2020 Z900

[Frontline]

Originally Posted by Greyhairhoon

Yes great news that its not DBW.
And this here is how they are doing the traction and modes.
https://ridermagazine.com/2019/11/08/2020-kawasaki-z650-and-z900-first-look-review/

Which is exactly as I suspected. On my other toy I have different tunes I made (summer, winter, kill) and on 2 of the 3 tunes I mostly limit the power via ignition timing map. So when they say they are limiting "fuel and air for ultra-smooth operation"...what they are doing is changing the fuel map and re-curving the secondary throttle plates (and some ign).

So once 3rd party cracks the ECU code (for flashing), they could not only alter sport mode but also the other 2 modes. Obviously the sport mode should have no restrictions like before.

Also, using a PC5 on such  setup when not in the unrestricted "sport mode" will cause very odd fueling issues. So I see the PC5 becoming less attractive unless you only leave it in sport mode. One would need to setup the PC5 with a 2-position switch (for different map like all zero and adjusted).

[iBuchon]

If you compare the 2019 and 2020 back to back the bread box seems smaller. I wonder if the sound will any louder. Windscreen also looks a little steeper, and is it me or does it look like the bars are less turned up?

[ProfJeff]

Originally Posted by iBuchon

If you compare the 2019 and 2020 back to back the bread box seems smaller. I wonder if the sound will any louder. Windscreen also looks a little steeper, and is it me or does it look like the bars are less turned up?

Nice photo work!
That sure looks like a new windscreen which means no motivation for more manufacturers to help us out with our pre-2020's.

[Led Zed 70]

That is cool, good work. Seeing it like that I think the new headlight looks better.

[stuartho]

That's a great way of comparing the different years.
The styling is definitely more "finished" on the 2020, although the 2019 is still a good looking bike.
I prefer the 2020 headlight and cowl, particularly how it flows better with the side fairing. The new frame cover has a slightly better design too and  looks much better in black. In fact I like the whole 2020 "blacked out" look with the engine covers.
But I don't like any of this stuff, or the new electrickery, enough to upgrade. And sadly it'll be way too expensive to buy these bits to bolt on.
In any case, this morning I had a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hour ride with a few mates that included some of the best roads around our city; everything from tight 20km/hr corners to expansive sweeping corners, and with a stop for coffee and shooting the breeze. I love this bike. It does everything well and puts a broad smile on your face.
So I'm not looking at the 2020 ;)

[Cazzy_R]

Great work ibuchon!
I agree with stuartho regarding he blacked out cases and reshaped frame plastics. Hopefully the frame revisions won't prevent the side plastics being retro-fittable. Not sure I'm that keen on the snubbed look around the headlamp, definitely prefer what I have got now with respect to the shape but not the halogen lights!
I won't be trading up that's for sure.
IF they have changed the handlebars it must surely prove that someone in Kawasaki HQ reads this forum because they have addressed just about every other criticism made on here about the bike.
Well done everybody! You're all doing really well.
🤭

[Greyhairhoon]

Yeah great stuff on here re the 2020 model. I think both models will be great bikes in their own right. I cannot wait to see the first one on here that someone buys new and tells us all about it. Good for the forum and good reading for all of us.

Originally Posted by Frontline

Which is exactly as I suspected. On my other toy I have different tunes I made (summer, winter, kill) and on 2 of the 3 tunes I mostly limit the power via ignition timing map. So when they say they are limiting "fuel and air for ultra-smooth operation"...what they are doing is changing the fuel map and re-curving the secondary throttle plates (and some ign).

So once 3rd party cracks the ECU code (for flashing), they could not only alter sport mode but also the other 2 modes. Obviously the sport mode should have no restrictions like before.

Also, using a PC5 on such  setup when not in the unrestricted "sport mode" will cause very odd fueling issues. So I see the PC5 becoming less attractive unless you only leave it in sport mode. One would need to setup the PC5 with a 2-position switch (for different map like all zero and adjusted).

Yeah very true, when you think about the secondary throttles, they are dbw, so in a way we already have it, in a secondary sort of way. 
I think PC5's are a bit of a dinosaur nowadays, when you can do so much with the stock ecu.

Love that comparison of the two models, good work there ibuchon.

cazzyR have you painted your frame covers black? they look great in black on our gen1 model.

Originally Posted by stuartho

But I don't like any of this stuff, or the new electrickery, enough to upgrade. And sadly it'll be way too expensive to buy these bits to bolt on.
In any case, this morning I had a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hour ride with a few mates that included some of the best roads around our city; everything from tight 20km/hr corners to expansive sweeping corners, and with a stop for coffee and shooting the breeze. I love this bike. It does everything well and puts a broad smile on your face.
So I'm not looking at the 2020 ;)

Me too. I had a great ride today, everytime I ride this bike it just seems to get better. I cannot see that I will ever sell this one, its just so good. It makes me smile that's for sure.

[zeta]

I did not read all the messages, so maybe this is already mentioned, but this is a great improvement, a hole in the panel. You can lift the bike with an Abba stand without removing the panels. It would be awesome if this panel fit the the 2018 model...

[MZ900]

Kawa deffo on this forum then 😁😁😁

[Led Zed 70]

Originally Posted by stuartho

That's a great way of comparing the different years.
The styling is definitely more "finished" on the 2020, although the 2019 is still a good looking bike.
I prefer the 2020 headlight and cowl, particularly how it flows better with the side fairing. The new frame cover has a slightly better design too and  looks much better in black. In fact I like the whole 2020 "blacked out" look with the engine covers.
But I don't like any of this stuff, or the new electrickery, enough to upgrade. And sadly it'll be way too expensive to buy these bits to bolt on.
In any case, this morning I had a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hour ride with a few mates that included some of the best roads around our city; everything from tight 20km/hr corners to expansive sweeping corners, and with a stop for coffee and shooting the breeze. I love this bike. It does everything well and puts a broad smile on your face.
So I'm not looking at the 2020 ;)