5 Common Kawasaki Z900RS Problems [Troubleshooting And Fixes]

Many Kawasaki Z900RS owners have faced some common issues that include difficulty shifting gear, overheating issues, low idling time, and design flow. Issues like suspension failure, bad fuel economy, and irregular battery draining are rare but still create problems for a group of owners.

Well, don’t lose hope if you’re willing to buy one of these bikes. Because all of its problems have specific solutions and can be easily fixed. And here, you’ll find step-by-step guidelines about how to identify and fix different issues. 

Troubleshooting and Fix for Kawasaki Z900RS problems:

Maintaining the bike regularly, with some minor repairs, is the first and foremost task to prevent most Kawasaki Z900RS issues. Still, problems may occur anytime the engine is on.

Here we’ll see the most common problem and discuss the possible solutions one by one.

1- Gear transmission:

Many Z900RS owners have faced different problems while shifting gears, especially while downshifting or going neutral. 

The most common problems are the banging noise from the gearbox during transmission, jerking while driving, and a clunky feeling during transmission.

For troubleshooting, try to locate the source of the banging noise. In most cases, it comes from the gearbox. 

If it gets louder during gear transmission, it’s due to the inaccurate mesh between the engine and driven gears. 

Using lower-grade lubricant oil or a lower level of oil may also cause this problem too.

Due to dust and carbon deposits between gear meshing, the power transmission from the engine to the gears gets interrupted and causes jerking. 

So, it is recommended to look inside the gearbox to see what the condition is there.

To fix these problems, always use high-grade lubricant oil. Try to change the oil after every 10,000 to 15,000 miles of driving. Also, clean the gearbox regularly to ensure a smooth riding experience.

The cost can vary depending on the type of service you require and the region that you are in. It’s recommended to consult before buying any service and discuss the cost.

Read Also: 5 Common Kawasaki Z900RS Problems and Their Fixes

2- Low idling time:

Another issue with the Kawasaki Z900RS is the idling problem. It’s very common that after someone starts the engine and keeps it in idling condition for a while, the engine stops. 

It happens when the engine is not getting enough power. As per most owners of this bike, it happens when either the air filter or fuel injector are clogged. 

So, the first thing to do is check and clean the deposits. However, don’t forget to check whether you’re using good-quality fuel or not. 

Dirt or low-grade fuel—both of these can cause low idle problems in Kawasaki Z900RS bikes. So, the experts suggest using higher-grade oil to ensure a longer engine life.

Anyway, if you’re facing this problem, immediately check the air filter or fuel injector and clean them properly. 

Using these parts for a long time can damage or wear them out. In that case, it is better to replace them with new ones.

However, changing these parts can cost you somewhere between $30 and $250, depending on the quality of the product. It may also include a service charge.

3- Overheating issue:

Another severe problem is that the bike gets hot very quickly. According to some users, even in normal conditions, the temperature of the bike gets higher. So, undoubtedly, in warmer weather, it will be really dangerous. 

The main reason for this problem is the low coolant level. That’s why, whenever this issue arrives, check the coolant level first. 

If the coolant level is lower than recommended, it can’t cool the 948 cc engine’s extensive heat. As a result, despite being a liquid-cooled engine, it gets warmer.

To prevent this problem, you should always check the coolant level of your Kawasaki Z900RS. If it’s low, refill it quickly. And of course, always try to use high-quality coolants and lubricants.

And this won’t cost you too much to maintain lubricant and coolant quality. In fact, it’s an investment to keep your machine running.

Read Also: Kawasaki Concours 1000 Problems: 7 Issues With Fixes 

4- Geometry of the seat:

Though it depends on the style of riding from person to person, a group of riders thinks the seat design is not perfect. 

Rather, it causes minor pain after riding for too long. Well, it should be mentioned that not all of the owners of this bike have complained about it; rather, a portion of them have.

If you are one of them, I suggest modifying the factory-made seat design of the bike. The factory-made design can be adjusted by a skilled technician. 

But remember, don’t make it so odd that the aesthetics and performance of the bike get hampered.

There is no thumb rule to determine the cost of modifying a bike seat. It depends on your particular requirements and the service quality of the repair shop.

5- Faulty brake design:

This is maybe the most severe problem ever encountered on a Kawasaki Z900RS. 

The brake wire was so close to the rear wheel that it was consistently in contact with the wheel sidewall. As a result, the wire was getting damaged, and the brake fluid was also leaking.

There is actually nothing much we can do about this problem. It’s a design issue and needs to be handled by the factory itself. 

In fact, Kawasaki recalled more than 1100 units of the Z900RS to redesign and solve this particular problem.

If you’re facing this issue, contact the dealer and consult directly about what to do and how much it may cost.

Read Also: Solving Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Problems: An Ultimate Guide!

Tips To Prevent Kawasaki Z900RS Problems

The thumb rule for keeping your Kawasaki bike at its optimal performance is to maintain it regularly. 

Keeping a bike without riding for a long time and ignoring minor problems continuously can affect performance. So, below are some tips to prevent these problems.

• Keep the bike neat and clean and fully lubricated. Change lubricants after every 10000-15000 miles of riding and give it a complete check to all parts.
• Improve your riding skill by practicing because that’s important for smooth riding, gear shifting, and of course safe driving.
• Last but not least, don’t hesitate to invest in coolants and lubricants. The lifespan of the engine greatly depends on the quality of fuel, lubricants, and coolant.

Read Also: Solving Kawasaki ZZR1200 Problems: A Detailed Ultimate Guide!

Should You Buy a Used Kawasaki Z900RS?

If the overall condition of the bike is satisfactory and the price is within budget, then definitely yes. 

But make sure to check it thoroughly and ride it for a while to observe the overall performance and riding experience.

The Kawasaki Z900RS comes with a high-quality engine and other necessary parts. 

So they’re capable of serving for a long time. That’s why, if you can’t afford a brand new Kawasaki, you can go for an older one.

The tires, lights, and indicators – all be replaced at a low cost.  So, you can consider a little fault in those parts. 

But if the engine, clutch, gears, or brake system is not up to your expectations, give it a second thought before confirming the purchase of a used Kawasaki Z900RS bike.

Read Also: Top 5 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 Problems: How To Fix Them?

FAQs

Besides the most common problems with the Kawasaki Z900RS, there are some questions that people ask very often. So, here are some of those questions and their answers that may be helpful for you. Have a look to check whether you know them or not.