BMW R nineT versus Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R nineT

Retro
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Retro

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2014 bis 2023
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP 17.050 €
RRP 13.195 €
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Pros:
  • pretty to look at
  • purist
  • cool driving experience
  • Numerous customizing options
Pros:
  • Successful design
  • Precise handling
  • Fragrant sound
Cons:
  • Price
  • nothing for giants
Cons:
  • Handles for the pillion passenger are missing

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length :
2.220 mm Height : 1.265 mm
Seat :
803 mm until : 805 mm
Weight :
222 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.470 mm
Length :
2.100 mm Height : 1.150 mm
Seat :
835 mm
Weight :
215 kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Four-stroke in-line cylinder 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 948 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 73 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 110 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 6.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
340 km
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 111 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 99 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
320 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Space tube, motor supporting (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-Down 45 mm (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (high-strength steel)
Front suspension:
41 mm upside-down fork (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link strut (travel 140 mm)
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc brake ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc ( 250 mm)

Conclusion - what's stuck?

The R nineT is not only fun to drive, but also looks great! And it is probably this combination that makes the bike so desirable for motorcycle fans worldwide right from the start.
BMW describes it as follows: "Design your motorcycle, design your life." It also has a lot to do with lifestyle and so the nineT leaves hardly any customizer wishes unfulfilled in terms of diversity. It is the basis for deep individualizations, which sets the machine apart from the competition. In addition to the already diverse model and design variants, there are plenty of Customizing accessories, so everyone can make their own roadster dream come true. Even the on-board electronics are designed with numerous interfaces in such a way that changes do not represent a major hurdle.

Even if the NineT is purist in almost all respects, it does not do so in terms of price. Not at all when you make the most of the numerous possibilities for change to realize your own exclusive dream bike. But individuality always has your price. However, the success proves BMW right again in this case, because the BMW R NineT is so popular that one should expect extremely long delivery times.

Das Testmotorrad wurde uns freundlicher Weise von Motorrad Ruser zur Verfügung gestellt.









Price/Availability/
Colours/years of construction

  • Price: 15,350 Euro
  • Used: from 9,500 Euro
  • Years of construction: since 2014
  • Colour:Blackstorm metallic, Blackstorm metallic Vintage (+980 €), Marsrot/Cosmicblue (+1100 €), Pollux/Aluminium (+980 €)
  • Other model variants: Pure, Scrambler, Urban GS

The test motorcycle was kindly provided by Motorrad Ruser.

Conclusion - what gets stuck

A really successful bike which is really fun but above all looks really good. Now, of course, you can still find something to complain about. For example, among the more extreme retro fans, there may be those who miss the two-sided struts compared to the legendary Z1. Or find the LCD between the round instruments superfluous. The Most strikingly missing is the Z9000 RS compared to the Z1 but certainly the exhaust system with 4 silencers. But who ever wants this can fulfill this wish for about 3000€ at the company Hattech https://www.hattech.de/380-kawasaki/z900-rs-z900-rs-cafe. Otherwise, the motorcycle test crew agreed that the Z900 RS in Candytone Brown makes an even better figure than our test model in Sparkle Black which would be worth us the 300€ surcharge in any case. But that's a matter of taste, of course.

The test machine was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: from €11,695
  • Years built: 2018
  • Availability: from 2018
  • Colors: Candytone Brown / Candytone Orange, Metallic Matte Covert Khaki / Flat Ebony, Metallic Spark Black