1976 Kawasaki KZ900

The Kawasaki Z1 is a bike that I have long admired.  I remember seeing one as a kid and being blown away, by both the looks and the sound. Nothing much has changed since then.  To me it is what a motorbike should look like and I knew if I ever had the chance to ride one I’d be straight onto it.

I’ve ridden and reviewed Kawasaki’s modern offering, the Z900RS. It is a fantastic motorcycle that very much pays homage to the Kawasaki’s from the 1970s.  But, I’ve always wanted to have a go on the original or as close to the original as I could get my hands on, in this case one of my very good mate’s 1976 KZ900, that’s like a Z1 only better.

The Z1 was released to the public in 1973 and in 1976 there were some slight tweaks to the bike, such as the carburettors which went from 28mm to 26mm, a lockable fuel cap and a squared off tail light. It was renamed the KZ900 for that year until it was replaced in 1977 by the KZ1000.

These days there are plenty of reasons you’d look at owning one of these classic machines, but above all else, it is just a pleasure to ride.  The KZ900 was known for its smooth ride and excellent handling when it was released, and that still rings true today.

The charm of the KZ900 is in its simplicity and elegance. It evokes a sense of yearning for a time when craftsmanship and attention to detail were highly valued.

If you’d like to hear more about the KZ900 check out our video on this brute of a bike on the YouTube channel