The Z1 may have been created 50-
odd years ago, but as they say, a classic
never goes out of style. So, in 2017, the
board of directors at Kawasaki Heavy
Industries in Japan decided to create a Z1
for the modern era. Using the Z900 as its
base, the Z900RS channeled the lines
and style of the original, but with most
of the mod-cons, you'd hope for like fuel
injection, modern suspension and decent brakes.
I spent most of 2018 with a Z900RS, and it was
a year of delightfully fond memories. I absolutely
adored that bike, except for the wretched throttle
response I complained about constantly due to
the emissions strangling.
We threw some choice parts at our
Project Z900RS like gorgeous gold
forged aluminum Dymag wheels, some
Yoshimura bits and bobs like a fender
eliminator, Dunlop Q3s, and a pretty
Akrapovic titanium muffler for a bit more
bark. It was a gem of a bike.
Fast forward to 2022, and I have just
spent a month reacquainting myself with
the Z900RS in its new, $13,449 SE form. This year,
Kawasaki is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and as
such, created a separate model to mark the occa-
sion, but the good folk at Kawasaki USA gave me
the SE model that comes with the beautiful "Yellow
Ball" paint scheme, gold wheels (they must have
(Above) A large part of what makes this model an SE
is that Ohlins S46 shock. (Left) Myriad changes to
the Z900SE-derived motor include a finned cylinder
head to mimic the original air-cooled Z1.
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
P102
Classic style, an
easy ride position,
plenty of grunt,
and that beautiful
Yellow Ball color
scheme. What's
not to love?
