Kawasaki Z900 RS vs Triumph Bonneville T120: Competition Check

Kawasaki has launched their modern-classic motorcycle, the Z900 RS in India. It competes against another neo-retro motorcycle that comes from Britain; the Triumph Bonneville T120. We find out how the bikes stack up against each other.

Design and features

The Kawasaki Z900 RS is based on the Z900 streetfighter. However, it sports neo-retro design language borrowed from the 1970’s Kawasaki Z1. It gets a dual-tone paint scheme and generous use of chrome for a classic look. On the other hand, the round headlamp with LED lighting adds to the modern appeal of the bike.

It sports a twin-pod instrument console with analogue speedometer and tachometer and a multi-functional LCD display. The electronics package includes switchable ABS and a traction control system that gets two modes along with an ‘off’ setting. It rides on 41mm inverted front forks up front and a preload and rebound adjustable monoshock at the rear.

The Triumph Bonneville T120 also sports similar modern-classic characteristics as the Z900 RS. However, the styling cues hark back to the classic Triumph motorcycles of the late 1950s.The liberal use of chrome and retro detailing like the spoke wheels, round headlamp and mirrors as well as round turn signals add to the appeal. Triumph has added LED DRLs to the headlamp unit and an LED tail lamp for a modern touch. 

It uses a twin-pod analogue instrument cluster that gets a small digital display each. The Bonneville T120’s is slightly better equipped with electronics that include ABS, heated-grips, switchable traction control, ride-by-wire throttle and two riding modes- ‘Road and Rain’. The bike rides on conventional telescopic forks in the front and preload adjustable twin shocks at the rear.

Engine 

The Kawasaki Z900 RS is powered by a 946cc in-line four cylinder engine that produces 110bhp and 98Nm of torque. This unit is mated to a six-speed transmission and slipper clutch. The Bonneville T120 is powered by a bigger 1200cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that puts out 78.9bhp and 105Nm of torque via a six-speed transmission and slipper clutch. 

While the Z900 RS is far more powerful and gets two extra cylinders, the Bonneville T120 has an edge when it comes to torque figures.

Pricing 

Kawasaki has priced the Z900 RS at Rs 15.30 lakhs. It is being imported as a CBU from Japan, which is the reason for its exorbitant price. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is not looking for high sales numbers from this bike, in order to maintain the ‘RS legacy’ and exclusivity.

Meanwhile, the Triumph Bonneville is comparatively more affordable with a price tag of Rs 9.56 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).