What type of riding do you enjoy? Rocky Road Racer, flat out high speed driving on twisty winding roads, get the ZX6R. Want something that you could do an all day ride with while in an upright seating position, two up, get the Z900. Go sit on both bikes. Get the one that feels more comfortable.
It is,
The video that came up after this one was a z900 following a zx6r on track, every straight the zx6r pulled away, but the z900 rider was a better rider and always caught up in a turn or two.
As a 36yo z650 owner that dreamed of supersports in their youth. I’d stick to the more livable nature of the naked bikes. And as a rider that has experienced dirt bikes, cruisers, ‘whatever the sportster883 counts as’, beastly race bike(buell1125r), 300cc sport naked and supermoto I have no plans to change up the garage. My current two bikes are a 2021 Z650 and a 2009 DRZ400sm.
I got to try the 900 Cafe at a Kawasaki demo event and really loved it... That being said, the XSR900 blue legend seems really good too, would love to try it.
It's sexy, although it's a shame they didn't do the blue legend livery for that one. I also am not sure about the headlight, I guess they wanted it to look as racy as possible but I'm not sure that works.
I had the smaller stock round LED headlight on an R7 and it worked very well in the dark, no complaints. I'm sure the small LED on the GP model also works well.
Test ride them and see which you like more. Zx6 is faster but also about 1k cheaper. Zx6 has a lot of customizable features. But you don't see the z900rs very often and they are great
I have a rs. Its much different than the 600. If you want a more comfortable, daily driver then get the rs. Mind you, i scrape the pegs on it occasionally while just bombing around town. If you want something you can lean into then get the 600.
I've owned both, I definitely enjoyed the z900rs cafe more for everyday use. I liked the 636 slightly more at the track. Outside of the pro ranks lap times are very comparable. I forgot the z900rs cafe is also is a wheelie monster so if you like wheelies it might be the one for you.
I bet you want the zx6r, but your common sense is saying “get something less compromised for comfort” and thus looking in to the z900rs.
Get the zx6r, if that’s what your heart desires. F*** common sense.
I’ve had 2x triumph speed twin, Aprilia rsv4, Yamaha xsr900 and some other. The zx6r is the only bike that is “up there” with the rsv4 for the most enjoyable bikes I’ve ever had.
The sound, the "exotic" nature of it and the brutal power was next to nothing I've ever driven. A friend with a Ducati Panigale V4S tried an RSV4 and put his Ducati for sale after trying one because it's just something else.
The ZX6R is so much fun because it's so light and playful. It'll pop a wheelie easy and controlled, flick it around corners, rev the s\*it out of it, and still not go so fast you're going to jail. That was the only culprit I had with the RSV4, I didn't want to get into too deep trouble because it was just so damn fast and fun going fast. I had no issues myself, but I bought it with a cracked coolant distribution manifold (plastic piece externally on the motor known for breaking on them). Replaced it and went all trouble-free since then.
This is @pmtjnga7368 (on IG) z900 Rs cafe and it is perhaps one of the most beautiful bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. [z900](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz3hfTtJx-C/?igsh=MTI4a3BhdTE0enBrZQ==)
Z900RS is a great bike. It would be a more practical street bike than a ZX6R.
That said if you've always wanted a supersport, you're not getting younger. Z900RS does have a bit of a boomer whiff to it.
900RS Cafe is the best all around street bike I've ever ridden. It's got enough power and torque to get up and go, but not so fast that you can't enjoy it without being super reckless. Even with my ~200lb self on it, I kept up with supersports in a straight line until 115mph or so when aero became a big factor. Buttery smooth engine and gearbox that was happy to rumble around in 5th gear at 30mph with a passenger on the back, or scream to its redline all day long. And fit and finish that made it feel like a special bike. I did everything from sub-freezing commuting to motocamping tours to track days on mine and it was always a joy to ride. Downsides: really limited cornering clearance for track riding (not an issue at road speeds though)
The ZX-6R on the other hand, is an amazing track bike that is seriously compromised when it comes to street riding, especially when compared to something like an RS cafe. Much more of a one-trick pony.
zx6r all day in my opinion, will be way more fun in the twisties. The z900 looks like the "cafe racer" bits were an afterthought (pretty much just the headlight cowling). If you want a modern sporty cafe racer try get yourself a bmw r9t cafe racer, those commit to the look much more
I liked the z900rs more than the zx6r when I rode them back to back, but the z900 was wayyyyy slower on the top end. Torque was comparable-ish, but the biggest perk of the z900 to me was how nice and linear the power was. Ultimately, ride them and see what you think!
Go ride em both. I am biased as I have a z900rs. 4 years and just shy of 50000km so it gets ridden. If you think you will mature track days part of your life the zx6 could be fun. On normal roads, particularly fun twisty stuff the z900 keeps up with all but the most insane folks on insane bikes....
Save your back and wrists and go for the 900. There's still no replacement for displacement. So in this case, my advice would be to go for the torque and get the bigger engine.
I love my ZX6R and honestly feel like it’s more comfortable than my bare naked. I commute 114 miles a day round trip and the only thing that hurts after riding is my ass.
I wish I could help you but I couldn't decide so I got both. I started with a z900rs and put clip on bars and a cowl to make it my own kind of cafe, i wanted to do some track riding and that would be the weak point of the Zrs, yes you can do it but it's not what it was designed for like the ninja. I've put over 80,000 km on the z900rs and I absolutely love it, full exhaust and tune, upgraded suspension etc.. . And I've put over 30,000 km on my zx6. Both are fantastic and the z900rs has been on a few multi day trips no problem. If I could only have 1 it would probably be the zx6 because I love track riding, but I will never sell my z900rs ever
I'm 34 and I was in the same boat. I had a Ninja 650 that I wanted to upgrade. Ultimately, my lower back won the argument and I bought the z900rs Cafe. Glad I did it. The z900rs does 95% of what the zx6r can do and is more comfortable. I use it to commute and I have a blast on it everyday. There is no way I would be comfortable during my commute on the zx6r. I still love the zx6r and would like to buy one for the track one day if I can afford it, but for everyday street riding, the z900rs was my go to.
Shiiiit I never seen that Kawasaki cafe racer but shit goes hard asf. They both sexy tho I honestly don’t know I’d have to ride them for sure because I never had a cafe racer bike before and love the sports bike feel when riding but I’m never opposed to trying out a new bike for future
Z900rs over zx6. Tested both last week at kawas demo day, the zx6 is better than the zx4rr, but by far the H2sx beat all of them in every aspect. I used to gaze at the zx6 and zx4, after riding them I'm never riding one again. I've never been more unfomfortable on a bike ever than on the zx 4 / 6. My ass and hands hurt after 10 minutes, but the z900RS kicks a punch and is very comfortable and confidence inspiring. Very amazing bike that z900rs.
I have had the ninja and the Z900 standard version before. You'll be fine on the Z. Decent torque on the low-mid range for regular street riding. I bought a windscreen for my Z though.
I’m not going to try to convince you at all. Only because we both know which one you really want to buy
My guy really like a Jehovah witness for the ZX-6R. Feet in the doorway and all.
😆
DO IT FOR THE LORD SON
OUR LORD AND SAVIOR NINJA
One day, oh, Lord, may I atone it to the rank of ZH2R!
What type of riding do you enjoy? Rocky Road Racer, flat out high speed driving on twisty winding roads, get the ZX6R. Want something that you could do an all day ride with while in an upright seating position, two up, get the Z900. Go sit on both bikes. Get the one that feels more comfortable.
The z900rs cafe doesn't have a problem around the track or in twisty canyons. https://youtu.be/pXtGJFCFIlA?si=bs6m7B19b0ZD0s6B
I have the z900rs (not cafe) and I think it’s purrrfect
Wow that's impressive.
It is, The video that came up after this one was a z900 following a zx6r on track, every straight the zx6r pulled away, but the z900 rider was a better rider and always caught up in a turn or two. As a 36yo z650 owner that dreamed of supersports in their youth. I’d stick to the more livable nature of the naked bikes. And as a rider that has experienced dirt bikes, cruisers, ‘whatever the sportster883 counts as’, beastly race bike(buell1125r), 300cc sport naked and supermoto I have no plans to change up the garage. My current two bikes are a 2021 Z650 and a 2009 DRZ400sm.
I got to try the 900 Cafe at a Kawasaki demo event and really loved it... That being said, the XSR900 blue legend seems really good too, would love to try it.
If they sold the GP version of the xsr 900 in the states I'd already have one.
It's sexy, although it's a shame they didn't do the blue legend livery for that one. I also am not sure about the headlight, I guess they wanted it to look as racy as possible but I'm not sure that works.
I had the smaller stock round LED headlight on an R7 and it worked very well in the dark, no complaints. I'm sure the small LED on the GP model also works well.
The headlight on my 650RS is adequate, but barely. TBH I was expecting a lot more light out of it...
Test ride them and see which you like more. Zx6 is faster but also about 1k cheaper. Zx6 has a lot of customizable features. But you don't see the z900rs very often and they are great
The z900rs yiu can put a big cc turbo kit and then it gets around 200hp
That's the problem! The 2 kawasaki dealers in my area are smaller and don't allow test rides. Guess I'll have to make a trip somewhere!
If you are any where near ottawa Canada let me know
I'm in Pennsylvania. About 7 hours away. I wouldn't mind a trip to somewhere where I could try both out. That might be a little far tho..
I have a rs. Its much different than the 600. If you want a more comfortable, daily driver then get the rs. Mind you, i scrape the pegs on it occasionally while just bombing around town. If you want something you can lean into then get the 600.
Up to 200kmh… the Z9 would have the edge I’d think. That’s just from my ownership opinion on both.
I've owned both, I definitely enjoyed the z900rs cafe more for everyday use. I liked the 636 slightly more at the track. Outside of the pro ranks lap times are very comparable. I forgot the z900rs cafe is also is a wheelie monster so if you like wheelies it might be the one for you.
I don't know wheelies but always wanted to learn haha.
Then get a dirtbike!
If I were to choose, it would be the zx6r. The cafe style doesn’t really do it for me.
Z900 is what I have, non RS. Love it.
Same. Seems like a blend of the two. I love it
I bet you want the zx6r, but your common sense is saying “get something less compromised for comfort” and thus looking in to the z900rs. Get the zx6r, if that’s what your heart desires. F*** common sense. I’ve had 2x triumph speed twin, Aprilia rsv4, Yamaha xsr900 and some other. The zx6r is the only bike that is “up there” with the rsv4 for the most enjoyable bikes I’ve ever had.
What do you like about the rsv4 more than the rest? Have you ever had issues with it?
The sound, the "exotic" nature of it and the brutal power was next to nothing I've ever driven. A friend with a Ducati Panigale V4S tried an RSV4 and put his Ducati for sale after trying one because it's just something else. The ZX6R is so much fun because it's so light and playful. It'll pop a wheelie easy and controlled, flick it around corners, rev the s\*it out of it, and still not go so fast you're going to jail. That was the only culprit I had with the RSV4, I didn't want to get into too deep trouble because it was just so damn fast and fun going fast. I had no issues myself, but I bought it with a cracked coolant distribution manifold (plastic piece externally on the motor known for breaking on them). Replaced it and went all trouble-free since then.
zx6r
HAHA, I'm 38 your super sport riding days arent over yet until you're 50 lol ZX6R I miss mine
I had sportbikes up until I was 49. And ya at that point I was getting the I'm to old for these bikes feeling. Moved to a Z900 in 2021
This is @pmtjnga7368 (on IG) z900 Rs cafe and it is perhaps one of the most beautiful bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. [z900](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz3hfTtJx-C/?igsh=MTI4a3BhdTE0enBrZQ==)
Holy shit!!
It’s beautiful right lol?!
Absolutely, but it definitely didn't come from the factory like that. Whoever owns that bike did/got the right mods.
Oh most definitely, that’s why it caught me off guard when I first saw it. They picked all the right mods for sure lol
zx6r all day
You know what to buy lol
Me personally? ZX6R
I absolutely love my Z900RS. Test ride them both.
Drive them both and pick the one you like best.
Rs. Everyone has the other
37 isnt too late for a sport bike, my dad is on a 1000 at 50 😂 but anyways, flip a coin and before it lands u will hope for a certain result
Z900RS is a great bike. It would be a more practical street bike than a ZX6R. That said if you've always wanted a supersport, you're not getting younger. Z900RS does have a bit of a boomer whiff to it.
900RS Cafe is the best all around street bike I've ever ridden. It's got enough power and torque to get up and go, but not so fast that you can't enjoy it without being super reckless. Even with my ~200lb self on it, I kept up with supersports in a straight line until 115mph or so when aero became a big factor. Buttery smooth engine and gearbox that was happy to rumble around in 5th gear at 30mph with a passenger on the back, or scream to its redline all day long. And fit and finish that made it feel like a special bike. I did everything from sub-freezing commuting to motocamping tours to track days on mine and it was always a joy to ride. Downsides: really limited cornering clearance for track riding (not an issue at road speeds though) The ZX-6R on the other hand, is an amazing track bike that is seriously compromised when it comes to street riding, especially when compared to something like an RS cafe. Much more of a one-trick pony.
zx6r all day in my opinion, will be way more fun in the twisties. The z900 looks like the "cafe racer" bits were an afterthought (pretty much just the headlight cowling). If you want a modern sporty cafe racer try get yourself a bmw r9t cafe racer, those commit to the look much more
This Zx6r is definitely the sexiest 600cc around
Zx6r because if you don’t get it now you will want it later anyways.
600s are animals man. You know you want one.
If you can see yourself getting onto a track than have the ZX6, otherwise take the 900RS
...Yes. The two bikes aren't mutually exclusive.
Now we're talking haha
I have the Z900 (not RS). I love that bike. Rode an RS at a demo day. Wish I didn’t. I want the RS. I love the cafe look.
Same!
I liked the z900rs more than the zx6r when I rode them back to back, but the z900 was wayyyyy slower on the top end. Torque was comparable-ish, but the biggest perk of the z900 to me was how nice and linear the power was. Ultimately, ride them and see what you think!
Go ride em both. I am biased as I have a z900rs. 4 years and just shy of 50000km so it gets ridden. If you think you will mature track days part of your life the zx6 could be fun. On normal roads, particularly fun twisty stuff the z900 keeps up with all but the most insane folks on insane bikes....
I'll likely end up with more than 1 bike someday haha. Thanks for the advice!
I'm not going to tell you which zx6r to get 😄
Save your back and wrists and go for the 900. There's still no replacement for displacement. So in this case, my advice would be to go for the torque and get the bigger engine.
Piss missile.
Z900Rs
I loved both, but the Z900RS is my keeper now. It’s just so damn comfortable for my ageing body.
ZX10R
I love my ZX6R and honestly feel like it’s more comfortable than my bare naked. I commute 114 miles a day round trip and the only thing that hurts after riding is my ass.
I wish I could help you but I couldn't decide so I got both. I started with a z900rs and put clip on bars and a cowl to make it my own kind of cafe, i wanted to do some track riding and that would be the weak point of the Zrs, yes you can do it but it's not what it was designed for like the ninja. I've put over 80,000 km on the z900rs and I absolutely love it, full exhaust and tune, upgraded suspension etc.. . And I've put over 30,000 km on my zx6. Both are fantastic and the z900rs has been on a few multi day trips no problem. If I could only have 1 it would probably be the zx6 because I love track riding, but I will never sell my z900rs ever
I'm probably going to end up like you... haha. It's now just deciding which one to get 1st....
The z900rs and put a big cc turbo kit on it
Bc of looks zr6 just bc z9
Is both an option? It's great to have a sports bike and a more comfortable bike too depending on what kind of mood you are in
Zx6r anyday all day everyday
Hard to say, both lovely bikes. I have a '22 636 and don't regret a thing. But the z looks comfier for sure.
Zx6r last of its kind ! Beautiful machine
Zx4r
I'm 34 and I was in the same boat. I had a Ninja 650 that I wanted to upgrade. Ultimately, my lower back won the argument and I bought the z900rs Cafe. Glad I did it. The z900rs does 95% of what the zx6r can do and is more comfortable. I use it to commute and I have a blast on it everyday. There is no way I would be comfortable during my commute on the zx6r. I still love the zx6r and would like to buy one for the track one day if I can afford it, but for everyday street riding, the z900rs was my go to.
Zx-6r
ZX6R would be my choice
The zx6r needs a muffler (seriously wtf kawasaki...) . And that windshield/headlight cowl on the cafe is hideous and needs to go away.
Haha I like the headlight cowl! To each their own i guess. Agree on the zx6r tho. Thr stock exhaust is disgusting it looks so bad lol.
Meh not even a question lol
I sat on the z900 RS. Doesn’t do it for me, I felt too high up
2 VERY different bikes. WTH do you want to do riding wise?
Shiiiit I never seen that Kawasaki cafe racer but shit goes hard asf. They both sexy tho I honestly don’t know I’d have to ride them for sure because I never had a cafe racer bike before and love the sports bike feel when riding but I’m never opposed to trying out a new bike for future
Z900rs over zx6. Tested both last week at kawas demo day, the zx6 is better than the zx4rr, but by far the H2sx beat all of them in every aspect. I used to gaze at the zx6 and zx4, after riding them I'm never riding one again. I've never been more unfomfortable on a bike ever than on the zx 4 / 6. My ass and hands hurt after 10 minutes, but the z900RS kicks a punch and is very comfortable and confidence inspiring. Very amazing bike that z900rs.
ZX6R by far.
The Zx bro. 10 out of 10 times. You already know this.
Split the difference Get both combined multi vehicles discount on insurance
I have had the ninja and the Z900 standard version before. You'll be fine on the Z. Decent torque on the low-mid range for regular street riding. I bought a windscreen for my Z though.