Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 vs. Yamaha MT-09 2021

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

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Overview - Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 vs Yamaha MT-09 2021

The Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 and the Yamaha MT-09 2021 are both naked bikes that offer powerful performance and advanced rider assistance systems. However, they have some key differences in terms of their specifications and strengths.

Starting with the Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021, it features a 948cc in-line engine that delivers 111 horsepower and 98.6 Nm of torque. The engine is equipped with fuel injection and has four cylinders. The bike has a steel tubular frame and a liquid cooling system. It comes with an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension and a swing arm rear suspension with a monoshock absorber. The Z900 RS has a double disk front brake system with a diameter of 300mm. It also features ABS and traction control as advanced rider assistance systems. The bike has a front tire width of 120mm and a rear tire width of 180mm, both with a diameter of 17 inches. It has a wheelbase of 1470mm and a seat height of 835mm. The kerb weight of the Z900 RS is 215kg, and it has a fuel tank capacity of 17 liters.

The strengths of the Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 lie in its authentic and beautiful retro look, which appeals to riders who appreciate classic designs. It also offers a very comfortable seating position, making it suitable for long rides. The bike is easy and comfortable to ride, making it accessible to riders of different skill levels.

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

However, the Z900 RS does have some weaknesses. It lacks a quickshifter and driving modes, although it does have adjustable traction control.

Moving on to the Yamaha MT-09 2021, it is equipped with a 889cc in-line engine that produces 119 horsepower and 93 Nm of torque. The engine also features fuel injection and has three cylinders. The bike has an aluminium twin tube frame and a liquid cooling system. It shares similar suspension components with the Z900 RS, including an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension and a swing arm rear suspension with a monoshock absorber. The MT-09 has a double disk front brake system with a diameter of 298mm. In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, it offers ABS, a quickshifter, and traction control. The front and rear tire dimensions, wheelbase, and seat height are similar to the Z900 RS. However, the MT-09 has a lower kerb weight of 189kg and a smaller fuel tank capacity of 14 liters.

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

The strengths of the Yamaha MT-09 2021 are its improved load change reactions, increased pressure from the center, and an over-complete electronics package. It also features a great working quickshifter and a comfortably integrated seating position. The bike has a successful chassis, lively handling, and offers enormous riding pleasure.

On the other hand, the MT-09 has some weaknesses. It has a polarizing look that may not appeal to all riders. The bike also has a small TFT display and a somewhat indirect front wheel feel. Additionally, the cruise control feature is only available in the SP variant.

In conclusion, both the Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 and the Yamaha MT-09 2021 are powerful naked bikes with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Z900 RS offers an authentic retro look and comfortable riding experience, while the MT-09 provides improved load change reactions, an over-complete electronics package, and lively handling. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the rider's preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 compared to Yamaha MT-09 2021

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021
Yamaha MT-09 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore73.4 mmBore78 mm
StrokeStroke56 mmStroke62.1 mm
Engine powerEngine power111 HPEngine power119 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power8,500 rpmRpm at Max. Power10,000 rpm
TorqueTorque98.6 NmTorque93 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,500 rpmRpm at Torque7,000 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio10.8 Compression Ratio11.5
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
IgnitionIgnitionDigitalIgnitionTransistor
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders4Cylinders3
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement948 ccmDisplacement889 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
TravelTravel120 mmTravel130 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
TravelTravel140 mmTravel122 mm

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameAluminium
Frame typeFrame typeTubularFrame typeTwin Tube
RakeRake65 degreeRake65 degree
TrailTrail98 mmTrail108 mm

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter300 mmDiameter298 mm

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter250 mmDiameter245 mm

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Traction controlAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Quickshifter, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width180 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
LengthLength2,100 mmLength2,090 mm
WidthWidth865 mmWidth795 mm
HeightHeight1,150 mmHeight1,190 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,470 mmWheelbase1,430 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height835 mmSeat Height825 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)215 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)189 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity17 lFuel Tank Capacity14 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021

A timelessly beautiful motorbike, the Z 900 RS. Its heart, the powerful and silky-smooth four-cylinder, ensures absolute riding pleasure. Even for longer rides, it offers plenty of comfort thanks to its pleasant seating position, well-padded saddle and high, wide handlebars. For those who like retro motorbikes but appreciate modern handling, the Z1 Homage is a very good choice.

authentic, beautiful retro look

very comfortable seating position

easy and comfortable to ride

no quickshifter and no driving modes (but TC adjustable)

Yamaha MT-09 2021

Yamaha MT-09 2021

The ingredients for the 2021 update are right: More power, more equipment, more electronics, less weight. If you take a look at the key data of the latest MT-09, including its over-complete standard equipment, "mid-range naked bike" almost sounds a bit pejorative. The Japanese engineers have made improvements exactly where they were needed. The swaying chassis is now a thing of the past and the load change reactions have also been eliminated from the revised three-cylinder engine. The additional power paired with a little more pressure in the mid-range gives a sovereign riding feeling. The MT-09 offers a lot of equipment and enormous riding pleasure at a very attractive price. If you like the look, you can buy it without hesitation.

No more load change reactions

even more pressure from the centre

over-complete electronics package

great working quickshifter

comfortably integrated seating position

successful chassis

lively handling

enormous riding pleasure.

Polarising look

small TFT display

somewhat indirect front wheel feel

cruise control only available in SP variant

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Kawasaki Z900 RS vs Yamaha MT-09

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 and a Yamaha MT-09 2021. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 is about 19% higher. Compared to Yamaha MT-09 2021 there are less Kawasaki Z900 RS 2021 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 14 compared to 19. It takes less time to sell a Yamaha MT-09 with 112 days compared to 125 days for the Kawasaki Z900 RS. Since model year 2018 1000PS.de editors have written 26 reviews for the Kawasaki Z900 RS and 57 reviews for the Yamaha MT-09 since model year 2013. The first review for the Kawasaki Z900 RS was published on 06/09/2017 and now has more than 63,700 views. This compares to more than 39,900 views for the first review on Yamaha MT-09 published on 10/06/2013.

Price Kawasaki Z900 RS

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Yamaha MT-09

Model year
Current average market prices

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