The Kawasaki Z650RS has made waves in the motorcycle world, blending classic esthetics with modern performance.
This middleweight street bike captures the essence of retro styling while delivering the power and agility riders crave.
With its 649cc parallel-twin engine, the Z650RS offers a compelling mix of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology, making it a standout choice for enthusiasts seeking a unique riding experience.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Z650RS and its key features. From its eye-catching design, including the round LED headlight and twin-pod instrument cluster, to its impressive performance capabilities, we’ll explore what sets this motorcycle apart.
We’ll also examine the rider experience, discussing comfort factors like the 800 mm seat height and the bike’s handling characteristics.
By the end, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of what the Kawasaki Z650RS brings to the table in the competitive world of modern-retro motorcycles.
Retro Styling with Modern Flair
The Kawasaki Z650RS stands out as a breathtakingly beautiful motorcycle, seamlessly blending retro esthetics with modern technology.
Its design pays homage to the iconic 1977 Z650-B1, capturing the essence of classic motorcycling while incorporating contemporary features.
Classic Z-series design elements
At first glance, the Z650RS captivates with its timeless silhouette. The teardrop-shaped fuel tank flows gracefully into a single-piece seat, culminating in a minimal tail section that exudes vintage charm.
This design language creates a light and casual appearance, reflecting the bike’s rider-friendly character.
The classic round LED headlight serves as the focal point of the front end, featuring a grooved design on its thick ring that adds a subtle modern touch.
The headlight’s dual-chamber construction ensures that the entire lamp appears lit, mimicking the warm glow of a retro-style bulb.
Perhaps one of the most striking features is the set of cast wheels. Designed to emulate the wire-spoke rims of yesteryear, these wheels showcase flat spokes that perfectly balance lightweight performance with retro appeal.
The gold finish on these rims provides a beautiful contrast against the bike’s body color, further enhancing its vintage esthetic.
Modern LED lighting and instrumentation
While the Z650RS embraces retro styling, it doesn’t shy away from modern functionality. The LED headlight not only looks the part but also offers superior illumination for safer night riding.
This blend of form and function extends to the tail light and turn signals, ensuring the bike meets contemporary safety standards while maintaining its classic appearance.
The instrument cluster is a masterpiece of design integration. Twin-pod analog speedometer and tachometer dials dominate the console, evoking memories of classic motorcycles.
However, nestled between these traditional gages is a multi-functional LCD screen that displays essential information such as gear position, fuel level, time, and trip meters.
This clever combination allows riders to enjoy the nostalgia of sweeping needles while having access to modern conveniences at a glance.
Adding to its tech-savvy features, the Z650RS offers smartphone connectivity via the Rideology app, allowing riders to access additional information and customize their riding experience.
Color options and finish quality
Kawasaki has paid meticulous attention to the Z650RS’s color options and finish quality. The standout choice is an emerald green that has been praised as one of the best factory paint jobs in the motorcycle industry.
This vibrant shade glistens in sunlight, with carefully applied paint stripes flowing across the tank. The large Kawasaki logo, featuring a brushed finish, adds a premium touch to the overall design.
Each color variation of the Z650RS has been crafted to cater to a wide range of tastes, ensuring that there’s a perfect match for every rider’s style preference.
The quality of the paint and finish is exceptional, contributing significantly to the bike’s high-end feel and visual appeal.
It’s worth noting that while the overall design is near-perfect, some mandated safety features like the sari guard and grab rails have been criticized for their chunky design, which some feel detracts from the otherwise sleek rear view of the motorcycle.
However, this minor critique does little to diminish the Z650RS’s overall esthetic appeal.
In conclusion, the Kawasaki Z650RS successfully marries retro charm with modern engineering.
Its thoughtful design elements, from the classic silhouette to the carefully chosen color schemes, create a motorcycle that not only performs well but also turns heads wherever it goes.
For many potential customers, the Z650RS’s looks alone may be enough to seal the deal, making it a strong contender in the neo-retro motorcycle segment.
Performance and Handling
The Kawasaki Z650RS delivers a balanced blend of power and agility, making it a standout in the middleweight motorcycle segment. Its performance characteristics cater to both seasoned riders and those looking for an approachable yet exciting ride.
649cc parallel-twin engine specs
At the heart of the Z650RS lies a robust 649cc parallel-twin engine, a powerplant that has proven its worth across various Kawasaki models.
This BS6-compliant engine churns out an impressive 67.31 bhp and 64 Nm of torque. The power delivery is notably smooth and linear, with a wide torque spread that ensures responsive acceleration across the rev range.
Riders will appreciate the engine’s versatility, as it offers a surefooted low-end, a broad mid-range, and a usable top-end. This characteristic makes the Z650RS equally adept at city commuting and highway cruising.
The refinement of this parallel-twin motor is particularly noteworthy, with minimal vibrations even at higher revs, contributing to a more comfortable riding experience.
Suspension and chassis setup
The Z650RS is built around a steel trellis frame, which provides a solid foundation for its handling capabilities. The suspension setup consists of 41mm telescopic front forks and a horizontal back-link monoshock at the rear.
This configuration strikes a balance between comfort and sportiness, allowing the bike to handle various road conditions with ease.
While the chassis and suspension components are similar to those found on the Z650, the Z650RS benefits from a slightly different riding triangle.
This adjustment results in a more comfortable ride without sacrificing agility. The wider handlebar offers good feedback, allowing riders to confidently tip into corners and switch directions quickly.
It’s worth noting that the overall suspension setup leans towards comfort, which may slightly reduce its dynamic capabilities compared to more sport-oriented bikes.
However, this tuning makes the Z650RS an excellent choice for everyday riding and longer journeys. The 5mm shorter wheelbase compared to the Z650 contributes to its nimble handling, further enhancing its appeal as a versatile middleweight motorcycle.
Braking system and ABS
The Z650RS comes equipped with a capable braking system that inspires confidence in various riding situations. At the front, twin 272mm rotors with dual-piston calipers provide strong stopping power.
The rear wheel features a 186mm single disk with a single-piston caliper. This setup ensures that the bike can come to a halt quickly and predictably when needed.
Enhancing safety further, the Z650RS is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) as standard. This feature prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking, allowing riders to maintain control even in emergency situations or on slippery surfaces.
Riders have reported excellent braking feedback, particularly from the front brakes. The dual disks at the front offer precise control and strong stopping power, while the rear brake complements the system well.
This combination allows for confident braking in various scenarios, from gentle deceleration to more urgent stops.
One area that has received some criticism is the choice of tires. The stock Dunlop tires, which are also used on the Ninja and Z650 models, have been noted to take some time to warm up and may lose grip on loose or wet surfaces.
This characteristic requires riders to exercise caution, especially when pushing the bike’s performance limits or riding in challenging conditions.
In conclusion, the Kawasaki Z650RS offers a well-rounded package in terms of performance and handling. Its smooth and tractable engine, comfortable yet capable suspension setup, and reliable braking system make it a versatile choice for various riding styles and conditions.
While the tire performance may leave some room for improvement, the overall package delivers an engaging and confidence-inspiring ride that stays true to its retro-modern ethos.
Rider Experience and Comfort
The Kawasaki Z650RS offers a well-balanced riding experience that caters to both novice and experienced riders. Its design prioritizes comfort and control, making it a versatile choice for various riding scenarios.
Ergonomics and seating position
One of the standout features of the Z650RS is its rider-friendly ergonomics. The bike boasts a remarkably low seat height of 790 millimeters, which is particularly impressive for its segment.
This low seat height, combined with a narrow profile between the legs, ensures that riders of different statures can easily reach the ground, boosting confidence especially for those on the shorter side.
The overall design of the Z650RS creates a compact feel without being cramped.
For riders around 180 centimeters tall, the bike offers a comfortable fit with an active riding position. The reach between the seat and pegs is moderate, keeping the rider engaged without causing discomfort.
The handlebar placement contributes to an upright riding posture, providing excellent forward visibility. While the bars are slightly stretched forward, they’re countered back towards the rider, striking a balance between sportiness and comfort.
Adjustable levers accommodate riders with smaller hands, enhancing overall ergonomic adaptability.
The seat design is another thoughtful element. It features a narrow front section that widens towards the back, offering a good blend of maneuverability and comfort.
The pillion seat is positioned higher, which serves two purposes: it prevents the rider from sliding too far back during acceleration and provides the passenger with a better view over the rider’s shoulders.
Vibration levels and wind protection
Vibration management on the Z650RS is generally good, contributing to a comfortable ride. The footpegs are rubber-mounted, which helps absorb some of the engine vibrations.
However, riders might notice a slight increase in vibrations when pushing the bike to higher revs.
Wind protection, while not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, is typically minimal on naked bikes like the Z650RS.
This characteristic aligns with its street fighter styling and contributes to the raw, connected riding experience many enthusiasts seek in this category of motorcycles.
City riding vs highway cruising
The Z650RS demonstrates versatility in both urban and highway environments. In city settings, the bike’s compact nature and responsive handling make it well-suited for navigating through traffic and tight spaces.
The upright riding position provides good visibility, which is crucial for urban riding.
For highway cruising, the Z650RS’s comfortable ergonomics come into play, allowing for longer rides without excessive fatigue.
The bike’s performance characteristics, including its smooth acceleration and stability at higher speeds, contribute to a confident highway riding experience.
The transition between city and highway riding is seamless, thanks to the bike’s well-rounded design. Its balance of comfort and sportiness allows riders to enjoy both short commutes and longer journeys with equal ease.
While specific details about acceleration, handling, and stability in different environments weren’t provided, the overall design and ergonomics of the Z650RS suggest that it’s capable of adapting well to various riding conditions.
The bike’s combination of a comfortable riding position, responsive engine, and thoughtful ergonomics make it a versatile choice for riders who enjoy both city commutes and open-road adventures.
In conclusion, the Kawasaki Z650RS offers a rider experience that blends comfort, accessibility, and versatility.
Its well-thought-out ergonomics, manageable vibration levels, and adaptability to different riding environments make it an attractive option for riders seeking a bike that can handle various riding scenarios with ease.
Conclusion
The Kawasaki Z650RS stands out as a compelling blend of retro charm and modern performance. Its eye-catching design, smooth parallel-twin engine, and comfortable ergonomics make it a versatile choice for riders seeking a unique experience.
The bike’s ability to handle both city streets and open highways with ease showcases its well-rounded nature, appealing to a wide range of motorcycling enthusiasts.
To sum up, the Z650RS has a strong influence on the middleweight motorcycle segment, offering a package that’s both nostalgic and cutting-edge.
While there’s room to improve in areas like tire performance, the overall riding experience is engaging and confidence-inspiring.
For those looking to combine classic looks with modern reliability, the Kawasaki Z650RS presents itself as a top contender, ready to turn heads and deliver thrills on the road.
FAQs
Is the Kawasaki Z650 suitable for everyday riding?
Absolutely! The Kawasaki Z650’s lightweight and nimble characteristics make it excellent for maneuvering through traffic, while its reliable brakes ensure safe stopping. This bike is an excellent choice for both novice and seasoned motorcyclists, offering a versatile and exhilarating riding experience suited for daily use.
Is investing in a Kawasaki Z650 a good decision?
The Kawasaki Z650 is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a bike that’s fun and easy to handle. It’s particularly impressive at traffic lights, where its light weight gives it an advantage over heavier bikes. Although some riders may eventually seek an upgrade, the Z650 remains a dream bike for many, known for its enjoyable riding experience.
What is the top speed and acceleration capability of the Kawasaki Z650RS?
The Kawasaki Z650RS can reach a top speed of approximately 212 kilometers per hour. In terms of acceleration, it can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds, making it a robust performer on the road.
What is the fuel efficiency of the Kawasaki Z650RS?
The Kawasaki Z650RS has a fuel efficiency rate of about 23 kilometers per liter, as claimed by ARAI. This makes it a relatively economical option in the sports bike category.
