The New 2025 Kawasaki Z900 launches at ₹9.52 Lakhs And You Should Notice

Will It Be Worth It?

We finally get to see the 2025 Kawasaki Z900 up close and personal, and it has been worth the wait and price increase ... or has it? 

The 2025 Z900 gets some much-awaited upgrades which will definitely make living with it easier, but with a price increase of nearly ₹15K, and with the overall power being decreased this year, the extras available here have a lot to cover up for. 

With a new shining price tag of ₹9.52 lakhs, 2 iconic colors, and no SE variant, the 2025 Kawasaki Z900 better impress. 

What Remains The Same

A new year, a new feel, but the bike, in essence, remains the same. Despite a lot of new electronics that are bound to make the 2025 Z900’s ride feel a little more plush and controlled, the bike does not feel too removed from what it used to be. 

The frame and the engine remain the same, mostly. The stricter emission norms forced Kawasaki to reduce the peak power this engine makes from 125 PS to 123 PS, but on the seat, it does not feel like its power has reduced. 

The Z900 has always been a very powerful bike for its class, and it continues to feel like it. 

What Has Changed

The Look

Well, apart from the bones and the heart of the bike, almost everything. 

You immediately notice the new face. While the on-the-nose design of the face is very “Kawasaki-esque” and embraces “Sugomi”, Kawasaki’s design language, extremely well, to some of us at CarHP, the face resembles an Autobot’s a little too much. The tail is a huge success, but the face is polarizing at best.

The rest of the body follows suit. It’s more aggressive and sleek. It seems to have slimmed down, but is in fact, is about a kg heavier in weight. The overall shape is more angular, and there is now a separation between the tank and side fairings. 
 

The Grip

The new Z900 also rides on new tires. Kawasaki swaps out the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 on the earlier Z for the Dunlop Sportmax Q5A. The Q5A builds on the RoadSport 2 by offering improved performance, especially better control in both dry and wet grip. Brakes also get an upgrade. Nissin’s 4-piston calipers, as opposed to axial calipers found in earlier versions.
 

The Ride

Finally, we come to upgrades that will most obviously affect the riding experience. 

While new tires definitely count as such a change, only the most experienced riders can compare their difference in performance. Changes such as the adjustable levers and the improved seat add a new level of comfort to the rider, especially for longer rides, thanks to the improved cushioning on the seat. While changes such as the new screen and the ride-by-wire that are now available bring an immediate step up to the new 2025 Z900’s charm. 
 

The new 5-inch TFT display immediately reminds us of the KTM 390 Duke. It is sharper and has satisfactory outdoor visibility. The switchgear to control the screen is borrowed from the Ninja 1100SX. While Bluetooth connectivity gives you basic smartphone connectivity through Kawasaki’s Rideology App, turn-by-turn navigation and voice control are not the most exciting change here. 

The adoption of ride-by-wire and a 5-axis IMU gives the new Z900 ride modes, power modes, cornering ABS, and cruise control. Finally, while the 6-speed transmission remains the same, the bi-directional quickshifter can shift as low as 1500 RPM.

Mode Select - Power and Ride

2 Power and 4 Ride models are possible thanks to ride-by-wire technology. As the name suggests, Power modes change how much of the total power is available to the rider. Full Power mode makes all of the 123 PS accessible, while Low Power mode limits it to approximately 75-80% of the total power. 

In terms of Ride Modes, “Sport” mode sets the bike up in Full Power mode, pairing it with the least intrusive level of KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control). Most usable on track, or when you wish to maximize acceleration and lean-angle performance. 
Next, we have “Road”, which most likely also keeps the Z in Full Power mode, but the KTCR is more aggressive, which is required for a more balanced everyday experience.
“Rain” is next, likely pairing Low Power mode with the most intrusive level of Traction Control, making handling the power of the Z900 possible on wet surfaces. 
The final ride mode, “Rider”, is customizable, giving you your choice of Power level and Traction control. 
 

SE? .. Not Likely

The bigger, badder version of the new Z900, the Z900 SE, comes with adjustable Ohlin shocks and Brembo brakes. While it has been pointed out that the Brembos available are not the latest iteration and are in fact a few versions old, they do seem preferable over the Nissins available on the Standard Z.
No point in discussing the SE, though, as it's unlikely to come to India. The SE remains in foreign markets, causing envy from a distance.
 

How does the New Z900 fare?

The earlier asked question, “Is the new Z worth the price increase?” gets a clear answer now. 
YES, we believe it is. Look at what you’re getting for the marginal ₹15K increase in price. New electronics, power and ride modes, cruise control, a bi-directional quickshifter, better tires, a new updated look, cornering ABS, and much more. And while the frame and the powertrain remain the same, we have no complaints with that. Its a highly pushed and tested, reliable, and long-lasting powertrain. 
Furthermore, while the iconic Green and Grey color scheme (called the Metallic Matte Graphene Steel Gray with Metallic Flat Spark Black and Candy Flat Blazed Green) of Kawasaki’s lineup is present, the Black and Red (named the Metallic Carbon Gray with shades of Metallic Graphite Gray and Candy Persimmon Red) is our recommendation.

So, to sum up, you get an already incredible machine made better with a whole suite of highly sought-after features, all for ₹15K. Furthermore, the raw energy of the Z900 has been made more controllable and hence, more fun. The math is mathing, ladies and gentlemen.