Freshly launched in Malaysia is the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS, its retro take on the Z900 naked sports, at a price of RM67,900 for the standard and RM69,900 for the special edition, including GST but excluding road tax, insurance and registration. Taking the inline four-cylinder from the Z900, paultan.org first had a look at the Z900RS and its sportier Z900RS Cafe sibling, at the EICMA show in Italy, last year.
As a specialised marketing direction from Kawasaki in the retro segment, the Z900RS’ 948 cc liquid-cooled engine is detuned from 125 hp in Z900 form to 111 hp at 8,500 rpm and 98.5 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, with power now concentrated in the mid-range. A slipper clutch, ABS and in the Z900RS, traction control, is standard equipment.
Handling on the Z900RS has also been revised, the preload and rebound adjustable forks now coming with a slightly steeper angle and sharpening the steering response. The RS sports radial-mounted brake callipers, installed on the 41 mm upside-down forks, versus the axial-mount units on the Z900, clamping 300 mm discs in front.
Inside the cockpit, the single monochrome LCD panel of the Z900 is gone, replaced with twin analogue clocks in keeping with the Z900 RS’ retro styling. A small LCD panel bisects the instruments, displaying other necessary information and lighting on the Z900RS is LED.
Seating on the Z900RS is a single padded unit in keeping with its retro looks, compared to the two-piece stepped unit of the base Z900. The Z900RS comes in two colour options – Matte Black for the standard, and Orange for the special edition.
Under the seat can be found a 12-volt socket, useful for charging electronics. ABS is standard equipment, as is traction control and a slip and assist clutch that lowers lever effort and eliminates rear wheel spin under heavy downshifting.
Fuel for the Z900RS is carried in a 17-litre tank very reminiscent of the teardrop units from Kawasaki’s 70s sports bikes. Weight for the Z900RS is claimed to be 214 kg, wet, and the seat height is set at 800 mm.
Availability of the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS at authorised Kawasaki dealers is froml; March. In Malaysia, the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 comes in two versions, the base model and the SE, which are priced at RM49,158 and RM50,959, respectively.
Meanwhile, during his speech, Ahmad Faez Yahya, executive chairman of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, mentioned 496,000 motorcycles were registered in Malaysia in 2017. In January 2018, 50,000 motorcycles were registered, representing a 5% increase over the same period last year.
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Not looking retro without 2 rear coil springs.
OMG. Prices are so expensive. And this is despite the USD dropping so much to the Ringgit.
Last time, their excuse was because it was 4.5 to the dollar. Now, it is 3.8
Malaysia has the highest bike prices in the world. I hope it comes down one day.
“As a specialised marketing direction from Kawasaki in the retro segment”
Someone here forgot to read the article b4 copy pasta bash, again. Or perhaps his English vocabulary missing the word specialised and dunno what it means.
Yes agree , more then Australia which is A$ 17990 drive away and there is no serial edition it is the same overall.
Greg
Our strong RM maketh the reasonable bike price.
Can get one Honda jazz…
I should have wait and bought this…
harga mampu tengok jerr laa… or that one also tak mampu?..hmm
Wow, a whopping RM20k price increase over the regular z900 for cosmetic changes and detuned engine output? (Oh, plus much more comfortable seat and riding position for both riders and pillion). Wish there is a cheaper way to improve the regular z900 comfort and ergonomics other than going this expensive retro route.
Nice ride but..
Prefer MT09
Why Z900 price only around 50k but the Z900RS u need to topup 20k more…huge difference in price…
“As a specialised marketing direction from Kawasaki in the retro segment”
Kawasaki found a niche market that they can push up profit margin per unit.
Have they not mentioned when is the cafe racer version is coming?
Hmmm 20k difference from normal z900? Pass.
Omg, I would rather use that amount of money to pay for a Triumph street triple rs. Better in every aspect except for it is not ‘retro’
Greedy, greedy Kawasaki… lovely, lovely bike but horrible price. Add another 5k, can get the Bobber 1200cc already…
Nice real looking bikes not the clownish type sports bikes but prices should be reduced by 50%
Now bring in W250 for the B2. Price of z900rs too expensive to upgrade to B full. Wider choice at rm70k for superbikes.
The pricing might hurt Kawasaki Malaysia. The price should be around Z900 or lower. But this can’t be done if the government not helping in term of taxes & duty. It is a congest market especially in Malaysia bikers tend to buy a sportier & aggressive looking bikes. But still there is a fraction of bikers love this retro looking bike, but the price will most likely to change their mind.
Really disappointed with price!
Z900 & RS has same engine therefore same tax rates. Nothing to do with gov, Kawasaki just got a niche market it can up-prices.
Z900 is thai made bike. Obviously cheaper. The z900rs is all japan import. The modification goes beyond cosmetics. Also so many changes such as traction control, new forks, new led lights, power mode etc.
Its CBU thats why the price is expensive. Good retro styling and remind me the z1 legacy…..