Thanks for your kind words. You're right I am biased, but I'm also in a perfect position to learn about these bikes and help others. I also own this channel, not the dealer, so while we do partner in many ways, I have full control over the content that I create. They know that if there is something that I don't like, that I'll point that out.

I appreciate the support! Thank you!

Yeah, I did point out the exhaust colour too, I believe (brushed vs. chromed) and it's my understanding that the 2022 models and newer don't have the same issues with the abrupt throttle that earlier ones had... I'll know more when the snow melts here, and I can get out on mine on a regular basis.

Awesome! Thanks for watching!!

Thanks for watching! Feel free to subscribe!

@@PeterLoweOne done!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for your kind words. Yeah, the silver rim and some silver spokes never really did it for me... With a retro bike there's always a fine line between retro-cool and just dated-styling. The black wheels look cool to me and the ones with silver remind me a little too much of the run of the mill wheels from the 80's. They're good because they're on the amazing looking bike, but on their own, I don't love them. I also love the gold wheels on mine with the yellow accents. It would never be something that I'd choose if I had to spec the bike out myself, but it looks great in person and really stands out from a crowd.

SV650 is the bike I had just before I bought my Z900RS Cafe. SV650 was the first bike I ever bought actually.

Hi Ian. I enjoyed your comment. I'm fully committed to getting an RS but I may opt to buy used over new for a couple of reasons. Per my newer comment above. I was wondering if the adjustable traction control settings was available on your 2018? I view it as a nice to have, not a need to have necessarily. But again, as mentioned in the other comment, critics make a point of the competitors having rider modes and saying the RS does not. Cheers to Australia from this American. I would love to get out there to do some riding some day.

Ian, can you please tell me your inseam length if you have a minute? Mine is 79cm, and I'm wondering if I can easily reach the ground with both feet on this bike.

Obrigado por assistir! Eu realmente gostei disso!

Thanks so much for watching!

I don't have the same connection with the original bike from my youth because I'm a little younger than you, but I absolutely love the Z900RS SE that I bought. I have a couple pictures of the original up in my garage beside where I park my bike. I love that it has a history,. but I also love that it's such a great bike on its own. I've never owned a bike that has caused so many people to come up to me and chat about it. People love the retro styling with all the modern tech.

I got the original Z 900 RS in Candy tone brown and orange. Waited three years and found a café fairing that looks great and the color match is perfect. Also found 2” bar risers that make the seating position perfect for this 6 ft 200 pound old guy and a Brock 4 into one system and tuned the motorcycle. She is a ripper. sounds like the good old days.

@@SKG1941 What tune did you use?

@@northerniltree honestly, I don’t remember. A friend of mine did it for me, and he moved away, and I have not heard from him since. Call Brock Performance. That 4 into one pipe sounds amazing and they will recommend the right tune.

First of all, thanks for watching, and taking the time to write your comment! This is ABSOLUTELY something that I plan to do! The biggest reason that I love partnering with Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals is because they take the time to understand the customer. Their customer service is literally legendary!! They actually have a book written about them by an author named Gair Maxwell, his book is "Big Little Legends" and the origin of that book is from a case study of Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals and how their process of becoming "Canada's Huggable Car Dealer" made a huge difference in the way they did business. So I'm looking forward to making a video about the sales process, and what to be aware of, and how Jim Gilbert's absolutely shines compared to other dealerships. So your suggestion is a great idea, and we'll make a video like that before I go on my first ride.

Ooh. That's a good question. I'm not too sure about what modifications may need to be done with the handlebar swap. I haven't modified mine at all yet, other than a few Kawasaki accessories.

Close. But if you watch the whole review, you'll see me comparing the two bikes and you'll be able to see the differences back to back.

I'm going to do a luggage video on my bike in the very near future. (Maybe as early as this week) Stay tuned!

Look forward 😊

I've worked at dealerships for years. It's not uncommon today for customers to know a lot more about the specific model that they're looking at than the salespeople do. I do think that salespeople need to have better product knowledge, but there's also an aspect of, the customer can and SHOULD know more now with all the resources available to the customer. What I think that means is that salespeople should be better equipped to facilitate a deal with knowledgable customers. Too often the salespeople get in the way of what the customer's need by trying old fashioned sales technics. Customers know a lot, so salespeople should acknowledge that, and work with the customer's knowledge today.

Yeah I feel like sometimes rider modes are a little overplayed. This doesn't have a reduced power mode like some bikes would have with a rain mode, and it doesn't have a sport mode which can make the throttle become a little more touchy... But it does have the adjustment within the traction control settings, so that's all I need to feel safe in any condition that I'm riding in. You can change it on the fly, and it really doesn't interfere too much. I drive mine in KTRC level 1 all the time and would move it to 2 in the rain. I can't see a need to have it off unless you were on a track and more skilled than me.

@@PeterLoweOne Thanks Peter. I'm now subscribed too. Cheers.

Yeah, it's funny. I had two posters laminated of the 1970's bike with the same paint scheme as mine, and put them up in my garage near where I park my bike. You can really see the family resemblance, but there are things that could have been done. Honestly, I like things as they are, I think they really nailed the look.

Yeah, it's interesting with this bike. Kawasaki had to make decisions about who they are going to target. The people who remember the bikes that these were designed to look like were teenagers in 1972. Where as I ended up buying the bike and I wasn't even born until 1979. So when Kawasaki built the bike, they had to decide, do they want to appeal to riders who are in their mid sixties, or do they want to appeal to a younger market. A lot of people who remember the original bike talk about wanting the dual shocks on the back, but what I liked about the bike is that it's fully modern in every way. The horizontal back link rear suspension is a very modern sport bike layout, and it does have a lot of room between the seat and the wheel, in part because they keep all of the extra components forward now. That creates a better handling bike. I bought it because it's a fully modern sport bike, with an upright seating position and great style. I think if they appealed to the riders in their mid sixties, they would have had to do MORE retro styling, and LESS modern sport bike, and it's my opinion that if they did that, they would have sold less of these. I absolutely love it as is, but I have zero emotional ties to the original bike.

I appreciate your efforts to be safe!

I'm not sure about modifications. I love the seating position of my Z900RS SE, but I don't know that my handlebar will fit around your fairing. I'm sure there are options, but I'm just not the expert on them.

Thanks for watching. I don't know that you'll find it uncomfortable, as I still found it to be comfortable, but yeah, that's why I tried to get that shot as cleanly as I could, because I have seen a number of people try to describe the difference, it's so much easier for people to decide for themselves when they can see the difference.

1-inch risers help too, did it on mine.

Rizoma 1/8 risers, to be exact.

@@TopshelfJunior is the Rizoma 1/8 riser a block riser or a rotational riser? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aadlZcuW1LXIlZ8.html

That's a good idea. Give me some time, and I'll try to get something up.

I'd LOVE to do that. I've thought of a few bikes that I'd love to compare with that bike. It would be fun, for sure!

I'm sure you can get it, even from Kawasaki if you just have the part number, but the handlebar on the SE is also different than the Cafe, so you would need to switch (at least) that out as well. I'm not sure if there are other mods that would need to be done.

I'm sure it's possible, but if I remember correctly, the Z900RS SE that I drive has a thicker chrome handlebar than the Cafe which has a slightly thinner black handlebar. The colour isn't relevant, but the sizing might be. I don't know if the smaller bar is tapered to be larger in the centre, but it may be more than a straight swap. Also, I believe the brake fluid reservoir is in a different spot on both bikes so that it fits with the fairing. There may be some manoeuvring to get that to sir in the right spot, and if you move the bars from the standard RS to the cafe, I'm not sure that you'll have full steering, lock to lock as again, I think the fairing will be in the way.

I bought the Z900RS SE, And absolutely love it. Don't know if that helps at all.

Lol.. they are the 2 I can’t choose between. I think a lot of people have the same dilemma.

Counting on Japanese quality builds to keep maintenance costs really down. Kawa gets my vote

If you're ordering from Jim Gilbert's Wheels and Deals, there isn't much that you need to worry about! What types of questions are you looking to have answered?

ECU flash to eliminate the fuel management issues,and you’re golden. I actualy did replace original bars with ARCHI (3 inch higher and 2.5 inch backward)..I’m 5.10,and it makes my position way more comfortable. Taller windscreen from Zero Gravity (dark smoke). Looks and functions great. Also,taller handlebar will require longer cables and front break line. Electrical harness stays original,but you have to take the fuel tank off to release it from the ziptied loop,and dress it nice. Good luck and safe riding!

Yeah, these are great... obviously I'm biased having bought one... but yeah... I love these!

Yeah, the people who have an emotional connection to the original, need to see this bike through the filter of modern sales trends. I ended up buying a Z900RS SE, and I think it's perfect for what I want. I wanted a fully modern bike that's comfortable, fast, has great brakes and handling, but has a style that stands out. This bike echoes the look of the original, but handles, accelerates, and brakes much better. If any of those riding characteristics were compromised in the name of a more retro style, I wouldn't have bought it. Kawasaki has found a sales success with this recipe, even if it isn't what hardcore fans of the original have said they would want.

Hard to recreate the past, the original Z1B was the best it could be with few compromises, unfortunely the same cannot be said about the Z900RS and there lies the problem, the question still remains what is it - if it's a homage to the original then it's failed nothing on this bike has pushed the enverlope. Sales figures may prove me wrong but this bike stands in the shadow of something great that I suspect will stay that way for the diehards like myself.

Haha! Just remember, if those are your biggest problems, you've got a great life!!

Yup. Missed that. Meant to show it. Next time, I promise!

That would be cool, but they may have to tweak the aerodynamics of things. I'm not sure if sitting up higher would work with buffeting etc.

It does rise up above the gauges. If you ride this back to back with the Z900RS, there is a difference.

@@PeterLoweOne “fair” enough 🤘🏻

You were almost the first comment!

You thought wrong because this is Canada. 🇨🇦😉👍

I'm Canadian... It's called Zed here. That's why I say it like I do. If I filmed a U.S. vehicle in the states, then I'd say Zee.

Americans do.

The people who bailed everyones butts out in 2 world wars.That’s it. Next time just say thank you.

There are two kinds of nations: Those that use the metric system, and those that put a man on the Moon. 😂😂

Correct! NASA used metric for all moon landing calculations and when they used imperial for a Mars lander it was a catastrophic failure.