Kawasaki had already brought back the ethos of the famed Z1 of 1972 at the Tokyo International Motor Show with the Z900RS retro motorcycle. Now, the same guys have gone ahead and given it a headlamp cowl and dropped bars to get it running on the cafe-racer beeline.

Unwrapped at the ongoing EICMA show, the wardrobe change has made the standard RS the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja Z900RS Cafe.

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2018 kawasaki Z900RS

2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe


Although inspired by the legendary motorcycle which had defined the term “Superbike” back in the '70s, the RS models from Kawasaki are nowhere close to feeling old. Rather they depict a much more modern take with thoroughly done modish mechanical features, fit and finish.

The Cafe is no different. Its underpinned by the same mechanicals as the standard RS but gets the obvious headlamp cowl, scalloped lower seat that is ribbed and lowered bars to give it a sportier progress and feel.

You cannot miss that beautiful looking lairy green and white paintjob, a reminiscent of the KR250/500 of the late '70s. It compliments the blacked out frame, forks, footpegs wheels and engine to give out a bold appearance. Enough for it to stand out amidst the rest of the Cafe-Racers flooded in the market.

The silencer gets a brushed finish instead of the buffed. Unfortunately, the Cafe still comes with cast wheels shaped flat to give the impression of classic wire-spoked wheels. What would have happened if Kawa gave laced wheels instead?

Like the RS, the Cafe carries a state-of-the-art 948cc hauled from the existing Z900 naked streetfighter and is re-mapped to give the former lower peak power that will help it accelerate better under 7000 rpm.

But when it comes to numbers, the RS Cafe performs slightly lower with peak power coming down from 124 hp to 111 hp and the peak torque from 72.2 lb-ft to 53.5 lb-ft.

The engineers have also changed the gear ratios to make the RS more ‘difficult to stall when first starting to move,’ while sixth is taller for reduced vibration at speeds. Borrowed from the Z900 is the assist-and-slipper clutch making changing gears a breeze.

The Cafe also gets pampered with higher spec components like the radial-mount brake calipers and LED lighting all around. Rider aids include a switchable two-level traction control system that will prevent you from playing God with those Dunlop GPR-300 tires.

There are no details with regards to price and availability but is sure to enter the American shores for 2018.

Reference

Kawasaki Z900RS

Yamaha XSR900 Abarth

Suzuki SV650X