2025 Kawasaki Z900 – First Look

The engine remains a 948cc Inline-Four, but it receives new cam profiles to improve fuel economy and torque delivery at low engine speeds. U.S. models claim a peak output of 123 hp at 9,500 rpm and 73.1 lb-ft. at 7,700 rpm, but in Europe, the Z900 claims 122 hp and 71.8 lb-ft.

A more important change is the adoption of a new electronic throttle and ECU settings to produce linear acceleration and better fuel economy. Kawasaki claims a 16% improvement in fuel economy, and a 11.3% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The electronics package is buoyed by a new six-degree IMU, unlocking lean-sensitive traction control and ABS. The 2025 Z900 offers three preset ride modes, Sport, Road, and Rain, plus a fourth custom mode, each offering a combination of power delivery, traction control and ABS intervention. The Z900 also gains a new quickshifter for clutchless up and down shifts and an electronic cruise control system.

A new 5-inch TFT color display helps manage the new tech. The screen offers two display modes, one with a bar-style tachometer and the other has a hexagonal tach surrounding an airplane-style lean angle indicator.

In a first for a Kawasaki, the screen can also show turn-by-turn navigation, via the Rideology app. The app can also accept voice commands to change settings such as changing ride modes, without needing to take your hands off the controls.

The Z900’s lightweight steel trellis frame returns, but with a new gusset behind the head pipe to improve rigidity, and a revised left pivot plate to accommodate the quickshifter. The rear subframe also has flatter rails, which help keep the seat at a height of 31.9 inches despite a new, thicker seat cushion.

The base model Z900 is equipped with a 41mm inverted fork with adjustable rebound damping and spring preload and updated settings to provide a more planted feeling. The rear uses a rebound and preload adjustable shock connecting to the swingarm via a horizontal back-link system. For a bit more performance, the Z900 SE adds an Öhlins S46 rear shock with a remote preload adjuster.

The SE model also features higher quality brakes, with dual Brembo M4.32 radial-mount monoblock calipers and 300 mm discs, plus a Nissin radial-pump master cylinder and stainless steel brake lines. The regular Z900 uses Nissin four-piston radial-mount calipers on the front wheel. Both versions run a single-piston rear caliper and 250mm disc on the rear wheel. Dunlop supplies its Sportmax Q5A tires.

The 2025 Kawasaki Z900 ABS and Z900 SE ABS will arrive in U.S. dealerships in Winter 2025. Pricing starts at $9,999 for the Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Carbon Black/Ebony color and goes up to $10,299 for the Galaxy Silver/Metallic Spark Black/Phantom Blue option. The Z900 SE ABS is priced at $11,848 and comes in Metallic Matte Graphite Gray/Ebony/Metallic Graphite Gray.