Kawasaki Z900 and Z900 SE 2025 unveiled

Caution is required when revising a successful model. That's why the designers at the Akashi plant gently reworked the perennial best-seller Z900 for 2025 within the Sugomi design language. The distinctive, angular styling has been retained, spruced up here and there with metal parts and complemented by side panels made from brushed aluminium. The redesigned front end gets more compact headlights, and the distinctive Z tail light has had to make way for a completely redrawn, futuristic LED tail light. All in all, definitely a gentle evolution rather than a drastic revolution.

The 948cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine carried over from the predecessor now features a new camshaft profile, intended to deliver an even more revvy character and stronger pull in the lower rev ranges. Power and maximum torque, at 124 hp and 97.8 Nm, sit marginally below the level of the 2024 model. "Ride-by-wire" has finally made its way into the Z900, meaning the throttle valves are now actuated electrically, with the ECU precisely metering the fuel/air mixture for every riding situation. As a result, Kawasaki promises excellent throttle response and, almost as importantly, a 16% reduction in fuel consumption. The Z900 is now said to manage on 4.8 litres of super per 100 km, or emit just 117 grams of CO2 per kilometre. A new airbox is intended to deliver a more pronounced intake sound.

With the aim of improving the Z900's handling, adjustments were made to the chassis. The rigidity of the frame brace behind the steering head was altered. To allow fitment of the quickshifter, the area around the swingarm mount was reworked. Furthermore, the new aluminium fat-type handlebar offers improved rigidity. The switchgear on the left handlebar end has also been redesigned. The subframe now rises less steeply, creating more room for the seat padding.

Thanks to a revised chassis setup, the seating position is now more front-biased, putting more pressure on the front wheel, which is intended to result in more precise handling and a more transparent feel for the front tyre. The new seat is flatter, allowing the rider to easily shift position, and is said to offer more comfort than before. The shape of the front seat has also been changed, and two seat heights are available: the ERGO-FIT High seat at 830 mm (standard equipment) and an alternative ERGO-FIT Low seat at 810 mm (accessory). This raises the seat height by 10 mm compared to the predecessor, which should particularly benefit taller riders.

New, radially mounted 4-piston brake calipers on the front wheel still bite on a 300 mm double disc and, combined with the new Dunlop Sportmax Q5 tyres, are intended to deliver consistent and precise braking performance. Thanks to the introduction of the 6-axis IMU, the ABS function has been improved, as vehicle lean angle and acceleration can now also be factored into the control calculations. The intensity of the intervention is co-determined by the selected riding mode.

In terms of weight, Kawasaki positions the new Z900 marginally above its predecessor. The standard model comes in at 213 kg fuelled up, the SE variant even reaches 214 kg. Both models share the 17-litre fuel tank, which, combined with the reduced consumption, should enable ranges beyond 300 kilometres.

The following systems now come as standard equipment on the Z900:

• KCMF (Kawasaki Cornering Management Function): "KCMF monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout the entire corner - from entry through the apex to corner exit - and modulates brake force and engine power to enable a smooth transition from acceleration to braking and back again." In other words, Kawasaki explains that ABS and traction control now operate depending on lean angle.

• Riding Modes: Nothing changes in terms of naming here. The three rider-selectable preset modes Sport, Road, and Rain are supplemented (except in the 35/70kW variant) by the individually configurable Rider Mode. Here, the rider can individually select traction control and power delivery. There is a choice between Power mode High with 100% power and mode Low with 75% power.

• KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control): The corner-dependent system also remains at 4 control levels (1, 2, 3 and off)

• KQS - Kawasaki Quickshifter: Including blipper function from 1,500 rpm

• Cruise control

As the rider climbs aboard, their gaze falls on the new large, fully digital 5-inch TFT colour instrument. For the first time at Kawasaki, the display can show turn-by-turn navigation, a function that requires installation of the free Rideology app on the rider's smartphone. Aside from navigation, various other functions can be used (including via voice command). Two different display layouts are available. At least one of them also allows the current lean angle to be displayed.

Alongside the Z900, the popular SE model will also continue to be available, equipped with an Öhlins S46 shock, Brembo brake components (300mm brake discs, radially mounted M4.32 monobloc calipers as well as brake pads) and a Nissin radial master cylinder with steel braided lines. On top of that comes the two-tone leather seat with a metal Kawasaki badge and a USB-C port in the cockpit, the latter available as an option on the standard variant.

The Z900 models will be available from Kawasaki dealers at the start of the 2025 season in the following colour combinations:

Z900 & Z900 70 kW:

• Metallic Spark Black / Metallic Carbon Gray / Ebony
• Metallic Carbon Gray / Metallic Phantom Silver / Candy Persimmon Red
• Metallic Moondust Gray / Metallic Spark Black / Candy Lime Green

Z900 SE:

• Metallic Matte Graphite Gray / Ebony / Metallic Graphite Gray

Kawasaki is still holding back on pricing. According to well-informed sources, however, prices are expected to stay as close as possible to those of the 2024 models. These currently stand in Austria at from 11,199 euros for the Z900 and from 12,899 euros for the 2024 Z900 SE.