The Kawasaki Z900 ABS naked bike is updated for 2025 with refinements to its engine, chassis, and electronics package. It’ll be available in two colorways, with the Special Edition option offering a third colorway along with additional features.
The Z900’s liquid-cooled 948cc inline-Four is updated with a revised cam profile to improve fuel economy and increase torque at lower rpm. New electronic throttle valves allow the ECU to control fuel and air intake for smooth engine response, and Kawasaki claims new ECU settings provide a more linear power delivery. Revised ignition timing across the rpm range has resulted in better fuel economy by 16%, and emissions are reduced. The gear ratios have been optimized for the Kawasaki Quick Shifter system to provide smooth up and down shifts, and the system has been updated to function at lower rpm.
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Other electronics on the Z900 include the Kawasaki Cornering Management Function, which monitors engine and chassis parameters throughout a corner to adjust traction control, wheel lift, and ABS. The traction control system offers three modes, and ABS has two modes. Three pre-set riding modes (Sport, Road, and Rain) adjust traction control and power delivery, while Rider mode allows the rider to manually choose settings. The Z900 also comes with cruise control as standard for 2025.
The Kawasaki Z900 also gets updates to its suspension and brakes for 2025. The steel-trellis frame with the engine as a stressed member remains the same. Front and rear suspension settings have been updated to provide a more forward-leaning stance. Up front is a 41mm inverted fork with stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, and the Horizontal Back-Link rear shock offers rebound and preload adjustability.
New radial-mounted 4-piston front calipers pinch two 300mm discs, and a new 250mm disc with a revised brake pad slow things down in the rear. Also new are the Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires with an updated compound. Providing more comfort is the updated seat with thicker urethane in its rear portion. The seat base is positioned lower to allow for the thicker seat without raising seat height.
The Kawasaki Z900 features a larger TFT display than the previous model, now at 5 inches, and it offers additional features not available on the previous model. The screen’s background color automatically transitions from white to black in low light and can be manually set, and the brightness also automatically adjusts. Two display options are available.
New for 2025 is turn-by-turn navigation, which can be displayed on the instrument panel. The Rideology app has been updated to include a voice-command feature to enable hands-free control. The app also offers vehicle info, a riding log, phone notifications, and tuning options.
Styling has also been updated. The bike features a more aggressive front end and new brushed aluminum shrouds engraved with a Z logo. Also new are the triple LED headlight design and taillight design.
In addition to the base model, the Kawasaki Z900 SE ABS includes extra features, including an Öhlins S46 rear shock with remote preload adjuster. The Z900 SE also gets 300mm Brembo front discs, Brembo M4.32 radial-mounted monoblock calipers, a Nissin radial-pump master cylinder, and stainless-steel braided lines. The two-tone seat features hand-stitch-style sewing, and a USB-C port allows charging devices.
The 2025 Kawasaki Z900 ABS will be available in Metallic Spark Black / Metallic Carbon Black / Ebony with an MSRP of $9,999, and the Galaxy Silver / Metallic Spark Black / Phantom Blue colorway option will be priced at $10,299. The 2025 Kawasaki Z900 SE ABS will be available in Metallic Matte Graphite Gray / Ebony / Metallic Graphic Gray with an MSRP of $11,849. Visit the Kawasaki website for more information.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
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Source: RiderMagazine.com
