New 2017 Kawasaki Z900

Kawasaki has long believed that Supernaked models should be more than supersport machines stripped of their full-fairing bodywork. Designed with sugomi, with performance for maximum riding pleasure, the new Z900 mounts a 948cc in-line four-cylinder engine in an all-new ultra-lightweight frame.

The choice of a 900cc-classin-line four-cylinder was no accident, with every twist of the throttle rewarded by crisp, smooth response and exhilarating acceleration. But although the engine becomes more exciting the higher the revs climb, its smooth power delivery makes it extremely manageable.

The lightweight chassis offers the same duality; nimble handling lends itself to spirited sports riding, while the Z900’s light weight and low seat height make it easy to control.

Like many legendary Kawasaki 900cc-class four-cylinder machines (Z1, Ninja/GPz900R, Ninja ZX-9R), the Z900’s package delivers a sublime balance of power and handling – ideal for a supernaked model.

Offering excitement that increases as the revs climb, sugomi performance ensures that riding the Z900 is a visceral experience. The crisp response of the its four-cylinder engine is balanced by its light, agile handling.

The powerful 948cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke in-line four engine has a quick-revving character and a strong mid-range hit that pulls strongly to the redline.

Adding to rider exhilaration, a distinct intake note encourages you to twist the throttle. Silky smooth power delivery facilitates control while contributing to rider comfort and confidence.

Designed specifically so that acceleration could be enjoyed aurally as well as physically, the carefully crafted auditory note of the intake is a key component of the street riding exhilaration offered by the Z900.

Benefitting from a chassis comprised of lightweight components, the Z900 weighs in at 210 kg – even after clearing Euro 4. Its lightweight trellis frame and swingarm were the key to the Z900’s nimble handling.

The Z900’s low weight and low seat height 795 mm both contribute to manoeuvrability, whether walking beside the bike, or foot peddling in a parking lot. The easy-to-manage engine response and wide steering angle further facilitate low-speed manoeuvring.

Linked suspension delivers a balance of sporty performance and ride comfort.

With the wide, flat handlebar and relaxed, sporty riding position, the rider is easily able to capitalise on the Z900’s sporty street riding potential. Slightly more upright than the Z1000 and Z800, the riding position offers a blend of control and comfort that allows the rider to enjoy a variety of riding situations.

The Z900’s aggressive Z Supernaked styling combines sugomi design elements with elegant, flowing bodywork and a condensed, compact engine.

Key sugomi design elements, like its crouching stance, low-positioned head and upswept tail, give the Z900 a distinct silhouette, making it instantly recognisable as Z Supernaked model.

The Z900’s aggressive Z styling is complemented by elegant bodywork flowing from head to tail, combined with minimalist cover in the engine area devised to draw attention to its functional beauty. A condensed appearance emphasised by slim, close-fitting bodywork gives the bike a light, agile image that reflects its sporty performance.

Stacked instrument cluster features an easy-to-read layout. Analogue-style tachometer features a gear position indicator at its centre and sits atop a large multi-function LCD screen.

The tachometer’s three rider-selectable display modes add a visual element to riding enjoyment. Hairline finish on the tachometer dial, and carbon-fibre-style panelling contribute high-quality touches.

Complementing the aggressive Supernaked styling, the Z900’s sharp LED taillight lights up in a “Z” pattern, contributing to the sporty image and the strong Z identity.

New engine, based on the Z1000 powerplant, balances exhilarating acceleration with smooth power delivery that facilitates control. Excitement grows as the revs increase.

2017 Kawasaki Z900 engine features:

• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 948cc, in-line four, 92.2kW (125.4 PS)
• Bore and stroke of 73.4 x 56.0mm
• Downdraft throttle bodies allow intake air to travel to the engine in the shortest possible distance, contributing to performance.
• Throttle bore is 36mm, chosen for the ideal mid-range response. Sub-throttles ensure smooth, sensitive throttle response.
• Complementing the port designs, intake and exhaust valves measure 29mm and 24mm, respectively
• Lightweight and rigid, the pistons are formed using a unique casting process (the same process used to form the Ninja H2/H2R pistons). This enables a light weight on par with forged pistons.
• Die-cast cylinder offers an ideal balance of weight and rigidity. Its open-deck design contributes to weight savings.
• Lightweight crankshaft design contributes to the Z900’s quick-revving character.
• A secondary balancer, driven off a gear on the 6th web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration.
• Intake funnels of varying length (50 mm for the outer pair; 150 mm for the inner pair) offer a balance between performance and the intake sound.

Short gear ratios for 1st-5th gears contribute to the Z900’s strong acceleration in the rpm range used in everyday riding. 6th gear is an overdrive gear. A lightweight-type 525-size chain and lightweight machined rear sprocket match the engine’s output, while contributing to low mechanical loss in the drive train.

An Assist & Slipper Clutch was developed based on feedback from racing activities. The clutch uses two types of cams (an assist cam and a slipper cam), offering two functions not available on a standard clutch.

One of the key components to the new Z900’s light weight (noticeable as soon as the bike is lifted off its side-stand), is the all-new frame weighs only 13.5kg and contributes significantly to the bike’s light, nimble handling.

Components of the high-tensile steel trellis frame follow the ideal pipe line. The lines of the frame were made as straight as possible, and when bends were necessary their angles were made as small as possible, resulting in a design that disperses stress extremely well.

2017 Kawasaki Z900 chassis main features

Rigid-mount at five points (forward and aft of the cylinder head, behind the cylinder, at the top and bottom of the crankcases), the engine is a stressed member, greatly contributing to the light weight of the frame and chassis.

The extruded aluminium swingarm weighs only 3.9 kg, contributing to low unsprung weight, which in turn contributes to the bike’s light, nimble handling.

The twin-tube type rear frame contributes to the bike’s low seat height and easy reach to the ground. Its simple design uses primarily straight lines, and helps minimise vibration transferred through the seat.

41 mm inverted front fork features stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability in the left fork tube. Adjusters are conveniently located on the fork top cap.

The rear suspension positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm. This arrangement contributes to mass centralisation, while ensuring that the suspension is located far enough from the exhaust that operation is not affected by heat. The rear shock features rebound and preload adjustability.

Dual 300mm front petal disc brakes deliver plenty of braking power while contributing to the bike’s sporty image. They are matched to dual 4-piston calipers with resin brake pads that offer a linear brake touch, facilitating control for both new and experienced riders. A 250mm rear petal disc brake provides stopping power at the rear.

In addition to the very effective petal disc brakes, customers looking for an added degree of reassuring braking performance can benefit from ABS. The Z900 features a compact and lightweight Nissin motorcycle ABS unit standard.

Stylish star-pattern five-spoke wheels contribute to light weight, while their high rigidity benefits handling. They also contribute to the bike’s light looks. Silica-blend tyres offer both enhanced wet-weather performance and increased tyre life.

The relationship between pegs, seat and handlebars was designed to enhance communication between rider and machine, giving the rider a confidence-inspiring feeling of control that complements its agile handling.

 

Thanks to the low seat height and the bike’s slim overall design, it’s easy to keep both feet firmly on the ground when stopped, an important consideration for many riders. The 795 mm seat height enables a wide range of riders to enjoy the Z900 with confidence

The narrow frame and engine create a narrow overall package, allowing the rider to keep his or her knees and feet close together.

Sporty front seat offers a wide seating area for good ride comfort. The seat is slimmer at the front, facilitating the rider’s reach to the ground. The seat can be removed without tools, offering easy access to the battery, fuse box and tool kit.

Similar to the Z1000, the aggressive slant of the headlamp cowl, which is positioned as low as possible, is an extension of the line running down from the top of the tank, creating the image of a crouching predator ready to spring into action.

Compact front cowl houses a dual-bulb headlamp with single position lamp. The headlamp and cowl are positioned as low and close to the body as possible, contributing to the bike’s condensed appearance.

2017 Kawasaki Z900 main styling features

• Close-fitting bodywork with minimum overhang contributes to a slim appearance and a high quality image.
• Sharp front and rear turn signals complement the aggressive Z styling.
• Elegantly sculpted fuel tank contributes to the aggressive Z styling, while emphasising the bike’s slim and light looks.
• Resin fuel tank cap has no visible bolts. The stylish design also contributes to weight savings.
• Area around the engine is trimmed of unnecessary material, creating a clear view of the engine.
• Under cowls have a unitised design that makes them look like part of the engine. Emphasising the functional beauty of the engine, they contribute to the condensed, mechanical look.
• Flowing, upswept tail cowl contributes to the dynamic, sporty image while giving the rear of the bike an elegant, condensed look.
• Stylish rear seat complements the elegant tail cowl. Under-seat storage has space for small items.
• LED taillight lights up in a “Z” pattern, contributing to the sporty image and the strong Z identity.

Luggage hooks are built into the passenger footpeg stays, providing convenient tie-down points. Inner fender unitised with the chain guard helps keep the underside of the tail cowl clean and contributes to the aggressive Z styling.

The stacked instrument cluster features an easy-to-read layout. Analogue-style tachometer features a gear position indicator at its centre and sits atop a multi-function LCD screen.

In addition to the digital speedometer and gear position indicator, display functions include: odometer, dual trip meters, remaining range, current and average fuel consumption, external temperature, coolant temperature, clock and the Economical Riding Indicator.

The Economical Riding Indicator appears on the LCD screen to indicate favourable fuel consumption. Paying attention to conditions that result in the mark appearing can assist riders to maximise their fuel efficiency.

This handy feature is active all the time, although to be effective, the rider must ride in a gentle manner: less than 6,000rpm, less than 25% throttle. Hairline finish on the tachometer dial, and carbon-fibre-style panelling contribute high-quality touches.

The 2017 Kawasaki Z900 will be available in Pearl Mystic Gray / Metallic Flat Spark Black