When you’re acquainted with my style in bikes, you then already know that I really like me some bare bikes. They will all the time maintain a particular place in my coronary heart, and once you hit that candy mixture of classic styling paired with the very best issues about fashionable bike know-how (I am speaking necessary issues like brakes, suspension, and a conveniently situated USB charging port close to the bars), it is just about a no brainer.
Is Kawasaki breaking new floor with its 2026 Z900RS lineup? Probably not. However does it must? Additionally, no. There is a motive so many individuals love mac and cheese, from all types of cultures. You possibly can deliver new issues and add them to it to dial it in to your tastes (I really like kimchi in mine, personally), however on the finish of the day, it is the mixture of timeless familiarity and luxury that brings of us again for extra.
All three bikes we’re about to debate are powered by the identical liquid-cooled, 16-valve, inline four-cylinder, 948cc engine you’ve got come to know and love. It makes a claimed 115 horsepower at 9,300 rpm, alongside 73 lb-ft of torque at 7,700 rpm. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox, and all three variants offered within the US include ABS, cruise management, experience modes, a quickshifter, traction management, and Kawasaki cornering administration.
Now, onto the breakdown of the totally different variants out there in each the US and different worldwide markets (as a result of Kawasaki doesn’t feel the need to deprive us, thank goodness).
First up, we have now the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS ABS. For this 12 months, it is available in a colorway that Kawasaki is asking the Black Ball Version. It is a murdered out monochrome colorway that in all probability appears even higher in particular person (I am unable to say for positive, as I’ve solely seen the images thus far). It is the stealthiest and in addition least costly of the trio, carrying a US MSRP of $12,899.
What’s that, you say you need a blacked-out traditional look, however you’d desire a candy little cowl round that headlight? You and Bruce Wayne each, and that is precisely why the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe ABS exists. This one really provides a bit of bit extra sparkle to the proceedings, with a candy silver stripe design and bigger (but nonetheless appealingly retro) Kawasaki brand painted onto the facet of the gasoline tank. Truthfully, the font alternative, which I do know is a legit Kawasaki throwback, is a complete vibe all by itself.
Fairly beautiful to put your eyes upon, is not it? For 2026, the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe ABS will set you again at an MSRP of $13,299 within the US. When you’re in a special market, examine along with your native sellers for probably the most up-to-date pricing and availability data.
Lastly, in the event you crave Kawasaki’s inimitable retro type with the very best suspension and brakes you’ll be able to presently get from Group Inexperienced’s manufacturing unit, you then’re after the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE ABS. The colorway known as “Metallic Spark Black,” for some motive, although that actually is not the primary coloration I see after I have a look at this bike. Please inform me in the event you’ve noticed one other, extra outstanding coloration that leaps out at you on first look?
Possibly that is Kawasaki’s try at reminiscing about The Gown, solely in bike type? Unclear. In any case, it is a beautiful colorway to make certain, however what the SE is all about is including some tasty Brembo and Öhlins upgrades into the combo, straight from the manufacturing unit. Particularly, you get Brembo entrance brakes and an Öhlins rear shock. So, when you might after all add extra fine details to improve issues in the event you like, it is positively a pleasant begin. The beneficial MSRP on this within the US is $14,599.
Naturally, all three of the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS variants include Bluetooth connectivity through Kawasaki’s Rideology The App (no actually, that is what it is known as). Funnily sufficient, like different digital assistants, it apparently desires you to name it by identify, as in “Hey Kawasaki!” I imply, I might moderately speak to my bike than my pc, if I am trustworthy, so it is oddly comforting in a means.
As with different bikes in Kawasaki’s lineup, numerous Ergo-Match equipment can be found to raised adapt your Z900RS to your wants. Are you additional tall, or additional quick? There are seats to assist with that, and as a shorter rider, I’ll all the time admire any OEM that makes adaptation that a lot simpler.
Which one is your favourite, and do you see your self getting on a brand new 2026 Z900RS of any form? Let me know within the feedback.
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