This 70s child is fully onboard with the retro charms of the Kawasaki Z900RS! | Editor’s Choice August 2026
Dan channels his mid-life crisis motorbike awakening through a bike celebrating the decade in which he was born!
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 28 August 2026 | 0 min read
Reviews Editor Dan Trent writes…
"I was still in nappies when the original Kawasaki Z1 burst onto the motorcycling scene in the mid-70s, wowing everyone with its explosive power, lairy manners and distinctive looks. Some years on (more than I care to dwell on) I’m still too new to motorbikes to really appreciate the impact that bike had back in the day. But, perhaps for the fact we are of similar vintage, I am very much appreciating the modern Z900RS SE that carries its spirit into the modern age.
“I only picked this one up the other day, and it’s the first Kawasaki I’ve ever ridden. Given the influence of the original Z1 it feels a good place to start, though! It was also one of those bikes that caught my eye long before I got my licence, an encounter with one parked up at a café out and about getting me thinking I really must one day get round to doing my test. And here I am!
“Expectation can prove dangerous, though. Can the 2026 Z900RS SE cope with the combined pressure of living up to the legend of the mighty OG Z1 and my own personal hopes it goes as well as it looks? Well, there’s a full review to write yet and – frustratingly – the dry weather that’s made summer motorcycling such a pleasure has finally broken. So, I’ve not done enough miles on it yet to really get a sense for it. But first impressions are very promising. The looks are gorgeous, the stripes on the tank a beautiful celebration of the original while the in-line four-cylinder engine feels a bit naughty in this age of anonymous parallel-twins like that in the similarly 70s inspired Suzuki GSX-8TT I enjoyed not so long ago.
“Now as back in the day, the Kawasaki has the firepower to humble many of its closest rivals, and feels a hell of a lot quicker than the Suzuki. Not to mention more charismatic. Looking at the values of the original Z1s on Autotrader (the priciest of which is over 30 grand!) I think the £12,949 I thought looked expensive for this one suddenly appears a bit of a steal. And enough to have this child of the 70s fully ready to get into character.
“Now, if it would only stop raining for five minutes…”
