Kawasaki Z900 crash protection: what to fit first
A silly tip-over at a standstill, a stone kicked up on the motorway or your boots rubbing. On a Z900, those are the three things that cost the most at the workshop. These are the protection parts worth fitting, in order, and what each one prevents.
Where a Z900 takes the most damage
- Engine covers: in a side fall, the alternator or clutch cover is the first thing to hit the ground. If it breaks, you lose oil and the bike is stranded.
- Radiator: it sits exposed behind the front wheel. A stone can bend or puncture the fins.
- Axles: the fork and swingarm touch the ground when the bike goes down.
- Everyday details: the brake calipers, the exhaust silencer and the heel plates get scratched or knocked with use.
1. Engine covers (engine protection)
The engine cover pack is three covers that bolt over the originals: alternator, clutch and clutch slave cylinder.
- Nylon composite with 60% glass fibre: it absorbs the hit and slides instead of snapping.
- Carbon-look finish. It is not real carbon fibre.
- About 15 minutes, without draining oil or opening the engine.
2. Radiator guard
The radiator guard is an aluminium grille with a hexagonal honeycomb that stops stones and bugs before they reach the fins.
- The honeycomb lets air through: it does not change the bike's temperature.
- It mounts on the original frame points, no cable ties. About 15 minutes.
3. Crash axle sliders
The axle sliders sit on the ends of the axles. If the bike goes down, it slides on them instead of digging in the fork or the swingarm.
- Front only, or front and rear.
- Black, green or red ring.
- A rod goes through the hollow axle: no drilling and no removing wheels. About 20 minutes.
4. The details that take knocks every day
- Brake caliper guard in CNC aluminium, for the front calipers of the 2020-2024.
- Silicone exhaust protector: it takes the first scrape if the bike goes down and stops you burning your clothes.
- CNC footpeg protector: it replaces the stock heel plates, which get scratched by your boots.
- TFT screen protector for the 2020-2024 or the 2025-2026.
What fits your generation
| Part | 2017–2019 | 2020–2024 | 2025–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine covers, radiator and axle protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake caliper guard | Ask us | Yes | Ask us |
| TFT screen protector | No (LCD) | 2020-24 version | 2025-26 version |
If you don't know which one you have, check which Z900 generation you have.
A kit works out cheaper
- Total Protection Kit: engine, radiator and front and rear axles. For any Z900 from 2017 to 2026.
- Crash Protection Kit 2020-24: axle sliders and brake caliper guard.
- First Protection Kit 2020-24: radiator, silicone exhaust protector and TFT screen.
Where to start
- Engine and radiator. They are the most expensive repairs and the ones that leave the bike stranded.
- Axles. They complete the protection down low.
- Details. Calipers, exhaust, footpegs and screen, depending on how you use the bike.
No protection prevents all the damage from a crash. What it does is take the first hit so an expensive part doesn't.
Quick questions
Do I need to drill anything?
No. They all go on original mounting points, over the stock covers or inside the hollow axle.
Will they cause problems at the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness test)?
They don't touch lights, number plate or mirrors. Even so, the decision is always the station's: there's more detail in Z900 and the ITV.
What if my bike isn't a Z900?
Message us with a photo before ordering and we'll tell you if it fits.