Modern Motorcycle most like a real 80's UJM ?

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Kawasaki wants $400 for the optional center stand on the Z900RS. Looking at pics, I tried to see if the swing arm had any provision for spools and couldn't see any. I thought all bikes this century had threads for spools.
So it looks like Kawasaki is setting buyers up? Really blatant price gouging. If you didn't buy their stand, how do you lift the rear tire safely?

[earlfor]

Kawasaki wants $400 for the optional center stand on the Z900RS. Looking at pics, I tried to see if the swing arm had any provision for spools and couldn't see any. I thought all bikes this century had threads for spools.
So it looks like Kawasaki is setting buyers up? Really blatant price gouging. If you didn't buy their stand, how do you lift the rear tire safely?

+1 on that. How do you even align and adjust the chain properly without getting the rear tire off the ground?

[bobgroger]

Maybe I missed something, but why are there limiters on the CB1100? Honda makes other bikes that go faster than 108.
My ZX14 (all 14's) will go about 188 and the rev limiter kicks in. Same for the other bikes capable of those speeds. Years ago I read that it was some kind of gentleman's agreement to limit the bikes to 186-188. I have no idea how they came up with that speed. Like they're worried about safety? Many bikes could go 200+ now but could you tell the difference between a 188 mph crash and a 202 mph crash? Would you be less dead?

188=300kph. A round number for the rest of the world

[bobgroger]

+1 on that. How do you even align and adjust the chain properly without getting the rear tire off the ground?

What do you want for 12k? There is also a 13k Cafe model, not sure if we get it in the US. I can see where it would be hard to fit a center stand.

[Tripledij]

If you didn't buy their stand, how do you lift the rear tire safely?

Buy a bike stand that doesn't need spools.

oxford_big_black_bike_rear_stand_rollover.jpg

[GS1150Pilot]

What do you want for 12k? There is also a 13k Cafe model, not sure if we get it in the US. I can see where it would be hard to fit a center stand.

That is plain gorgeousness.

[Tripledij]

That is plain gorgeousness.

1qlmai.jpg


Now I gotta add 10 characters

[GS1150Pilot]

That Kawi is the first new motorcycle that has me thinking about buying something new again.

[Jedz123]

Came across this today...

More food for thought.

[Boriqua]

That Green Z900 kawi is .. AWESOME looking ... but .. I still dont think it gives the service the old Japanese bikes did.

My wife is in her 60's and loves to ride with me. I look at how high those passenger pegs are and how thinly padded the passenger seat is and know .. she would be miserable. She has been on at least 3 other bikes with me and says our gs 750 is the most comfortable of all of them in engine behavior and seating. I would have thought it would have been our GIANT vtx 1800 but no .. our 35 yr old GS is by far her favorite and while I know she digs the aesthetic she claims it is the most accommodating. That Kawi is still a little more racer x than a true UJM. YMMV

[glib]

Love the Kawi cafe—except that awful green. The white stripe is a nice looking accent but I’d find a rich red to put next to it. I guess that green is a symbol of Kawasaki pride but 🤢.

After watching the roadster shootout video that jedz shared I watched another linked video that included a Moto Guzzi in the comparison. They basically said it sucked but looked cool so it was cool. That’s proof positive of “to each his own.” I know there are a lot of Guzzi lovers but I don’t get the attraction. They sound like a pre-tariff Harley.

[GS1150Pilot]

Guzzi's probably sound better than about any motorcycle engine going.

Aural perfection:

[glib]

Guzzi's probably sound better than about any motorcycle engine going.

Yes it does sound nice. I was referring to the review itself making it sound like a lesser machine rather than the exhaust note but it seems to lean through the corners just fine in the video you shared. And I’m glad they continue to succeed as a company but they’re still way down the list for my taste.

I would like like to see SUZUKI take their GSXS1000 (not the F) and move from the transformer style to the retro style like Kawasaki has done with the Z900RS. That would get some attention—and no lime green.

[swanny]

Kawasaki wants $400 for the optional center stand on the Z900RS. Looking at pics, I tried to see if the swing arm had any provision for spools and couldn't see any. I thought all bikes this century had threads for spools.
So it looks like Kawasaki is setting buyers up? Really blatant price gouging. If you didn't buy their stand, how do you lift the rear tire safely?

Get a rear lift for much less. Top of the line Pit Bulls go for about $160 and you can remove the rear tire also.

When on the road and I must oil the chain I just tilt the bike on the side stand so the rear wheel is off the ground and spray away. Not a big deal and certainly not a deal killer on the center stand issue.

[earlfor]

Lots of bikes now days don't have center stands. I prefer one but its not a deal breaker.

That catalytic converter under the Z900 is going to keep a few after market exhaust shops busy building replacements.

I found no center stand definitely is a deal breaker for me if there isn't one or one is not available. The TU 250 I had for a while didn't have one and I found it particularly annoying.