Kawasaki Z900 SE Review

I dismount and take another look at the Z900 SE. Green metal, golden fork, black saddle. It sits there inconspicuously, as if nothing happened. But something did happen. An hour of intense test riding is behind me—mountain switchbacks, tight corners, a few sharp overtakes. And here I stand, with a feeling that confounds me: this is the strangest bike I've ridden this year. Before I got on, I was sure—it would be the recommendation. After the ride, I know: it's complicated.

The Kawasaki Z900 SE has been a staple among naked bikes for what feels like an eternity. But in 2025, people are taking a closer look: Is it still a hidden gem or technically outdated? Kawasaki has stepped up, packaged the SE package, and added a few new companions to the 948cc inline-four. Öhlins S46 shock at the rear, golden USD fork at the front, and a cruise control that actually works. "Let the good times roll," as the Kawasaki slogan goes. And damn, it's spot on.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to the beginning, back to that first press of the start button. The 948 wakes up with that throaty growl that makes Kawasaki inline-fours so unmistakable. Not loud, not shrill—authoritative. Like a deep bass that settles in your chest and gently informs you: Here, physics reigns, not electronics.

A 1000PS colleague nails it: "The engine is superb. There's no other way to say it. It's top-notch." And he's damn right. The 124 HP at 9,500 rpm might not be the most impressive figure in the current naked bike circus, but it's deceptive. What matters is the torque of 97.4 Nm at 7,700 rpm. It builds up like a wave, gently yet relentlessly pushing you forward.

The running smoothness is incredibly pleasant, with hardly any vibrations. Decades of fine-tuning are evident here. Right from the bottom, the engine has ample grunt, and while it may not be as strong at the top end as some direct competitors, you certainly don't miss it.

Then there's the quickshifter. My gosh, what a tool! "It functions sensationally," raves a test rider, and I understand him. The KQS slices through the gears like a hot knife through butter. Each shift feels like a precise punch—powerful, direct, no discussion. You're no longer shifting; you're conducting. The relatively short overall gearing fits perfectly with the naked bike concept. Just right for country road fun.

The SE's suspension is a chapter of its own. Öhlins S46 at the rear, a fully adjustable 41mm USD fork at the front with striking gold optics—sounds like it's built for the track, yet it rides surprisingly well on the street. "It's clearly improved over its predecessor," confirms our suspension expert. The steering geometry is as neutral as you could wish for. The bike holds its line through a turn without any additional input from the rider.

On bumpy sections, the Öhlins suspension shows why it bears the name. It balances, absorbs, and dampens—but never obtrusively. You feel the road without being disturbed by it. "It handled it superbly," reports a colleague from our rougher test sections. "And the feedback—you could understand how to communicate with the bike even better."

The handling is in a class of its own. No loss of stability, even when the pace picks up. You can correct your line choice remarkably well with the highly controllable engine. The Z900 SE dances through tight corners, glides through long arcs. It's become more accessible without losing its sporty edge.

The braking system deserves its own chapter. Two 300mm discs at the front with Brembo M4.32 calipers, and a 250mm disc at the rear—sounds standard, but it's not. The real highlight is hidden in the electronics: the ABS system. "What stands out here is the ABS regulation," our braking specialist raves. "In many other vehicles, you notice that a lot of distance is lost because the ABS is very conservatively set."

Not so with the Kawasaki. Here we have an ABS system that significantly builds on deceleration and delivers a substantial amount of brake pressure to the calipers. You get impeccable deceleration values without the system constantly intervening and hindering the rider. It's there when you need it—otherwise, it discreetly stays in the background.

This is where it gets complicated. "The Z900 SE is the strangest motorcycle for me," admits a test rider. "Before I got on, I was sure it would be the recommendation. And even now, if I had ten people in front of me, I'd probably recommend the Z900 SE to seven of them as the best bike for them."

The issue? "But when I look at the evaluation chart I filled out, it doesn't come out on top in any category compared to the others." The Honda has more power, the Suzuki has more power, the Yamaha has a finer finish. "And then you just find something better in each bike somewhere."

The Z900 SE has no real weaknesses except for the somewhat meager handlebar, which is narrower compared to other naked bike handlebars. "But otherwise, it's an incredibly good overall work of art, which is also very well executed in detail."

What makes the Z900 SE stand out: "It's a true naked bike, the epitome of naked bikes." While other bikes started in different categories and were then turned into naked bikes, the Z900 has always been a naked bike. "And it truly feels like the ultimate statement of a naked bike."

The seating position is sporty but not over the top. The distance to the handlebars is just right, with a slight forward lean, but nothing overly aggressive. "You're not quite as close to the handlebars as on an MT-09, but it still offers very balanced ergonomics."

A colleague sums it up: "I think I liked the Z900 SE the most. The only thing I pondered was that I wished the sound was just a bit more aggressive." The sound is the only aspect that somewhat fades among all the other top attributes.

"I think it's right in the middle between defensive and offensive. It's the Switzerland of bikes in the best sense," a tester describes his impressions. The Z900 SE conveys a sense of security that carries through all riding situations. You can consistently rely on it. "I think that's the key point."

But that's also the problem: "It's so balanced that it doesn't stand out in any one area. That makes it very accessible, and for many, an extremely good choice. But for me, it lacks a bit of that definitive character." Is it the sporty one? Is it the comfortable one? It's somewhere in between everything.

The Kawasaki Z900 SE features a liquid-cooled inline-four engine with a 948cc displacement. It delivers 124 HP at 9,500 rpm and provides 97.4 Nm of torque at 7,700 rpm. The 6-speed transmission is equipped with the Kawasaki Quickshifter (KQS). The measured weight is 213 kg fully fueled, and the seat height is 830 mm. Up front, there's a 41 mm USD fork in gold finish, and at the rear, a fully adjustable Öhlins S46 shock. Braking is handled by two 300 mm discs with Brembo M4.32 calipers at the front and a 250 mm disc at the rear. The wheelbase is 1,450 mm, ground clearance is 145 mm, and trail is 110 mm. The Z900 SE is fitted with 120/70ZR17 tires at the front and 180/55ZR17 at the rear. Electronics include IMU-based traction control and cruise control. Additional features include a 5-inch TFT display, LED lighting, USB-C port, and signature Sugomi styling. The fuel tank capacity is 17 liters, with a manufacturer-claimed consumption of 4.8 l/100 km.

The Z900 SE demands something from the rider—and it gives plenty back. The S23 helps fine-tune this balance even further. During hard braking, the front wheel stays planted, and in lean angles, the grip feels like a promise. Particularly notable is how well the S23 translates the Z900's inline-four power into forward momentum without appearing skittish. The traction control can take a back seat, as the tire does its job quietly, efficiently, and impressively. Those who like to push the Z900 SE to the limit will find that the S23 is a tool that gradually shifts that limit further.

In the 2025 naked bike comparison, the Arai Quantic was used—a handcrafted helmet with a clear focus on safety. Its round, smooth shell is designed to better deflect energy in an angled impact, rather than transferring it directly to the head. Particularly pleasing was the slightly wider helmet opening, which made it easy to put on and take off. Longer rides also remained comfortable, thanks to the high-quality interior and excellent ventilation. The Quantic meets the current ECE R22-06 certification. More information on the helmet here

With prices at €12,145 in Germany, €13,349 in Austria, and 12,290 CHF in Switzerland, the Z900 SE remains relatively down-to-earth. In return, you get a proven riding concept with a comfort upgrade, good rideability, and solid equipment—particularly appealing for value-for-money enthusiasts with sporty ambitions. Here is the price comparison

For our big 2025 Naked Bike Comparison, we really hit the throttle: Seven experienced 1000PS testers, including our track expert Martin Bauer, take five of the hottest naked bikes under relentless scrutiny. Instead of superficial impressions, we provide hard facts: Each motorcycle is systematically evaluated across numerous categories, weighed on our 1000PS scale, and rigorously tested on both country roads and the Bad Fischau racetrack. The great thing about our test: thanks to the different rider types—from everyday commuters to track professionals—you get evaluations from all relevant perspectives. Add to that a detailed market price analysis and real community feedback from you, the 1000PS users. The result: the most comprehensive and honest naked bike comparison you'll find in 2025—with everything you need for your purchasing decision. For over 20 years, we've been testing motorcycles at 1000PS with passion, precision, and market proximity. Our team is diverse—editors, video professionals, data analysts, YouTube experts, and true motorcycle industry insiders work hand in hand to deliver well-founded content to you. Our editorial articles are published in 16 languages and reach over 6 million motorcycle enthusiasts across Europe every month. What makes us particularly proud: not only do thousands of motorcyclists trust our voice, but so do dealers and manufacturers. This trust is our strongest drive—and we measure ourselves against it every single day.

The 2025 Kawasaki Z900 SE is mostly well-received by the community and is considered a successful update to an already popular naked bike. The combination of steel-braided brake lines, more comfortable suspension with easy adjustability, and the newly integrated cruise control is particularly praised—bringing practical advantages without losing the Z900's character. At the same time, many criticize the subscription model for certain digital features, which is seen as outdated for a mid-range bike in 2025. The SE variant scores in the comments with better equipment and aesthetics—though it's regretted that it's only available in one color. Compared to competitors like the Yamaha MT-09 or Honda CB1000 Hornet, the Z900 SE offers slightly less power, but impresses with its agile handling, solid build quality, and the familiar Kawasaki feel. Some miss deeper optical changes or significant technical leaps, but overall, the Z900 SE is considered by many as a cohesive package and remains one of the most attractive options in the sporty-oriented naked middle class.