The Z900 ABS is eager to get into the corners and doesn’t require much coaxing from the rider. Revised suspension settings help keep the chassis balanced. Photos by Kevin Wing.

When the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 naked bike leaped onto the scene, it quickly garnered praise for its no-frills, bare-bones approach to sport riding. Hold the cost-increasing rider aids, please ? I want a good chassis, punchy motor and all-day ergonomics, said utilitarian riders. Kawasaki delivered as ordered, affordably, too, making it one of the best values in the class. This year, the 2020 Kawasaki Z900 ABS is getting a tech update without breaking the bank.

Kawasaki’s paint quality stands out in the class.

The pocket-protector-wearing bunch at Kawi waved their graphing calculators at the 2020 Kawasaki Z900 ABS and bestowed new technical amenities such as adjustable traction control, a full-color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and four selectable ride modes. Even the design department joined in, with a restyled LED headlight and indicators, shrouds and various covers that add up to just the right amount of Sugomi styling ? all for a nominal $200 upcharge over the last ABS model. A non-ABS model is no longer offered stateside.
In 2020, Kawasaki’s Z900 ABS is coming out swinging with technology and features it never had. New to the party is adjustable traction control, selectable ride modes, and a full-color TFT instrument panel, not to mention a redesigned LED hea...