2018 KAWASAKI Z900RS
FIRST TEST
P80
What's been changed?
The Z900 came in for a signifi-
cant overhaul as it morphed into
the 900RS. The motor is still the
948cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled,
inline four-cylinder unit as before,
but the cam profiles have shorter
intake and exhaust durations (248°
intake and 244° exhaust), as part
of the formula for low-to mid-range
performance.
The compression ratio has been
dropped a point to 10.8:1, the fly-
wheel mass has been beefed up by
12 percent, the first gear is shorter
and the sixth gear taller—again, all
changes aimed at the getting you
up and moving fast but making for
a more relaxed ride at highway
speeds.
Kawasaki is particularly proud
about the 900RS's exhaust. Made
from stainless steel, the exhaust is
subject to a three-stage buffing pro-
cess to give it that glaring chrome
look, and it's the first exhaust to
come out of KHI that has enjoyed
the presence of sound engineers
to make sure the note is just right.
There's a Z900 under those clothes,
but the changes amount to much more
than an outfit change.
