2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe Now Available in the U.S.

Z900RS Cafe
2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. Photos courtesy of Kawasaki.

The masses asked, and Kawasaki listened; after unveiling it at EICMA last fall, then disappointing us by saying it wouldn’t be available in the United States, Kawasaki U.S.A. has announced the 2018 Z900RS Cafe will be available in the States in “limited quantities.”

Based on the popular retro-licious Z900RS, the Cafe version adds a front cowl, a black drop-style handlebar, a cafe racer-style seat with more pronounced hump, a brushed muffler and lime green paint with white racing stripes.

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS first ride review

Z900RS Cafe
This graphic illustrates the difference in seat height and handlebar position between the standard Z900RS (red) and the Cafe version.

Like the Z900 and Z900RS, the Cafe is powered by a liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 948cc in-line four, tuned for strong low-to-midrange response and a tall sixth gear that facilitates easy freeway cruising. Twin 36mm throttle bodies and ECU-controlled sub throttles are designed for smooth throttle response, although we found the Z900RS’ to be on the overly sensitive side.

An assist-and-slipper clutch, ABS and traction control are all standard, as is a fully adjustable upside down KYB fork and a rebound- and preload-adjustable KYB Horizontal Back-Link shock.

Z900RS Cafe
The new seat adds about an inch to the seat height. Chrome grab rail shown is an option.

Thanks to its new saddle, the Cafe’s seat height is about half an inch lower than the standard Z900RS, at 32.3 inches, and its extra bits also result in a couple more pounds on the scale (a claimed 474 compared to the Z900RS’s 472).

The Z900RS Cafe will be available in dealerships later this month, and is priced at $11,499.

Check out more new 2018 motorcycles in Rider‘s comprehensive guide

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Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

Z900RS Cafe

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2 COMMENTS

  1. A welcome addition and especially nice to see the horn — weak though it may be — symmetrically placed under the nose fairing, unlike the “afterthought” placement on the unfaired versions. Price is still as breathtaking as the styling, though.

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