2022 Kawasaki Z650RS

[The Gecko_imp]

Before you get too excited about the twin retro kawa, there is a detailed test and ride report out there on the web, compares the 900RS with the 650RS. it says that in every category (but looks) the 650 is just the cheaper bike. The difference in 3 or 4000 bucks between the two .... one can feel in the quality of all components.

[Tev62]

My only negative, if it is even one, is that the Z650 engine is probably one of the oldest out there and it follows the older style 180 Deg crank which can be slightly dull whilst everyone else has moved to a 270 deg crank in the parallel twin world. In its defense it is definitely the best looking retro out there in that class.

The new Moto Morini's (now Chinese owned) as it happens uses a licensed copy/version of the same Kawasaki 650 engine with that 180 deg crank and I have a feeling they are going to sell very well in Europe. A road and a scrambler version here.

[Gone in 60]

They were doing demo rides on that new Morini 650 yesterday at our Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, as the hosting dealer will be selling them along with their other brands. I didn't stick around to get on the list for a ride, but I gave it a close look and sat on one for a while. It is a looker up close, and seems to be well made.
And, they're quoting $7500 MSRP.

Still, for the money, I'd rather have the Z650 RS in green and gold.

[GoldOxide_imp]

They were doing demo rides on that new Morini 650 yesterday at our Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, as the hosting dealer will be selling them along with their other brands. I didn't stick around to get on the list for a ride, but I gave it a close look and sat on one for a while. It is a looker up close, and seems to be well made.
And, they're quoting $7500 MSRP.

Still, for the money, I'd rather have the Z650 RS in green and gold.

(+1) Mmmm, yes. Green 'n' gold.

[peterbaron]

Thanks Gecko, you are absolutely correct, and I also mentioned about it in post # 66.
I also read a few reports and they confirm my findings.
The main reason of my tests was to see and feel the differences when switching daily between CB and RS, not to compare which one is better.

@Tev: My only negative, if it is even one, is that the Z650 engine is probably one of the oldest, agreed when I look at my d.o.b...old is good

I clocked about 300 miles, and the more I ride the black tester/PT650 the more I like it.
This bike loves rpm and I cranked it up easily to its red line of 10000, it has very good response. At 60 mile/hr, in 6th, it cranks smooth 5000 rpm.
When riding 50 mile/hr in 6th and rapidly acc, these two cylinders do a good job.
After gas fill up it shows distance to empty of 320 kms/200 miles and I pushed this bike hard in every gear, so it's good for my long distance riding. My CB/18L tank at 4000 rpm reaches 200 mile distance as well, or even longer at a slower speed.
It has a bit of stiffer ride compared to our CB, but just keep in mind that its wheelbase is shorter by 4"....++

For me this bike passes my expectations and acceptance for daily swap with the CB.
Two things, it does not have the center stand and there is no room for it due to a large muffler underneath. Also it needs a windshield!!

Tomorrow, I will ride my CB and my decision about trading the albino for the RS will have to be made soon.....

Final notes after 2 days:
1. clocked 319 miles
2. little mosquito and fun to ride
3. never ridden twin engine-FI before
4. sensitive to side wind, windy days or passing BIG trucks
5. very smooth at higher rpm, think is smoother than the CB
6. fantastic shifting up & down, superior to the CB
7. idling at a red light stopped bothering me
8. for my size of 5'8 and 176 lbs and needs it's a good bike
9. awkward to ride through rough streets

[GoldOxide_imp]

Sounds promising [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=3454]PB.

Modern twins, particularly inline twins can surprise and pull at the heart.

[Tev62]

Thanks Gecko, you are absolutely correct, and I also mentioned about it in post # 66.
I also read a few reports and they confirm my findings.
The main reason of my tests was to see and feel the differences when switching daily between CB and RS, not to compare which one is better.

@Tev: My only negative, if it is even one, is that the Z650 engine is probably one of the oldest, agreed when I look at my d.o.b...old is good

I clocked about 300 miles, and the more I ride the black tester/PT650 the more I like it.
This bike loves rpm and I cranked it up easily to its red line of 10000, it has very good response. At 60 mile/hr, in 6th, it cranks smooth 5000 rpm.
When riding 50 mile/hr in 6th and rapidly acc, these two cylinders do a good job.
After gas fill up it shows distance to empty of 320 kms/200 miles and I pushed this bike hard in every gear, so it's good for my long distance riding. My CB/18L tank at 4000 rpm reaches 200 mile distance as well, or even longer at a slower speed.
It has a bit of stiffer ride compared to our CB, but just keep in mind that its wheelbase is shorter by 4"....++

For me this bike passes my expectations and acceptance for daily swap with the CB.
Two things, it does not have the center stand and there is no room for it due to a large muffler underneath. Also it needs a windshield!!

Tomorrow, I will ride my CB and my decision about trading the albino for the RS will have to be made soon.....

Final notes after 2 days:
1. clocked 319 miles
2. little mosquito and fun to ride
3. never ridden twin engine-FI before
4. sensitive to side wind, windy days or passing BIG trucks
5. very smooth at higher rpm, think is smoother than the CB
6. fantastic shifting up & down, superior to the CB
7. idling at a red light stopped bothering me
8. for my size of 5'8 and 176 lbs and needs it's a good bike
9. awkward to ride through rough streets

I'm with you. Gold and Green all the way too, superb in the flesh.

Of course Kawasaki's other twin, the W800 is a 360 crank (in the old British Style) so they definately stand out, doing their own thing and hats off to them for doing so.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thanks Gecko, you are absolutely correct, and I also mentioned about it in post # 66.
I also read a few reports and they confirm my findings.
The main reason of my tests was to see and feel the differences when switching daily between CB and RS, not to compare which one is better.

@Tev: My only negative, if it is even one, is that the Z650 engine is probably one of the oldest, agreed when I look at my d.o.b...old is good

I clocked about 300 miles, and the more I ride the black tester/PT650 the more I like it.
This bike loves rpm and I cranked it up easily to its red line of 10000, it has very good response. At 60 mile/hr, in 6th, it cranks smooth 5000 rpm.
When riding 50 mile/hr in 6th and rapidly acc, these two cylinders do a good job.
After gas fill up it shows distance to empty of 320 kms/200 miles and I pushed this bike hard in every gear, so it's good for my long distance riding. My CB/18L tank at 4000 rpm reaches 200 mile distance as well, or even longer at a slower speed.
It has a bit of stiffer ride compared to our CB, but just keep in mind that its wheelbase is shorter by 4"....++

For me this bike passes my expectations and acceptance for daily swap with the CB.
Two things, it does not have the center stand and there is no room for it due to a large muffler underneath. Also it needs a windshield!!

Tomorrow, I will ride my CB and my decision about trading the albino for the RS will have to be made soon.....

Final notes after 2 days:
1. clocked 319 miles
2. little mosquito and fun to ride
3. never ridden twin engine-FI before
4. sensitive to side wind, windy days or passing BIG trucks
5. very smooth at higher rpm, think is smoother than the CB
6. fantastic shifting up & down, superior to the CB
7. idling at a red light stopped bothering me
8. for my size of 5'8 and 176 lbs and needs it's a good bike
9. awkward to ride through rough streets

I'm with you. Gold and Green all the way too, superb in the flesh.

Of course Kawasaki's other twin, the W800 is a 360 crank (in the old British Style) so they definately stand out, doing their own thing and hats off to them for doing so.

I'm with you. Gold and Green all the way too, superb in the flesh.

Of course Kawasaki's other twin, the W800 is a 360 crank (in the old British Style) so they definately stand out, doing their own thing and hats off to them for doing so.
Yeah, the W800 is quite classic lookin'. If one is lookin' for that special old twin throb, it could be it.

[peterbaron]

I don't know but my head is brewing again with the Z650RS...and anything can happen....anything to one or both CBs???
The Kawi dealer still has it in stock.

https://sturgessonline.com/In-stock/adid...milton-ON/

[GoldOxide_imp]

I don't know but my head is brewing again with the Z650RS...and anything can happen....anything to one or both CBs???
The Kawi dealer still has it in stock.

https://sturgessonline.com/In-stock/adid...milton-ON/

I thought you had a deal all buttoned up one or two months ago [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=3454]PB?

I think the green is awesome.