If you're familiar with my taste in motorcycles, then you already know that I love me some naked bikes. They'll always hold a special place in my heart, and when you hit that sweet combination of vintage styling paired with the best things about modern motorcycle technology (I'm talking important things like brakes, suspension, and a conveniently located USB charging port near the bars), it's pretty much a no-brainer.
Is Kawasaki breaking new ground with its 2026 Z900RS lineup? Not really. But does it need to? Also, no. There's a reason so many people love mac and cheese, from all kinds of cultures. You can bring new things and add them to it to dial it in to your tastes (I love kimchi in mine, personally), but at the end of the day, it's the combination of timeless familiarity and comfort that brings folks back for more.
All three bikes we're about to discuss are powered by the same liquid-cooled, 16-valve, inline four-cylinder, 948cc engine you've come to know and love. It makes a claimed 115 horsepower at 9,300 rpm, alongside 73 lb-ft of torque at 7,700 rpm. It's mated to a six-speed gearbox, and all three variants sold in the US come with ABS, cruise control, ride modes, a quickshifter, traction control, and Kawasaki cornering management.
Now, onto the breakdown of the different variants available in both the US and other international markets (because Kawasaki doesn't feel the need to deprive us, thank goodness).
First up, we have the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS ABS. For this year, it comes in a colorway that Kawasaki is calling the Black Ball Edition. It's a murdered out monochrome colorway that probably looks even better in person (I can't say for sure, as I've only seen the photos so far). It's the stealthiest and also least expensive of the trio, carrying a US MSRP of $12,899.
What's that, you say you want a blacked-out classic look, but you'd prefer a sweet little cowl around that headlight? You and Bruce Wayne both, and that's exactly why the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe ABS exists. This one actually adds a little bit more sparkle to the proceedings, with a sweet silver stripe design and larger (yet still appealingly retro) Kawasaki logo painted onto the side of the fuel tank. Honestly, the font choice, which I know is a legit Kawasaki throwback, is an entire vibe all on its own.
Pretty lovely to lay your eyes upon, isn't it? For 2026, the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe ABS will set you back at an MSRP of $13,299 in the US. If you're in a different market, check with your local dealers for the most up-to-date pricing and availability information.
Finally, if you crave Kawasaki's inimitable retro style with the best suspension and brakes you can currently get from Team Green's factory, then you're after the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS SE ABS. The colorway is called "Metallic Spark Black," for some reason, even though that certainly isn't the first color I see when I look at this bike. Please tell me if you've spotted another, more prominent color that leaps out at you on first glance?
Maybe this is Kawasaki's attempt at reminiscing about The Dress, only in motorcycle form? Unclear. In any case, it's a lovely colorway to be sure, but what the SE is all about is adding some tasty Brembo and Öhlins upgrades into the mix, straight from the factory. Specifically, you get Brembo front brakes and an Öhlins rear shock. So, while you could of course add more bits and bobs to upgrade things if you like, it's definitely a nice start. The recommended MSRP on this in the US is $14,599.
Naturally, all three of the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS variants come with Bluetooth connectivity via Kawasaki's Rideology The App (no really, that's what it's called). Funnily enough, like other digital assistants, it apparently wants you to call it by name, as in "Hey Kawasaki!" I mean, I'd rather talk to my motorcycle than my computer, if I'm honest, so it's oddly comforting in a way.
As with other bikes in Kawasaki's lineup, various Ergo-Fit accessories are available to better adapt your Z900RS to your needs. Are you extra tall, or extra short? There are seats to help with that, and as a shorter rider, I will always appreciate any OEM that makes adaptation that much easier.
Which one is your favorite, and do you see yourself getting on a new 2026 Z900RS of any kind? Let me know in the comments.
