The True Modern-Day Universal Japanese Motorcycle: Yes, There is One

A present-day Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM) should be modern enough but not overloaded with technology - modern chassis, suspension, brakes, and engine that deliver contemporary confident performance in all aspects while reminding us of the original UJMs.

There was a time I used to believe that the term “Superbike” was invented merely to describe a particular set of motorcycles. Which it eventually does, until I realised that its invention was far more spectacular, iconic, and legendary than I imagined.

In 1969, Honda changed the course of the world’s motorcycle industry forever when it launched the CB750 - the motorcycle responsible for the word “Superbike.”

The Honda CB750 wasn’t a regular brand new motorcycle on its arrival and this isn’t a cliche. The CB750, literally, instantly set the tone of how the future motorcycles were going to look like, at least out of Japan. The inline-4 engine held by a steel down-tube chassis, an upright standard riding position, a front disc brake, telescopic front forks and twin rear shocks. This became the standard template of what came to be known as the Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM).

In the following years, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki, along with Honda, launched several UJMs that were continuously highly regarded globally before the eventual arrival of fully-faired Superbikes in the early 1990s.

In sequence above: 1969 Honda CB750, 2010 Honda CB1100, and 1972 Kawasaki Z1

But of course, that was a phase even if it was the most significant in the history of motorcycles, and we slowly moved on from it. The tech changed with time and so do the limits of performances and riding requirements. Not to mention the ever-tightening emissions! We have a vast variety of motorcycles today, literally one for different kinds of riding. And in all that, the UJMs have slowly faced their demise. Why? Because tech always moves forward and UJMs, by today's standards, are understandably an outdated design.

And though I may not agree with how all sorts of tech is making its way into the motorcycles, it does give you free will over your choices and actions as a creator. You see, technology can enable you to keep certain legacies alive, it gives you that power of choice. But you have to be willing to do so. In this case, it is about keeping the UJMs alive and kicking.

Ironically, until the arrival of Euro5 emission norms, Honda had the only and the best possible specimen of the UJM in its lineup - the CB1100. Until they decided to stop its production because in its last form, the CB1100 wasn’t going to meet the Euro5 norms. Being air-cooled, that inline-4 engine had become a bit too outdated for the upcoming emission norms at that time.

But the CB1100 was a great motorcycle. I mean I never got to see it in person because it never came to India but I still loved it. I always wonder why didn’t Honda simply build a liquid-cooled inline-4 engine while the keeping the same air-cooled aesthetics to maintain the original old-school looks. That way, the bike would meet the latest emission norms and still look true to its form. I never understood why Honda didn’t do it like that. I will always mourn the end of the CB1100. It was a perfect and an undeniable UJM for as long as it existed.

Today, we sadly have none of those. But is that really true?

The Kawasaki Z900RS is literally a perfect modern Universal Japanese Motorcycle - it's based on the Z900 streetfighter and delivers sporty riding dynamics and performance, and has just the right amount of technology that doesn't dilute its UJM appeal.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the Kawasaki Z900RS and I don’t think it is talked about enough, not in this context at least. The Z900RS is a beautiful rendition of the original UJM design - smooth, streamlined, and rounded fuel tank, round headlight, single-piece flat-type seat with a touch of traditional bodywork at the tail end reminding you of the Kawasaki Z1 (from 1972) and the late 20th century design. And that single-sided exhaust finished in chrome looks absolutely classy and matches the bike's personality perfectly.

But all that nostalgic bodywork rests on a thoroughly modern motorcycle based on the Z900. The chassis is modified to create a more naturally upright riding stance but with rear-set footpegs for a sportier inclination. The engine is aesthetically made to look a bit old-school with air-cooling fins on the cylinders but because it is lifted from the Z900, it is completely liquid-cooled and re-tuned to match the nature of the motorcycle design.

The Z900’s engine is not an extreme performer and in the RS, it feels even more at home because of the bike’s old-school appeal. The RS’s chassis is complete with a pair of upside-down forks at the front and a link-type shock absorber at the back. The dual disc front brakes have radially-mounted calipers and there’s traction control for added safety along with the ABS.

It is amazing how the Z900RS seems to remain under the radar of so many motorcycle buyers in that segment. I really don't understand why! Perhaps people get attracted more towards the Triumph Bonnevilles when they want to buy a modern-classic motorcycle, but the Bonnevilles are fundamentally different than any UJM. Bonnevilles are true to their British design roots and they carry that design language very well indeed. But the UJMs were always intended as performance motorcycles; I mean these bikes were only succeeded by the fully-faired Superbikes.

The Kawasaki Z900 RS is an exceptional example of what I believe it represents. Among the choices today, there is hardly anything up to that price point which would be better than this Kawasaki.

The Z900RS is a UJM that doesn’t overdo technology. The console too is a good mix of analogue and digital displays to maintain the retro feel. The absence of excessive technology not only keeps the motorcycle’s UJM spirit alive, it highlights it further every time you look at it and ride it. And it is good-looking enough that you’d often want to stare at it.