By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Triumph Street Triple 765 R (MY2017) vs Kawasaki Z900 (MY2017)
Triumph Street Triple 765 R vs Kawasaki Z900: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll hear the Triumph Street Triple 765 R's intake roar as its triple pulls from low down and rushes hard at the top. The Kawasaki Z900's four leans into a midrange shove that keeps building. Higher up, it's howling like a proper streetfighter.
So which one do you buy?
The Street Triple 765 R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: Street Triple 765 R
The Street Triple 765 R is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. That comes from a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: Street Triple 765 R
On the way to work, the Street Triple 765 R asks a little less of you. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The Street Triple 765 R costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the clear better buy. Neither bike wins on value alone.
What makes each one tick
Street Triple 765 R
There's a gnarly snarl in the Street Triple's engine that swells as the tach needle climbs. At corner entry, the bar needs only a light push and the front's already tucked into the bend. At 417 lb (189 kg), the bike flicks through the Coronado Trail's bends, and the chassis doesn't get nervous. The fork reads the asphalt aloud.
Z900
There's a snatch in the Z900's throttle low in the revs in first and second gear, before the engine smooths out. Over a sharp bump with a heavy rider or a passenger aboard, the soft rear shock doesn't hold up and bottoms out. The thin seat isn't kind either. Above the stutter, the throttle meters power in even steps.
Nils rode the Z900 in Switzerland in 2017, and in Spain in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Z900 has the lower seat: 31.3 in (795 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The Street Triple 765 R has the lower wet weight: 417 lb (189 kg) vs 463 lb (210 kg).
- The Z900 makes more peak torque: 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) vs 57 lb-ft (77 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Neither one fits
A first bike should forgive mistakes, and these two don't do that well enough. Come back to them later.
They come out level on running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Street Triple 765 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful inline-triple engine
- Premium componentry for the class
Trade-offs
- No quickshifter as standard
Z900
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent value for money
- Linear, exhilarating engine
- Agile, intuitive handling
- Good fuel economy
- Low running costs
Trade-offs
- Jerky throttle response at low revs
- Cramped legroom for taller riders
- Lacks modern electronics
- No wind protection
- Soft shock struggles with heavier riders
Known problems to check before you buy
Street Triple 765 R
- Minor oil weeps from engine fasteners Some owners report occasional light oil seepage from cam cover bolts or the sump gasket, which is not indicative of major engine failure.
Z900
- Rear Shock Mounting Bore Becomes Oval The mounting holes of the rear shock linkage on the frame can elongate and become oval under load when the shock absorber bottoms out. This compromises damping function and can cause riding instability. Root cause: insufficient material thickness at the linkage mounting point, combined with the stock shock absorber's tendency to bottom out when loaded.
- Rear Brake Line and ABS Sensor Cable May Chafe Against Tire During factory assembly, the rear brake line and wheel speed sensor cable may be incorrectly routed, causing them to chafe against the rear tire. This can damage the brake line (reduced braking performance) or sever the ABS sensor cable (ABS failure).
- ABS Hydraulic Unit Contaminated with Aluminum Shavings The ABS hydraulic unit may become contaminated with aluminum shavings during manufacturing due to a defective machining fixture that shaves the ABS pump housing. This can cause the front or rear wheel to lock up during braking.
- Front ABS Engages Too Early The Nissin ABS unit activates prematurely, particularly on the front brake, during hard braking. The ABS cannot be disabled on 2017–2019 models. This reduces rider confidence during aggressive braking and trail-braking maneuvers. Multiple professional testers and owners confirm the issue.
- False Neutrals, Especially Between 5th and 6th Gear The transmission occasionally misses shifts, especially during rapid upshifts above approximately 6,000 rpm. Most commonly reported between 5th and 6th gear, but also between 2nd and 3rd gear. Incomplete clutch disengagement exacerbates the problem. Downshifts are described as "clunky." Design-related, not an isolated defect.
- Snatchy Throttle Response / Jerky low-RPM fueling The Z900 exhibits jerky, on-off throttle response at low RPMs and speeds, particularly in 1st and 2nd gear. The bike bucks and surges when holding a constant low speed. The cause is emissions-compliant ECU tuning, not a mechanical defect. The problem is exacerbated by the closed secondary throttle plates at low RPMs.
- Ticking Noise from Timing Chain Area Audible ticking from the timing chain area, particularly noticeable because the Z900 is a naked bike. Slight ticking is considered normal (metal-to-metal contact from the automatic timing chain tensioner). In rare cases, the automatic tensioner fails and the noise becomes pronounced. The very quiet stock exhaust makes mechanical engine noises more prominent.
- Turn Signal Bracket Rubber Inserts Become Brittle and Break The rubber inserts that hold the stock turn signals in the body become brittle and break, causing the turn signals to hang loose on their wires. Vibration and UV radiation accelerate the wear. OEM replacement turn signals also fail within 1-2 years. Affects multiple Kawasaki models, not just the Z900.
- Handlebar Vibrations at Highway Speeds Noticeable handlebar vibrations at higher speeds cause hand numbness on longer rides. The bike's unfaired design and inline-four engine contribute to this issue. The stock handlebar is considered undersized for the motorcycle. Numerous aftermarket handlebar weight solutions are available.
- Surface Rust on Stock Steel Fasteners Stock steel fasteners and hardware develop surface rust, especially brake caliper bolts and exposed hardware. Kawasaki uses standard steel fasteners instead of stainless steel or coated alternatives.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old Street Triple 765 R with a 7-year-old Z900.
- Street Triple 765 R
- about $6,000
- Z900
- about $7,000
At seven years old, the Triumph Street Triple 765 R sits around $6,000 while the Kawasaki Z900 runs about $7,000. That's a $1,000 gap in the Street Triple's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Street Triple 765 R | Z900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 417 lb (189 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| Street Triple 765 R | Z900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 765 cc | 948 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Inline-four |
| Power | 118 hp (88 kW) | 125 hp (92 kW) |
| Peak power at | 12,000 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 57 lb-ft (77 Nm) | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,400 rpm | 7,700 rpm |
| Street Triple 765 R | Z900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 45 mpg (US) / 5.2 L/100 km | 43 mpg (US) / 5.5 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.6 US gal (17.4 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| Street Triple 765 R | Z900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 55.5 in (1410 mm) | 57.1 in (1450 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Street Triple 765 R | Z900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
