For the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of testing almost every new model in various genres of motorcycles, from cutting-edge sports bikes to vintage-inspired retro and heritage designs. While opinions may vary on motorcycles like the Husqvarna Svartpilen, Ducati Scrambler, or Honda Neo Sports Café, each model inevitably presents both strengths and weaknesses. While it’s fascinating to note that producers have capitalized on the nostalgia trend by creating retro-styled bikes that cater to consumer demand, We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of them.
However, as expected, I must confess that I have my own preferences. When the opportunity arose to acquire a Return of the Cafe Racers edition motorcycle, I was immediately aware of the prime source to explore.
As a lifelong enthusiast of Kawasaki motorcycles, my passion for their models dates back to when I first got behind the handlebars. Fifteen years ago, I created this website to document the construction of my personal Kawasaki W650 café racer.
When Kawasaki unveiled the retro-inspired Z900RS, my anticipation was palpable. The instant thrill of riding the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe’s sleek design and powerful engine sparked a passionate fixation. As I embarked on a quest to explore various fashion trends, my experience surprisingly yielded numerous benefits. The Kawasaki Z900RS impresses both on paper and in the flesh, showcasing exceptional build quality, premium hardware, and heart-pounding performance that leaves you white-knuckled. Saying that I was thoroughly awestruck would still fall short of conveying the magnitude of its impact on me. Compared to similarly specified models from other brands, this product offered exceptional value for its price tag.
Positioned at Coastal Bike Centre in West Gosford, New South Wales, I put the latest 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS Café to the test. The rare Pearl Storm Gray Z900RS Café, one of only three in all of Australia, garnered attention as its owner, the team at CMC, kindly offered assistance with transportation, a thoughtful gesture. Five weeks later, following a gruelling 3,000-kilometre journey, the bike finally rolled into Perth, Western Australia.
As the coming months unfold, we’ll be featuring more of the intriguing Kawasaki Z900RS on our flagship blog, Return of the Cafe Racers. While our makeover won’t rival those of the skilled craftsmen we highlight, it still promises to deliver noticeable enhancements in both style and performance. Here’s how you could customize fashionable bikes like this one, using them as a testbed for various aftermarket components and equipment I have at my disposal.
Given the cafe’s iconic status, its retro-inspired aesthetic is now more refined than ever, boasting a distinctively vintage flair. The bike features a comprehensive tail tidy package, accompanied by an MRA-tinted windscreen that harmonizes with its sleek black and gray design scheme. Furthermore, it boasts primary crash safety precautions, as well as several carbon fibre accents strategically placed to replace plastic components and enhance its overall aesthetic appeal. A Yoshimura radiator guard provides additional protection. To further enhance its visibility on the road, we’ve installed daytime running lights from Denali.
Our forthcoming modifications to the Z900RS Cafe will centre on the installation of additional high-quality aftermarket lighting components, including mirrors and flip-up turn signals, as well as enhancements to the suspension system, fresh tyre sets, and various performance-enhancing equipment upgrades. Additionally, we will be partnering with several of the industry’s most renowned efficiency experts to achieve exceptional results. The innovative technology incorporated into some of these energy-efficient vehicles is surprisingly straightforward to access, revealing the ease with which certain concealed models can be unlocked. To empower individuals like you to achieve success independently, our program will outline the methods we employed to select and configure key components, as well as the resulting performance benefits we observed throughout this comprehensive course. Keep tuned for extra!
Images by Common Moto
