Kawasaki Z900 SE

The only visual differentiator between the Kawasaki Z900 SE and the Standard version of the motorcycle is the golden finish for the front forks and rear monoshock, both of which are trademark signs of Ohlins. Apart from that, the Z900 SE looks the same as the Standard version of the motorcycle, which is not a bad thing, for the motorcycle is one of the most aggressive looking roadsters available on the market right now.

The front profile of the Kawasaki Z900 SE is inspired by the Sugomi design philosophy, which has inspired motorcycles like Z800 and Z1000 in the past. This front fascia of the motorcycle comprises aggressive-looking LED headlamps with daytime running LEDs below it. The front profile is further garnished with a tinted black visor with LED turn indicators flanking it.

The Kawasaki Z900 SE looks butch and super aggressive even from the side, and the credits for this go to the bulky looking fuel tank and sharp tank cowls accompanying it. The tank cowls further hide the radiator cowl partially from the sides. Complementing the muscular appeal of the body panels is the large inline-four engine of the motorcycle, which along with the alloy wheels, is finished in a theme of black. The beauty of the Z900 SE is further enhanced by the golden-colored quad exhaust pipes flowing out of the engine and the green-coloured exposed trellis frame

Towards the rear, the Kawasaki Z900 SE starts getting lean and pointy, with a raised tail section which has a split pillion seat above it. The Z-shaped LED tail lamp sits below the tailpiece. Like the Standard version, the alloy wheels here also get a green-coloured pinstriping job around them. Even the full-TFT instrument console in the Kawasaki Z900 SE has been retained from the Standard variant without any changes. This console is compatible with Bluetooth and shows a speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, clock, gear indicator, real-time MID and more. It can also be paired with Kawasaki’s Rideology app for tracking and monitoring the riding behaviour and performance of the motorcycle.

The Kawasaki Z900 SE gets the same high-tensile steel trellis frame as the Standard version. However, it gets a more premium 41mm upside-down hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and a horizontal back-link Ohlins S46 mono-shock at the rear. Featuring adjustable spring preload and rebound damping for optimal handling and cornering ability, this suspension combination makes the handling and cornering ability of the motorcycle even more precise. Though, the ride quality takes an even stiffer route. Like the Standard version, the Kawasaki Z900 SE rides on a 120/70 ZR17 tyre at the front and a 180/55 ZR17 tyre at the rear. However, it gets a more premium Brembo braking setup with dual 300mm discs with a four-piston calliper at the front and a single 250mm disc with a single-piston calliper at the rear.

Powering the Kawasaki Z900 SE is a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-four, 937cc engine, which ranks high in the premium middleweight roadster category. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed transmission and produces 125 PS of maximum power and 98.6 Nm of peak torque output.

The Kawasaki Z900 SE gets a decently long list of riding aids, which includes dual-channel ABS, four riding modes – sport, road, rain and custom, two power modes – Full power and Low power, three-level traction control, quick-shifter and assist and slipper clutch.

While the suspension and brake upgrade in the Kawasaki Z900 SE make it an even better and more desirable motorcycle over the Standard version, we would have loved to see more visual differentiators and a few more features for the premium it has over the latter.