The Z900RS is Kawasaki’s neo-retro offering that intends to deliver a modern hardware package wrapped in an old-school visual avatar. In Kawasaki’s portfolio, it sits very close to the much more powerful and better-equipped Ninja ZX-10R.

The Z900RS boasts a design inspired by Kawasaki’s legendary Z1 of yesteryears. While the round headlamp and teardrop-shaped fuel tank make it look old-school, the blacked-out components and a sleek tail lend it a sporty appeal. Complementing its retro looks is a semi-digital console that gets two analogue dials and an LCD in the centre. Other features include full LED lighting, a slipper clutch, and traction control.

Propelling the bike is a 948cc, inline four-cylinder engine that’s a derivative of the Z900’s mill. On the RS, it churns out 109.96bhp at 8,500rpm and 98.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. As for the hardware, it rides on 17-inch alloy wheels that are suspended by 41mm upside-down front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock. Braking is handled by dual 300cc discs at the front and a single 250mm disc at the rear along with dual-channel ABS. With a 17-litre fuel tank, the motorcycle weighs (kerb) 215kg.

In India, the Kawasaki Z900RS is available in a single colour option – Metallic Diablo Black. It competes against the Triumph Speed Twin 900.