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Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Kawasaki motorcycles have been in production since 1962. During the late sixties, the Japanese manufacturer established a foothold in the US market with their legendary H1 Mach III, a motorcycle that was both revered and feared for its straight-line speed and unpredictable handling. Today Kawasaki is one of the world’s most recognized motorcycle brands. From the iconic Z1000 of the seventies through to today’s supercharged, 330kmh+ H2 they continue to produce motorcycles that push the boundaries of performance. In recent years Kawasaki themselves have adopted the cafe racer style with their Z900RS series of motorcycles.

PinKawasaki Z900RS ride review
Kawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle Reviews

Kawasaki Z900RS Ride Review

Towards the end of 2017 when the Tokyo Motor and EICMA shows took place I got more than a little...
PinKawasaki Z900RS custom Deus ex Machina
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Deus Goose – Custom Kawasaki Z900RS

A modern day Road Warrior In typical Deus style, their custom Kawasaki Z900RS is as outlandish and it is unique....
PinSeven Motors Kawasaki ZRX1100 cafe racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Black Panther – Seven Motors ZRX1100

Named ‘Gunpowder’ the 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100 is the work of Benny Lombardo and Antonello Zonna of Seven Motors. After the owner explained...
PinKawasaki GPX600R cafe racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Pure Insanity – Darkus Madness 598 R

“My background has nothing to do with either mechanics nor handcrafting vehicles,” confesses Jordi. “When I decided to make my...
PinKawasaki Z900RS cafe review
Kawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle ReviewsParts

Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe Ride Review

I have to confess I tend to get a bit excited when a motorcycle manufacturer announces they are releasing a...
PinKawasaki GPZ550 Cafe Racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Retro Revamped – OSG Kawasaki GPZ550

My parents once gifted me an old Toyota. Mum was worried about me riding and thought that giving me a...
Pincustom kawasaki zzr600
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

The Samurai – AMS Kawasaki ZZR600

I’ve been an invited guest at Kustomfest Indonesia for 5 years now. Thanks to the show I’ve made some great...
Pinkawasaki z900rs cafe racer custom
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

MRS Oficina Kawasaki Z900RS

If you’ve read my ride review of the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS or its cafe racer counterpart, you’d know I‘m rather...
PinKawasaki Z1000 cafe racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

New Direction – Kawasaki Z1000 Cafe Racer

It may come as a surprise, but cafe racers aren’t the only style of custom motorcycle I admire. Back when...
PinRizoma z900rs cafe parts
Building a Cafe RacerKawasaki Cafe RacerParts

Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe by Rizoma

While most aspects of motorcycle design have come a long way since the 70s, there and several that haven’t. Take...
PinWrenchmonkee GPZ900 Ninja
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Motorway Maverick – WM83 GPZ900R Ninja

In 1986 girls swooned and guys headed to the nearest motorcycle dealership at the sight of Tom Cruise astride his Top...
PinKawasaki KLR650 rebuild
Kawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle Videos

Sunday Screening – Kawasaki KLR650 rebuild

After literally killing his Kawasaki KLR650 Fort Nine’s “tell it like it is” vlogger Ryan Kluftinger has resurrected the bike in...
PinNova Kawasaki KZ1000
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Dardevle in Disguise – Nova Motorcycles KZ1000

All hail the late 70’s; when men were men and motorcycles were deadly – really deadly. During the ’70s engine...
PinStoker Kawasaki ZXR-66r
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Fueling the Fire – Stoker Motorcycles ZX-6RR

It’s hard to imagine that any good could come from breaking your neck. Things could have gone very differently when...
PinAMS Garage Kawasaki ER6N
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

The Bully – AMS Garage Kawasaki ER6N

Bali’s AMS Garage is back with yet another incredible example of their metal shaping skills. In our last AMS feature,...
PinTracy Kawasaki Z1000
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Minty Fresh – Rickman Tracy Kawasaki KZ1000

Based on a 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 this bike is a rolling eulogy to 1970s composite creativity. During the ’60s and...
PinDoremi Z900RS bodykit
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

KZ1000R Style – Doremi reimagines the Z900RS

When we reviewed the Kawasaki Z900RS Z900RS cafe back in 2018 we noticed something familiar about its styling. Kawasaki stated the...
PinYoshiwara Factory Z900
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Clear Purpose – Yoshiwara Factory Kawasaki Z900

The Japanese custom motorcycle scene is overflowing with all manner of unexpected and tantalizing two-wheeled wonders. Located in Ibaraki Prefecture,...
PinKoolt KZ400 Cafe Racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Cafe Revival – Koolt Kawasaki KZ400

36-year-old Stefan Lantschner grew up on a farm in Italy where he developed an incurable fixation with motorcycles. His father...
PinCustom Kawasaki Z900RS
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Katros Garage Kawasaki Z900RS

My first visit to Jakarta in 2014 was arranged for the sole purpose of visiting custom motorcycle workshops. We’d been...
PinKawasaki Z900RS Cafe
Kawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle Reviews

Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe project bike

Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to test ride almost every new modern classic, retro sports and...
PinKawasaki ZXR 1100 retro motorcycle
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

NonStandard – MR Martini Kawasaki ZRX1100

By definition, the Kawasaki ZRX1100 is a Universal Japanese Motorcycle, otherwise referred to as standard. But in our opinion, there...
PinThe Motorcycle Saves Lives W800
Kawasaki Cafe RacerLifestyle Stories

Motorcycle Saves Lives – W800 FH Awareness Build

As someone who has a history of heart disease in their family, I know all too well how devastating it...
Pin2021 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe
Cafe RacersDucati Cafe RacerHonda Cafe RacerHusqvarnaKawasaki Cafe RacerMV AgustaScramblerSuzuki Cafe RacerTop listsTriumph Cafe Racer

Highly Caffeinated – The Fastest Cafe Racers of 2021

“They don’t make them like they used to!” When you hear those words uttered it is generally with disdain. A...
PinOmega Racer Kawasaki AR80 Anniversary Build
Kawasaki Cafe RacerParts

10 and Counting – Omega Racer Kawasaki AR80 Anniversary Build

In the scheme of things, 10 years isn’t all that long. But for a small business launched by a pair...
PinBimota KB4 2022
BimotaKawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle NewsMotorcycle Reviews

EICMA 2021 Modern Classic – The Bimota KB4 & KB4 RC

It’s been 2 years since Bimota released sketches of their Kawasaki powered retro sports bike concept. At this year’s EICMA...
PinEICMA 2021 neo retro modern classic
BenelliElectric MotorcycleKawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle NewsMV AgustaRoyal Enfield Cafe Racer

Retro Round Up – New Modern Classics from EICMA 2021

Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse one of our favourite motorcycle events on the planet got cancelled....
PinSi Mantis Kawasaki 1400 GTR
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Alloy Acclaim – Si Mantas Kawasaki 1400GTR

They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. By now, with all the copycat builds it has inspired,...
PinBrock's Performance Kawasaki Z900RS StreetMeg Exhaust
Building a Cafe RacerKawasaki Cafe RacerPartsReview

Stupid Fast – Z900RS Brocks Performance Exhaust

There are several reasons why you might want to install an aftermarket exhaust on your motorcycle. It could be that...
PinThe history of the Kawasaki Z1
Kawasaki Cafe RacerLifestyle Stories

50 years of Z – ‘High Steaks’ the history of the Kawasaki Z1

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Kawasaki’s Z series of motorcycles. The motorcycle that started it all, the 1972 Kawasaki...
PinWhite Collar Bike Vulcan Cafe Racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Full of Beans – White Collar Bike Vulcan 650 Racer

When I first met Ram Ram Januar at his home in Bandung, Indonesia he told me that he started his...
PinNitron R2 rear shock on Kawasaki Z900RS
Building a Cafe RacerKawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle ModificationsParts

Suspension Upgrade – Nitron NTR R2 Install

There’s virtually no limit to the extent that you can modify a motorcycle. This, of course, includes its performance and...
PinKawasaki Z900RS Design Story
Kawasaki Cafe RacerLifestyle StoriesMotorcycle Reviews

50 Years of Z – Designing the Kawasaki Z900RS

2022 is the 50th anniversary of Kawasaki’s Z series of motorcycles. To help mark the occasion we’re looking at the...
PinCool Kid Customs Kawasaki ZZR600
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

It’s a Keeper – Cool Kid Customs Kawasaki ZZR600

The Kawasaki ZX-6, otherwise known as the ZZR600 in Europe, was the brand’s flagship middleweight sports bike of the nineties....
PinKawasaki Z1 documentary
Kawasaki Cafe RacerLifestyle Stories

50 Years of Z – So Far So Fast Z1 Speed Record Documentary

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Kawasaki’s Z series of motorcycles. The motorcycle that started it all, the 1972 Kawasaki...
Pin
Building a Cafe RacerKawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle Parts

Many Faces of Zed – Doremi Kawasaki Z900RS Heritage Body Kits

It’s been 4 years since the Kawasaki Z900RS went on sale. In the lead-up to its release, Kawasaki adopted a...
PinNitron Bulldock Kawasaki Z1-R
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Genuine Tuning Machine – Nitron x Bulldock 1230R GT-M Kawasaki Z1-R

Although the 1978 Z1 successor didn’t live up to Kawasaki’s expectations in showrooms, the Z1-R is an iconic motorcycle and...
PinMr Martini Kawasaki Z900
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Nine Six Six: Mr Martini Kawasaki Z900 Italian Resto-Mod

Such is the iconic status of the 1970s Kawasaki Z900 that these days they are more commonly restored than customised....
PinBull Dock custom Kawasaki Z1-R
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Tangerine Dream: Bull Dock Japan Kawasaki Z1R Resto-mod

Some will call it sacrilege but I have a soft spot for resto-mods. The thinking behind a resto-mod is simple....
Pin
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Top 10 Kawasaki Cafe Racers

Since 1963 Kawasaki Motorcycle Co. has introduced a plethora of technological innovations which have gone on to become industry standards....
PinOmega Racer Kawasaki AR80
Bike of the DayKawasaki Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: Omega Racer Cavalleggero AR80

In 2021 Markus Pintzinger celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his Thailand-based aftermarket parts store, Omega Racer. To commemorate the milestone anniversary...
Pin
Bike of the DayKawasaki Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: 2004 Kawasaki W650 Deus Customs Bobber

This exquisite custom bike, crafted by Deus Customs, is a unique creation based on a 2004 Kawasaki W650 (EJ650). With...
PinDaiken NJ-1 Kawasaki ZRX1200R
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

NJ-Daiken: Kenkenmoto Kawasaki ZRX1200R

In the early eighties, a clever member of the Kawasaki marketing team thought it’d be a good idea to produce...
Pin
Bike of the DayKawasaki Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: 1974 Kawasaki KZ400 Cafe Racer

The 1974 Kawasaki KZ400 Cafe Racer underwent an extensive 500-hour build, featuring a powerful 400cc parallel twin engine with a...
PinDetlev Lois custom Kawasaki Z900RS
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Long Awaited Reunion: Detlev Louis Kawasaki Z900RS

Detlev Louis is a German motorcycle riding gear manufacturer with more than 8 decades of experience under its belt. Unsurprisingly...
PinTreasure Garage custom Kawasaki ER6N
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

CyberPunk’d: Treasure Garage Kawasaki ER6N

Kawasaki’s ER6N first hit the streets in 2008 but the middleweight naked sports bike isn’t a motorcycle that often pops...
PinKawasaki Z900RS vs Z900 comparison review
Kawasaki Cafe RacerMotorcycle Reviews

Evolution or Devolution?: Kawasaki Z900RS VS Kawasaki Z900

Motorcyclists like to moan about everything.
And the quickest way to start some premium groaning is to sell us a naked...
PinAlpha ZRX1200R Cafe Racer
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Crossbreed: Alpha Moto Kawasaki ZRX1200R

Launched in 2001 as the successor to the ZRX1100, the Kawasaki ZRX1200R was inspired by the KZ1000R ridden by legendary...
PinAC Sancuary Kwasaki Ninja GPZ900R
Kawasaki Cafe RacerRestomod

Ninja Warrior: AC Sanctuary Kawasaki GPZ900R RCM Type-R

This Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja had been a faithful companion to its owner for years. During that time, the bike had...
PinAtlanta Motorcycle Works Kawasaki H1B
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Asphalt Warrior: Atlanta Motorcycle Works Kawasaki H1

The Kawasaki 500-cc Mach III (a.k.a. H1) earned a place in history as a legendary two-stroke triple. The H1 was...
PinKawasaki Ninja ZX6R
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

2025 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R Ride & Review

The 2025 Kawasaki ZX6R brings several new features and updates that set it apart in the sport bike market. With...
PinKawasaki
Kawasaki Cafe Racer

Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Bobber Build – Final Touches & Test Ride

Today’s project focuses on making important changes to a Vulcan build. Early in the process, the team found an issue...
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Est. 2006 Return of the Cafe Racers is the world's premier cafe racer focused website. We publish regular features on custom motorcycle builds, riding gear reviews, how to guides and event coverage from around the globe. If you're a fan of cafe racer motorcycles and style then you've come to the right place!

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