MrMag00: 31514408599835/comments/31514450103707
Bought it. What a great bike. It is everything I could have hoped it would be and then some. Amazingly easy to handle, smooth as silk, shifts like butter, stops on a dime, wicked bright headlight. Had to move the Ducati deeper into the house to make room for this one.
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/UH0R47OLXB5R/z900rs-gates-pass.jpg
Happy for you! In the end it is all about what fits and feels good to the rider. I have owned well over 30 bikes, and I definitely have my short list of favorites, and they are bikes that were just downright fun to ride.
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bullshot: 31514408599835/comments/31514409915163
I had a Shadow once with shaft drive, it was nice BUT it sucked in the turns. It was explained to me that it was because of the way the power is transferred to the wheels was different between the two metheods. The rear tire always wanted to "skip" in the tight turns, I never experienced that on any chain drive bike that I've ridden and I've ridden a few.
Shaft drive does tend to jack the chassis on acceleration and deceleration much more than chain drive. It was terrible in the early 80's got better as frame geometry and suspension tech improved. Kind of like how early front wheel drive cars handled horribly with torque steer. Chain drive is still the cheapest and most efficient method of putting power to the ground. And with new metallurgy its so much better than even 10 years ago.
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I have shaft drive and chain drive motorcycles and enjoy the chain drives. I would get it.
I still have a Kawasaki H2 750 two stroke. Last summer I drove it through the local HD dealership lot when they were having an event. It has loud expansion chambers and i let it scream a little a did a wheelie. I had fat old guys cheering. The young ones didn't have a clue.
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JasonV: 31514408599835/comments/31514439649179
I have shaft drive and chain drive motorcycles and enjoy the chain drives. I would get it.
I still have a Kawasaki H2 750 two stroke. Last summer I drove it through the local HD dealership lot when they were having an event. It has loud expansion chambers and i let it scream a little a did a wheelie. I had fat old guys cheering. The young ones didn't have a clue.
Got any photos or movies? My H2 with the peaky power band was fun. This 4 cylinder is smooth and has a much smoother power band. So as an old fart, is very enjoyable.
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Got a short ride in today, before the rains. A little brisk, but not bad for mid January. So glad I got this now. With covid stunting production and importation of bikes, and gas prices rising, this is a great investment.
This bike is an instant classic. So far it seems to be getting 50mpg (on the readout).
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Glad you are happy with it, looks like you have perfect roads for a sporty bike. Just be careful out there. I miss riding especially now that I live in one of the best areas for riding in the US. But the texting idiots make me too nervous now to enjoy it.
I still have a dualsport which I plan to do a lot of backroad exploring with, away from the car traffic.
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Found a pic of my old ZRX1100 and My Zx12R. Those bikes were so much fun!
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Nice bikes, I also have a Husqvarna TR650 Terra, dual sport for all the dirt roads. The little orange Ducati pictured does pretty good off road, I just worry that the rear jug will get a bit hot doing the slow trails in the hot AZ sun.
Looks like I've come full circle. Below is a picture of me and my H2 in the mid 70's. Not the best quality, it was a slide and then digitized. It is the only known photo of me and that bike.
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My dualsport
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I really like riding motorcycles, but will never get on another one. The dang things just won't go slow enough!!
Last one I was on I found myself doing 135 mph on one wheel going down the freeway. Scared me bigly!!
I think it was a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11?
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NeoBlackdog: 31514408599835/comments/31514430898843
I really like riding motorcycles, but will never get on another one. The dang things just won't go slow enough!!
Last one I was on I found myself doing 135 mph on one wheel going down the freeway. Scared me bigly!!
I think it was a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11?
My ZX12R would do 186 then the factory limiter kicked in (300km/hr) Did it several times. My last high speed run I got a high speed driving award from the IA State Patrol for 138 in a 55. Had to sell the 12 as part of the plea bargain. Bought a slower ZX11 after that but never liked it, bought a Gold Wing I had a few years then gave up street and got a Mustang GT Convertible instead. Safer but still open air.
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