Check out my Instagram: instagram.com/a2hartsock

Or just get rid of the girlfriend like I did. Gives you more time to ride and spend more money on the bike!😅

Couple things, I own a 2020 z900 and have 600 miles on mine with a bunch of mods. Great looking bike btw, love the color scheme. I agree with most of your gripes but there were a couple that I had issues with that were relatively easy to fix. First the bug issue/wind protection, all bikes get hammered with bugs, I fixed bugs getting all over my helmet by getting a bigger windscreen, it also helped with the wind protection. You need to remember this is a naked bike, it's not a faired bike, it's like getting a supersport and complaining about the lack of comfort...you should know what you're getting into. If you wanted more protection you should not have gotten naked. 2nd the seat issue, my gf hates the seat, and she used to ride on my 09 cbr600rr with me and said that, that was more comfortable, lol. The z900 seat is worse than sitting on cardboard. Its an easy fix tho, we got aftermarket seats from ccrider and she's so much happier. Corbin also makes seats too. The biggest gripe I have with this bike and I'm surprised you didn't bring it up, is the misshifts, this bike is the misshifts king! Everyone on the z900 FB group and forums complain about the misshifts and how you need to ride differently on this bike, lol. Be safe out there bro!

Time saver summary: 1- Short gear ratios: Particularly between second and third gear, the ratios feel too short, often causing me to hit the rev limiter unexpectedly. 2- Heat shield: The heat shield near my heel constantly brushes against it, feeling restrictive and uncomfortable, especially on the right side. 3- Wind protection: The lack of wind protection results in bugs splattering all over my face shield during rides, which can be bothersome, especially on longer trips. 4- Front brakes: While not terrible, the front brakes could be more responsive, sometimes requiring harder squeezing than I'd like. 5- Minor issues: The front turn signals tend to flop and bounce around, there's limited space on the handlebars for attachments due to the brake reservoir, and the small, hard seat is uncomfortable for passengers, particularly for longer rides.

I recently bought a new SE, which comes with Brembos up front and steel braided lines. They're some of the best brakes I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. The exhaust shield doesn't really bother me. I prefer not to carry passengers on this bike, so the tiny seat is okay too. A faceshield coated in bug guts is a fact of motorcycling life that I reconciled myself with a long time ago.

Just done 10,000 on mine (vid coming soon). I agree with most of your comments but I swapped out the end can so no issues there and my 2021 came with LEDs all round, which are a great improvement on those bouncy indicators. Loving the channel.

Was able to test drive an friends 2018 Z900 and I'm deeply in love. The sound even with the stock exhaust is great. And the handling is, compared to my MT/FZ-07 on another level.

My girlfriend bought a 2022 Z900 back in May and she is absolutely in love with the bike. She does have the bug problem and the issue with the lack of space on the handle bar as you mentioned. She has no issues with the brakes or the gearing though. Being a relatively aggressive rider and she really loves the torque and decent horsepower that the bike puts out, but at 5'4", 105lbs she has the weight to HP ratio advantage.

Short gearing makes for great wheelies even though I haven't even got close to getting the front wheel off the ground on mine. I'm too chicken lol

Good looking bike, and informative review. I am considering a z900 se, and now understand that an aftermarket exhaust and seat would be in order. Thanks for your valuable help.

Cool vid! Agree with some of the cons! Blinkers would be nice leds, front brakes are a little squishy, but are ok. Pillion seat is non existent haha but all in all a great bike Ive tracked and commuted mine and the wind, well it’s a naked bike! Just not to comfortable over 200kmh.

Good vid, I feel ya on some of those gripes. I got the leo vince lv10 slip on and it eliminated the issue with my foot resting on the heat shield. It sounds pretty sweet too imo, has a nice growel and gurgle at lower rpms. I'm really digging the look with your bar end mirrors, may have to get them for my z now.

I'm enjoying your content and your weather is awesome. Here in the UK it's not always great biking weather 😣. I'm still running in my Z900SE and getting on with it so far, I'm finding the throttle a little snatchy but I have come from a 85 GPZ900R. Apparently the SE's slightly larger screen really makes a difference when it comes to wind protection, I haven't ridden one with the standard screen so might put mine on for a comparison!

Cool bike. What's the black stick under the right side of the seat. Looks like it might be some kind of light.

Weird thing. Everywhere but here in the US, the 2020+ z900 has different blinkers that look way better. Don’t know why we are stuck with the last gen lights

Hello brother I have a question about the colour of the bike as it is fully matt. Is it getting dull or any specific care required to maintain it? What made you to decide about this colour? Looks really sick bro Thanks

Bought a larger screen for my 2019 Z genuine Kawazaki part. Wow it's like night and day now comfortable on motorways totally transformed the bike and looks better. Use a quad lock on handlebars for phone navigation etc, fits fine. ❤

Nice vid man. I think bugs will always be an issue no matter what. I used to be covered in them on my R6 and now my MT09. I never rode a Z900 but I have no regrets with the MT09. Wind will be an issue with any naked bike even with my touring screen I can't really cross 200kmh without holding on for dear life. As for commuting, the MT09 gets the job done much better than the R6 and the engine heat it gives off lol that's for sure.

🤔…..well, the most positive feature of my 2019 Z900 has been the rear seat. No joke….after a couple of rides with my girlfriend she decided she needed her own bike! Now she has her own bike and we really REALLY enjoy riding together now.

Yeah the gearing is definitely too short. I’ve considered going up one tooth in the front and down two or three in the rear. Hell even just one up in the front would help IDE also like to recommend the CS racing full system exhaust, it low and out of the way, sounds amazing, and is designed to run with the stock tune. It also looks great on the black and red Z900 “I have the same year and color”

I’m enjoying this motorcycle a bunch. I got the 50th anniversary z900

Is this bike colour the Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black?

Just stumbled across this video, after searching how to sort out the blinking Rev display (i believe that was one of your vids thank you 👍🏽).. Have the exact same bike, but a 2024 model and all your gripes still ring true, especially that weird 2nd to 3rd gear thing....just randomly seems to run out on itself at times, really strange, as it doesn’t happen all the time? The back of the foot on the exhaust is also a pain, especially at first, when i kept looking down and back trying to figure out what the hell was wrong! I've also noticed a couple of times where the back slips out (when on the roll) sometimes which i thought might be oil on tyre, wet road, etc...but i think its where the torque just seems to kick in (and out) for a split second?? All in all not a bad bike and i think i prefer to my last one...Suzuki GSXS 750 Z....which was a lot heavier 😁👍🏽

I remember when you were crushing on the CBR500R 😅 I somehow was in love with that also. I gotta recommend a GSXR 1000. All round excellent powerful bike. Not stupidly hot like the Panigales get.

I love your helmet. Did you buy it like that or did you mod it yourself?

What mirrors are those?

Same Bro. The first thing I did before my chain stretched was replace sprockets. I went largest on front, 17/44, which made me in turn have to put smallest rear to accomodate being able to chain adjust. This gearing is too high now (and I still reach limiter 🤪). My clutch slips if I dump it on takeoff, but the shift pattern is muuuuch better, way longer gears. I reach 150 in 4th and have no power to max the speed in 5th & 6th. OH WELL! 😅 I own an '03 Yamaha FZ1, the windshield fits the Z great if you heat it to create a shape that deflects the wind, (at 120mph). My blinker mounts rotted off, I used polyurethane caulk to fill around the then absent rubber for my blinkers, works fine. Same problem on the muffler shield, this bike frame is small, I'm 6'1". I don't have ABS so I like the brakes and suspension enough. *THIS IS NO PROBLEM*, MY WIFE WON'T RIDE W/ME!!! She says her teeth hurt riding that rear seat!! Oh yeah, it's a 2017. I'm surprised they haven't fixed that blinker crap.

I am a experienced rider and almost pulled the trigger on the Z900, but I can’t deal with a complete naked bike. I love the low end torque and handling, but I need some wind protection. Yes, you can add a windshield, but it is still limited.

Where did you get those mirrors?

How did like jumping from the CB500 to the z900? I'm currently riding a CB500 and considering a z900. Is that too much of a jump?

hitting my heel on the heat shield of the exhaust is the only thing that drives me nuts about my z900!

Would you compare this to the MT09? That bike is extremely powerful on the lower end. Very nimble also. Generally hyper naked bikes are terrible for long drives.

I’ve ridden dirtbikes my entire life track and trail and ride every weekend but im looking to go street during the week. Im looking at a 2023 z900se do you think this is a good option?

I changed my rear sprocket to a 46T bike is geared perfectly for me.

Installed longer windshield ( Kawasaki) which gave a lot better wind protection than stock one ( now can ride faster and longer) For longer ride, more than 2hr I have flip over rubber groomets under seat to make seat position flat. Passenger seat s*cks - remedium is to go to fabric upholstery company or change bike on Z900RS or SX1000 :) Overall Z900 is a great bike, wish to be mounted same analog instruments like in RS version

I luv mine same color as yours did alot of changes I put the full exhaust from CS racing baby roars only complain I have on my Z is the seat passenger and driver any recommendations

Clean discs with acetone & paper towels. Wipe them till all residue on towels is gone. I think you will like the results.

Nice video! Love my 2020 Z900, agree with the turn signals, it should have come with LEDs from the factory. For mounting I have a RAM phone mount that I screwed directly into the rearview mirror mount. It's either an M8 or M10 I don't remember which but it works great.

How’s the wind at highway speeds? Looking into getting one but concerned as I highway ride 20 miles or so regularly

How are those bar end mirrors performing? Same visibility as stock? Nice video and bike : D

Hello from France. I don't understand why you have these "old" big orange turn signals on a 2021 model. I own a 2020 Z900, and all lights were already LED. My turn signals are small LED. On their website, Kawasaki video ads show the "full LED system" for the 2020 Z900... 🙂

Sick Bike man,

If a motorcycle seat is too uncomfortable just purchase a honeycomb seat cushion front and back seat. That’s what I did feels great for me and the passenger

The big splatter is hardcore here in the midwestern forests, river valleys and farmlands of Missouri and Illinois - any half or full faired ST or adv bike gets the nod. Z is a Sexy bike - the Firecracker 50th is esp. gorgeous. JOOC - Will size 11 boots be annoyed by that exhaust placement ?

Trying to make a decision. I heard about the gearing…and noticed the gearing on a short test ride. Did you fix it?

I love this colour ❤

Where did you bought your tank grip?! Which brand it is?

Put a full system on it av one on mine I got performance headers dont have to remap the bike runs good

Would you buy it again or get something else? Yes I did not like the gearing when I did a test ride..so close together?

Av one as well mate 2021.mines the black and white with green rims

I dunno, but just looking at it I can pretty much see there is no wind protection.

I had to get used to shifting this bike..lol I rode a Harley for 15 years heal toe shifter 😬 And now I can hear myself think. This bike is so quiet compared to my old Harley.

Bike looks so sick

As far as wind protection goes, you bought a naked bike. Thats how they all are. Thats like buying a 600cc super sport and complaining that its uncomfortable. The gearing is perfect after bumping the front sprocket up to a 16t. Still leaves the rear the same for all the torque but lengthens the gears out a bit. Its especially noticeable in 1-3. And for a phone or gopro mount, get something that goes in the rail that the stock mirrors attach to. The stock exhaust just has to go. Its so bulky and makes the bike completely silent. If you dont want to go with a full system, a nice slip on will fix the right foot space problem. I got a Full CS Racing exhaust so it doesn't even come out from under the bike anymore. I agree with the passenger seat. 100% not something to buy if you plan on riding double. That seat is useless

Beautiful bike

Do you put 93 octane fuel in yours and how is your mpg?

Want to make a point here the indicators are floppy due to a reason…so that it can take some amount of impact in case of an accident its not a manufacturing defect it is made on purpose

do you think its a small bike for a 6'1 guy ?

Nice machine which brand rearview mirror?

Check out the Bagster Z900 lux seat. Got mine and the passenger seat. Waaay better, my fiancé doesn’t want to die after 10 minutes 😂

Isnt the bug thing not with every bike? With a sportbike your face isnt behind the windshield also.

lol about the lack of wind protection ... dude you know you bought a naked bike right? xD

Get then brakes yet? I did mine and love it!

What would get next you think after having this type of bike? Trying to make a decision. Not a new rider.

WHAT CRASH HELMET IS THAT

Do you ever double shift? I've done that going from 1 to 3 and then to 5 sometimes.

Why would you buy a naked bike and complain about lack of wind/bug protection ??? Did you not know what you were buying?

I have seen these and many other legitimate complaints about this bike. Kawasaki is not reading or addressing any of these complaints because the 2024 model is out and absolutely none of these complaints (and many others) have been addressed by the engineering division. Thank you Kawasaki for listening to your customers.

Gorgeous bike but man that stock exhaust gotta go..an eyesore..lol

Do you dislike or hate? Hate is click bait. Big difference. Most bikes, especially Japanese makes, are just a starting point, ready for modifications to accommodate each rider. That's one of the beautiful things about Japanese bikes- you make the bike fit you. And then you complain about wind protection but you buy a naked? And poor passenger accommodations? Hoo boy. Son, I think you need to learn a lot more about motorcycles, the various types/styles out there, as well as brands, before dropping so much money.

Yamaha Raider or Stratoliner for me😅😅😅😮😅

hahaha wind protection lmao! You bought a super NAKED bike, what did you expect?

the only one i hate this bike is i cannot afford it 😭😭😭

accessory space? really!? use the mirror holes to mount go pro adapter and thers enough room for a phone holder. thats all you need. I can see the brakes maybe , but have you upgraded the brake pads? makes more difference than brake lines. Dont follow the herd on that. also the bike is not meant for passengers, get a cruiser for that.

You complain about bugs on helmet visor. In reality, no matter what bike you ride, you are still gonna get bugs on visor.

Wind protection, really? Come on dude, this is a NAKED bike that does about 150 mph, what wind protection? I've almost always had naked bikes, mostly roadsters, I had one super sport in the last 31 years and on a naked be it a cruiser or a roadster there's never any wind protection. I just bought (it's 2023, I'm talking to you from the future) the 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet. The top speed I got out of it was 138 mph and no it has no wind protection.

Nice info. But you bought a naked bike, that kinda means bugs are a given.

lol No wind protection... dude, you bought a Naked bike. Shifting heheeh

I've got a 2022 model and it's probably the best bike i have owned in this price bracket - looks like you are just trying to find faults in this video.

That is zero wind "protection"

Unfortunately at $9K Kawasaki has to cut corners to make a profit on the Z 900

If you hate it, can i just have it?

It's a faking naked bro.... but the only two things is annoying is the seat and the handle bar

I hate nothing about my 2017 Z900 after 20000 miles fella

You get hit with bugs on a NAKED bike?! C'mon man! 🙄

Wind protection? It's a naked big. 😂😂😂

seriously, had to buy a BMW GS .... and not a roadster!

It's because it's a wheelie bike.

Wind protection? It's a naked bike!

Buys naked bike, complains about wind protection and bugs.

*Buys a naked bike* *Complains about wind and bugs* :')

Buys a naked bike then whinges about getting bug splatter on helmet 🤦‍♂️🤣

Bugs a strange comment Depends were you live No worries in the UK Real Bikers don't give a shit About passenger comfort If she don't like it She can get her own bike.

If you buy a naked bike, you can't complain about the wind. Buy a Goldwing instead.

Still a really cool bike Also FIRST

You should have bought the performance package mate does away with all your moaning

1. Buy a naked 2. Complain about wind and bugs ;)

That's why I don't like 6speeds. Naked bikes are a buggy ride in the spring. Put the phone in yer pocket before you end up in somebuddies trunk with yer lame brake self. Oh yer girlfriend needs to lose sum weight. 😆

i think your review is like talking to a motorcycle p....sy!! its a great bike....not a lot of bells and whistles...but its the kind of bike clint eastwood, john wayne, chuck yeager, charles bronson would ride!!!

Yes the seat may be dangerious for if you have to hit your brakes hard your back passenger could end up on your shoulders gravity can trick you and a person that had a z900 said his bike at 10,000 mi kept getting stuck on rain mode and he had to keep takeing it back to get it service I would change the tires to ones that grab better in the rain new tires will spin easy if I get a bike it's going to be the kaw 900 rs good reports from people that have one at 40,000 mi only oil change and tires with the retro look and feal it will last a life time the only other bike that I like and may buy is a 1114 street bob Harley it's awesome will run for 100 years my 1999 Harley has 150,000 mi. Clutch plates change once, new pistons and rings change once rest just tires and oil and the belt on a Harley is 3 times stronger then a chain so on a Harley you never have to do anything to the belt and sprockets it's like good forever I been driving bikes sence 1970 🧝⚡🌴