Kawasaki has launched the 2024 Z900 in India at Rs 9.29 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The bike remains unchanged compared to the 2023 model and has gotten dearer by Rs 9,000 compared to it.
- 948cc inline four makes 125hp, 98.6Nm
- Has a 212kg kerb weight, 145mm ground clearance
Kawasaki Z900 power, electronics
The Z900 continues to be powered by the liquid-cooled, 948cc, inline-four cylinder motor that makes 125hp at 9,500rpm and 98.6Nm at 7,700rpm. This velvety smooth mill is mated to a 6-speed gearbox with an assist and slip clutch, although the absence of a bidirectional quickshifter is a sore point here, especially when every other rival offers that tech in the class. This is because the Z900 still uses an old-school cable throttle not an electronic one like its rivals. For those who are interested, you can expect the Kawasaki Z900 to return anywhere between 15-25kpl, depending on how its ridden.
In typical Kawasaki fashion, a steel trellis frame houses the four-cylinder powerplant and is suspended by a USD fork and monoshock, both of which are adjustable for preload and rebound. Braking duties are handled by twin 300mm discs at the front, bitten down upon by axially mounted Nissin calipers and a solitary 250mm disc at the rear.
The Kawasaki Z900’s colour TFT dash can be paired to your smartphone via the ‘Rideology’ app and can be used to receive notifications and navigation alerts. Two power modes, three riding modes and three levels of traction control make up the electronics suite here along with non-switchable dual-channel ABS.
At its Rs 9.29 lakh asking price, the Kawasaki Z900 costs less than the comparable Triumph Street Triple R (Rs 10.17 lakh). However, while the Kawasaki might cost less ex-showroom, the on-road price here at our base in Mumbai is Rs 12.72 lakh for the Kawasaki, while the lighter and more dynamically capable Street Triple R costs Rs 12.36 lakh. This is because the near-1000cc Kawasaki falls into a different tax bracket owing to its displacement advantage over the 765cc Triumph.
All prices ex-showroom, India unless otherwise specified.
Would you pick the more powerful but simpler Z900 over the lighter Street Triple R? Do let us know in the comments below.
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
