TMW > 2022 Motorcycle Models > 2022 Kawasaki > 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS Guide
Introducing the 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS…
Reigniting the classic style of the original Z1 900 motorcycle, the Kawasaki Z900RS retro sport motorcycle calls upon timeless design elements with minimal bodywork and no fairing for a pure retro-style look. The Z900RS line is completed by a 948cc engine and modern technology for a classic yet modern ride. The 2022 Z900RS features a 948cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine, Assist & Slipper Clutch, horizontal back-link rear suspension, authentic retro styling, iconic teardrop fuel tank, tuned stainless steel exhaust system, round LED headlight, and bullet shaped analogue dials.
Your lifestyle has no place for fake. If you seek a Modern Classic with the heritage to deliver yesterday’s values, yet with technical features and suspension upgrades focused on today’s roads, the Z900RS SE the only answer. An Öhlins rear unit and retuned front suspension plus other detail touches match the visceral spirit of a 1970s legend, the iconic Z1. Looks, show and go, the Z900RS SE has it all.
Iconic “Yellow Ball” Styling Drawing from Kawasaki’s collection of legendary machines, the Z900RS SE’s styling is reminiscent of the iconic “Yellow Ball,” a black and yellow version of the orange and brown “Fireball” paint of the original Z1.
Front brake package with Brembo components (discs, calipers, pads) offers stronger stopping power and contributes to even more precise control and greater ease of use
Complementing the large diameter inverted fork, Öhlins rear suspension offers both increased ride comfort and a more planted feel.
Strong, Smooth In-Line Four Engine
Like the Z1, the Z900RS features a 948cc-class In-Line Four – an engine configuration that inherently offers a great balance of power and manageability. Tuning focuses on the low-mid range. Revs build in a measured, but very determined manner, giving the rider a sense of connectedness between the throttle and rear wheel.
Race-inspired clutch technology offers both a much lighter feel at the lever, as well as a back-torque limiting function that helps prevent rear-wheel hop when downshifting.
Kawasaki’s First Tuned Exhaust Note
While Kawasaki In-Line Four engines are historically renowned for their great-sounding exhausts, this the first time that Kawasaki has conducted sound research to craft a model’s ideal exhaust note. Designed to elicit rider response, the sound tuning focused on the engine’s initial roar to life, idling and low-speed riding where the rider is best able to enjoy the exhaust’s deep rumble.
Radial-pump front brake master cylinder also contributes to the superb control and feel offered by the calipers. For added braking reassurance, ABS is a standard feature on the Z900RS SE.
Contributing to rider reassurance, the Z900RS SE is equipped with advanced Kawasaki rider support technology. KTRC features two modes that cover a wide range of riding conditions, offering either enhanced sport riding performance or the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence. Riders may also elect to turn the system off.
KAWASAKI BEGINS EARLY PRODUCTION OF 2022 STREET MOTORCYCLES
Over the course of 2021, the powersports industry saw a significant increase in popularity with new and experienced riders alike, turning to motorcycles, ATVs, side-x-sides, and personal watercrafts. To meet this growing demand Kawasaki is moving up the production and introduction of select model year 2022 motorcycles. Kawasaki has selected a range of supersport, sport, naked and cruiser models that will arrive in Kawasaki dealerships during the summer months so that more riders have a chance to “Let the good times roll.”
Based on feedback from racing activities, the Assist & Slipper Clutch uses two types of cams (an assist cam and a slipper cam) to either drive the clutch hub and operating plate together or apart.
Under normal operation, the assist cam functions as a self-servo mechanism, pulling the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, resulting in a lighter clutch lever feel when operating the clutch.
When excessive engine braking occurs – as a result of quick downshifts (or an accidental downshift) – the slipper cam comes into play, forcing the clutch hub and operating plate apart. This relieves pressure on the clutch plates to reduce back-torque and helps prevent the rear tire from hopping and skidding. This race-style function is particularly useful when sport or track riding.
Late-model sport bikes often use large-bore throttle bodies to generate high levels of power. However, with large diameter throttles, when a rider suddenly opens the throttle, the unrestricted torque response can be strong. Dual throttle valve technology was designed to tame engine response while contributing to performance.
On models with dual throttle valves, there are two throttle valves per cylinder: in addition to the main valves, which are physically linked to the throttle grip and controlled by the rider, a second set of valves, opened and closed by the ECU, precisely regulates intake airflow to ensure a natural, linear response. With the air passing through the throttle bodies becoming smoother, combustion efficiency is improved and power is increased.
KTRC, Kawasaki’s advanced traction control system provides both enhanced sport riding performance and the peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence. Multiple rider-selectable modes (the number of modes varies by model) offer progressively greater levels of intrusion to suit the riding situation and rider preference.
Less intrusive modes maintain optimum traction during cornering. Designed with sport riding in mind, they facilitate acceleration out of corners by maximizing forward drive from the rear wheel. And because Kawasaki’s sophisticated software bases its dynamic analysis on the chassis’ orientation relative to the track surface (rather than relative to a horizontal plane), it is able to take into account corner camber, gradient, etc., and adapt accordingly.
In the more intrusive modes (and for some models, in any mode), when excessive wheel spin is detected, engine output is reduced to allow grip to be regained, effectively enabling riders to negotiate both short, slippery patches (train tracks or manhole covers) and extended stretches of bad roads (wet pavement, cobblestone, gravel) with confidence.
Models equipped with IMU incorporate chassis-orientation feedback to offer even more precise management.
Using high-precision electronic control for engine management, Kawasaki models can achieve a high level of fuel efficiency. However, fuel consumption is greatly affected by throttle use, gear selection, and other elements under the rider’s control. The Economical Riding Indicator is a function that indicates when current riding conditions are consuming a low amount of fuel. The system continuously monitors fuel consumption, regardless of vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position and other riding conditions. When fuel consumption is low for a given speed (i.e. fuel efficiency is high), an “ECO” mark appears on the instrument panel’s LCD screen. By riding so that the “ECO” mark remains on, fuel consumption can be reduced.
While effective vehicle speed and engine speed may vary by model, paying attention to conditions that cause the “ECO” mark to appear can help riders improve their fuel efficiency – a handy way to increase cruising range. Further, keeping fuel consumption low also helps minimize negative impact on the environment.
Kawasaki has long had a reputation for building great-sounding bikes – a characteristic inherent in the Kawasaki engine architecture – but it is only recently that effort has been put into crafting a specific auditory experience through careful sound tuning of either the intake or exhaust system.
Designed specifically to allow riders to enjoy their motorcycles aurally as well as physically, the carefully crafted auditory notes can be the key components of the street riding exhilaration offered by models that have benefitted from sound tuning. Sound tuning can include conducting sound research, designing intake and exhaust system components based on an acoustic test carried out in a sound room, and careful consideration of every detail of a system’s components to ensure a balance of performance and the desired sound.
Kawasaki ABS systems use front and rear wheel sensors to constantly monitor wheel speed. Should information from either of the sensors indicate that wheel lock has occurred, the ABS ECU directs the pump in the ABS unit to modulate brake fluid pressure (releasing and reapplying pressure so that traction can be regained) until normal operation resumes. ABS offers rider reassurance that contributes to greater riding enjoyment.
Proper fit is key for rider comfort and control. However, the ideal fit varies from rider to rider, depending on their physical dimensions and riding style.
ERGO-FIT® is an interface system designed to allow riders to find their ideal riding position. Various points of the chassis interface (the handlebar, footpegs and seat, etc.) can be adjusted through a combination of interchangeable parts and parts with adjustable positions. This enables a wide range of riders to find a riding position that offers both comfort and control. Feeling at one with their machine, they will be able to experience how Kawasaki machines are fun and rewarding to ride.
Compared to the Kawasaki traditional Uni-Trak® rear suspension, which mounts the shock unit vertically, with Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension, the shock unit is almost horizontal. The original Kawasaki suspension arrangement locates the shock unit very close to the bike’s center of gravity, greatly contributing to mass centralization. And because there is no linkage or shock unit protruding beneath the swingarm, this frees up space for a larger exhaust pre-chamber (an exhaust expansion chamber situated just upstream of the silencer). With a larger pre-chamber, silencer volume can be reduced, and heavy exhaust components can be concentrated closer to the center of the bike, further contributing to mass centralization. The result is greatly improved handling.
A secondary benefit is that the shock unit is placed far away from exhaust heat. Because it is more difficult for heat from the exhaust system to adversely affect suspension oil and gas pressure, suspension performance is more consistent.
Engine 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, liquid-cooled Displacement 948cc Bore x Stroke 73.4 x 56.0mm Compression Ratio 10.8:1 Fuel System DFI® with Keihin 36mm throttle bodies Ignition TCBI with electronic advance Transmission 6-speed, return shift Final Drive Sealed chain Maximum Torque 72.3 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel Inverted telescopic fork with (13-way) adjustable compression and rebound (11-way) damping, spring preload (15-turn)/4.7 Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel Horizontal back-link swingarm with stepless adjustable rebound damping and spring preload/5.5 in Front Tire 120/70 ZR17 Rear Tire 180/55 ZR17 Front Brakes Dual 300mm disc, ABS Rear Brakes Single 250mm disc, ABS
Frame Type Tubular, diamond Rake/Trail 25.0°/3.9 in Overall Length 83.1 in Overall Width 34.1 in Overall Height 46.5 in Ground Clearance 5.1 in Seat Height 32.9 in Curb Weight 474.1 lb (50-State Model)* Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal Wheelbase 57.9 in Color Choices Candy Tone Blue Warranty 12 Month Limited Warranty Kawasaki Protection Plus™ (optional) 12, 24, 36 or 48 months
Engine Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four Compression ratio 10.8:1 Valve system DOHC, 16 valves Bore x stroke 73.4 x 56 mm Displacement 948 cm³ Fuel system Fuel injection: Ø 36 mm x 4 with sub-throttle Starting System Electric Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump Gear Performance & Transmission Maximum torque 98.5 N•m {10 kgf•m} / 6,500 rpm Maximum power 82 kW {111 PS} / 8,500 rpm Fuel consumption 5.2 l/100 km CO2 emission 124 g/km Transmission 6-speed, return Clutch Wet multi-disc Primary Reduction Ratio 1.627 (83/51) Gear Ratios 1st 2.917 (35/12) Gear Ratios 2nd 2.059 (35/17) Gear Ratios 3rd 1.650 (33/20) Gear Ratios 4th 1.409 (31/22) Gear Ratios 5th 1.222 (33/27) Gear Ratios 6th 0.967 (29/30) Final drive Sealed chain Final reduction ratio 2.800 (42/15) Suspensions Brakes & Suspension Brakes, front Dual semi-floating 300 mm discs. Caliper: Dual Brembo M4 radial-mount, monobloc, opposed 4-piston Brakes, rear Single 250 mm disc. Caliper: Single-piston Suspension, front 41 mm inverted fork with compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability Suspension, rear Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged shock with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability Dimensions Frame & Dimensions Frame type Trellis, high-tensile steel Trail 98 mm Wheel travel front 120 mm Wheel travel rear 140 mm Tyre, front 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) Tyre, rear 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W) L x W x H 2,100 x 865 x 1,150 mm Wheelbase 1,470 mm Ground clearance 140 mm Fuel capacity 17 litres Seat height 845 mm Curb mass 215 kg
Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
2022 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe Guide
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