In the midst of the GST 2.0 tax reforms, Kawasaki India has come up with an unexpected salvo on Triumph – its arch rival – in the big bike segment. The Kawasaki Z900, which is one of India’s most loved four-cylinder sports motorcycles, has gotten a refresh for 2026 in the middle of the festive season. Other than the feature list tweaks and some visual changes, Kawasaki India has managed to reduce the price as compared to the outgoing version, thus making it an even better deal for sportsbike enthusiasts.Â
The 2026 Kawasaki Z900 now comes with an ex-showroom price of Rs 9.99 lakh, putting it under the Rs 10 lakh mark. This retains it as the most value-centric four-cylinder sports bike that you can afford in India, severely undercutting its fierce rival – the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS.
The price tag represents a reduction of approximately Rs 19,000 compared to the adjusted pricing of the outgoing MY25 model (after GST revisions). This continues to position Kawasaki as the brand that cares for its wider enthusiast base by making it a tad more accessible.
2026 Kawasaki Z900: Performance upgrades
Known for its brutal performance and the signature inline-four exhaust howl, the 2026 Z900 carries forward the core mechanical upgrades from its heavily updated 2025 predecessor. Hence, the engine remains unchanged, with the same 948cc liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine. This motor is officially rated to produce 125PS at 9,500 rpm and a segment-leading peak torque of 98.6Nm at a low 7,700 rpm. This should ensure instant and accessible grunt for both city riding and high-speed highway acceleration runs.
Then there are the sort of electronic upgrades, which include:
Integrated Riding Modes: Access to multiple riding modes that couple power delivery settings with the traction control system.
Traction Control: Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) ensures safety and performance across various road conditions.
Cruise Control: A highly valued feature for touring, allowing effortless highway cruising.
Bidirectional Quickshifter: Allows seamless, clutch-less upshifts and downshifts.
Rider Aids: Ride-by-Wire throttle, Power Modes, and Dual-Channel ABS completing the safety and convenience package.
2026 Kawasaki Z900 visual updates
For the 2026 model year, Kawasaki has refreshed the aesthetics with two new colourways. The new version sees the return of the famous Candy Green livery, a colour synonymous with the Kawasaki brand’s legacy. You also get a new black paint option highlighted by a distinctive gold trellis frame.
Head-to-Head: 2026 Kawasaki Z900 vs Triumph Street Triple 765 RS
The 2026 Kawasaki Z900’s big-bore, four-cylinder muscle is usually pitted against the lighter, sharper three-cylinder rocket – the Triumph Street Triple 765. Here’s a quick look at a spec sheet of these two motorcycles next to each other.
Performance and character:Â
The Z900’s larger 948cc, four-cylinder engine focuses on massive torque delivery lower down the rev range with 98.6Nm at 7,700 rpm, promising a relaxed yet responsive street ride with intense roll-on acceleration. The Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, while smaller in capacity, is highly tuned to produce slightly more peak horsepower of 120 PS, achieving it at a much higher 11,500 rpm, and a peak torque of 80Nm at 9,500 rpm, thereby giving it a sharper and more focused track-ready nature.
Handling:
The Triumph Street Triple 765 RS justifies its higher price tag with superior, track-grade components. It is significantly lighter at 189 kg and comes equipped with fully adjustable Öhlins suspension and top-of-the-line Brembo Stylema calipers, providing pin-point handling and class-leading braking performance. Critically, the RS includes an IMU-based (Inertial Measurement Unit) electronics package, enabling true cornering ABS and traction control, a feature the standard Z900 currently lacks.
The Z900 weighs more at 212 kg (wet weight) and lacks the adjustable Ohlins suspension. The package is still great for a road-centric motorcycle but on track, the Triumph will have an advantage.
Pricing and Value:
This is where the Z900 wins the argument for mass appeal. At Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom, the Kawasaki is over Rs 2.4 lakh cheaper than the Street Triple 765 RS (Rs 12.92 lakh ex-showroom).
The Z900 offers the best horsepower-per-rupee value and a more potent, torque-rich four-cylinder engine performance for everyday usability. The Triumph Street Triple 765 RS serves the rider who prioritises razor-sharp dynamics and top-tier track hardware. You can’t go wrong with either of them but the Kawasaki Z900 has the advantage here.
