2019 900RS Cafe here never been able to drag the pegs and ride her pretty hard. Mines all stock and I really dig it. I'm a former road racer and started on an Eddie Lawson replica from back in the day and this bike stock is friggin awesome. Cant wait to take off the stock pipes and do an Ivan tune but thus far very impressive bike Stock
Dude this bike really shocked me how well it performed! I'm curious if you could swap the front forks out with some ZX10R stockers or something affordable/aftermarket you can adjust and tune for your size/weight! The position stance alone wood let you carve up the canyons ALL DAY LONG and not have to stop to give the back/arms a break! Awesome vid man!
Not sure about a fork swap, but but the stock forks aren't too bad. Thicker would would do the trick, or through in an Ohlins NIX30 cartridge kit and springs... I have a K-Tech shock on order and that also allows me to adjust rear ride height so I can play with that...
Really enjoy your comments and observations about the Z900RS! Very interested in doing a reflash on mine. Look forward to hearing the results of the Moore Mafia retune; I will do the same with mine. Thanks!
Yeah, the flash costs $200 and you can just mail it in, he has like a normal 2 business day turnaround time. The full custom dyno tune is I think $475, but depending on how close the stock map is, maybe it won't take that long and cost a bit less. But once he has done mine, then anyone who has my setup, can get that tune as part of their $200 ECU flash... He keeps a library of all his tunes, and so he picks one that closely matches what you have and that is the flash that you get. He hasn't done one for the RS yet, so I will bite the bullet and eat that cost and then he has it for future use.
I weight about the same as you, and halfway through my first ride on the Z900RS it was painfully apparent the shock had to go. The German-made Wilbers 640 replaced it, with the optional X-PA mechanical preload adjuster. I ordered it through EPM-Wilbers in New Jersey. Super good people to work with.
I am finding that the best bang for the buck, is a sprung for my weight K-Tech Razor R Lite, for about $450 plus tax... But I am looking at all the options...
Nice, you mentioned eliminating the 02 sensor.....is that a regular/part of the re-flash recommended by Chris? or something you knew to do and requested? Then is it simply disconnected and capped off? interesting MODs as I take in your developments. Thanks for assistance/clarification. Still hunting one.....Thanks for posting
Yeah, part of the standard flash. Get the flash, then unplug the sensor, remove it, tape up the open plug under the tank to keep water out, and then get an 18x1.5 bung plug from Amazon for $6 to plug the hole in the header pipe where the sensor used to be. K-Tech shock is ordered, that's the next mod!
Nice video! I have a Z900RS, and have the Acro headers with stock can. Also removed the O2 sensor the pair valves and replaced with the removal kit that has the electrical kit too. Just with this I saw the bike run much better. I still need to flash the ecu. I’m sure that flashing the ECU makes everything much more efficiently running to the potential of the engine.
Nice vid & bike def seems quick. Had my flash done on Z900 ABS by 2WDW last summer & bike still feels stock inc Rev-Limit (which was supposed to be raised)... Since seeing Chris' vid on Z900 tune, def thinking to send to him for a re-do / better performing flash. Esp considering how much hp he picked up w Z900 in vid. That said, re: ur rear shock. I'm waiting on mine to come back from DMr right now. If u can wait til off-season he's got custom built options for both front & rr. or just complete overhaul options for our bikes & both avail for less $ than other aftermarket options (starting at $700 to rebuild both ends w new springs included) which the standard Z def needs. He has an excellent rep. Def knows his stuff & CS is really good IME, but as a result, turnaround time does suffer a bit during riding season.
@@SquireSCA wow! thats a heck of a deal. how'd u manage that? U should def post a vid about the upgrade after install. The upgrade is a necessity on these bikes. Glad to hear u avoided the low-side btw ✌
One of the main restrictions on this RS is the small I.D. on the double-wall headerpipes. I was watching some videos of Brock's Performance when he tuned this bike. After a full exhaust and all the rigamaroll, you essentially get 115 whp peak, about the same as a stock Z900.
Yeah, my stock headers were what was holding me back for sure. If I get another one of these, and I might get the Z900RS SE at some point, I will likely do the full exhaust and then get it tuned
@@SquireSCA You might be able to benefit more just buying fork cartridges and a shock of your choice, and get them set up for your weight and riding style, than to go with the SE model and still not have optimal spring rates and damping. Usually the suspension upgraded models, while better than stock options, are not upper tier (comp/reb damping front and rear).
Thanks! Very interesting info. Did you disable the rev limiter at all or did you increase the limit to 10k RPM? Is it safe for the engine if it's limited to 10k instead of 9k? It's a 10% increase in RPM which ptobably adds 10% in HP.
I think you guys are crazy riding like that on public roads. You’ll probably agree with me when it’s too late. Do track days instead. I want to get the ÉCU flashed on my rs se but I don’t want more power, I just want to smooth out the throttle at low speeds. The power is just fine the way it is. You don’t need to change down for overtaking but when you do, there’s more than enough there. Y’all are nuts. Stay safe.
I have done about 20 track days over the years... mainly Road Atlanta, some Talledega GP, and Jennings once... We have some amazing roads near here and when you get to know them like the back of your hand, you tend to pick up the pace, but I get what you are saying...
Thanks. I wish I had a video montage of every bike I have ever owned... Maybe I need to put together all the pics into a slide show and upload that... haha
Excellent tutorial 👌. Was the guy who wrecked the one who came flying up past you?😮 Also did dude at the traffic light on the Harley really try and race you? 😄
@@SquireSCA Happens so fast outta nowhere. He knew how to ride & had a knee down after he passed you. You're no slouch buddy. Put me to shame on my modified RS. Dirty Dave here.
Yeah, when I had that bike, I tossed a K0Tech Razor R Lite shock on the back and it was much better. I have track footage here on the channel, the bike was great out on Road Atlanta...
Nice video. Have you seen the new SE version coming out soon. That has an Ohlins rear shock as standard and revised front suspension with gold forks. Looks lovely. It clearly rectifies the weakness of the Z900RS [rear shock mainly] but also you get upgraded brakes as well. Seriously looking at one [the S.E model] to be my next bike.
Yeah, I was drooling over the pics the other day. The downside, is that it's getting way up there in price, and in that $15k+ group, I am not sure it's worth it.
Just picked one up. The price difference between the standard RS and the SE was 1800CAD for me. At that it's a no brainer to get the SE. Ohlins rear shock, revalved fork, Brembo calipers, braided steel lines, and a radial master cylinder. You can't even get a good rear shock for that in the aftermarket. Honestly, I could see myself paying an extra 800 just to get the colorway. Beautiful bike.
Hey Dave, I'm in California and thinking about an RS. Do you know if any of the tuners reflash the ECU on the 2023 bikes? I realize Cali is putting the squeeze on the emissions but wondered if you could still get it done elsewhere.
There are mail in services from Moore Mafia, 2WDW, Ivan's Performance, and others. Just google them. 2WDW is on the west coast, up in Washington I think and does mail in ECU flashing.
I wouldn't hoon it the you do, but the first thing I did to my RS was stick a K-Tech Razor R on it... the stock shock is useless, especially if you're a heavier rider. Ride safe!!!
With gear I am 250lbs, and the shock is sprung for someone 180lbs. So I can't really get the sag that I need in the rear, which impacts ground clearance... and as you ride this bike hard, the oil gets hot and thin and it loses what little compression and Rebound damping that it has... Probably gonna go with the K-Tech, they seem a good bang for the buck...
Because the front wheel was coming up in first, and you can see the traction control light flicker on, which cuts power to keep the front wheel down...
@@SquireSCA oh OK that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the quick reply. I am definitely going to send my ECU to them for a reflash. Great video by the way!!
At least the ECU flash helped you beat that Harley off the line... 🤣😂 The bike really does seem to pull much stronger after the flash, now I have to go look for the "tuned" video ;) Sorry about your buds wreck, glad he didn't get hurt or worse..
Haven't gotten around to getting the full tune yet... I am contemplating whether I should do the headers first... I don't want all the noise of a full system, but the headers, and airbox mods and then tuning will give me like 20hp, which is a massive increase...
@@SquireSCA ... Personally I'd keep it stock, do the tune and take whatever power you get. Its not like its slow and the bike seems pretty balanced as it is. 20hp more and you're going to find the limit of the forks and brakes....which means dumping another $2k for springs, cartridges, lines and maybe master cylinders... 😉
@@painsrides3616 Very true... And if I want to up the pace a bit, that's what I have the ZX6R for, I guess. I do want to get it on the dyno and tune it. I will likely do the airbox mod, I already have the filter installed. Maybe find a way to decat the bike but leave the rest of the exhaust stock... meaning, stock header, muffler and the "breadbox"... so just a little better flow and a LITTLE more noise... and then get it tuned and call it a day...
All how you ride as well. Rider on his RS blew by me at 100 mph+ with me on my flashed ECU with Akrapovic header RS. I was in 6th and he was red lining in lower gears. Guess I'm a pussy. Ha!
@@awnis001 Yeah, I need to do a video where I go through it all point by point. But in a nutshell, the Kawi is much faster, better brakes, uses normal rim sizes for proper sportbike tires, and I can get it serviced anywhere as Kawi has a much better dealer network...
I have with flash or tunes to remove the air box and remove the restrictive divider in the middle, and changing stack heights inside. Have you looked into any of that or already moded your air box? Thanks
Yeah, I saw that airbox mod on both Dale Walker's page, as well as Ivan's. At the very least I will remove the divider and put the extra intake holes in, before getting it tuned. I will get 2 of the shorter stacks as well, if anyone has them in stock.
Searched and the shorter stacks are out of stock everywhere. I guess with Covid slowing down supply, and this being a popular mod, everyone has bought them up... I can't imagine that normally, they would stock large quantities of this kind of item... I wonder if you can just take the existing taller ones, and shorten them to the length of the short ones?
America, a country where you can buy a gun & ride a motorbike like an idiot on public roads. I love it. Shame a lot of states won't allow lane splitting.
Well, to be fair, there are some proper built Harleys out there that are quick in a straight line. If you have the money, you can make just about anything fast. He had his girl on the back, and while I walked away from him, he was clearly trying to keep up and he wasn't as far back as you would think. Granted, he and his girl were small, so together they probably weighed about the same as me... So neither really had a weight advantage... His Harley was reasonably quick, but the Kawi was quicker... and of course, when the road turns, that is where the Harley falls on its face. They just don't handle...
@@SquireSCA oh ok great me too we’ll maybe a little more I’m in dalton ga can’t wait to see vids of your new bike I was looking at the lates one looks great
Thanks for the kind words! Looking forward to doing more business with you in the future!
For sure man. I want to get it on the dyno and see what else you can do with it.
Your a great guy Chris Moore... still broke my heart i didnt get the chance to buy that barn bike. Lol
I need this
2019 900RS Cafe here never been able to drag the pegs and ride her pretty hard. Mines all stock and I really dig it. I'm a former road racer and started on an Eddie Lawson replica from back in the day and this bike stock is friggin awesome. Cant wait to take off the stock pipes and do an Ivan tune but thus far very impressive bike Stock
Dude this bike really shocked me how well it performed! I'm curious if you could swap the front forks out with some ZX10R stockers or something affordable/aftermarket you can adjust and tune for your size/weight! The position stance alone wood let you carve up the canyons ALL DAY LONG and not have to stop to give the back/arms a break! Awesome vid man!
Not sure about a fork swap, but but the stock forks aren't too bad. Thicker would would do the trick, or through in an Ohlins NIX30 cartridge kit and springs...
I have a K-Tech shock on order and that also allows me to adjust rear ride height so I can play with that...
Really enjoy your comments and observations about the Z900RS! Very interested in doing a reflash on mine. Look forward to hearing the results of the Moore Mafia retune; I will do the same with mine. Thanks!
Yeah, the flash costs $200 and you can just mail it in, he has like a normal 2 business day turnaround time. The full custom dyno tune is I think $475, but depending on how close the stock map is, maybe it won't take that long and cost a bit less. But once he has done mine, then anyone who has my setup, can get that tune as part of their $200 ECU flash... He keeps a library of all his tunes, and so he picks one that closely matches what you have and that is the flash that you get.
He hasn't done one for the RS yet, so I will bite the bullet and eat that cost and then he has it for future use.
I weight about the same as you, and halfway through my first ride on the Z900RS it was painfully apparent the shock had to go. The German-made Wilbers 640 replaced it, with the optional X-PA mechanical preload adjuster. I ordered it through EPM-Wilbers in New Jersey. Super good people to work with.
I am finding that the best bang for the buck, is a sprung for my weight K-Tech Razor R Lite, for about $450 plus tax... But I am looking at all the options...
Nice, you mentioned eliminating the 02 sensor.....is that a regular/part of the re-flash recommended by Chris? or something you knew to do and requested? Then is it simply disconnected and capped off? interesting MODs as I take in your developments. Thanks for assistance/clarification.
Still hunting one.....Thanks for posting
Yeah, part of the standard flash. Get the flash, then unplug the sensor, remove it, tape up the open plug under the tank to keep water out, and then get an 18x1.5 bung plug from Amazon for $6 to plug the hole in the header pipe where the sensor used to be.
K-Tech shock is ordered, that's the next mod!
Nice video!
I have a Z900RS, and have the Acro headers with stock can.
Also removed the O2 sensor the pair valves and replaced with the removal kit that has the electrical kit too.
Just with this I saw the bike run much better. I still need to flash the ecu.
I’m sure that flashing the ECU makes everything much more efficiently running to the potential of the engine.
Pulled that Harley like a boss haha, nice bike!
I just picked up this same bike. Very cool to see what people are doing with them. Thanks for the information.
Nice vid & bike def seems quick. Had my flash done on Z900 ABS by 2WDW last summer & bike still feels stock inc Rev-Limit (which was supposed to be raised)... Since seeing Chris' vid on Z900 tune, def thinking to send to him for a re-do / better performing flash. Esp considering how much hp he picked up w Z900 in vid. That said, re: ur rear shock. I'm waiting on mine to come back from DMr right now. If u can wait til off-season he's got custom built options for both front & rr. or just complete overhaul options for our bikes & both avail for less $ than other aftermarket options (starting at $700 to rebuild both ends w new springs included) which the standard Z def needs. He has an excellent rep. Def knows his stuff & CS is really good IME, but as a result, turnaround time does suffer a bit during riding season.
I ordered the new shock already, got the k-tech razor lite r for $393 shipped with tax.
@@SquireSCA wow! thats a heck of a deal. how'd u manage that? U should def post a vid about the upgrade after install. The upgrade is a necessity on these bikes. Glad to hear u avoided the low-side btw ✌
One of the main restrictions on this RS is the small I.D. on the double-wall headerpipes. I was watching some videos of Brock's Performance when he tuned this bike. After a full exhaust and all the rigamaroll, you essentially get 115 whp peak, about the same as a stock Z900.
Yeah, my stock headers were what was holding me back for sure. If I get another one of these, and I might get the Z900RS SE at some point, I will likely do the full exhaust and then get it tuned
@@SquireSCA You might be able to benefit more just buying fork cartridges and a shock of your choice, and get them set up for your weight and riding style, than to go with the SE model and still not have optimal spring rates and damping. Usually the suspension upgraded models, while better than stock options, are not upper tier (comp/reb damping front and rear).
@@exothermal.sprocket Maybe. We shall see. I may keep this Speed Twin for awhile, its a really fun bike...
Thanks! Very interesting info. Did you disable the rev limiter at all or did you increase the limit to 10k RPM? Is it safe for the engine if it's limited to 10k instead of 9k? It's a 10% increase in RPM which ptobably adds 10% in HP.
The stock rev limiter is 9,700 or so, not 9,000. We increased it to 10,200 which is only a 500rpm increase.
What was your setup when you did the tuning? decat stock exhaust and no other changes?
Decat, stock exhaust and a BMC or K&N air filter
I think you guys are crazy riding like that on public roads. You’ll probably agree with me when it’s too late.
Do track days instead.
I want to get the ÉCU flashed on my rs se but I don’t want more power, I just want to smooth out the throttle at low speeds.
The power is just fine the way it is. You don’t need to change down for overtaking but when you do, there’s more than enough there.
Y’all are nuts.
Stay safe.
I have done about 20 track days over the years... mainly Road Atlanta, some Talledega GP, and Jennings once... We have some amazing roads near here and when you get to know them like the back of your hand, you tend to pick up the pace, but I get what you are saying...
@@SquireSCA I hope you stay safe that’s all :-/
A lightning strike would be the mother of all reflashes! ⚡️⚡️
Nice bike collection 👌
Thanks. I wish I had a video montage of every bike I have ever owned... Maybe I need to put together all the pics into a slide show and upload that... haha
Excellent tutorial 👌. Was the guy who wrecked the one who came flying up past you?😮 Also did dude at the traffic light on the Harley really try and race you? 😄
Yes and yes. He was fine. Rear slid out but didn't high side... Bike is trashed, frame took a hit.
@@SquireSCA Happens so fast outta nowhere. He knew how to ride & had a knee down after
he passed you. You're no slouch buddy. Put me to shame on my modified RS. Dirty Dave here.
On most bikes especially if you want performance handling for hard riding or track use, a rear shock upgrade is necessary and your best investment.
Yeah, when I had that bike, I tossed a K0Tech Razor R Lite shock on the back and it was much better. I have track footage here on the channel, the bike was great out on Road Atlanta...
Nice video. Have you seen the new SE version coming out soon. That has an Ohlins rear shock as standard and revised front suspension with gold forks. Looks lovely. It clearly rectifies the weakness of the Z900RS [rear shock mainly] but also you get upgraded brakes as well. Seriously looking at one [the S.E model] to be my next bike.
Yeah, I was drooling over the pics the other day. The downside, is that it's getting way up there in price, and in that $15k+ group, I am not sure it's worth it.
Just picked one up. The price difference between the standard RS and the SE was 1800CAD for me. At that it's a no brainer to get the SE. Ohlins rear shock, revalved fork, Brembo calipers, braided steel lines, and a radial master cylinder. You can't even get a good rear shock for that in the aftermarket.
Honestly, I could see myself paying an extra 800 just to get the colorway. Beautiful bike.
Hey Dave, I'm in California and thinking about an RS. Do you know if any of the tuners reflash the ECU on the 2023 bikes? I realize Cali is putting the squeeze on the emissions but wondered if you could still get it done elsewhere.
There are mail in services from Moore Mafia, 2WDW, Ivan's Performance, and others. Just google them. 2WDW is on the west coast, up in Washington I think and does mail in ECU flashing.
Great, thanks for the info!
I wouldn't hoon it the you do, but the first thing I did to my RS was stick a K-Tech Razor R on it... the stock shock is useless, especially if you're a heavier rider. Ride safe!!!
With gear I am 250lbs, and the shock is sprung for someone 180lbs. So I can't really get the sag that I need in the rear, which impacts ground clearance... and as you ride this bike hard, the oil gets hot and thin and it loses what little compression and Rebound damping that it has...
Probably gonna go with the K-Tech, they seem a good bang for the buck...
Quick question for you… it seem like that your bike hesitated at 7000 RPM on both of the clips… any reason why?
Because the front wheel was coming up in first, and you can see the traction control light flicker on, which cuts power to keep the front wheel down...
@@SquireSCA oh OK that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the quick reply. I am definitely going to send my ECU to them for a reflash. Great video by the way!!
At least the ECU flash helped you beat that Harley off the line... 🤣😂 The bike really does seem to pull much stronger after the flash, now I have to go look for the "tuned" video ;)
Sorry about your buds wreck, glad he didn't get hurt or worse..
Haven't gotten around to getting the full tune yet... I am contemplating whether I should do the headers first... I don't want all the noise of a full system, but the headers, and airbox mods and then tuning will give me like 20hp, which is a massive increase...
@@SquireSCA ... Personally I'd keep it stock, do the tune and take whatever power you get. Its not like its slow and the bike seems pretty balanced as it is. 20hp more and you're going to find the limit of the forks and brakes....which means dumping another $2k for springs, cartridges, lines and maybe master cylinders... 😉
@@painsrides3616 Very true... And if I want to up the pace a bit, that's what I have the ZX6R for, I guess.
I do want to get it on the dyno and tune it. I will likely do the airbox mod, I already have the filter installed. Maybe find a way to decat the bike but leave the rest of the exhaust stock... meaning, stock header, muffler and the "breadbox"... so just a little better flow and a LITTLE more noise... and then get it tuned and call it a day...
All how you ride as well. Rider on his RS blew by me at 100 mph+ with me on my
flashed ECU with Akrapovic header RS. I was in 6th and he was red lining in lower
gears. Guess I'm a pussy. Ha!
@@davidevelyn530 Or sometimes ...you just don't feel like pushing it 😉
im just curious why buy z900RS when you already have the triumph
My wife now rides the Street Triple RS, and I have this bike and the new ZX6R. I traded in the yellow triumph.
@@SquireSCA So you like the Kawi better than the triumph? Do you have a comparison video on these bikes?
@@awnis001 Yeah, I need to do a video where I go through it all point by point. But in a nutshell, the Kawi is much faster, better brakes, uses normal rim sizes for proper sportbike tires, and I can get it serviced anywhere as Kawi has a much better dealer network...
@@SquireSCA Thats nice to know, thanks for the reply, looking forward to the video for more details.
@@SquireSCA definitely gonna look at one of these when i can afford xD
Hello , what is the type of air filter in the bike
BMC Street filter
@@SquireSCA thanks for reply , can i have full exhaust and ecu flash with the stock air filter
@@salahjaabari8931 You can. I didn't have a full exhaust, so the flash might be a little off, but it should run fine.
Geez, that guy was so lucky not to hit oncoming traffic head on! :/
I have with flash or tunes to remove the air box and remove the restrictive divider in the middle, and changing stack heights inside.
Have you looked into any of that or already moded your air box? Thanks
Yeah, I saw that airbox mod on both Dale Walker's page, as well as Ivan's. At the very least I will remove the divider and put the extra intake holes in, before getting it tuned. I will get 2 of the shorter stacks as well, if anyone has them in stock.
Searched and the shorter stacks are out of stock everywhere. I guess with Covid slowing down supply, and this being a popular mod, everyone has bought them up... I can't imagine that normally, they would stock large quantities of this kind of item...
I wonder if you can just take the existing taller ones, and shorten them to the length of the short ones?
@@SquireSCA I cut the middle two as close to the height and angle of the outer two stacks and works fine.
Can’t say you don’t see that coming passing on the wrong side and all…
From what I understand, that guy has crashed several times on that road...
@@SquireSCA yes. American riders seem to have bad lane discipline as far as I have witnessed.
America, a country where you can buy a gun & ride a motorbike like an idiot on public roads. I love it. Shame a lot of states won't allow lane splitting.
We still have some freedoms, so smoke em' if you got 'em... :-)
Some of these Harley guys have no idea what there their up aginst. Why embarrass you self.
Well, to be fair, there are some proper built Harleys out there that are quick in a straight line. If you have the money, you can make just about anything fast. He had his girl on the back, and while I walked away from him, he was clearly trying to keep up and he wasn't as far back as you would think.
Granted, he and his girl were small, so together they probably weighed about the same as me... So neither really had a weight advantage... His Harley was reasonably quick, but the Kawi was quicker... and of course, when the road turns, that is where the Harley falls on its face. They just don't handle...
What's the difference you felt before and after the ecu reflash ? no more snatchy throttle at low speeds?
That, and it unlocks the top end power of the bike.
Great video always wanted a z900rs love the looks of it is this at blood mountain 🏔?
It is, I live an hour from there.
@@SquireSCA oh ok great me too we’ll maybe a little more I’m in dalton ga can’t wait to see vids of your new bike I was looking at the lates one looks great