Yamaha XSR 900 versus Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
Yamaha

Yamaha XSR 900

Retro
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Retro

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2016 bis 2024~
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP 11.899 €
RRP 13.195 €
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Pros:
  • extremely potent and elastic motor
  • toxic triple sound
  • Technically very well equipped
  • easy and accessible
  • precise chassis and good brakes
Pros:
  • Successful design
  • Precise handling
  • Fragrant sound
Cons:
  • low steering angle
  • Design polarizing for seat and underfloor exhaust
Cons:
  • Handles for the pillion passenger are missing

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.495 mm
Length :
2.155 mm Height : 1.155 mm
Seat :
810 mm
Weight :
193 kg
Wheelbase: 1.470 mm
Length :
2.100 mm Height : 1.150 mm
Seat :
835 mm
Weight :
215 kg

Engine

Motor design: Number 3 Cylinder
Displacement: 890 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 78 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
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: 210 km/h
Performance: 119 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 93 NM bei 7.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
286 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:
Bridge tube frame (aluminum)
Front suspension:
USD fork (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut hinged via lever system (travel 137 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) Tubeless
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) Tubeless
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 ( 298 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 245 mm)
Front brake
Double disc brake ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc ( 250 mm)

Conclusion - what sticks

Bravo Yamaha, with the XSR 900 you have achieved a great success. No one will be able to get off after a test ride on this bike and claim not to have had fun! The XSR is a fine motorcycle, very sporty, yet easy to handle and very potent both technically and in terms of performance. In this respect, the price is really more than okay from our point of view. machine!
 
The test bike was kindly provided by Tecius & Reimers from Yamaha Zentrum Hamburg. There is one of currently only two demonstrators in the whole of Germany. But believe us: A test drive is worthwhile even if you live further away. But please make an appointment with Joachim beforehand, because the rush is great! Let's go to Hamburg!

Price/availability/colours/years of construction

  • Price: 11.349€
  • Used (3 years old): 8.000€
  • Years of construction: XSR 900 since 2016
  • Availability: from 07/2022
  • Colors: black, blue

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