World Premiere! Redefining Retro Sports with the Kawasaki Z900RS SE [Japan Mobility Show 2025]

Fireball returns at Japan Mobility Show

Kawasaki Motors Japan unveiled the latest model of the Z900RS, the Z900RS SE, for the first time at the Japan Mobility Show 2025.

The 2026 model, the Z900RS SE, is a further evolution of the Z900RS series, which has been widely supported since its debut in 2018 as a model that combines the tradition of the Z brand with modern technology. This model is not simply a revival of the retro look, but is attempting to redefine the retro sports category by incorporating electronic control technology, high-performance components, and advanced rider support. The Z900RS, which has been the top-selling model in the 401cc and above class in Japan for seven consecutive years, is a symbolic model that marks the next stage of the series. 

Strengthening powertrain and electronic control technologies

The engine now features a new Electronically Controlled Throttle Valve (ETV), improving controllability in the low to mid-range while also improving power output in the high-range. Furthermore, rider assistance systems utilizing an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) like the Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), the latest Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS), cruise control, and smartphone connectivity are now standard features, further enhancing the enjoyment, security, and convenience of riding. This clearly demonstrates that the performance and safety demanded by modern riders are firmly built into the bike’s retro exterior.

Premium components and design

As for equipment unique to the SE grade, first of all, the exterior adopts a “Fireball” color and the outer tubes are finished in gold. As for the suspension and brake system, the rear is equipped with an Öhlins S46 suspension and the front is equipped with a Brembo brake system, asserting a higher level of driving performance and braking performance. In addition, the Japanese model comes standard with front and rear drive recorders and a USB-C power socket, showing careful consideration for “peace of mind to own” and “equipment that can be used daily.” In terms of design, the classic “Fireball” tank color and rainbow lines reminiscent of the 1970s “Mach” series are referenced, reviving a classic worldview into the modern era. 

A model that takes a step into the next generation while retaining a retro feel

The Z900RS SE is not just a model for reminiscing about the past, but aims to be a “new classic” equipped with modern technology. Symbolic of this is the design concept of “retro in appearance, but modern in nature.” For example, while the design emphasizes the classic feel with features such as the megaphone-type silencer and exhaust header pipe, it also achieves technological innovations such as electronic control and the adoption of an IMU. Riders can achieve a luxurious balance of “enjoying the look of a classic bike while also obtaining the ease and safety of modern riding.” This model recreates the era symbolized by the “Z1” by updating it for the 21st century, and aims to be not just a source of nostalgia, but a “classic bike of the next generation.”