2018 Kawasaki Z900RS in Candytone Brown/Candytone Orange.
After weeks of teasing and hinting followed by a global unveil at the EICMA show in Italy earlier this month, U.S. motorcycle enthusiasts will finally get their first in-person look at the new 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS retro sport standard at the New York installment of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show, December 1-3. Based around the Z900?s potent 948cc in-line four, with fully adjustable suspension, ABS and traction control all standard, the new Z900RS promises modern levels of performance with a satisfyingly old school, Z1-inspired look and feel.

The Z900RS’ 948cc inline four is lifted directly from the potent Z900 sport standard, although it’s been tweaked for more low- and midrange grunt. When we rode the 2017 Z900 in a head-to-head comparison test with the raucous Yamaha FZ-09 (renamed the MT-09 for 2018), its smooth, tractable power and well-matched chassis and engine won us over, and with that DNA we?re hoping the retro RS is just as fun. The two bikes share an engine and suspension components, but both have been tweaked for the RS. The liquid cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 948cc in-line four was retuned for more low-to-midrange grunt?Kawasaki claims the RS pulls harder than the standard Z900 up to 7,000 rpm?with shorter cam timing, a reduced compression ratio (10.8:1, down from 11.8:1) and a 12-percent heavier flywheel. The engine covers and cylinder heads were redesigned as well, with faux cool...