Kawasaki Z900 vs rivals: engine and output
| Engine and output | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z900 | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB650R | ||
| Engine | 948cc, inline-4, liquid-cooled | 765cc, inline-3, liquid-cooled | 649cc, inline-4, liquid-cooled | |
| Power | 124hp at 9,500rpm | 120hp at 11,500rpm | 95hp at 12,000rpm | |
| Torque | 97.4Nm at 7,700rpm | 80Nm at 9,500rpm | 63Nm at 9,500rpm | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 586hp/tonne | 634hp/tonne | 467hp/tonne | |
The Z900 offers the most peak output
The CB650R has the smallest engine in this comparison, which isn’t surprising given that it technically belongs to a lower segment. However, its inclusion here is justified by its price point, which closely matches that of the Z900. Like the Kawasaki, the CB650R also features an inline-four engine, but it produces 30hp less.
In typical Triumph fashion, the Street Triple R is powered by an inline-three engine. It falls short of the Z900, but regains ground with a superior power-to-weight ratio because of its significantly lower weight.
Kawasaki Z900 vs rivals: weight and dimensions
| Weight and dimensions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z900 | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB650R | ||
| Kerb weight | 213kg | 189kg | 207kg | |
| Seat height | 830mm | 826mm | 810mm | |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres | 15 litres | 15.4 litres | |
| Ground clearance | 145mm | NA | 150mm | |
| Wheelbase | 1,450mm | 1,402mm | 1,450mm | |
The CB650R is 18kg heavier than the Triumph Street Triple R
The Z900 is the heaviest of the three but also carries the most fuel. This updated Z900 is also a kilo heavier than its predecessor. Interestingly, the CB650R, despite its smaller engine and compact form, is 18kg heavier than the Street Triple R, which is the lightest of the lot. While the Z900 has the tallest seat height, Kawasaki claims its frame design maintains a manageable reach to the ground. The Street Triple R has a similarly tall seat but features a more committed rider triangle compared to both the Kawasaki and the Honda. And of the three bikes here, in terms of razor-sharp handling, the Triumph will likely prevail over the other two.
Kawasaki Z900 vs rivals: suspension, brakes and tyres
| Suspension, brakes and tyres | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z900 | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB650R | ||
| Suspension (F/R) | USD fork / monoshock | USD fork / monoshock | USD fork / monoshock | |
| Brakes (F/R) | 300mm discs / 250mm disc | 310mm discs / 220mm disc | 310mm discs / 240mm disc | |
| Tyres (F/R) | 120/70 R 17 / 180/55 R 17 | 120/70 R 17 / 180/55 R 17 | 120/70 R 17 / 180/55 R 17 | |
The Triumph Street Triple R is the only one to offer Brembo calipers and steel-braided brake line
All three motorcycles use an identical wheel and tyre setup. The Street Triple R is the only one equipped with steel-braided brake lines and Brembo M4.32 calipers, while the Z900 and CB650R come with conventional rubber lines and radially mounted Nissin calipers.
Each bike features a USD fork, but the Triumph offers the highest level of adjustability, followed by the Z900. The Honda, meanwhile, offers no front-end adjustability. At the rear, all three get a monoshock, with the Triumph’s unit fully adjustable. The Z900 gets rebound and preload adjustability, while the CB650R offers only preload adjustment.
Kawasaki Z900 vs rivals: features
The 2025 Z900 debuts a new 5-inch TFT dash
For 2025, Kawasaki has significantly updated the Z900’s features list. It’s the first Kawasaki in India to debut a new 5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity. The updated Z also gets a 5-axis IMU enabling traction control, cornering aids and even cruise control.
In comparison, the Street Triple R is the only one to feature a digi-analogue instrument cluster, borrowed from the Daytona 660. While it is Bluetooth-compatible, enabling those features requires purchasing a Rs 27,000 module.
Meanwhile, Honda’s 2025 update for the 650 twins includes a TFT display and the introduction of an E-Clutch variant, which eliminates the need to manually operate the clutch. However, the clutch lever remains, allowing riders to take manual control if desired. The 650s are the only bikes in this comparison to offer this innovative feature, and it adds just 2.8kg to the kerb weight.
Kawasaki Z900 vs rivals: price
| Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z900 | Triumph Street Triple R | Honda CB650R | |
| Price | Rs 9.52 lakh (ex-showroom, India) | Rs 10.17-10.43 lakh (ex-showroom, India) | Rs 9.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Haryana) |
The Street Triple R is the priciest of the lot
The Triumph is the priciest of the lot, with its price varying depending on the colour option. With this design overhaul, the Z900 now costs Rs 14,000 more than the outgoing model. Priced at Rs 9.52 lakh, the Z900 manages to be the most affordable, undercuts the others and produces the most power. Where the Honda CB650R will claw back some ground is not on the spec sheet, but rather its bulletproof reliability and relatively lower maintenance costs.
If you’re looking at the middleweight Z, you could also be swayed by the recently launched Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, with its litre-class levels of performance, high levels of specification and relatively low price tag of Rs 12.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Haryana).
