2022 Yamaha XSR900 v Kawasaki Z900RS | Road Test

We asked what you wanted to see, and 31% of the 2,300 who voted ticked the #Yamaha XSR900 vs #kawasaki Z900RS #review and so here it is!

BikeSocials regular contributors, Simon Hargreaves and Adam 'Chad' Child, pitch the two Japanese retro-styled machines against each other.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Start
00:18 Riding montage
00:42 Introducing the bikes
04:30 Yamaha on-board commentary
11:04 Kawasaki on-board commentary
16:13 Discussion and conclusion
27:19 BikeSocial ad
27:40 Out takes

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LET’S CONNECT!

[rick-hmji]

Just received my Xsr several weeks ago. Am 69 years old, having been riding for 53 of them. What a hoot this bike is! I had spent 20 years riding my ‘99 R1, and on that bike you always felt that you couldn’t use all its performance on the road, only on the track. The XSR relieves you of that psychological constraint. The triple sounds great and the tech makes for an amusing and competent ride. Love the bike.

[Monachikoskavalaris]

Kawasaki z900rs is a classic motorcycle with modern handling, build quality, and reliability. And I just love the fact that it come with no electronic intervention whatsoever. A pure riding experience, just you and the motorcycle. Love it.

[wltrlg]

I’m an owner of the Z900RS. Excellent bike that reminds me to the days I had the XJR1300. Very pleased with it!

[robertschulz]

I rode both the Kawasaki Z900 and the Yamaha XSR900, while I never shortlisted the Z900RS. I picked the XSR, because it is so light and thus agile plus it comes along with a full range of gimmicks such as quickshifter, cruise control etc. I haven't regretted my choice a single instant yet.

[sjk]

I adore my Z900RS. It's the bike that got me back on 2 wheels after decades away. My last new bike purchase was a GPZ900A2 in '86!

[screemin]

The Kawasaki is a beautiful machine and they have nailed the retro look and feel

[surfbum]

My z900rs gets people stopping and looking every time I take it out. And I don't stop smiling when I'm riding it. It's an absolute beaut. No question which is the better bike in my opinion.

[rubo]

People who complain about Z900Rs not having quick shifter are just lazy only 10yrs ago none was available for street bikes and still not needed.It was designed for racing seriously on streets clutch is fine.About cruise control if I want a bike with CC I'll be buy a goldwing or sport tourer why would I buy naked for putting hundreds of miles in a day on highway? About mods? None needed.Have we become lazy? I enjoy riding a bike and have no time fiddling through menu just to get out garage....

[ingopaul]

I think you've missed the point. The Kwak is a truly beautiful remake of a 70s classic and the Yam, which may technically be a better bike, looks like a dogs dinner that's crashed into a wall.
Make your own choice on what you want.

[vanduc]

I think both bikes are going to please plenty of riders. The Yam will appeal to a younger, sportier rider with an appreciation of the retro vibe ( which is all the rage for the younger set ), while the Zed will appeal to those that were actually there to remember and appreciate the charms of that era

[nevillebroadbent]

Yamaha is not a retro.
Better to compare it to the Z900 .
Z900RS is a retro and should be compared to other retros such as Triumphs etc

[letitrest]

I've been riding for 44 years, and have had 11 motorcycles. which includes 6 Yamaha's. I currently ride and travel on a 2013 Yamaha FJR1300a, which I bought used with 2832 miles on the clock, and that now has over 63, 500 miles on.
I just absolutely am in love with my current Yamaha, and am considering getting an XSR as a second bike for having fun on.
It will be a sad day, one day when I'm too old to ride. Riding my FJR brings me absolute bliss, even when the weather is rainy, and I have to put on a rainsuit, the joy I get from riding my FJR is indescribable.
Looking at the horsepower to weight ratio of the XSR should give anyone an idea of what fun they're in for. 117 horsepower with a 425 pound chain driven bike, and a quick shifter is a recipe for ear to ear perma-grin. My FJR by comparison puts 127 horsepower down at the rear wheel, but weighs well over 600 pounds dry, and it's still a ball to open that throttle from a stop light and leave everything else in my mirrors. Plus the mid-range power on the inter-state highway here in the states always makes me smile. At 65 mph, no need to downshift to pass and get ahead of a group of cars. Just roll the throttle ever so slightly, and hold on, and literally in about 3 seconds you're approaching the triple digit mark. Remind me to send a love letter to Yamaha.
I do have to say Bennet that this XSR reminds me of one of my past rides, and that was an RD400. Light, zippy, and flickable.

[josevi]

I own the first generation of the XSR and tried the Z900. They are very different bikes, even more different than they look. The XSR is nimbler, lightier, more sporty and cheaper. The Z is more elegant, more classic and has higher quality perception. I would choose the Yamaha for the dynamics and the Kawasaki for the looks.

[twt]

The Yammy looks revolting. The Kwak looks perfect. No brainer as far as styling

[nickrider]

The Z900 looks nicer, but I'd have the the xsr900 over it - I like my bikes to do many they have to be engaging. Love Simon's reviews 👍

[gmv]

All I can is I’ve owned my Z900RS since 2018 and my heart still skips a beat when I open the garage door and see it there. It’s the Jaffa colour which is the best colour imo. I’ve done 26, 000 kms on it and still enjoy everything about it. Yes, the OEM tyres are crap and I changed to Bridgetone S22 which transform the handling along with proper suspension setup. I guess the Yamaha is superior as far as rider aids go, I fitted a Translogic quickshifter to mine but it is upshift only. Personally I think the Yamaha looks ugly, but looks are subjective I guess. If I was getting a Yamaha it would be a 2022 MT10 SP. My Kawasaki is a keeper.

[kwakithailand]

As the Z1000 was the first big bike I rode (a friend owned it actually, but he's too drunk to ride safely home from the club), the last bike I actually owned prior expatriating was the Z900, the purchase of my Z900 RS 2022 was a no-brainer.
Whether the Yammi might be better (in some minor aspects) than the Kwaki is of no concern at all to me 😁

[KnightRider]

Whilst working at a big dealership, everyone looked at the kwak and most walked past the yam paying it very little attention. I think that sums up their appeal. What would you prefer to see when you opened the garage door?

[Anesco]

I have ridden both and I can guarantee you, both are about the same speed. The Yamaha is more agile but uncomfortable, you notice it after 1 hour. The Kawasaki is massively more comfortable but also more expensive (Switzerland). Nevertheless, every time my XSR-900 friends get on my Z900RS, they want to ride my bike for the whole tour... I leave it up to you to decide what this means. In the end, everyone has to find the right bike for themselves.

[martinhughes]

Kawasaki looks 1000% better yamaha seat needs throwing away starting again, general look doesn't do it for me even with the yamaha having better electronics I'd still choose the Z,