A review on the all new kawasaki z650rs kindly loaned by bournemouth kawasaki www.bournemouth-kawasaki.co.uk/ PLEASE LIKE,SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE THANKS :)
My cousin had the Z650 in the 70's. I think it really captures the look and possibly the feel of that iconic bike. We need more retro models like this. Enjoying your videos, thanks very much for the uploads.
I would ride this as my main bike, and I have had a xjr1100 and a Eliminator 900. You can drive this for A2 till forever just unlock it again once your ready
@Bernard Yea most bikes in this category these days can be tuned to A2 or already have it coded in the engine software. It is just restriction to power torque etc. So they can make it A2 and then make it unrestricted later on.
Best bike Kawasaki have built in years in my opinion. Looks fantastic but I'm not sure why they made three colours. Would anyone not buy the green and gold???
The 50th anniversary edition for the states is pretty nice. Root beer brown with the gold wheels. Not sure if everywhere gets them but that’s the one I ‘d go for.
Thanks for all your thorough reviews like this one, and particularly for telling us your own size measurements. Wish all reviewers would share this when explaining a bike's ergos and fit. Crucial. I learned the hard way after purchasing my first bike - poetic while in motion, but often scary to me (also 5 foot 7 inches) when lugging it about daily on poor surfaces and on my tippy toes.
@@markpulling12hi Mark, great review. I'm thinking about buying this bike in black colour, but I'm a pretty tall guy. Do you think this would suit someone being 6'4? Cheers mate
Cheers Mark. Really enjoyed your demo! It's really an impressive mid-sized bike. I'm definitely always looking @ the retro bikes since I'm in the codger category @ 70y.o. The only thing cosmetically that I would change is I like the up swept muffler design of years back. I suppose the new look has to do with this euro 5 thing. Also as preference I would choose this bike in the color green. Just my 2 cents!! Thank's again for taking your time & producing such lovely video's. Cheerio & have a beautiful day!! Illinois, USA
Great review, i have a z650 and in tests everyone always mentions the exhaust noise when rev'd being disappointing. Good to see you mention the noise when it's moving as it's really a very pleasing sound.
Lovely bike with a great induction roar. That's what my 390's airbox mod does for it. I think the green one with the gold wheels is stunning. The usual thorough review, Mark.
Thanks Mark for the review. I specially like when you speak about the other models that share the same engine how long they have been in circulation, or other components, example suspension. Thank you
Another great review Mark! I was at my Kawasaki dealer recently and saw a couple of these. The metallic green with the gold wheels looks great but the only thing I think really spoils it is the heavy looking headlight surround. Also think it out to have a longer chrome tailpipe. However, overall a cracking little bike.
A work colleague had one in green back in the early 80's. Although I prefer this retro one, with all the updated stuff, LED's, fuel injection, gear indicator, etc. Very nice 👌 thanks Mark.
I took my Versys 1000 in for it's first service today, and the dealer had a few of these z650rs's, it's the first time I have seen one!! 🙄I was really taken by the look, also good to see Kawasaki have found another home for this great engine, I had a ER6F a few years ago which I think was the same engine? Great review Mark, I always look for your reviews first! 👏
Good review Mark. Thanks for the time and effort altoough I guess it was good fun. Like many I love the green version with the gold wheels but seeing this one IT does look really good. It's like the engine looks right with this colour scheme whilst one expects a 4 cylinder in the green! Wonder if this would be more fun than the Triumph Trident or even the Tiger Sport 660....the RS looks better IMHO.
Mark , had a green one delivered last Friday but not had the opportunity to ride it yet. But felt like have watching your vlog. I fell love as soon as it broke cover last autumn and thought yep! I’m having one.
@@markpulling12 exactly I couldn’t resist getting one. Takes me back to the 70’s when I was a young lad . Pity it’s not a 2-stroke. Keep the good work up I watch all your vlogs and thoroughly enjoy them.
The top quality made and very fun to ride this 6 gear manual. Now EN 650 is the most versertal engine platform , Ninja 650, Z650, Versys 650, Vulcan S 650 which I ride daily and this great looking Z 650 RS.
Not a big fan of Kawasakis 650 twin engine, but subjectively the nicest looking of the middle weight retro bikes currently available. Love the twin clocks with the LCD central display
Now I'm in my 60s I decided my 25yr old speed triple was getting a shade heavy for me, I took delivery of the green rs & I absolutely love it, takes me back to the late 70s with no fancy gizmos, it's an absolute doddle to ride & handle, really surprised with the bottom to midrange torque & overall performance, kawasaki have done a great job in creating this little beauty
The bike looks like a keeper, can't wait to throw a leg over one, my pick would also be the green one. I live in British Columbia ,Canada and the dealers where i live probably won't be seeing them until April or May. And when they do arrive will have limited stock .
@@markpulling12 Yeah, i'm also in my 60s actually I"ll be 70 this year. I had a Yamaha 650 special back in 1982 in loved it, so iI imagine with a few modern tech features I will also quite enjoy riding this one .One problem though I'm only 5' 6 so i hope i can get at least the balls of my feet down ha..ha
Thank you sir, brilliant review, exactly the things and details I was looking for, especially showing the slow handling and the nimbleness. This looks like the perfect motorcycle to me, just enough power to be safe, not enough to be stupid and great gas mileage, dependability and price. What's up Honda? Get busy! Lol thxz again ;)
@@markpulling12 Watched your video a few times then had a test ride on a Z650RS, it certainly ticked many of the boxes for a bike I could live with. Have opted for the 50th Anniversary version with a few additions added prior to delivery. Keep up the great reviews and content, look forward to your next road test.
Cheers for the review. Just looked at one in green at the dealer. Looked proper sexy in the green. Though 13 grand aud for a lams bike seems quite a lot?
love that bike, bought it last month. By the way, raising the handlebars by 2-3 cm makes a huge change on the handling of the bike... for me (1,81m tall) raising the handle bar changed the handling completely and made it even easier to flick the bike around.
G'day Mark, that's a better looking Motorcycle 🏍️, not a lot of plastic, another great review, can you see over those hedge rows in England while on the bike, if not it would be like tunnel vision, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
Another great review thank you. It is a shame that Kawasaki didn't give it quite the same attention to detail as the Z900 rs. This one could do with a similar exhaust and fake cooling fins for starters
Great review again, shame about the bike ,this was one I was looking forward to,,but the price and looked a bit small for you ,,never mind ,,just keep up your very good works,.
I agree the motor suits this bike. Even more then a Z650 or the Ninja 650. I love the looks and wouldn't feel embarrassed riding this bike with that motor.
Honestly thanks for just telling us your height and showing you getting on the bike. So many times I go to sit on a bike and find it's just too tall and vids never usually help with that.
I'm not sure why, as Kawa are clearly going for the looks, that they didn't spend some money on upside-down forks. The headlight and tail look good. The green one with gold, looks fantastic. I rode an ER6, it was fine, in its day. The engine in the demo bike has less power and is in drastic need of an upgrade. Has been for years. Great review as ever, thanks.
Love the look of this bike especially the green one. Only things that detract are the exhaust and the black headlamp. I would love a test ride. Just worried the legroom isn't enough for a 6ft rider with 32" inside leg and dodgy back and knees. It is a shame Kawasaki didn't have a suitable small 4 cylinder to drop in though! ;-)
Hi Robert .. I’m 6’4 and just bought this bike in green and gold..super comfortable riding position, the headlight and disk trims are chrome and the wheels are good … IMO the best authentic colour scheme option.
This was my first choice after I looked into my (ex)beloved Bonnevilles... then I found RE and went nuts over my GT650, but the z650rs is still my next choice, and I may just have to acquire one for my garage
Unfortunately this Kawasaki does not use a 270 degree crankshaft. If it did, it would sound much like the RE GT650! I've owned 2 bikes with this Kawasaki engine and while they are brilliant engines, they just don't have any soul compared to the 270 crank engines, like in your GT, MT07, current R1 and even old Yamaha TRX850!
Thanks for the review. The new Z650 twin isn’t in the same league for classic looks as the 70’s Z650b1. And indeed the original could handle and decent performance; they are becoming very collectible.
Liking these mid range bikes. Especially as soon becoming a septuagenarian. In a couple of years I reckon getting a lighter bike. Interesting watching two videos back to back: TMF’s review (also a pleasant reviewer) of 2022 Tiger Sport 660. Whilst being perhaps a more practical bike the Tiger is weighing in at 206 kg, 19kg heavier… For the Sunday ride outs and because I like twins this Z650RS could be a contender in a couple of years.
Another very watchable video Mark, nice to see Analogue twin needles on dials. I cant resist mentioning TH-cam trend for calling kawaSakis, kawaZakis.. Oops
Nice looking bike i had a 2010 er6n so know its a good engine but the kawa is lacking some of the tech for this price size market Im still leaning to the trident 660 to replace my harley 883 as my 365 daily runner
Bought one 2 weeks ago. For those coming off a small bike without prior big bike experience (me from 110cc scooter) who are currently contemplating on a midrange bike but is wondering between a lower or a higher displacement midrange one, my transition with this bike was actually surprisingly smooth. Most vloggers (e.g. MotoJitsu) advise to start with a smaller displacement bike e.g. 400cc with 650 being the maximum which made me hesitant with the higher displacement. However, this bike prove to be light to manually move around (e.g. moving around the garage) and very nimble running. A word of caution though, I have practiced to mastery and incorporated in my daily riding most of the basic and intermediate biking skills as outlined by MotoJitsu, Mc Rider, Palladino and DDFM in the scooter before moving up to this bike. This bike can definitely be a daily rider since it can handle like a scooter in 0-10km/h traffic. Although finding it hard at present to do a 100-110 degree hard right or left turn from stand still as opposed to the scooter due to its weight (very convenient skill in joggling between lane position 1 and 3 while filtering in stopped/standstill traffic). Although I'm not seeing this as something that can't be improved with practice. As to the aesthetics, I am convinced of the mechanical advantage of the 180 degree crank and the modern appeal of the underbelly exhaust (with the added advantage of less hot surface to burn with), so it does not matter to me. Hope this helps those with the same quandary as me on choosing their first big bike and is considering the z650rs.
@@f.i.l.d.e.p.s sadly the xsr700 and the trident are not available in the dealerships in my area. Although they can be had from other cities. Ownership of those bikes would be more cumbersome compared to the kawi for my intended use (as daily rider within my city). And the price point too. As a naive rider of bigger displacement bikes at the time of purchase, I was also hesitant of yamaha offerings since most reviews label them to have more aggressive response. Although that consideration will have a very different weight if I have to buy another bike right now😀.
@@mariomanus3176 I appreciated your comment having seen the underbelly exhaust as a detriment (thinking the heat from the cat would migrate into the engine and the possibility of a large expense in the future if it's damaged) and I'm curious as to what you see as the advantages of the 180 crank?
I eagerly awaited your review of this bike, just to find that both you and the bike have exceeded my expectations. I have ridden several Z650's and was really impressed with their performance, but at 6'2 and 220 lbs, simply found them too small for me. But this version is just about perfect. Hopefully, I will be buying one, once they become commonly available. And while some people don't like the sound of a 180 degree parallel twin, many of the bikes I rode in my youth (mainly Honda twins) sounded very similar. Thanks for the review!
I thought the engine sound was great, and assumed it had a 270 degree crank. In the early 80s I had a Honda CD175, so maybe I was reminiscing! I haven't owned bikes for a long time, but like looking at TH-cam videos. Whether I'll ever get another bike? Unlikely, but you never know.
I think the engine can trace its ancestry back to the GPz500S of 1987-2009, which was an excellent motor. Sounds like the same 180 degree crank phasing which produces a throaty sound when revved and sounds a bit like a single at low revs. I much prefer this sound to the current trend for 270 degree twins. If it had a proper exhaust system like the 900RS I might be tempted.
My cousin had the Z650 in the 70's. I think it really captures the look and possibly the feel of that iconic bike. We need more retro models like this. Enjoying your videos, thanks very much for the uploads.
Nothing like the 4 cylinder Z 650, proper bike. This is just a bland fake. Original was like a smaller Z900.
Yeah, it's good looking. But have a look at the new Honda CB 1100
My cousin Vinnie.
I absolutely love the fact that these newer bikes are becoming more available for younger riders, especially me who's moving onto an A2 license soon!
Yes they are great 👍😊
I would ride this as my main bike, and I have had a xjr1100 and a Eliminator 900. You can drive this for A2 till forever just unlock it again once your ready
@Bernard Yea most bikes in this category these days can be tuned to A2 or already have it coded in the engine software. It is just restriction to power torque etc. So they can make it A2 and then make it unrestricted later on.
Best bike Kawasaki have built in years in my opinion. Looks fantastic but I'm not sure why they made three colours. Would anyone not buy the green and gold???
Yes I was hoping the demo was the green one
I originally thought the same, but I love the grey.
The 50th anniversary edition for the states is pretty nice. Root beer brown with the gold wheels. Not sure if everywhere gets them but that’s the one I ‘d go for.
The grey , all day long!
The 900rs is a better green (of course).
Thanks Mark, I enjoyed this review, as I always do. The induction roar is lovely & it's nice to have a comfy seat. My SV650 was like a plank!
Another great review Mark.I like that bike a lot.I think the green colour is by far the nicest.Thanks for taking the time.
Thanks for all your thorough reviews like this one, and particularly for telling us your own size measurements. Wish all reviewers would share this when explaining a bike's ergos and fit. Crucial. I learned the hard way after purchasing my first bike - poetic while in motion, but often scary to me (also 5 foot 7 inches) when lugging it about daily on poor surfaces and on my tippy toes.
Thanks ted glad it helps
Best wishes mark
@@markpulling12 7,500mile service intervals? That's far too long IMHO.
@@markpulling12hi Mark, great review. I'm thinking about buying this bike in black colour, but I'm a pretty tall guy. Do you think this would suit someone being 6'4? Cheers mate
Cheers Mark. Really enjoyed your demo! It's really an impressive mid-sized bike. I'm definitely always looking @ the retro bikes since I'm in the codger category @ 70y.o. The only thing cosmetically that I would change is I like the up swept muffler design of years back. I suppose the new look has to do with this euro 5 thing. Also as preference I would choose this bike in the color green. Just my 2 cents!! Thank's again for taking your time & producing such lovely video's. Cheerio & have a beautiful day!! Illinois, USA
Thanks Larry yes green one for me too !!
I like your reviews Mark. As a relatively inexperienced rider I find your assessments very user friendly yet informative Please keep them coming.
Glad you like them!
Great review, i have a z650 and in tests everyone always mentions the exhaust noise when rev'd being disappointing. Good to see you mention the noise when it's moving as it's really a very pleasing sound.
A well put together appraisal. No waffle, to the point. Brill.
Thoroughly enjoyed Mark! Excellent review as always.love these retro middleweights.
Cheers Brett
Nice review - you did well capturing the engine sound.
I bought the green one yesterday. I’ll pick it up later this week. That a wonderful review! Thanks so much!
Many thanks and great Choice.
Best wishes mark
Convinced me, I brought one and very happy with it to! Thank you.
Thanks mark 😊
My goodness. Love this retro bike. Reminds me of my cousins late 70's trail bike. It was a 100cc or so street legal Kawi.
Looks MUCH better in this video and that color than the pictures of the green color I've seen, very nice bike, great review!
Thanks yes I really like this colour 😊
Just ordered mine. Loved your review. It made me took the final decision. Greetings from Spain!
Many thanks and good choice 😁
Best wishes mark
Lovely bike with a great induction roar. That's what my 390's airbox mod does for it. I think the green one with the gold wheels is stunning.
The usual thorough review, Mark.
Thanks nik yes I like that green one too
@@markpulling12 But I much prefer the XSR700.
@@user-sw2lv3zp6o That Yammie doesn't handle well, tho.
Bullet proof reliability with good looks.. A winning combination!
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟
Thanks Mark for the review. I specially like when you speak about the other models that share the same engine how long they have been in circulation, or other components, example suspension. Thank you
Hi many thanks 👍:)
Thanks Mark a very good review of this bike covering all the information i needed and i have bought one due to your expert review cheers mate
Glad it was helpful! thanks Andrew 😁
I know this sounds daft, but that looks like a motorbike. A proper motorbike.
What a great shop love the classics on display 👏
YES, a well thought out review. I don't think there has been one better.
Many thanks Robert:)
Purchased one today on the road march 1st can't wait.
Lovely middleweight, them wheels are fab. Great review as always Mark 👏
Gorgeous bike!
I love it looks amazing and that roar is addictive.it make a first big bike and that seat looks really comfortable.
Thanks James ☺️
Another great review Mark! I was at my Kawasaki dealer recently and saw a couple of these. The metallic green with the gold wheels looks great but the only thing I think really spoils it is the heavy looking headlight surround. Also think it out to have a longer chrome tailpipe. However, overall a cracking little bike.
Thanks it was better to ride than I thought:)
I agree MGman, the headlight looks too ‘modern’, otherwise great looking retro.
The quality of your review should be the standard for all. Lots of useful information and no look-at-me ego. Plus, I really like the Z650RS.
Many thanks for the feedback
Best regards mark
A work colleague had one in green back in the early 80's. Although I prefer this retro one, with all the updated stuff, LED's, fuel injection, gear indicator, etc. Very nice 👌 thanks Mark.
Great many thanks:)
Great review. Seems like a worthwhile bike to consider for a number of different reasons.
Excellent review Mark, looks like a very nice affordable middleweight motorcycle.
I took my Versys 1000 in for it's first service today, and the dealer had a few of these z650rs's, it's the first time I have seen one!! 🙄I was really taken by the look, also good to see Kawasaki have found another home for this great engine, I had a ER6F a few years ago which I think was the same engine? Great review Mark, I always look for your reviews first! 👏
Many thanks 👍
Best regards mark
Good review Mark. Thanks for the time and effort altoough I guess it was good fun. Like many I love the green version with the gold wheels but seeing this one IT does look really good. It's like the engine looks right with this colour scheme whilst one expects a 4 cylinder in the green! Wonder if this would be more fun than the Triumph Trident or even the Tiger Sport 660....the RS looks better IMHO.
Thanks Mervyn I've ridden the trident and this is about the same fun even though the trident has more power
Regards mark
@@markpulling12 ok thanks
Fell in love with this bike as soon as I saw it in my local dealership and bought one…..my first bike 😂
Good choice! Thanks James
That is a neat looking bike..so retro !!! Excellent review !! Good quality vidio .keep up the good work.
Thanks Wayne my pleasure 😊
Didn't think that much of it whilst static in the NEC..however, watching you ride it and hearing it..changed my mind..nice bike!
Thanks Paul yes it sounds great 👍
Mark , had a green one delivered last Friday but not had the opportunity to ride it yet. But felt like have watching your vlog.
I fell love as soon as it broke cover last autumn and thought yep! I’m having one.
Thanks Greg you won't be disappointed look great don't they 😉
@@markpulling12 exactly I couldn’t resist getting one. Takes me back to the 70’s when I was a young lad . Pity it’s not a 2-stroke.
Keep the good work up I watch all your vlogs and thoroughly enjoy them.
Beautiful machine. Thanks for the detailed review. Cheers from Canary Islands ✌
Thanks my pleasure 😊
The top quality made and very fun to ride this 6 gear manual. Now EN 650 is the most versertal engine platform , Ninja 650, Z650, Versys 650, Vulcan S 650 which I ride daily and this great looking Z 650 RS.
Gr8 vid, mark. Ride safe, god bless u.
👍from queensland australia ...enjoyed this review - mitchell
I would have to have the green one. Great review. Thanks Mark..........Sal : )
Gorgeous bike. I like the 900RS too
Not a big fan of Kawasakis 650 twin engine, but subjectively the nicest looking of the middle weight retro bikes currently available. Love the twin clocks with the LCD central display
Agree 100%
@@nervotica7991 imagine a 400cc inline 4 cyl version from the upcoming zx4r :D maybe in a a few years!
@@gren1977 - oh yeah! A tuned down liettol SCREAMER! 👌
at least sv650 has a real competitor now - I'm glad now suzuki has to come with real upgrades to SV650 finishing quality and Display units.
Agreed, finally a bike without the cheap n nasty bargraph tach and speedo. All we need now is firecracker red. 👍
Now I'm in my 60s I decided my 25yr old speed triple was getting a shade heavy for me, I took delivery of the green rs & I absolutely love it, takes me back to the late 70s with no fancy gizmos, it's an absolute doddle to ride & handle, really surprised with the bottom to midrange torque & overall performance, kawasaki have done a great job in creating this little beauty
Thanks Gary yes I was impressed with the bottom/midrange:)
The bike looks like a keeper, can't wait to throw a leg over one, my pick would also be the green one. I live in British Columbia ,Canada and the dealers where i live probably won't be seeing them until April or May. And when they do arrive will have limited stock .
@@danhansen9340 thanks dan
@@markpulling12 Yeah, i'm also in my 60s actually I"ll be 70 this year. I had a Yamaha 650 special back in 1982 in loved it, so iI imagine with a few modern tech features I will also quite enjoy riding this one .One problem though I'm only 5' 6 so i hope i can get at least the balls of my feet down ha..ha
@@danhansen9340 yes Dan you'll be fine at 5ft 6 :)
If I could afford a tourer and a commuter, this would be high up on my list. Looks just about perfect for scooting about town.
Another great video Mark. Finally a detailed and considerate review of this beautiful bike. One that is most certainly on my ‘to own’ list 👍🏻
Hi many thanks 👍😊
Excellent real world review. Thanks
Thank you sir, brilliant review, exactly the things and details I was looking for, especially showing the slow handling and the nimbleness. This looks like the perfect motorcycle to me, just enough power to be safe, not enough to be stupid and great gas mileage, dependability and price. What's up Honda? Get busy! Lol thxz again ;)
Thanks Todd 😊
Seems like an all round lovely bike
Great review - many thanks.
Kawasaki z650rs very cool bike runs well smooth thanks mark for reviews 👍
Cheers Andrew
Great video and review Mark :) What a life eh ? Hooning around the countryside and getting paid for it :)
Yes not bad ☺️;)
Am buying one, old Ninja already traded into shop. Should be ready for collection before 20th of August. Great review as usual from Mark.
Great choice William 😊
@@markpulling12 Watched your video a few times then had a test ride on a Z650RS, it certainly ticked many of the boxes for a bike I could live with. Have opted for the 50th Anniversary version with a few additions added prior to delivery. Keep up the great reviews and content, look forward to your next road test.
Really good bike I think , rode a z650 last week, really enjoyed that good fun
Just got mine in Black, green and gold was a bit much for me in the flesh, a lovely lovely bike to ride and importantly, look at 🙂
Cheers for the review. Just looked at one in green at the dealer. Looked proper sexy in the green. Though 13 grand aud for a lams bike seems quite a lot?
I like your reviews Mark-and envy a little bit ;)
Many thanks 👍
Another excellent review!
Nice bike and nice practical review.
Brilliant review - as always - thanx.
Yes thanks great bike :)
Great review Mark impressive bike, thanks!
Thanks Martin 😊😃
Comprehensive demonstration, thank you my friend
Thanks James my pleasure
Looks and sounds great, expect it will be a good seller for Kawasaki.
I had a SV650 and ALLLLMOOOSSTTT bought this bike but, I opted for a 2022 Z900RS Cafe, so far so good it's been amazing. But that 650 looks good !
Proper retro. Feels retro. Definitely retro.
love that bike, bought it last month. By the way, raising the handlebars by 2-3 cm makes a huge change on the handling of the bike... for me (1,81m tall) raising the handle bar changed the handling completely and made it even easier to flick the bike around.
Great clean review Mark!
May I know what camera mic setup you are using brother?
Hi nothing complicated just a hero 7 and purple panda mic
Best regards mark
@@markpulling12 thanks Mark. Great content! Keep up the vids. 👍
Love It!! Great Bike for around town...
GREAT REVIW, WELL DONE
G'day Mark, that's a better looking Motorcycle 🏍️, not a lot of plastic, another great review, can you see over those hedge rows in England while on the bike, if not it would be like tunnel vision, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
Hi Neil yes you can see over the hedges just :)
Another great review thank you. It is a shame that Kawasaki didn't give it quite the same attention to detail as the Z900 rs. This one could do with a similar exhaust and fake cooling fins for starters
Well said-it looks cheap.
Great review again, shame about the bike ,this was one I was looking forward to,,but the price and looked a bit small for you ,,never mind ,,just keep up your very good works,.
Thanks for the review. Best regards from Malta 🇲🇹 Europe. Tc mark.
Thanks I worked for dive shack In sliema years ago!!!
Thanks Mark! I collected mine in that colourway last week. A brilliant bike! Popeye.
Thanks James great choice 😊
I agree the motor suits this bike. Even more then a Z650 or the Ninja 650. I love the looks and wouldn't feel embarrassed riding this bike with that motor.
Honestly thanks for just telling us your height and showing you getting on the bike. So many times I go to sit on a bike and find it's just too tall and vids never usually help with that.
Thanks ally :)
That is a really good looking bike, you have some really good roads to ride on round where you live. 😀👍
Thanks Chris 😊
Going to need something economical like this when it reaches £2 a litre 👍🏻
Anything over 650cc is becoming obsolete
I'm not sure why, as Kawa are clearly going for the looks, that they didn't spend some money on upside-down forks. The headlight and tail look good. The green one with gold, looks fantastic. I rode an ER6, it was fine, in its day. The engine in the demo bike has less power and is in drastic need of an upgrade. Has been for years. Great review as ever, thanks.
Thanks clive :)
The emerald green candy and gold is unreal
Hi Mark. Thanks for another good review. I was wondering if your right heel hit the exhaust when you were riding it? Thanks again.......Sal : )
Hi sal ...no problems at all with the exhaust cheers mark
Love the look of this bike especially the green one. Only things that detract are the exhaust and the black headlamp.
I would love a test ride. Just worried the legroom isn't enough for a 6ft rider with 32" inside leg and dodgy back and knees.
It is a shame Kawasaki didn't have a suitable small 4 cylinder to drop in though! ;-)
Hi Robert .. I’m 6’4 and just bought this bike in green and gold..super comfortable riding position, the headlight and disk trims are chrome and the wheels are good … IMO the best authentic colour scheme option.
Gonna be buying one thus week gonna be my second bike
This was my first choice after I looked into my (ex)beloved Bonnevilles... then I found RE and went nuts over my GT650, but the z650rs is still my next choice, and I may just have to acquire one for my garage
Unfortunately this Kawasaki does not use a 270 degree crankshaft. If it did, it would sound much like the RE GT650! I've owned 2 bikes with this Kawasaki engine and while they are brilliant engines, they just don't have any soul compared to the 270 crank engines, like in your GT, MT07, current R1 and even old Yamaha TRX850!
Thanks for the review. The new Z650 twin isn’t in the same league for classic looks as the 70’s Z650b1. And indeed the original could handle and decent performance; they are becoming very collectible.
Thanks for the comment Nigel
Liking these mid range bikes. Especially as soon becoming a septuagenarian. In a couple of years I reckon getting a lighter bike. Interesting watching two videos back to back: TMF’s review (also a pleasant reviewer) of 2022 Tiger Sport 660. Whilst being perhaps a more practical bike the Tiger is weighing in at 206 kg, 19kg heavier… For the Sunday ride outs and because I like twins this Z650RS could be a contender in a couple of years.
Thanks Pete yes these are great to ride 😌
Another very watchable video Mark, nice to see Analogue twin needles on dials. I cant resist mentioning TH-cam trend for calling kawaSakis, kawaZakis.. Oops
This a very sweet looking ride
Nice looking bike i had a 2010 er6n so know its a good engine but the kawa is lacking some of the tech for this price size market
Im still leaning to the trident 660 to replace my harley 883 as my 365 daily runner
Bought one 2 weeks ago. For those coming off a small bike without prior big bike experience (me from 110cc scooter) who are currently contemplating on a midrange bike but is wondering between a lower or a higher displacement midrange one, my transition with this bike was actually surprisingly smooth. Most vloggers (e.g. MotoJitsu) advise to start with a smaller displacement bike e.g. 400cc with 650 being the maximum which made me hesitant with the higher displacement. However, this bike prove to be light to manually move around (e.g. moving around the garage) and very nimble running. A word of caution though, I have practiced to mastery and incorporated in my daily riding most of the basic and intermediate biking skills as outlined by MotoJitsu, Mc Rider, Palladino and DDFM in the scooter before moving up to this bike. This bike can definitely be a daily rider since it can handle like a scooter in 0-10km/h traffic. Although finding it hard at present to do a 100-110 degree hard right or left turn from stand still as opposed to the scooter due to its weight (very convenient skill in joggling between lane position 1 and 3 while filtering in stopped/standstill traffic). Although I'm not seeing this as something that can't be improved with practice. As to the aesthetics, I am convinced of the mechanical advantage of the 180 degree crank and the modern appeal of the underbelly exhaust (with the added advantage of less hot surface to burn with), so it does not matter to me. Hope this helps those with the same quandary as me on choosing their first big bike and is considering the z650rs.
Thanks great comment ☺️
have you tried xsr700 or the trident, if yes, what could have convinced you to get the kawi
@@f.i.l.d.e.p.s sadly the xsr700 and the trident are not available in the dealerships in my area. Although they can be had from other cities. Ownership of those bikes would be more cumbersome compared to the kawi for my intended use (as daily rider within my city). And the price point too. As a naive rider of bigger displacement bikes at the time of purchase, I was also hesitant of yamaha offerings since most reviews label them to have more aggressive response. Although that consideration will have a very different weight if I have to buy another bike right now😀.
@@mariomanus3176 I appreciated your comment having seen the underbelly exhaust as a detriment (thinking the heat from the cat would migrate into the engine and the possibility of a large expense in the future if it's damaged) and I'm curious as to what you see as the advantages of the 180 crank?
I eagerly awaited your review of this bike, just to find that both you and the bike have exceeded my expectations. I have ridden several Z650's and was really impressed with their performance, but at 6'2 and 220 lbs, simply found them too small for me. But this version is just about perfect. Hopefully, I will be buying one, once they become commonly available. And while some people don't like the sound of a 180 degree parallel twin, many of the bikes I rode in my youth (mainly Honda twins) sounded very similar. Thanks for the review!
Ok Chris thanks for the feedback 😊
I thought the engine sound was great, and assumed it had a 270 degree crank. In the early 80s I had a Honda CD175, so maybe I was reminiscing! I haven't owned bikes for a long time, but like looking at TH-cam videos. Whether I'll ever get another bike? Unlikely, but you never know.
Hi Mark great review as normal love all the detailed information, question how does it compare to the MT07 ?
Regards Des
Hi Des the mt07 revs faster and feels more modern but the engine in this suits it's retro style...both are very good 👍
@@markpulling12
Thanks Mark I am thinking of upgrading my bike from a Benelli 500 to the MT07 do you think it's the right choice.
Des
@@desodonovan5861 hi Des yes definitely you can't go wrong with the mt07....I do have a review on that one:)
@@markpulling12 thanks Mark will check it out
Des
Nice review, as ever!
Thanks Paul great bike !
I think that color looks best
Nice Kawasaki looks like a smooth ride will it be good for a couple to ride on
I think the engine can trace its ancestry back to the GPz500S of 1987-2009, which was an excellent motor. Sounds like the same 180 degree crank phasing which produces a throaty sound when revved and sounds a bit like a single at low revs. I much prefer this sound to the current trend for 270 degree twins. If it had a proper exhaust system like the 900RS I might be tempted.
I have 5400 miles on my Versys 650, excellent engine, smooth, punchy and loves to rev without ever feeling strained.
Thanks yes I owned a couple of gpz500s myself great bikes 👍
Loving that red kr1
I know I wonder if I could borrow it!!