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2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE – Powerfully Retro

Looking for a powerful retro? Look no further than the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE.

The latest entry into the cafe racer scene from Kawasaki comes with a beautiful design and livery that’ll excite both the retro and modern bike enthusiasts.

Its 948cc inline-four engine is able to produce a healthy 110hp and 99Nm of torque together with other electronic goodies.

The past few months, the world of motorcycling has been bombarded with news, predictions and anticipation for what seemed to be the rebirth of the Kawasaki Z1 which is considered as one of the most beautiful motorcycles of all time. The Z900RS delivered that hope when it was introduced at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show BUT Kawasaki then revealed their Royal Flush in Milan this week with the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE.

While the Z900RS is already beautiful enough in its own rights, the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS CAFE took it up a notch and slam dunked the entire show. Dating back to the golden ages of the Z1 in the early 1970s, the Z900RS CAFE comes in one of the most brilliant designs plus colour schemes we’ve seen in a long time.

The low, black handlebar further complimented the cafe-racer appeal which goes extremely well with its bikini cowling and very tasteful seat which blends right into the rear end of the bike. The brushed satin finish exhaust package has also gone through a refinement process to ensure that the overall sound and feel match perfectly with the soul of the Z900RS CAFE.

According to the Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Morihiro Ikoma, “The Z900RS CAFE widens the appeal of the new RS offering and personifies the True Spirit model tag line. Kawasaki took its time to enter the modern classic scene but the wait was worthwhile. The Z900RS CAFE and Z900RS have a unique heritage and an authenticity that sets them apart as the genuine article.”

Even the multi-spoke cast wheels were given some premium attention to blend in with other parts of the bike from the engine up to the chassis and bodywork. The result? One of the cleanest-looking production cafe racers ever made.

At the heart of this beautiful beast sits a 948cc inline-four engine which churns out 110hp and 99Nm of torque. Weighing in at 216kg, the Z900RS CAFE sits a bit more on the heavier side but that thought will quickly leave the mind of the rider upon twisting that throttle wide open.

To makes things even more awesome, Kawasaki has fitted in their KTRC traction control system together with an Assist-and-Slipper clutch unit to make sure none of the power is lost while you’re out and about with your buddies. Imagine taking this baby out to Lemang To’Ki. You’ll be the attention of the entire crowd, bro.

Its lightweight trellis frame chassis together with 41mm inverted front forks and horizontal back link suspension were all revolutionary steps adapted from the original 2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS. The complete form and function package allows for great handling performance that’s ready to take on any street bikes currently in the market.

Other highlighted features include all-round LED lighting, combination of analog speedometer and rev counter plus LCD panel and a rear shock that allows adjustments for both preload and rebound.

The next big questions would be on when it’ll arrive in Malaysia and how much will it cost because we seriously want one. Yes, we do.

A passionate individual when it comes to anything related to two wheels (or sometimes more), he enjoys the chaotic and magical world of motorsports as much as riding leisurely to the shops on his beloved Vespa. With an education-based background, he is always eager to learn and share about the poetic arts of motorcycling.

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