2026 Kawasaki Z900RS vs 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP - Spec Comparison
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2026 Kawasaki Z900RS
The 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS blends retro styling with modern naked-bike performance, making it a fine pick for riders who want classic looks without old-school compromises. Its 948 cc in-line four delivers 114 hp and a broad 99 Nm of torque, giving relaxed roll-on punch around town and on backroads. It's best known for its Z1-inspired design and smooth, everyday usability.
2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP
The 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP is a middleweight naked bike designed for experienced riders seeking thrilling performance and agility. Powered by a 890cc triple-cylinder engine producing 119 horsepower, it delivers sharp acceleration and distinctive character. Known for its responsive handling, aggressive styling, and track-capable chassis, the MT-09 SP excels as a versatile sport-naked for both street and spirited riding.
2026 Kawasaki Z900RS vs 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP: the key differences
Both are naked bikes, so this is a like-for-like choice.
- The 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP is 22 kg lighter (194 vs 216 kg).
- The 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS carries 3 litres more fuel (17 vs 14 L).
2026 Kawasaki Z900RS: Built for stylish street riding and weekend backroad cruising rather than outright performance or track work.
2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP: Built for spirited street riding, canyon carving, and weekend sport-oriented fun rather than long-distance hauling.
Verdict: Choose the 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS if you want a bigger tank. Choose the 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP if you want lighter weight. Check the full table below for every figure, and the size comparison for fit.
| Specification | 2026 Kawasaki Z900RS | 2026 Yamaha MT-09 SP |
|---|---|---|
| Other | ||
| Category | Naked | Naked |
| Color Options | Ino Red Metallic Diablo Black | Liquid Metal/ Raven |
| Fuel Tank Material | Metal | - |
| Comments | - | Riders can now link their smartphone to the new TFT display via Yamaha's free Y-Connect app to receive message notifications, calls and listen to music (through use of an aftermarket Bluetooth® headset, not provided). Additionally, full turn-by-turn navigation is available through the Garmin® StreetCross app to make each journey easier. |
| Engine | ||
| Capacity: | 948.0 ccm (57.85 cubic inches) | 890.0 ccm (54.31 cubic inches) |
| CO2 Emissions | ✓145 CO2 g/km | ✓116 CO2 g/km |
| EPA Certificate No. | TKAXC.948AAC-015-R01 | - |
| EPA Est. Fuel Consumption | 6.17 L/100km (38.1 US mpg) | - |
| EPA CO Emissions | 0.0 CO g/km | - |
| Engine Type | In-line four, four-stroke | In-line three-cylinder, four-stroke |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.30 litres/100 km (18.9 km/l or 44.38 mpg) | ✓5.00 litres/100 km (20.0 km/l or 47.04 mpg) |
| Bore x Stroke | 73.4 x 56.0 mm (2.9 x 2.2 inches) | 78.0 x 62.1 mm (3.1 x 2.4 inches) |
| Compression | 10.8:1 | 11.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid | Liquid |
| Fuel System | Injection | Injection |
| Starting | Electric | Electric |
| Ignition | TCBI with electronic advance | TCI |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | - |
| Valves Per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Lubrication System | Forced lubrication, wet sump | Wet sump |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 114.0 HP (85.0 kW) @ 9300 RPM | ✓119.0 HP (86.9 kW) @ 10000 RPM |
| Torque | ✓99.0 Nm (10.1 kgf-m or 73.0 ft.lbs) @ 7700 RPM | 93.0 Nm (9.5 kgf-m or 68.6 ft.lbs) @ 7000 RPM |
| Power/Weight Ratio | 0.5787 HP/kg (dry) | 0.6131 HP/kg (wet) |
| 0-60 mph | - | 3.30 seconds |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | - | 3.50 seconds |
| Chassis & suspension | ||
| Frame | Trellis, high tensile steel | Diamond |
| Front Suspension | Inverted telescopic fork with (13-way) adjustable compression and rebound (11-way) damping, spring preload (15-turn | 41mm KYB inverted fork, adjustable preload, high/low speed compression and rebound |
| Rear Suspension | Horizontal back-link swingarm with stepless adjustable rebound damping and spring preload | Öhlins single shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping; |
| Front Wheel Travel | 120 mm (4.7 inches) | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 140 mm (5.5 inches) | 117 mm (4.6 inches) |
| Rake (fork angle) | 25.0° | 24.7° |
| Trail | 99 mm (3.9 inches) | 108 mm (4.3 inches) |
| Ground Clearance | 130 mm (5.1 inches) | 140 mm (5.5 inches) |
| Transmission | ||
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Final Drive | Chain | Chain |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual | Multiplate, assist and slipper clutch |
| Brakes & wheels | ||
| Front Brakes | Double disc. ABS. Four-piston calipers. | Double disc. ABS. Hydraulic. |
| Front Brakes Diameter | 300 mm (11.8 inches) | - |
| Rear Brakes | Single disc. ABS. Single-piston caliper. | Single disc. ABS. Hydraulic. |
| Rear Brakes Diameter | 250 mm (9.8 inches) | - |
| ABS | Optional | Yes |
| Front Tyre | 120/70-17 | 120/70-ZR17 |
| Rear Tyre | 180/55-17 | 180/55-ZR17 |
| Dimensions & weight | ||
| Wheelbase | 1466 mm (57.7 inches) | 1430 mm (56.3 inches) |
| Overall Length | 2101 mm (82.7 inches) | 2090 mm (82.3 inches) |
| Overall Width | 815 mm (32.1 inches) | 820 mm (32.3 inches) |
| Overall Height | 1135 mm (44.7 inches) | 1146 mm (45.1 inches) |
| Seat Height | 835 mm (32.9 inches) | ✓825 mm (32.5 inches) |
| Dry weight | 197.0 kg (434.3 pounds) | - |
| Wet Weight | 216.0 kg (476.2 pounds) | ✓194.1 kg (427.9 pounds) |
| Fuel Capacity | ✓17.00 litres (4.49 US gallons) | 14.00 litres (3.70 US gallons) |
| Oil capacity | - | 3.50 litres (3.70 US quarts) |
"Best" (✓) reflects that single spec only, not overall suitability - a bike can win on paper and still be the wrong choice for you. Ties are all marked; specs with no clear better/worse direction (e.g. displacement, wheel size) are never marked, only tinted where bikes differ.
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About this comparison tool
This tool puts up to four motorcycles side by side across their full specification sheets, drawn from a database of 43,000+ models and 1.60M+ individual specifications. Wherever a spec has a clear "better" direction - more power, less weight - the strongest figure in that row is highlighted automatically.
How to use it
Pick a make, model and year for each bike; the model and year lists update to match what you've selected. Two bikes are enough - use "Add another bike" for a third or fourth. Comparisons work across model years too, so you can compare a bike against its own earlier generation. Once you're happy with the lineup, use "Copy share link" to send it to someone else.
What gets compared
Specs are pulled from the same categories used throughout the site: engine and transmission (capacity, power, torque, gearbox), physical measures (weight, seat height, fuel and tank capacity), frame and dimensions, speed and acceleration, and brakes, suspension, frame and wheels (including tyres) - plus general information and maintenance data where it's on record for a bike.
How the highlighting works, and its limits
A highlighted cell means one bike has the clearly better raw number for that spec - more power, less weight, and so on. Fields where "better" genuinely depends on the rider - seat height above all - are deliberately never highlighted: a lower seat isn't automatically the right choice, it's a fit question only you can answer. Winning a row also isn't the same as winning the comparison - a bike can lead on paper in half the rows and still be the wrong bike for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare bikes from different categories, like a scooter against a superbike?
Yes - the tool doesn't restrict what you compare, though a highlighted spec means less when the two bikes aren't really doing the same job.
What happens if a spec is missing for one of the bikes?
It shows as "-" and is never highlighted as a winner - a missing figure never beats one that's actually reported, and never blocks the rest of the row.
Are older model years included?
Yes - each bike's year list covers every model year in the database, so you can compare this year's bike against an earlier generation of the same model.
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