Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1449012
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 KAWASAKI Z900 SE P80 Changing thoughts to the brakes, there's much more bite from the Brembo calipers and more feel at the lever. The difference is noticed more at slow-to-medium speeds, where heavy braking isn't really required. Here, the new master cylinder provides a smoother initial bite but, a bit like the forks, it isn't night-and-day different, just a little better everywhere. As for the remainder of the machine, it is as you were in 2020. I haven't shrunk (as far as I know), so I still find the overall ride posi- tion a little on the cramped side. With a seat height of 31.5 inches, it should put the Z900 SE right in the sweet spot if you're about 5'10" or lower, but for me, being three inches taller and all, I could use a bit more room. There are very little creature comforts with the SE, some of which I'd really have loved to see fitted. Such as cruise control. The SE is plenty capable of having it, even if it must be included as an optional extra from the accessories catalog, but alas, not so. You don't get IMU-monitored electronics, and no quickshifter, but you do get traction control, four riding modes of Rain, Street, Sport and Rider (which allows you to switch the TC off), and two different power modes on Full and Low. This is all to keep the costs down but considering the SE has already passed the magic $10K mark thanks to the suspension and brakes, I'd have liked TC to be at least an option. For the money, the Z900 SE is indeed a good buy but considering it's only $500 cheaper than the Yamaha MT-09 SP that does come with an IMU and cruise control and Ohlins, Kawasaki's starting to push it, if only a little. I'd certainly take the SE over the stan- dard model because given the increase in road holding quality with the brakes and suspension, that makes the new Zee worth the money alone. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2022 KAWASAKI Z900 SE ($9699) ENGINE 4-cylinder, inline 4-stroke VALVETRAIN DOHC, 16-valve COOLING SYSTEM Liquid FUELING EFI DISPLACEMENT 948cc BORE X STROKE 73.4 x 56mm TORQUE (CLAIMED) 73.1 lb-ft @ 7700 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed CLUTCH Wet multi-disc CHASSIS Tubular steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION 41mm inverted fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Ohlins S46 monoshock, rebound and preload adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.5 in. FRONT BRAKE Dual 300mm petal-style discs with Brembo M4.32 four-piston calipers, ABS REAR BRAKE Single 250mm petal-style disc with single-piston caliper, ABS FRONT TIRE Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 120/70 ZR17 in. REAR TIRE Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2180/55 ZR17 in. SEAT HEIGHT 31.5 in. WHEELBASE 57.3 in. FUEL CAPACITY 4.5 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 469 lbs.