Not a great deal done on the update ? Ride by wire introduced . Cruise control , QS , six axis iemu , as standard . Updated fork geometry , new headlight and brake lights. Sounds like a major update from 24 model to a 25 model in anyone’s language . In Australia this will be at least $4000 cheaper than the Honda base model . Considering I can’t fully use the 92 HP of my Honda Transalp above third gear , anyone who thinks 125HP isn’t more than enough considering its punchy torque , needs a reality check . Not being rude , but the initial bite on brake , could be the lever position, or your fingers are not squeezing the business end of the lever? We all sometimes forget the basics from time to time .😊
No doubt that the Honda is going to be tough competition, but I would be happy with the Kawasaki's 120 HP and 6 axis imu. Probably all I could use and still manage to keep my license. Also, the Kawasaki's style is its own. Thanks for a very good review.
I am a Kawasaki Fan Boy. I own 5 Kawasaki and 2 Yamahas, it takes more then styling for me to buy a Bike. Styling for me is in third place, Value and Performance are more important.
Nice review. I think the Kawi looks a lot better. The key to performance is not the top line bhp figure but mid range torque. Can't wait for a side by side ride review.
My 2017 Z900 was one of the best bikes I've owned without a doubt. Very smooth, very comfortable, decent suspension and brakes, fantastic chassis, a ton of torque for a 4cyl and more than enough power. The only thing that let it down slightly for me was the sound as even with a breadbox delete there wasn't really much interesting about the noise it makes. I'm on a GSX-S750 now and it's such a better sounding bike. It's down on power and torque, but I'd say it has better handling, better brakes, better ergos and just as smooth an engine, though not quite as good stock fuelling. I can't wait to try the Honda but power isn't everything. Both the Z900 and GSX-S750 are very easy and smooth bikes to ride which make perfect larger capacity commuters.
when you buy an adventure bike,usually,you dont care about the looks,they are almost all ugly.but,when you go for a street bike,then looks matters...and this bike is one of the best...
The difference in price between the Kawasaki Z900 se and the Hornet sp is hard to ignore, especially with the extra horses of the Honda, however I do prefer the styling of the big Z, whether that’s worth another £1400 remains to be seen!!
The Hornet isn't coming to the states which sux but as a 2020 z9000 owner I'm not mad at this except the new headlight. I'll keep mine though since it is faster (probably not by much).
I was watching and listening to a guy who has rode both the old model and this new one almost immediately together and with the revisions to the gearing and mid range he said the new one was more responsive and more lively on acceleration.
Not a fan of that metal plate on the seat. Just pointless weight. This beats Honda in at least three categories. #1 No stupid "always on" indicators. #2 A cruise control. #3 The horn button and indicator switch are in the correct position.
Hornet this. Hornet that. Hornet the other. Hornet has 25 more horsepower. Hornet Hornet Hornet. Anyway.. the reason the engineer told you the quick-shifter needed the gear ratios shorted for better function, is because they wanted to compete in acceleration with the MT-09 and Duke 990 most likely, and this was one way to increase that. If quick-shifters need very short transmission ratios to function, then what kind of magic sauce are all the other manufacturers using when they DON'T do such things? I believe it to be PR misdirection to avoid other targets that might be perceived by the press to be deficiencies.
@@paulconnell1309 Wouldn't doubt it. I've studied enough dyno charts on stuff like the GSX-S1000 and Z900 to realize that below 8500 there's no real difference.
@@exothermal.sprocket I have owned a 2020 Street triple R (114bhp) and now ride a GSX 8S (85bhp). Torque is 80Nm vs 78 Nm and at lower revs on the GSX. Everyday riding and up to the 100kph speed limit the GSX is as fast as the Triple, a wee bit more grunty. You just change gear sooner. Easier quick shifter.
@ Very intimately familiar with the new GSX-8 platform. Not often does one see people who back down from horsepower but I have done it myself in the past a couple times, to something less powerful (by way of peak numbers anyway) but a different character and experience. Do you know about 2 wheel dyno works, or Vcyclenut? The 8S/8R platform now makes 93 wheel horsepower with bolt-ons and tuning, and no more flat spot or trailing off power at the top of revs. Turns out the intake is one of the most restrictive parts.
To me this model has always been a nearly bike having the IMU is progress but lowering the top gear ratio is going to damage motorway MPG and comfort.I don't agree with Kawasaki about looks being the biggest buying factor and in any case beauty is in the eye off the beholder. I believe most people buy a bike in this class to plaster a big smile on there face and make it themselves feel alive. I think there are other bikes in this price bracket that will deliver more of a buzz. But that being said it's unlikely to let you down and you may want more from a bike but you probably don't need more.
Just to add, the styling changes are so subtle that only the most hardcore fanboys will notice, me being a hardcore fanboy. I appreciate the changes, but the bike needs something else like a drop in 40lbs or more of weight, or being able to more customize the rider modes such as If I only want 85% of power across the range, I should be able to program that without an ECU flash.
Agree weight reduction would be fantastic , but then again having the SE front brake upgrade may help in the downhill cornering . The Z900 weighs less than my old Versys 650 , the weight was most noticeable on the brakes in tight downhill corners
Bro - you really mailed this one in, didn't ya? No discussion on the new seat, ergos, cruise control operation, or even how the quickshifter performed? Pretty much the most important changes to the bike. Then, you talked about comparing it to the Hornet and completely changed the subject. This was not a helpful or informative review. Lame!
Is it me or do I feel that it is somewhat “so so” what Kawasaki has done to the z900… cant say you are “over excited” in your presentation to say the least… 😂
The reason you don’t compare is because the Z loses everywhere when against the Hornet CB1000SP. Style wise, I like both, but only my opinion, the Hornet wins again. However, I have owned a Z900 and can’t really fault it. It’s a very decent bike but it did leave me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Actually, it does NOT win everywhere. It does NOT have cruise, and the other electronics are not at the level of the new Z900. Basically, the only advantage the Honda has is raw power and that does mean a lot. Everyone wants more power. I think the Honda is a tad bit lighter. That is good too. We will have to see.
@ I had the previous Z900 and it never crossed my mind that it needed a IMU as it isn’t that powerful. The delivery of the power it has is so smooth and predictable. If this is important to you by the Z900. I can’t say it isn’t a good bike.
You can ride a million times without any problem, but when you encounter one at the million and first, its nice to have a safety net. And different people want different things from a bike, someone might find a 400 superior to a liter bike, and Ive been to plenty of track days where guys on smaller bikes were lapping faster then guys on expensive big ones. So what works for you, doesnt have to necessary work for Joe, same vice versa. People were simply disagreeing with your statement that the hornet is superior in any way, which it isnt, electronics is just one point, comfort can be another, looks, fuel consumption, etc etc.
15 дней назад
I love these new bikes but there're making them that compact and small , most riders look like a tit on a skewer. 🇬🇧
It’s all comes down to price Z900 and MT-09 will take a beating now when the Hornet 1000 enters the market Personally I think Yamaha is going to take the worst hit with the MT09. Here in Sweden the Z900 is 1400€ less then the MT-09
I will bet you any amount that Kawasaki will outsell Honda globally, people just look at the price and thats it, the Honda is an higher insurance bracket, and not everyone is a squid that sees 150>125, need to go with the higher number.
All the Z bikes are bland cheap vanilla in my opinion. Even the ZH2 is really quite a bland bike compared to its competition. This bike might get the interest of driving schools and beginners on a budget. You looked sleepy in the review, not hard to figure out why 🥱
@@Arash_67 doubtful it will flop. It's a best selling bike around the world. That's how Kawasaki got away with slow-rolling updates that most other manufacturers added years ago. It will sell quite well - because Z900s are incredibly popular. Obviously, you're not a fan. And that's fine. But lots of people are pretty excited about the updates - and lots of people will buy it.
Not a great deal done on the update ?
Ride by wire introduced .
Cruise control , QS , six axis iemu , as standard .
Updated fork geometry , new headlight and brake lights.
Sounds like a major update from 24 model to a 25 model in anyone’s language .
In Australia this will be at least $4000 cheaper than the Honda base model .
Considering I can’t fully use the 92 HP of my Honda Transalp above third gear , anyone who thinks 125HP isn’t more than enough considering its punchy torque , needs a reality check .
Not being rude , but the initial bite on brake , could be the lever position, or your fingers are not squeezing the business end of the lever?
We all sometimes forget the basics from time to time .😊
No doubt that the Honda is going to be tough competition, but I would be happy with the Kawasaki's 120 HP and 6 axis imu. Probably all I could use and still manage to keep my license. Also, the Kawasaki's style is its own. Thanks for a very good review.
Agree. Few will get 150 bhp out of the Honda on the road, especially through the gears.
I am a Kawasaki Fan Boy. I own 5 Kawasaki and 2 Yamahas, it takes more then styling for me to buy a Bike. Styling for me is in third place, Value and Performance are more important.
I love the frame which looks gash on the hornet
Nice review. I think the Kawi looks a lot better. The key to performance is not the top line bhp figure but mid range torque. Can't wait for a side by side ride review.
My 2017 Z900 was one of the best bikes I've owned without a doubt. Very smooth, very comfortable, decent suspension and brakes, fantastic chassis, a ton of torque for a 4cyl and more than enough power. The only thing that let it down slightly for me was the sound as even with a breadbox delete there wasn't really much interesting about the noise it makes. I'm on a GSX-S750 now and it's such a better sounding bike. It's down on power and torque, but I'd say it has better handling, better brakes, better ergos and just as smooth an engine, though not quite as good stock fuelling. I can't wait to try the Honda but power isn't everything. Both the Z900 and GSX-S750 are very easy and smooth bikes to ride which make perfect larger capacity commuters.
when you buy an adventure bike,usually,you dont care about the looks,they are almost all ugly.but,when you go for a street bike,then looks matters...and this bike is one of the best...
The difference in price between the Kawasaki Z900 se and the Hornet sp is hard to ignore, especially with the extra horses of the Honda, however I do prefer the styling of the big Z, whether that’s worth another £1400 remains to be seen!!
The Hornet isn't coming to the states which sux but as a 2020 z9000 owner I'm not mad at this except the new headlight. I'll keep mine though since it is faster (probably not by much).
I was watching and listening to a guy who has rode both the old model and this new one almost immediately together and with the revisions to the gearing and mid range he said the new one was more responsive and more lively on acceleration.
Not a fan of that metal plate on the seat. Just pointless weight.
This beats Honda in at least three categories.
#1 No stupid "always on" indicators.
#2 A cruise control.
#3 The horn button and indicator switch are in the correct position.
Great bike. All those bikes are great, and rider is important, too. Can have all the suspension and everything if you don't use it buy standard.
Hornet this. Hornet that. Hornet the other. Hornet has 25 more horsepower. Hornet Hornet Hornet.
Anyway.. the reason the engineer told you the quick-shifter needed the gear ratios shorted for better function, is because they wanted to compete in acceleration with the MT-09 and Duke 990 most likely, and this was one way to increase that.
If quick-shifters need very short transmission ratios to function, then what kind of magic sauce are all the other manufacturers using when they DON'T do such things? I believe it to be PR misdirection to avoid other targets that might be perceived by the press to be deficiencies.
Yep. And the Z gets is torque and 120 bhp lower down the revs than the Hornet.
@@paulconnell1309 Wouldn't doubt it. I've studied enough dyno charts on stuff like the GSX-S1000 and Z900 to realize that below 8500 there's no real difference.
@@exothermal.sprocket I have owned a 2020 Street triple R (114bhp) and now ride a GSX 8S (85bhp). Torque is 80Nm vs 78 Nm and at lower revs on the GSX. Everyday riding and up to the 100kph speed limit the GSX is as fast as the Triple, a wee bit more grunty. You just change gear sooner. Easier quick shifter.
@ Very intimately familiar with the new GSX-8 platform. Not often does one see people who back down from horsepower but I have done it myself in the past a couple times, to something less powerful (by way of peak numbers anyway) but a different character and experience.
Do you know about 2 wheel dyno works, or Vcyclenut? The 8S/8R platform now makes 93 wheel horsepower with bolt-ons and tuning, and no more flat spot or trailing off power at the top of revs. Turns out the intake is one of the most restrictive parts.
Wow...that rear end needs tidying. 😂
To me this model has always been a nearly bike having the IMU is progress but lowering the top gear ratio is going to damage motorway MPG and comfort.I don't agree with Kawasaki about looks being the biggest buying factor and in any case beauty is in the eye off the beholder. I believe most people buy a bike in this class to plaster a big smile on there face and make it themselves feel alive. I think there are other bikes in this price bracket that will deliver more of a buzz. But that being said it's unlikely to let you down and you may want more from a bike but you probably don't need more.
Just to add, the styling changes are so subtle that only the most hardcore fanboys will notice, me being a hardcore fanboy. I appreciate the changes, but the bike needs something else like a drop in 40lbs or more of weight, or being able to more customize the rider modes such as If I only want 85% of power across the range, I should be able to program that without an ECU flash.
Not for 9 grand. Only the base model Honda 1000 Hornet which is also 9 grand. MT 09 is over 10 grand. The KTM 990 is 13 grand, etc, etc.
Agree weight reduction would be fantastic , but then again having the SE front brake upgrade may help in the downhill cornering .
The Z900 weighs less than my old Versys 650 , the weight was most noticeable on the brakes in tight downhill corners
I’m a Kawasaki man, but as a naked bike it looks very bland on the video. Maybe the other versions look better? Where’s the shiny bits?
Bro - you really mailed this one in, didn't ya? No discussion on the new seat, ergos, cruise control operation, or even how the quickshifter performed? Pretty much the most important changes to the bike. Then, you talked about comparing it to the Hornet and completely changed the subject. This was not a helpful or informative review. Lame!
niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Okej so begins with comparing to hornet but no comment about it. Why not be direct and say what it is.
Is it me or do I feel that it is somewhat “so so” what Kawasaki has done to the z900… cant say you are “over excited” in your presentation to say the least… 😂
The reason you don’t compare is because the Z loses everywhere when against the Hornet CB1000SP. Style wise, I like both, but only my opinion, the Hornet wins again. However, I have owned a Z900 and can’t really fault it. It’s a very decent bike but it did leave me feeling a little underwhelmed.
Actually it doesnt, the kawi has the better electronics package, one reason why honda is pricing the hornet the way it is.
Actually, it does NOT win everywhere. It does NOT have cruise, and the other electronics are not at the level of the new Z900. Basically, the only advantage the Honda has is raw power and that does mean a lot. Everyone wants more power. I think the Honda is a tad bit lighter. That is good too. We will have to see.
@ I had the previous Z900 and it never crossed my mind that it needed a IMU as it isn’t that powerful. The delivery of the power it has is so smooth and predictable. If this is important to you by the Z900. I can’t say it isn’t a good bike.
bro the z in canada is like 12-14k and the hornet is 19k
You can ride a million times without any problem, but when you encounter one at the million and first, its nice to have a safety net. And different people want different things from a bike, someone might find a 400 superior to a liter bike, and Ive been to plenty of track days where guys on smaller bikes were lapping faster then guys on expensive big ones. So what works for you, doesnt have to necessary work for Joe, same vice versa. People were simply disagreeing with your statement that the hornet is superior in any way, which it isnt, electronics is just one point, comfort can be another, looks, fuel consumption, etc etc.
I love these new bikes but there're making them that compact and small , most riders look like a tit on a skewer. 🇬🇧
Review - watered down (budget) vanilla ice cream
Best of luck trying to sell this with the Hornet 1000 on the horizon!
It’s all comes down to price
Z900 and MT-09 will take a beating now when the Hornet 1000 enters the market
Personally I think Yamaha is going to take the worst hit with the MT09.
Here in Sweden the Z900 is 1400€ less then the MT-09
I will bet you any amount that Kawasaki will outsell Honda globally, people just look at the price and thats it, the Honda is an higher insurance bracket, and not everyone is a squid that sees 150>125, need to go with the higher number.
The Ninja 1100 could be an appropriate competitor to it no its not a naked bike, but it is an sport touring bike that has similar ergonomics.
@spartanx169x Because they're both, naked large capacity inline fours
@@spartanx169x There is no Z1100 naked.
Can't buy it, hasn't got wavey rotors.
🤣
All the Z bikes are bland cheap vanilla in my opinion.
Even the ZH2 is really quite a bland bike compared to its competition.
This bike might get the interest of driving schools and beginners on a budget.
You looked sleepy in the review, not hard to figure out why 🥱
Clueless.
@ Watch it flop.
@@Arash_67 doubtful it will flop. It's a best selling bike around the world. That's how Kawasaki got away with slow-rolling updates that most other manufacturers added years ago. It will sell quite well - because Z900s are incredibly popular.
Obviously, you're not a fan. And that's fine. But lots of people are pretty excited about the updates - and lots of people will buy it.