Z900 RS SE (MY2026)

The Z900 RS SE takes the shapes riders know from the 1972 Z1, the teardrop tank, the duck-tail rear, the pair of round analog dials, and sets them over a 948 cc inline-four making 116 hp and 73 lb-ft. That pairing is the whole point of the bike. On my scale the design work lands a perfect 10 for both purist style and retro character, and the SE spec backs the looks with adjustable suspension at both ends and 300 mm front discs. Cornering ABS, traction control, ride modes, cruise control and a quickshifter that works both up and down the box are all standard, and none of it clutters the view.

On the road it behaves like a machine built for people who actually ride, not only for people who look. The handling is accessible rather than sharp, stability at highway speed is real, and the controls stay simple enough that you stop thinking about them. It ages well because the good part is metal, paint and shape, not a screen that dates. It suits the rider who wants classic lines with nothing awkward underneath. The honest caveat is physical: at 476 lb (216 kg) wet and 33.3 in (845 mm) at the saddle this is a substantial motorcycle, and the styling carries a price.