Make no mistake, the Z1000SX is fast, comfy, capable and for just over ten grand, exceptional value, but the do-it-all BMW puts it in the shade. The Kawasaki doesn’t need a quickshifter, heated grips, colour dash or cruise control, but they’d make such a difference to your long-term enjoyment, they’re conspicuous by their absence. They exist on Kawasaki’s H2 SX and top-spec Versys 1000, so it would be good if they could sprinkle some of their touring fairy dust on the trusty SX.
The BMW has these toys, at a price, of course, but even if you put them to one side for a moment, the RS is still sublime. The difference between the two is stark when you jump from one to the other. Settling down on its more…