KAWASAKI Z900RS SE vs 2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP

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Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.

Technical score (estimate)

Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.

KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
22 pts
Top on paper
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
78 pts

Usage fit (estimate)

Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.

City / commute

Best fit here
KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
70.3 pts
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
44.3 pts

Touring / long rides

KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
54.2 pts
Best fit here
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
55.2 pts

Sporty riding

KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
33.5 pts
Best fit here
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
80 pts

New rider friendly

KAWASAKI Z900RS SE
47 pts
Best fit here
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
59.3 pts

Seat height (cm)

Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.

  • KAWASAKI Z900RS SE 84.5 cm Tallest seat here
  • 2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP 82.5 cm Lowest seat here

Spread in this comparison: about 2 cm.

Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).

Auto summary from specs

Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.

  • Power spans 111 hp (KAWASAKI Z900RS SE) up to 119 hp (2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP).
  • Torque spans 93 Nm (2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP) up to 98.5 Nm (KAWASAKI Z900RS SE).
  • Weight spans 194 kg (2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP) to 215 kg (KAWASAKI Z900RS SE).
  • Engine sizes are very close.
Specification KAWASAKI Z900RS SE YAMAHA MT-09 SP
Brand KAWASAKI YAMAHA
Model KAWASAKI Z900RS SE YAMAHA MT-09 SP
Engine size 900cc 900cc
Power 111hp 119hp
Torque 98.5nm. 93nm.
Cylinders / valves 4 cylinders, 16 valves 3 cylinders, 12 valves
Weight 215kg 194kg
Front brake Twin semi-floating 300 mm discs. Caliper: Twin Brembo M4 radial mounted, monoblock, opposed 4-piston Dual 298mm hydraulic disc; ABS
Rear brake 250 mm single disc. Caliper: Single-piston 245mm hydraulic disc; ABS
Seat height (cm) 84.5cm 82.5cm
Front tyre 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) 120/70ZR17 (Bridgestone® Battlax Hypersport S23)
Rear tyre 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) 180/55ZR17 (Bridgestone® Battlax Hypersport S23)
Cooling Liquid cooling Liquid cooling
Front suspension 41 mm inverted fork, compression and rebound damping, and adjustable spring preload 41mm KYB® inverted fork, adjustable preload, high/low speed compression and rebound; 5.1-in travel
Rear suspension Horizontal Back-link, rebound damping, and adjustable spring preload gas-charged shock Öhlins® single shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.6-in travel
Motorcycle type Naked Naked
Top speed 240km/h 245km/h
Fuel capacity / consumption 17 L – 7 L/100km 14 L – 6 L/100km
Service network
Service quality
Parts availability
Price $12349 $12299
Brand price lists View KAWASAKI price list View YAMAHA price list
Extra features

-Slipper Clutch

-KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)

-Dual Throttle Valves

-New Brembo Stylema Calipers & Radial Master Cylinder

-New Five-Inch Full-Color TFT Display with Updated Switchgear, Six-Axis IMU

-New Smartphone Connectivity, New Back Slip Regulator, Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) with Specific SP Settings, Acoustic Amplifier Grilles for Enhanced Intake Sound, New Third-Generation Quickshifter, New Smart Key System, New Turn Signal Functions

Opinions

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2023 KAWASAKI Z900RS SE vs 2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP: listed specifications

The 2023 KAWASAKI Z900RS SE and 2024 YAMAHA MT-09 SP are closely matched in displacement, while the Z900RS SE has more torque, and the MT-09 SP has more peak power, and a lower listed weight.

Engine displacement

Z900RS SE and MT-09 SP have very similar engine displacement (900 cc vs 900 cc).

Peak power

MT-09 SP has a modest listed power advantage (119 hp vs 111 hp).

Torque

Z900RS SE has a modest listed torque advantage (98.5 Nm vs 93 Nm).

Listed top speed

Z900RS SE and MT-09 SP have very similar listed top speeds (240 km/h vs 245 km/h).

Cooling

Both motorcycles are listed as liquid-cooled.

Weight and seat height

MT-09 SP is notably lighter on the listed weight (194 kg vs 215 kg). MT-09 SP has a lower listed seat height (82.5 cm vs 84.5 cm).

Conclusion

The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power, torque, weight and seat height, while displacement and listed top speed remain relatively close.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of KAWASAKI Z900RS SE vs YAMAHA MT-09 SP?

YAMAHA MT-09 SP is listed at 245 km/h (152 mph) vs 240 km/h (149 mph) for KAWASAKI Z900RS SE.

Which has more horsepower, KAWASAKI Z900RS SE or YAMAHA MT-09 SP?

YAMAHA MT-09 SP has 119 hp compared with 111 hp on the KAWASAKI Z900RS SE.

Which is lighter, KAWASAKI Z900RS SE or YAMAHA MT-09 SP?

YAMAHA MT-09 SP is lighter at 194 kg vs 215 kg for KAWASAKI Z900RS SE.

Which is better, KAWASAKI Z900RS SE or YAMAHA MT-09 SP?

It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.