2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. Photos courtesy of Kawasaki.
The masses asked, and Kawasaki listened; after unveiling it at EICMA last fall, then disappointing us by saying it wouldn’t be available in the United States, Kawasaki U.S.A. has announced the 2018 Z900RS Cafe will be available in the States in “limited quantities.”
Based on the popular retro-licious Z900RS, the Cafe version adds a front cowl, a black drop-style handlebar, a cafe racer-style seat with more pronounced hump, a brushed muffler and lime green paint with white racing stripes.
Read our First Ride Review of the 2018 Z900RS here.
This graphic illustrates the difference in seat height and handlebar position between the standard Z900RS (red) and the Cafe version. Like the Z900 and Z900RS, the Cafe is powered by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 948cc in-line four, tuned for strong low-to-midrange response and a tall sixth gear that facilitates easy freeway cruising. Twin 36mm throttle bodies and ECU-controlled sub throttles are designed for smooth throttle response, although we found the Z900RS’ to be on the overly sensitive side.
An assist-and-slipper clutch, ABS and traction control are all standard, as is a fully adjustable upside down KYB fork and a rebound- and preload-adjustable KYB Horizontal Back-Link shock.
The new seat adds about an inch to the seat height. Chrome grab rail shown is an option.
Thanks to its new humped saddle, the Cafe’s seat height is nearly an inch higher ...