New bikes. Only a little Guzzi content.

[sidecarnutz]

I have had very little interest in new bikes for quite a few years now. The Guzzi V7 Stornello did grab my attention as being a pretty cool all a rounder as well as Triumph's Bonneville.
Now I read that Kawasaki is bringing in a retro 900. The RS900 for retro sport. It'll even have the root beer and orange paint scheme of the old 900 from the 70's.

Back before marriage my favorite bike for some time was a KZ750 with full Kerker exhaust and carb treatments. Its suspension and brakes couldn't keep up with the motor, but it looks like they have fixed that on this new Retro sport model. I stopped at the Dealer in Norfolk today to try to check one out. But alas it'll be a week before their two arrive. I don't get out that way very often. Magazine article makes it look very interesting. I was a big fan of sport standard bikes back in the day.

Anyone else here taking an interest in the RS900?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Just a passing interest in the Z900RS. For me, the huge gap above the rear wheel kills it looks-wise though. I guess once a rider is aboard it wouldn't be as large and, of course, once I'm aboard and riding, I would be able to see it anyway.  But, it just looks odd to me in the same way the Ducati Sport Classics did for the same reason.

 

[fotoguzzi]

Meh..

[cookiemech]

I was looking at that same bike yesterday while waiting to complete the paperwork on my new CB1100 EX. That big gap over the rear wheel bothered me a bit, but not nearly so much as that big radiator just hanging out there in front, with no attempt to make it blend in.

At least my "retro" CB1100 is still air-cooled (with an oil cooler).

The paint is very pretty on the Kawasaki, though . . .

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Meh..

That's not the Z900RS, this is:

[JJ]

I rather like the new Kawasaki's!!  

Here is a few examples of what vintage 900 Kawasaki's are going for these days - - from the MECUM auction in Vegas last weekend!!! :1:   Restored Z1's from the early 70's now going for $15K-$20K...and up!!

[Kiwi_Roy]

I took a look at the resto Kawasaki at the Vancouver m/c show, not nearly as nice as my riding buddies original which was also on display at our Classic bike booth, that got lots of attention.
Honda on the other hand did a good job on their version.

[sidecarnutz]

That's not the Z900RS, this is:

Thanks Charlie. That first one was a concept drawing vice the one they built. I like the single muffler better myself. That gap doesn't bother me since I would build side racks to hold my Givi bags anyways. Gotta be able to camp off your bike!
I guess I'll have to look at the Retro Hondas as well. My truck gets paid off in a year. I can think about a new bike then.

[Sheepdog]

A nice modern standard with vintage-looking bodywork...really the best of two worlds. I expect this bike will outperform the original in just about every meaningful metric. Cool...

[LowRyter]

At least the Kaw has a round headlight ........but I can do without the retro orange/brown paint which didn't look that good in '73 IMO

[sidecarnutz]

At least the Kaw has a round headlight ........but I can do without the retro orange/brown paint which didn't look that good in '73 IMO

Heretic!!!!!! DISCO WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!!!!   

[jas67]

At least the Kaw has a round headlight ........but I can do without the retro orange/brown paint which didn't look that good in '73 IMO

Comes in other colors:

A nice modern standard with vintage-looking bodywork...really the best of two worlds. I expect this bike will outperform the original in just about every meaningful metric. Cool...

 :1:

[Arizona Wayne]

Not interested in any of these inllne 4s, but would think when you sit on them the air gap then back goes away?  I have 1 monoshock bike and it's ride is far superior to any twin shock bike I've had unless the twin shock has air shocks. 

[Canada72]

I saw the Kawasaki z900rs cafe today at the Toronto Motorcycle Show, it was the only thing that really caught my fancy. Only 30 of the beautiful green cafe versions coming to Canada.

[Turin]

I like it. Not gonna buy one, but it looks great.

[Bonaventure]

I like that green one !!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Got a good look at the Z900RS at the Timonium M/C Show last Saturday. Looks better in person, but the seat height is meant for someone with a much longer inseam than me. Seemed taller than a Suzuki DR650!

[Lannis]

Gotta be able to camp off your bike!

That's my first criteria too.   First thing when I look at any bike is "Where will the luggage go?"   A bike that won't haul anything wouldn't get much use around my house.   Whenever I go out, I'm going somewhere (shopping, camping, visiting, something), not just riding around in a circle and then coming back ....

Lannis