Kawasaki’s Z900 | Photo Credit: Yash Gawde

If you chuckled at the pun concealed in the headline of this story, you have plenty of context on Kawasaki’s Z900 being a bit of a mass sensation. Why is it one, though? While it’s true that India has seen big-displacement motorcycles on sale for nearly the last two decades, we haven’t yet outgrown the appeal of the howl an inline-four engine produces. I, for one, thought I had. But wrongly so.

Today, with twins of all kinds scattered across the motorcycle landscape and the V4 not being as much of a rarity, the inline-four engine sure has lost a bit of clout, at least among the motorcycling elite. For most of us, the sound an inline-four produces is among the most evocative ever. Why am I obsessing over this sound theory, though? Because it’s perhaps a strong reason why the Z900 flies off the shelves. Aside from a few ‘experimental’ motorcycles from brands built on shaky ground, it’s the Z900 (or the Z800 that preceded it) that democratised accessible inline-four performance.

It’s more than just an aural indulgence, though. Especially in its latest form where it seems to have gotten a bit more serious, but also, fortunately, a lot more fun. As the photographs will tell you, it looks a lot more appealing now, very much retaining its naked streetfighter styling but also appearing a touch more lithe than it has in the past. In reality, it still weighs 212 kg, just like the outgoing model. The new ‘face,’ sleeker-looking panels and, of course, the visually heavy mass the engine accounts for all come together to give the Z900 a lot of desirability.

When you swing a leg over, you’ll be happy to find an assortment of premium switchgear, a new 5-inch TFT console that’s packed with racy-looking readouts, a bunch of ride modes and cruise control and also not much motorcycle ahead of you as you settle into a riding position. At this point, you’ll also find yourself rushing to thumb the starter and bring that angry (but super refined) motor to life. And then, you’ll be enveloped by that characteristic howl you came for.

sound of speed

I released the light clutch and, a moment later, found myself at a fairly heady speed, still accelerating relentlessly. The Z900 accelerates with intensity but equally with a sense of ease. All right, while that may be a quality that’s common to a lot of performance motorcycles you can buy today, to be able to say that about a 123.6-bhp machine that offers no wind-protection is still no small matter. What adds to the excitement is a really good gearbox equipped with a two-way quickshifter, which adds seamlessness to the stunning acceleration the 948cc engine generates.

Rideability is another strongpoint of the Z, with its neatly calibrated throttle and its appetite for hanging around at low-speeds even in 6^th gear making it quite friendly in the city. Heat levels are typically high, though, and you’ll desperately seek an escape route if you find yourself in a traffic jam. Kawasaki has also stepped up the brakes this time around and, paired with the new Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tyres, you can be confident about its dynamics package.

With quality and equipment levels having shot up, along with an appreciable step-up in performance and dynamics alike, the Z900 has clearly transitioned from something of an attention-hound to a motorcycle you’ll thoroughly enjoy riding. At ₹9.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Z900 comfortably undercuts the Ducati Monster, its closest but highly pedigreed rival from Italy. But its affordability isn’t the only reason you should consider one. Just remember to buy your neighbours earplugs, please!

@TheMotorGram

Published on March 20, 2026