Kawasaki has revealed the A2 Z900 – but to look at you’ll struggle to see any distinction from the full-power version.
To make the A2 Z900, Kawasaki hasn’t opted to build the bike in fully-restricted form. Instead it’s limited to 70kW (95hp) – twice the 35kW limit that A2 riders are restricted to. That’s because the convoluted European rules say that 35kW (47hp) A2 bikes can’t be based on models that make more than twice that figure. That means it’s illegal to restrict a normal, 92.2kW (125hp) Z900, but legal to restrict the new 70kW A2 model.
Kawasaki has intentionally given the bike no visual distinction from the faster bike, which could make buying one on the used market a minefield in the future. The A2 Z900 also includes the same technology include a slipper clutch.
Why make a 70kW version?
It seems to make a mockery of the European laws. Kawasaki is offering what’s essentially a restricted, 70kW machine simply to be allowed to further restrict it to 35kW. It would be illegal to make the restriction in a single step from 92.2kW to 35kW. But even so, the advent of the new bike gives A2 licence holders a reason to rejoice, as there’s little wrong with the Z900.
Once they get a full ‘A’ licence, owners will be able to derestrict the A2-legal Z900 back to 70kW, but it’s not possible – at least officially – to make it into a full-fat, 92.2kW version.
Morihiro Ikoma, Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, said: “Soon after the Z900 was launched we began work on an A2 compliant version.
“The design brief from potential customers and dealers was a unified voice; keep the look, soul and ethos of the Z900 and create an A2 compliant version to open the world of Refined Raw Z to yet more enthusiastic riders.
“At 948cc this A2 compliant Z900 is bound to become one of the most appealing A2 offerings in the market.”
