Cafe society shake up: Kawasaki Z900 RS Cafe

Matthieu day-Gillett
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2019 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. Photos / Mathieu Day-Gillett

In 2018 Kawasaki gave the modern classic segment a shake-up with the introduction of the Z900 RS, a bike which put the sport into the “retro sport” category.

Hot on its heels is this, the 2019 Z900 RS Cafe that, as the name suggests, adds plenty of cafe-racer styling to the already attractive Z900 RS package.

Initially, Kawasaki New Zealand was planning to offer the Z900 RS Cafe only as a special-order motorcycle with a $500 premium over the base Z900 RS, but due to demand it decided to import a number of Z900 RS Cafe models for general release — albeit at a slightly higher price of $21,495 over the base bike’s $19,995.

Despite the change in price, the Z900 RS Cafe is still fantastic value for riders who want the ease of ownership of a new machine with the classic styling inspired by the racers of the 1970s. But with the addition to the mix of the 1970s-inspired bikini fairing and flat ace-style handlebar, the Z900 RS Cafe doesn’t add any additional sportsbike ability over the offering of the base RS.

With an already edgy engine and chassis package inherited from the Z900 RS, Kawasaki didn’t need to add any further substance in that area.

The engine is the same DOHC 948cc inline-four producing a healthy 81.6kW at 8500rpm and 98.5Nm at 6500, so the Cafe remains, in terms of performance, the same well-planted, relaxed machine that is at the cutting edge of the modern classic class.

2019 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. Photos / Mathieu Day-Gillett

Plus, let’s not forget the glorious intake and exhaust note Kawasaki so painstakingly tuned from the factory.

However, don’t think that you are getting just a version of the Z900 RS with a fairing in eye-searing Vintage Lime Green if you go for the Cafe.

New for 2019 is a new colour option dubbed Pearl Storm Grey, that can be specially ordered in and adds a more subtle aesthetic option for riders who don’t want the added attention the bright green bikes attract. Although the physical changes in the creation of the Cafe version are small, they are substantial

The bikini fairing offers plenty of wind deflection for the rider. It gives an authentic “racer” feel if you hunch down behind it like Kawasaki’s WSBK champ Jonathan Rea, while the flat handlebar, combined with the new cafe racer seat, has you sitting closer to the well-thought-out instrument cluster. And like the Z900 RS, it features two easy-to-read analogue gauges split by a stylish inverted LCD display.

The seat, however, isn’t the most comfortable for pillion riders with its cafe racer hump, but as the subframe of the Cafe is exactly the same as the base Z900 RS, the seats can be easily interchanged.

Despite the old-school appearance, the Cafe does pack in modern essentials in terms of electronics.

2019 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. Photos / Mathieu Day-Gillett

On top of the digital instrumentation display, the Z900 RS Cafe also has the brilliant adjustable Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) system and ABS as standard features.

Although the ABS is permanently on and ready to save you from locking up the wheels, the KTRC system can be adjusted on the fly using the left-hand handlebar switches.

This comes into its own when you swing astride the Z900 RS Cafe and hit our incredibly varying roads. With the ability to chose between three different traction-control settings, it is easy to keep the bike humming along in its sweet spot without fearing the rear wheel might decide to overtake you mid-corner.

Mid-corner is, unfortunately, one of the places where a rare drawback to the Z900 RS base comes into play with the Z900 RS Cafe. As we learnt at the Pukekohe Park Raceway launch last year, cornering clearance is limited on the Z900 RS thanks to where the comfortable rider’s triangle has the footpegs placed. This means if you want to slay corners and get your knee sliders skimming the tarmac you should probably look at one of Kawasaki’s supersport models instead of the more relaxed Retro Sports.

If, however, you adopt the old Porsche racing mantra of “Slow in, fast out”, the Z900 RS Cafe is a thoroughly enjoyable machine thanks to that specially tuned intake and exhaust note and is a standout Modern Classic.

KAWASAKI Z900 RS CAFE

Price: $21,495
Engine: 948cc DOHC inline-4
Power: 81.6kW at 8500rpm / 98.5Nm at 6500rpm
Pros: Looks stunning, modern, high-performance
Cons: Limited ground clearance, limited numbers of bikes coming to NZ

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