Throwing it back in terms of styling is commonplace among many of the manufacturers nowadays, just look at all the retro and café racer renditions out there. Retro sport motorcycles like the 2020 Kawasaki Z900RS and its café sibling, the Z900RS Café, are a couple samples from Team Green. While it is true the Z900RS pays homage to the 1973 Z1, that doesn’t mean it is remiss of modern features. Take the 948cc inline-four engine, for example. It’s the same powerplant found in the Z900, but optimized more for low to midrange power where the Z900 encourages a higher-rpm operation, the manufacturer says. And let’s not forget the host of electronics (LED lighting, ABS, and traction control), and adjustable suspension as examples of its modern machinery. Collect miles between your local haunts or up and down the winding roads, either way, do so in modern/vintage style.
In his 2018 review, Morgan Gales, stated, “From the classic paint scheme to the iconic tailsection, the Z900RS harkens back to the glory days of superbikes while still looking and performing like a modern motorcycle. We love the aesthetics and think this bike has incredible potential once the engineers work out that twitchy throttle!”
Like we said above, the segment is full of modern throwbacks. These include: Honda CB650R, Triumph Street Twin, Yamaha XSR900, Ducati Scrambler Café Racer, Royal Enfield Continental GT, Suzuki SV650X, BMW R nineT Racer, and even Kawasaki’s own W800 Café.
The 2020 Z900RS sees an updated TFT with smartphone connectivity and a new Candytone Green paint. MSRP starts at $11,199. The Z900RS Café adds a front cowl, drop-style handlebars, café racer seat, brushed silencer, and a Vintage Lime Green/Ebony paint scheme for a café aesthetic at $600 more than the base model.
