Kawasaki Z900 2018 vs. Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

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Overview - Kawasaki Z900 2018 vs Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

In terms of engine and drive train, both the Kawasaki Z900 2018 and the Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 have inline engines with fuel injection systems. However, the Z900 has a higher engine power of 125.4 HP compared to the MT-09 SP's 115 HP. The Z900 also has a higher torque of 98.6 Nm compared to the MT-09 SP's 87.5 Nm. Both bikes have liquid cooling and a displacement of 948ccm for the Z900 and 847ccm for the MT-09 SP.

In terms of suspension, both bikes have upside-down telescopic forks in the front and swing arm suspension in the rear. The Z900 offers adjustment options for preload and rebound in both the front and rear suspension, while the MT-09 SP offers additional compression adjustment for the front suspension.

Kawasaki Z900 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2018

In terms of chassis, the Z900 has a steel frame with a double cradle design, while the MT-09 SP has an aluminum frame with a twin tube design. Both bikes have double disk brakes in the front, but the Z900 has a larger diameter of 300mm compared to the MT-09 SP's 298mm. Both bikes are equipped with ABS as an advanced rider assistance system.

In terms of dimensions and weights, both bikes have the same front and rear tire width and diameter. The Z900 has a slightly shorter wheelbase of 1450mm compared to the MT-09 SP's 1500mm. The seat height of the Z900 is lower at 795mm compared to the MT-09 SP's 820mm. The Z900 also has a higher kerb weight of 210kg with ABS compared to the MT-09 SP's 193kg.

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

The strengths of the Z900 include its powerful and silky engine, great sound, sharp and sporty look, low seating position, and easy handling and manoeuvrability. On the other hand, the strengths of the MT-09 SP include its incredibly powerful three-cylinder engine, good brakes, sporty and comfortable seating position, ABS, traction control, and shift assistant.

The weaknesses of the Z900 include the lack of traction control and the strenuous knee angle for tall riders in the long run. The weaknesses of the MT-09 SP include the high saddle, shift assistant only for upshifting, and instruments that do not stand out strongly from the basic version.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Z900 2018 compared to Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2018
Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore73.4 mmBore78 mm
StrokeStroke56 mmStroke59.1 mm
Engine powerEngine power125.4 HPEngine power115 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power9,500 rpmRpm at Max. Power10,000 rpm
TorqueTorque98.6 NmTorque87.5 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,700 rpmRpm at Torque8,500 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio11.8 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 ccmDisplacement847 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
TravelTravel120 mmTravel137 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock
Shock mountShock mountDeflectionShock mountDeflection
TravelTravel140 mmTravel142 mm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreload, ReboundAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameAluminium
Frame typeFrame typeDouble cradleFrame typeTwin Tube
RakeRake65 degreeRake66 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter300 mmDiameter298 mm

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
DiameterDiameter250 mmDiameter245 mm

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABSAdvanced 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
LengthLength2,070 mmLength2,160 mm
WidthWidth820 mmWidth850 mm
HeightHeight1,065 mmHeight1,375 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,450 mmWheelbase1,500 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height795 mmSeat Height820 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)210 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)193 kg
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Z900 2018

Kawasaki Z900 2018

In the hotly contested naked bike segment, the Z900 plays right at the front. Above all, its engine is absolutely terrific, runs incredibly silky and offers rich power in all rev regions - as befits a Japanese four-cylinder. Its sporty, aggressive appearance matches this. It does without electronic bells and whistles, but still conveys a lot of confidence when chasing corners, braking and accelerating out of them. The low seat is especially beneficial for smaller riders, but taller riders might miss a flatter knee angle on long distances. The low weight and compactness make the Z900 particularly agile and easy to handle. A sporting cannon that is also extremely appealing in terms of price

Powerful and silky engine

great sound

chassis

sharp, sporty look

low seating position

easy handling and manoeuvrability.

Lack of traction control

Knee angle strenuous for tall riders in the long run

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018

The Yamaha MT-09 SP is the refinement of an already very good mid-range naked bike. With better suspension components from Öhlins and Kayaba, a nicer paint job and a justifiably higher price, the SP version is clearly the sportiest choice within the Yamaha MT-09 range. The brute power of the engine does not allow the MT-09 SP to be ridden comfortably, but that is not necessary on the "Special" - the fun is clearly in the foreground! The Yamaha MT-09 EVO with Wilbers suspension is now available as an interesting alternative, because it has no "war paint" and is very discreet. But unfortunately only for Switzerland...

incredibly powerful three-cylinder engine

good brakes

sporty and comfortable seating position

ABS

traction control

shift assistant

high saddle

shift assistant only for upshifting

instruments do not stand out strongly from the basic version

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

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Z900 2018 and a Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018. In terms of price, the actual average price of a Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 is about 7% higher. A Kawasaki Z900 2018 experiences a loss of 640 USD in one year and 520 USD in two years of ownership. This is offset by a loss of 770 USD and 1,440 USD for a Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018. Compared to Yamaha MT-09 SP 2018 there are more Kawasaki Z900 2018 bikes available on the 1000PS.de Marketplace, specifically 55 compared to 5. It takes less time to sell a Yamaha MT-09 SP with 72 days compared to 112 days for the Kawasaki Z900. Since model year 2017 1000PS.de editors have written 46 reviews for the Kawasaki Z900 and 29 reviews for the Yamaha MT-09 SP since model year 2018. The first review for the Kawasaki Z900 was published on 11/11/2016 and now has more than 93,200 views. This compares to more than 49,000 views for the first review on Yamaha MT-09 SP published on 11/6/2017.

Price Kawasaki Z900

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Yamaha MT-09 SP

Model year
Current average market prices

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