Shozo Kawasaki as a young man, has been in trade business with sugar, which is why he had to travel around the world. He noticed that the Japanese ships are in much worse shape than European ones, and decided to manufacture its own ships. In April 1876, Japanese Government gives him the land on which Shozo sets up a company – Kawasaki Tsukiji. With the help of the Japanese finance minister, in 1894 he manages to obtain a permit for the transport of goods in major Japanese routes. In 1897 they made the highest number of ships and over the next 15 years improved their production to the point that they began to compete with European ships. Today, Kawasaki shipyard produces ships for transportation of liquefied petroleum gas.

In 1906 Mr. Kawasaki founded the firm HYOGO WORKS which initially produced locomotives and freight trucks, and then perfected the production of airplanes, only 15 years after the first flight of the Wright brothers.

In fifties of the 20 th century, Japan experienced a major development….Shozo Kawasaki decided to manufacture motorcycles. However, this is not the first attempt of Kawasaki. In 1924. they tried to produce motorcycles, but because of the small interest, production was discontinued.

After several failed attempts breaking to the motorcycles scene in 1960. under the patronage of Kawasaki Aircraft Co., first motorcycle had been manufactured – “New Ace” with 125 ccm two-stroke engine. To the possession of know-how and technology Kawasaki group came, purchasing the oldest Japanese motorcycle factory – Meguro Motorcycles. During six years of successful sales with 125 ccm engines, factory portfolio had been gradually enriched by more powerful models ( W1, A1, A7 Avenger ).

In 1969. Kawasaki catches up with the competition producing a model “H1”, with an engine of 500 ccm, known as “Mach III”. Kawasaki started a true revolution, launching model Z with 903 ccm, which, thanks to uncompromising performance, quickly had been dubbed – the king of motorcycles.

The previous story is told because we found and bought the legendary 2018 Kawasaki Z 900 RS Cafe.

The Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe is a retro-styled sports bike that blends the 1970s Z1 and the legendary racing heritage of the Mach series with a modern performance 948cc, front fairing, drop handlebars and stepped seat.

The 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The Z900RS Cafe shares the same Z900-based four-cylinder engine and steel trellis frame as the Z900RS, giving the bike a maximum output of 111 hp. Like the Z900RS, the Z900RS Cafe features traction control and a slipper clutch.

Kawasaki Motors Europe Director, Morihiro Ikoma, said: “We were delighted with the global recognition of the Z900RS when it was launched. The Z900RS Cafe broadens the appeal of the new RS range and personifies the True Spirit model slogan. Kawasaki took its time to enter the modern classics scene, but the wait has paid off. The Z900RS Cafe and Z900RS have a unique heritage and authenticity that sets them apart as the original models.”

Traditions aside, the Z900RS Cafe is a great bike. It has beautiful lines, flawless finish and a great balance of modern and retro details.

Despite the Cafe having a slightly sportier look than the standard RS, there’s no difference in performance on paper. Both bikes are built around a “detuned” version of the Supernaked Z900 inline-four engine. What Kawasaki actually did was re-tune the engine to improve its handling. In the city, the suburbs, on the highway or through winding country roads, this motorcycle always provides a manageable and, more importantly, a ride that you enjoy.

You will notice in the pictures on both sides of the motorcycle the marking Z 948 RS. Kawasaki Z 948 RS refers to the Kawasaki Z900 RS models that use a 948 cc four-stroke inline four-cylinder engine. The 948 designation represents the engine displacement, while the RS stands for retro sport style inspired by classic models.

For this, now legendary modern classic, we wanted to say a lot, to explain a lot… all this to bring this great motorcycle closer to you, but we stop here and at the end of the story we present the Kawasaki Z 900 RS Cafe, produced in 2018. Through the pictures and specifications, enjoy the offered model.