COMPARISON I KAWASAKI Z900RS SE VS. HONDA CB1000R BLACK EDITION
P92
At $12,999, the Honda un-
dercuts the Kawasaki by $500
and for that you get more power,
a near perfectly mapped quick-
shifter, three power modes and
adjustable traction and engine
brake control in the electronics
(although no IMU/Cornering
ABS/cruise control or heated
grips), so in reality, the spec is
pretty close to what you're get-
ting with the Kawasaki.
Perhaps the Honda is aimed at
a slightly more modern rider than
the Z900RS SE is, but not by
much. There's still traces of the
OG 1969 Honda CB750 in there,
especially in the tank design,
which can be an issue for a rider
with long legs.
The indents are very pro-
nounced, and I struggled to find a
comfortable stance at times on the
CB. It's an agile and nimble motor-
cycle, certainly faster steering than
the Kawasaki but with a rear shock
that is not up to the quality of the
Kawasaki's Ohlins unit.
This gives the Honda a three-
fold problem in that it sinks too
fast under acceleration, transmits
too much shock to the rider over
sharp bumps and doesn't allow
the chassis to hold its line as well
while you're slowly dialing in the
power when riding quickly.
The one on the
left is a modern
interpretation of a
classic, the one on
the right is more
a doff of the cap
to Hondas of the
past. We're leaning
towards the Z900RS
SE's aesthetic.
