New Kawasaki Z650RS (2022) Review | Full first road test!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2024
- 2022 #Kawasaki #z650rs #review as BikeSocial's Michael Mann saddles up in the south of France for a day in the city and mountains on the new A2-compliant 650 twin. Taking all the mechanical components of the Z650 and adding new wheels, brake discs, fuel tank, subframe and a large styling overhaul, has Kawasaki got it right in this super competitive middleweight naked class?
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As someone who's always been into cruisers mainly for their looks but wanted a naked bike this feels perfect
This is a gorgeous bike. I am 54 and I would much ride this than either the z650 or ninja 650. It would be a great commuter and run around bike.
I’m 61 and it reminds me of my old z650 I owned in the 70’s 😊
Yes it does look nice 😊 much better than the z650 and ninja imho although they are nice to ride.
It is much more affordable than it’s bigger brother the z1000rs just a pity it’s not 4 cylinder instead of a twin ☹️
@@Mike-er7ym Exactly, I think mine was a 78 KZ650.
Anyone Remember the 83 Suzuki 650 Tempter, as it was known in the states. My first bike. Sold here for only two years. Looks so much like the z650rs. I love it. They used to call the rear a full floater suspension. That bike was so much fun.
I've had mine for a month now and it's an amazingly predictable, comfortable and incredibly fun bike.
@@Mike-er7ym IM 42 and giving this a hard look
Green and gold can’t go wrong with those colours👍👍
🤮
Kawasaki absolutely nailed it with this bike.
Really digging this bike! I've had sportbikes, zx6r, zx10r, and there is really somthing pleasant about this bike. Kinda of like less is more...the simplicity is bliss!
Gold wheels are awesome 👍
As with so many of these road tests I'd love to see a short section on two up handling.
Thanks Michael. Nice relaxed review of a beautifully relaxed motorcycle. Personally I just love the looks and size of the bike.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed.
Cheers, M
Thank you for your easy going pleasant review 🙂
Love the dash. Digital functionality with analog beauty.
really good full review!
When I compare this bike to a trident it loses, but when I compare it to a street twin. I'd rather have this. I think this fits nicely between those two. I am sure it will do well for kawasaki.
My first street bike was a Yamaha XS 650, 1972, Yamaha needs to do a retro like this! They also made a triple 750 drive shaft model that looked great. I have a z900rs cafe and a kz1000 now!
Got to love green and gold. Nice looking bike. Yamaha take note of how to style a retro looking bike properly.
kawasaki take note of the cross plane crank twin from yamaha!!!
excellent exaust note , unlike kawi vacuum cleaner sounding parallel twin!!!
I'm a red and black kind of guy with Very little chrome .
@@proudamerican6763 It´sjust the other way round. And I speak from the experience of riding an MT07 4 years. It's a washing machine. This new Kawa which I have just bought, sounds awesome.
in my opinion, kawasaki took a good look at the yamaha xsr, before designing this bike. I see lots of similarity. Beautiful bike nevertheless
they reinvented a er5 twister to the price of a full size bike back then. brings back some memories :)
I am leaning tore this bike from the T 120, sorry Triump, this Kawasaki is just what the doctor ordered. Great v brother, the sound of the engine was clear.
Compare the z900rs against the t120
I'm not a new rider, but I would totally buy that bike.🥂
We need a episode with all the 650/660 and compare the sound note on the various cyclinders.
Question: What GPS and mount combo are you using here?
Keep up the great work!
Gorgeous bike, an absolute winner!
I nice review Michael,, I have a 1977 kz650 in blue it would be nice if they brought it out in
That colour , at my age the lightness of the bike would be appealing and the looks of it
It looks the part may be a few personal tweaks here & there 🇬🇧🍺👍🏻cheers mark .
Those clocks are beautiful.
My first bike was a KE 100 enduro, then I had a Honda Inceptor 500, then came the KZ650. That was a sweet bike. Made it into the Harleys, Softaill then Ultra Classic, but this new Z650 looks like it could be my last bike, what a beauty.
It looks great, just like the original z650 I saw at Lowfield heath Kawasaki dealer, when I bought my new blue KH250B2 way back in 1977.
Anyone remember Rick the mechanic, with the custom z900?
Good job Kawasaki looks great 👏
such a beautiful bike
Definitely like it, can't wait to ride one.
They’re in dealerships very soon, if not already. Let us know how you get on.
How does the A2 restrictor work? My son's SV650 just had a simple ecu plug in box swap and once you've passed your test bung it back on eBay and get some money back.
Lovely looking bike. I want one!
This might be a silly question, I love the look of the bike, but your leg looks very bent, can you have pegs fitted a bit further forward to allow a more upright riding position or would another bike be better, thanx 👍🏻
How would you say this differs from a Triumph Street Twin/Speed Twin 900? I gather the ST has more torque and is perhaps lazier/doesn't like to be revved as much but would you say these are on par, or are they meant for two different types of riders?
Love these z s really nice at the time.
I wish we could get the green/gold in Thailand but for now it's just black with a green pinstripe. Anyways I'm seriously tempted to swap my Versys for this, it's 30kg lighter and centre of mass looks a lot lower too
Is it tuned just like the Ninja 650? My 2007 Ninja 650 was pretty snappy
Since the 70ties I like this bike but now there are 2 cilinders missing. Good for to reduce the weight and fuel consumtion I guess but now I'm 56 and have a worse wornout spinal corse so shud I can drive still with it? Is the suspension soft enough for on the worse Belgian roads to drive? With a normal bicicle after 40 minutes biking I go trhu my knies almost so I'm wondering if it with this bike different????
What about the ground clearance? How bad is it? Maybe not a problem on European roads but a definite concern here in South Asia.
Is the chrome ring around the headlight metal or plastic?
My wife loves the looks and said it would tempt her to take her bike test
Had a 75 KZ 900 when I was young. Miss riding and considering this. To old for the 900.
Would kawasaki consider a footpeg lowering kit as an accessory for longer legged riders to make it more comfortable to ride?
Is it any good for a 6.2 tall and 270 pounds heavy rider?
I really like it's looks .think it got it !
Definitely a nice retro styling job, especially compared to what Yamaha have done to the XSR900.
Agreed, Yamahas really dropped the ball with the MT/XSR lineup
Even though it's retro styled, it's like an old style bike made up to date. As if that style of bike never went out of date, and this is just what we have now. ... I love it. Honestly don't know why that style went out of fashion for adventure bikes and transformer bikes. The retro style was the style for generations; from the seventies to the mid-late 2000s. That should tell us something. That people loved their bikes. Now we have modern tech retro-bikes like this Z650RS. Kind of the icing on the cake.
@@threecats8219 I cant stand these transformer streetfighters companies have been building. I was hoping it was just a fad from 2012+ and we would outgrown it by now but Yamaha keeps pumping them out. I'm glad we have some retro cafe bikes to choose from.
Yes the xsr styling is naff !!..The tank is wrong where it buts up against the frame.Xsr looks WRONG but engine excellent
@@Markdmarque Certainly is a great engine, I've got a 2019 XSR900 with a LC900 Velocity moto kit
Absolutely brilliant from Kawasaki.
I want your guide's Arai helmet!
The open face one? It’s pretty cool having a lid that matches your bike!
@@bennettsbikesocial I'm waiting for the bike to get in Greece (local official dealer sucks).
I'm between z650rs and z900rs 50th anniversary Fireball...
One of these will be parked proudly next to my 1999 zzr1100 :)
Talking about the original engine cooling fins... umm... yes, I would say that's part of the retro style and it would add a nice touch of character.
However, I do remember the days when I would have to clean the bugs and dirt baked in between the fins. I didn't like that part.
Maybe I'm too pragmatic, but the new engine appears to be easier to clean, so I'd rather spend more time riding than cleaning.
This bike looks great! I'd definitely buy one if I could!
If you are able to, do it, I recently purchased one in grey and ebony and I'm in love with it
Thinking about this bike... Be nice to put some more knobbly tyres and go camping for a different experience. Anyone know how much this bike gets "unrestricted". In Australia they neuter it down to 50Hp for the beginners market.
I absolutely love it. It looks fantastic and way nicer than it's competitors. Looking forward to seeing it at the NEC. If I was to spend this sort of money, it would be between this and the Royal Enfield interceptor. Very different but both 650 retros. But classic, old fashioned retro or modern, new tech retro? I really am not sure which way I'd go.. 🤔
The only problem with the royal Enfield are the tube type tyres. Besides that it's a beautiful bike
@@stoneroses9350 its also waaay slower and heavier.
I couldn't agree more! This in the green/gold, or the Interceptor in Orange Crush finish; lovely bikes with a real retro vibe; they look like bikes did when my love-affair with bikes started in the 70's.. sigh.
@@BirdArvid I prefer the RS in black, and the Enfield in....er....black.....
take the kawasaki
Blimey. It's like a real motorbike like they used to make 40 odd years ago!!!!
Nice lil’ bike 👍
Love the tank.
It’s very sleek and low, as well as fitting neatly with the overall look.
How confusing was the term pound before Britain adopted the metric system?
Another variant of the venerable ER6 engine but nothing wrong with that, I had one and it was a zippy bike
Another great review thank you but I have to admit to being more than a little disappointed that there was no comparison with the original Z650, especially as there was one in the video. For old duffers like me that remember the original bike and lusting after one, it would be nice to see how much things have moved on when these retro bikes come out. Another point worth making is that these categories of bikes are not just appealing to new bikers. There are a lot of us older bikers that have ridden big bikes and are now looking to down size for whatever reason.
My only criticism of the new Z650 is that I think it really should have been a 4 cylinder. I understand that this is the way bikes are going now but to truly echo the spirit of the old bike it needs to be a 4 pot.
I had the original Z1000. Total beast. Over 100 mph the tank slappers were frightening 🤣😂
Yes honda 650 is a snappy 4 banger. Lots of new models are twins to save mony, including the 2023 suzzuki 650 -V-Strome,...now a p..twin....will they call it a p-strom?
Would have Been too Expensive get the RS 900 if you want a 4 Cylinder
I’d buy this over all the others I’d it had a 270 degree crank.
At 2:16, the old version side by side with the new, we see proper fenders, seat height, exhaust, fuel tank, on the original. Why not just replicate with modern engine/brakes/electrical?
I thought the color Green was like voodoo on a bike?? thanks
I'd still go with the same old SV650
Lovely thing to look at but the 270deg crank in Yamaha equivalents would be too hard to resist.
Right? The only thing keeping me from buying this instead of the xsr700 is the engine, still waiting for the xsr700 2022 model though.
Had a z650 and a mt07 z650 engine preferred Mt power fulls of a cliff just when u think it's getting going z just wants to keep reving I found it far more entertaining when really pushing on and it still wheelies like a king low down mt07 way over hyped imo z650 far better than most reviews
@@daimennorthfield4511 but the sound...the parallel kawas has to be the most boring sound in this class
I've been eyeing the Z650 but will readily admit, the styling isn't my thing.. then this beauty comes along; wow!! Together with the Royal Enfield 650's, easily the best looking bike in the class. PS: watched a German report on this bike and it was shot in the exact same studio; this is of course at the launch.
I was thinking the same thing, the Kawasaki 650s seem solid, but the styling wasn’t my thing, the Z, the Ninja, and the Versys, they’re not bad, but the RS blows them away! Better than the Yamaha XSR, better than the Honda CB. I have ordered one of these as soon as it was announced, just waiting for it now! I would have a Royal Enfield over this though, but they are not sold where I live and if I imported one myself it would cost as much as a Triumph T120 all in…
jus the the Royal Enfield sounds amazing, the Z650 does not, no matter what you do with it.
Nice looking bike in the Emerald Green, maybe even a nicer shape than the old Z650 (heretic ducks under bench...) Best looking ER6 variant! Less sure about the other colours, tho'.
I’m a fan of the green too, and even though I’ve not seen the grey up close I think it’s a classy alternative. Pretty much every manufacturer provides a black option and I’ll bet it will be their best seller!
Cheers, Michael
i want a z400rs!!
I need this motorcycle.
Four cylinder , twin pipes would have knocked it out of the ball park.
I feel like kawasaki could have done more by going with 270 degree crank at least. Engine and Exhaust sound is like 50% of the riding experience.
Surprised you didn't mention the Royal Enfield 650 twins when you were discussing competitors. OK the REs are less powerful and a bit slower but they are about £1500 cheaper and much more authentically "retro". I have ridden Kawasaki 650s for about 15 years but the Z650RS isn't on on my shopping list. To me it tries to be too many different things and ends up falling between several stools. As a separate issue it's also too tall for my 29" inside leg and I absolutely refuse to pay extra for a lower seat. (Why the hell should bikers be expected to pay to make the bike fit when every car on the planet comes with an adjustable driver's seat?) When I decide to change my ER-6F the RE Interceptor will be my first choice.
Thank you TH-cam algorithm 😍
I'm going to be buying one
Good on you, do let me know your thoughts after a few miles.
Cheers, Michael
For roughly the same price you could get a cb650r or xsr or even an sv650 that doesn't have that engine, it's a shame cause it looks so good that the engines so boring compared to the competition
Seriously look at the Yamaha XSR700 if your considering this. I've had my XSR since the 2016 launch and still think its a brilliant, fun bike.
The best retro bike in my opinion it's the moto guzzi v7 stone or special......
Great shout. To be honest I’d forgotten to list them among the main competitors.
I love it! I want to trade in my 2019 W800 Cafe towards this. Is it coming to America?
Yes it is.
Dont trade W800 is really nice bike with cool engine and sounds better as well.Z650RS has same boring engine as all their bike with same engine.
Strange marketing… beautiful 70’s paint job but, have to pay extra for correct period badges? Also, why does green paint cost more than black.
Looks great. I think I prefer it to the Trident.
I think the shape and style of the tank on the Trident is hideous. Still a nice bike though.
Yamaha MT-07 has the same problem with trottle.
Think. If it had a more retro 2 into 1 exhaust in the style of the original would have looked more in keeping
I think if they'd spent more money on it then it would have made the initial purchase price too expensive. I'm sure that if it's popular they will be a few aftermarket options for exhaust that will look and sound better. And that would then be down to the individual whether they want to spend money on a pipe or not. Even if kawasaki had made a decent looking exhaust, most people would still swap it for something louder anyway!
Rob’s got a valid point about the manufacturer keeping the costs down. It’s a pretty noisy standard system already, fits with the retro-ness of the bike. Thumpy down low and growly as you head from low to mid-revs.
@@bennettsbikesocial Everybody says why didn't they do this or that, but people forget manufacturers have to look at what the market will bear cost wise for their target market. Their are benefits from having multi-cylinders into one exhausts from all the technical documents I have read over recent years. The restrictions put on manufacturers for Euro5 and to get type approval could also reduce sales if the cost to provide two of everything increased significantly.
Would like to hear it run rather than the loud music
12:39 ' You can literally pick up it's skirt ' I say.
Needs to be a 4 cylinder like it's bigger brother, the only similarity to the original is tank shape clocks and colour, I'm a kawasaki fan but not for me ,
You can always get the z900rs if you want an in-line 4
@@tryxanel I've got an sx 1000 2017 I'm happy with that at the moment that's why Ive still got it but the Z 900 is great looking bike
@@tryxanel I've got an sx 1000 2017 I'm happy with that at the moment that's why Ive still got it but the Z 900 is great looking bike
Yeah, needs to be a four, had a Z650 in the mid 80"s . Big appeal then was that they created a mini Z thou that looked as good and handled way better,this looks ok but smacks a bit of commuter.
@@davehall4054 yes looks OK but need something a bit more special all manufacturers are taking the cheaper option by creating several models from the one platform, not inspiring enough for me
Should of put twin mufflers on it.
Kawasaki have offered a 650 for virtually every category, no one else does that. You cannot compare it to a 700cc because it’s not a 700
Compared to the standard Z, does the different riding position brings you to ride less aggressive particularly in the bends?
Yes it does, not that the standard Z650 is particularly sporty. This RS is all very relaxed.
It would be more interesting if it was a 4-cylinder like the original one. But it's probably almost as fast as the original 4 cylinder.
Good point. However I'm afraid the sad truth is that Kawasaki is focusing on the new generation electric engines now. To me it looks like there is no more money to actually develop the great 600 cc 4 cylinders we would have loved. So we're left with an old, dull parallel twin with a s.... noise on this absolute beauty. Combustions engines may be dead already, that's a sign!
@@jaeger4966 I've heard a lot smarter people than myself say that electric is going to be a very slow transition. I rarely ever buy a new anymore anyway and there are thousands of used 600 super sports out there. Plus I'm really kind of interested in the triumph triple I almost pulled the trigger on one of those a while back. I see nothing wrong with the twin cylinder there's some peppy ones out there like the KTM 890 , 1290 they're all so still making quite a few inline fours in the 1000 CC class
I love that they have put the switch for the dash on the bar…so many manufacturers STILL insist on putting a button on the dash itself, so you have to lean forward, with hand off the bar, to change functions…painful, if not dangerous.
I just looked it up it has exactly the same horsepower
Beautiful bike💚
How about what motorcyclists CARE ABOUT like does it have a 180 deg. or a 270 deg. crank ?
180 degrees, though I doubt it's the first question on most motorcyclist's list
A lot of style, no so much substance and looks like it's very much built to a price. Solid, reliable underpinnings but I don't want a twin that sounds like a thumper. I'm gonna plump for the real deal Z900RS SE because, I'd planned to buy a standard Z900RS and basically do what Kawi have done anyway, before they announced the SE.
Gonna be honest I agree with you. I prefer the sound of a four-pot. I like chorus all under the control of a good silencer, not thumps. The Triumph Street Triples sound OK too. ... I can't help wondering if I could warm to the sound of this twin though, because it is gorgeous.
I do find the whole "learner friendly" or "beginner" bike labelling as rather tiresome, not everyone with years of experience what an H2 and the simplicity of the RS will attract many. For me it's just a joy to get back to analogue clocks, not because I'm a luddite, but because i find the analogue dials so much easier to use. The fact they are more expensive to include is no doubt the real reason for the current trend of solely using cheap n nasty LCD panels.
Gosh that music 🥺
I doubt this will outsell Interceptor.
The Muffler is the Best!
Which lovely City is this?
I just don't like the sound of the exhaust. I owned a Triumph Bonnie with 360 degree crank fitted with exhaust from British Customs. It sounded so good. The new twins just don't sound as good as the 360 degree cranks, in my opinion. I wish I hadn't sold it now.
For me,nothing beats the sound of a v-twin,especially those of Ducatis'..
If they built it with an in-line 4 ,like my old B2 ,I'd have had 1
The z900rs would satisfy you instead
now if only it didn't have that damned 180° crank... this thing with a 315° crank or at least a 270°... wow
*Did I just see this video on 44teeth?*
I think the exhaust sounds terrible for a "modern classic" and retro looking bike - that is definitely something I would mention on this review.
hard to make that engine sound nice without bypassing smog restrictions
@@rubo1964 yet Triumph seems to be able to do it...
Looks: Kawasaki - Motor, sound and fun: Yamaha....well, i believe i have to go with Yamaha then, because the CP2 or even the CP3 are absolutely irresistible compared to Kawasaki's parallel twin. :(
Your opinion will change if u actually ride them honestly z650 engine better for experienced rider
It needs the silencer from the Z900RS!