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Head to head

Kawasaki Z900 vs LiveWire S2 Del Mar

Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

The Kawasaki Z900 and LiveWire S2 Del Mar are among the most cross-shopped naked bikes of 2026. The Kawasaki Z900 undercuts the LiveWire S2 Del Mar by about $5,700, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Kawasaki Z900 leads on power with 124 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

Kawasaki Z900
Our pick
8.3

Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z900
LiveWire S2 Del Mar
7.9

LiveWire

LiveWire S2 Del Mar

The verdict

The Kawasaki Z900 edges it overall at 8.3/10, but the LiveWire S2 Del Mar wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.

Best for new riders

LiveWire S2 Del Mar

84 hp.

Most exciting

Kawasaki Z900

124 hp and 0.58 hp/kg, the strongest here.

Best value

Kawasaki Z900

Our 8.3/10 at $9,799, the most bike per dollar.

Easiest to manage

LiveWire S2 Del Mar

199 kg with an 775 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.

Highest rated

Kawasaki Z900

Our top score in this matchup at 8.3/10.

Price & rating
Price$9,799$15,499
KickTheStand score8.3 / 107.9 / 10
Performance
Engine948cc fourElectric
Power124 hp84 hp
Torque98.6 Nm263 Nm
Power-to-weight0.58 hp/kg0.42 hp/kg
Chassis & brakes
Front suspension41mm USD forkn/a
Rear suspensionHorizontal back-link monoshockn/a
Front brakesDual 300mm discs, radial 4-pistonn/a
Rear brakesSingle 250mm discn/a
Dimensions & practicality
Weight212 kg199 kg
Seat height820 mm775 mm
Fuel capacity17 Ln/a
Suitability
ClassNakedNaked
A2 licenceNoNo
Good for beginnersNoNo
Best forsport, commutingcommuting, sport

Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.

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Kawasaki Z900 vs LiveWire S2 Del Mar: your questions answered

Which is faster, the Kawasaki Z900 or the LiveWire S2 Del Mar?

The Kawasaki Z900 makes the most power at 124 hp and 98.6 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.

Which is cheaper, the Kawasaki Z900 or the LiveWire S2 Del Mar?

The Kawasaki Z900 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $9,799.

Which is lighter, the Kawasaki Z900 or the LiveWire S2 Del Mar?

The LiveWire S2 Del Mar is the lightest at 199 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.

Which is better for a beginner, the Kawasaki Z900 or the LiveWire S2 Del Mar?

For a new rider we'd point to the LiveWire S2 Del Mar: 84 hp and 199 kg make it the most approachable of the group.

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