Upfront of the 2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS is new radial-mount monoblock Brembo M4.32 calipers and new settings for the fully adjustable inverted fork, which now sports gold legs. Outback is a new fully adjustable Öhlins S46 rear shock with a remote preload adjuster.
Also new on the 2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS is a new “Yellow Ball” color scheme, with Metallic Diablo Black paint, yellow highlights on the teardrop tank and rear fender, and fetching gold wheels.
The 2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS takes the ’72 Z1’s place in the lineup as a modern upright naked sportbike, while the Z900RS features styling touches that directly evoke the original Z1. The RS also has a milder tune and slightly different steering geometry.
With its inherent retro styling, the 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS inarguably looks the part with its two-tone Candy Diablo Brown, which includes Orange, in a Fireball Incandescent paint scheme. It’s a premium paint job, with the colors being applied in layers for a glossy look. The frame is glossy black, and the wheels are gold.
The side covers boast “900” with “Double Overhead Camshaft” below it in smaller letters, directly inspired by the 1972 Z1. A Z 50th logo is added to the tank, and the seat has a unique texture and stitching color. For added bling, there’s a chrome grab bar around the perimeter of the back of the seat.
The 2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS 50th Anniversary get Firecracker Red paint, bringing to mind the 1981 GPz1100. Additional styling touches include silver and dark blue highlights, a gloss black frame, plus gold Kawasaki and Z logs on the tank and intake scoop. Look more closely, and you’ll see a Z 50th logo on the front fender, along with red wheels with silver pinstripes. Finally, the fork legs are gold—a traditional 50th-anniversary color.
Both the 2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS 50th Anniversary models are $300 more than their standard equivalents.
Photos
We have tested the Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS.
2022 Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS 50th Anniversary Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Inline-4
- Displacement: 948cc
- Bore x stroke: 73.4 x 56.0mm
- Maximum torque: 73 ft-lbs @ 7700 rpm (Z900RS: 73 ft-lbs @ 6500 rpm)
- Compression ratio: 11.8:1 (Z900RS: 10.8:1)
- Valvetrain: DOHC, 4vpc
- Fueling: EFI w/ 36mm Keihin throttle bodies
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Assist and slipper functions
- Final drive: Sealed chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: High-tensile steel trellis
- Front suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable 41mm inverted fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable shock; 5.5 inches
- Tires: Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2
- Front tire: 120/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
- Front brakes: 300mm discs w/ 4-piston calipers
- Rear brakes: 250mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 57.1 inches (Z900RS: 57.3 inches)
- Rake: 24.5 degrees (Z900RS: 25.0 degrees)
- Trail: 4.1 inches (Z900RS: 3.9 inches)
- Seat height: 31.3 inches (Z900RS: 32.9 inches)
- Fuel capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Curb weight: 463 pounds (Z900RS: 474 pounds)
- Color: Firecracker Red (Z900 RS: Incandescent Fireball)
2022 Kawasaki Z900 50th Anniversary Price: $9499
2022 Kawasaki Z900RS 50th Anniversary Price: $12,049
