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All Bikes/Compare/Bmw R 90 S vs Kawasaki Z1 900

Bmw R 90 S vs Kawasaki Z1 900

Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers

Bmw R 90 S vs Kawasaki Z1 900. Bmw R 90 S: 67 hp @ 7,000 rpm hp, 215 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 200 km/h, Motoryk rating 8.5/10. Kawasaki Z1 900: 82 hp @ 8,500 rpm hp, 230 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 209 km/h, Motoryk rating 8.5/10.

Performance at a Glance

Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value

Bmw R 90 S Kawasaki Z1 900
Horsepower (hp)
67 hp
82 hp
Torque (Nm)
74 Nm
74 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
200 km/h
209 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
215 kg
230 kg
Type
Classic
Classic
Horsepower
67 hp @ 7,000 rpm
82 hp @ 8,500 rpm
Torque
74 Nm @ 5,500 rpm
74 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
Top Speed
200 km/h
209 km/h
Weight
215 kg (wet/curb weight)
230 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
6.5 L/100km (approx. 15.4 km/L) — estimated real-world average
Fairing
Yes
No

Individual Reviews

Bmw R 90 S
Bmw R 90 S
8.5/10

"Buy the best example available — compromises here cost dearly."

Pros
+Timeless, genuinely iconic styling
+Bulletproof engine when maintained
+Shaft drive, zero chain hassle
Cons
Values dangerously high now
Carbs require constant fettling
Parts increasingly scarce and expensive
Kawasaki Z1 900
Kawasaki Z1 900
8.5/10

"Buy the best one you can find and never look back."

Pros
+Appreciating classic investment
+Stunning inline-four soundtrack
+Strong parts availability
Cons
Electrics frequently troublesome
Expensive to recommission properly
Rampant fakes and restomods

Top 10 Accessories

Picks that work on either bike.

Affiliate · we may earn
🛢️
Engine Oil
10W-40 or 20W-50 mineral/semi-synthetic motorcycle oil JASO MA
View on Amazon →
🛢️
Motul · Engine Oil
Motul 5100 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic 4L
View on Amazon →
⚙️
Oil Filter
Oil Filter for BMW R90S
View on Amazon →
⚙️
HifloFiltro · Oil Filter
HifloFiltro HF401
View on Amazon →
🌬️
Air Filter
Air Filter for BMW R90S
View on Amazon →
🌬️
Air Filter
Air filter for Kawasaki Z1 900
View on Amazon →
Bosch · Spark Plugs
W5AC / W200T30 spark plug
View on Amazon →
NGK · Spark Plugs
NGK B8ES (x4)
View on Amazon →
Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
Helmet
Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
View on Amazon →
Riding Gloves
Gloves
Riding Gloves
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