New Z900 Kawasaki colour

13th August 2017

Candy Persimmon Red | Metallic Spark Black

Kawasaki Z900 2018 Persimmon Red

Kawasaki has released details of a new paint scheme for the Z900 roadster which was first shown to the world in late 2016. Boasting "strong sales and high praise", this motorcycle—with its "Sugomi engineering and design philosophy"—picked up where the Z800 left off.

The Z-Eight was a good motorcycle and sold well, but it was a heavy beast at around 229kg (504lbs). Part of that weighty problem was the heavy-duty steel frame that was, okay, mitigated by the wrap-around aluminium cradle sections. Nevertheless, 229kg (504lbs) is a lot more mass than you'd want to haul around on a bike in this sector.

Where Kawasaki (arguably) made the mistake was in boosting the power of the 748cc Z750 (77.7kW/106bhp @10,500rpm) to the 803cc Z800 (82.5 kW/113.00bhp @ 10,200 RPM) and simply throwing more steel at the old frame—as opposed to completely rethinking the chassis.

The 2017 Z900, however, took an angle grinder to that Z800 frame and replaced it with a high-tensile steel trellis structure that removed the pounds and provided stiffening in the right places in line with up-to-the-minute riding habits and requirements (and these things do change subtly). The Z900 also hiked the power by another 11 - 12bhp. Consequently, the bike has significantly improved its feel and handling on the road whilst largely maintaining the popular Sugomi styling.

Also worth noting is that the Z900 is actually a reduced capacity Z1000 rather than an enlarged Z800. Here are some engine dimension numbers to mull over:

Z750 bore x stroke: 68.4mm x 50.9mm

Z800 bore x stroke: 71mm x 50.9mm

Z900 bore x stroke: 73.4mm x 56mm

Z1000 bore x stroke: 77mm x 56mm

That 803cc capacity was achieved not by enlarging the Z800 engine but by reducing the Z1000’s 1,043cc unit’s bore size from 77 to 73.4mm, and keeping the 56mm stroke unchanged.

A new slip and assist clutch has been fitted, and the four-into-one exhaust has been hammered into new curves and twists. Maximum power is 124bhp @ 9,500rpm.

Kawasaki is campaigning this 948cc machine has hard as it can, no doubt anxious to consolidate its penetration in this market segment. But the best news it can offer fans at the moment is simply a new livery which is Candy Persimmon Red with Metallic Spark Black. The 2018 model Kawasaki Z900 will be available from October 2017.

Here's the 2017 Z900 specification:

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, fuel-injected, 4-stroke in-line four
Displacement: 948cc
Bore x stroke: 73.4mm x 56mm

Power: 92.2 kW (124bhp) @ 9,500rpm

Maximum torque: 98.6Nm (72lbs-ft)/7,700rpm
Compression ratio: 11.8:1
Starting: Electric
Lubrication: Wet sump

Clutch: Wet multi-disc
Transmission: 6-speed
Fuel consumption: 5.5l/100 km (51mpg)
Final drive: Chain
Front brakes: Dual semi-floating 300mm petal discs. Dual opposed 4-piston calipers
Rear brakes: Single 250mm petal disc. Single-piston caliper
Front suspension: 41mm inverted fork, compression and rebound damping, spring preload adjustability
Rear suspension: Horizontal back-link, rebound damping, spring preload adjustability
Frame: Steel trellis
Trail: 103mm (4-inches)
Front wheel travel: 120mm (4.72-inches)
Rear wheel travel: 140mm (5.51-inches)
Front tyre: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyre: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
Wheelbase: 1,450 mm (57-inches)
Ground clearance: 130mm (5.11 inches)
Fuel capacity: 17-litres (3.7 gallons)
Seat height: 795mm (31-inches)
Curb weight: 210kg (462lbs)