The MAM Journals-Kawasaki Z650RS. Is it a good retro?
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- As someone who is on his second Z900rs , and having bought a four cylinder Z650F3 new, in the early eighties, I have been hoping to try the new Z650 rs twin for a while . With my SE in for first service at Greenham Kawasaki, I had the perfect opportunity to take one for a ride.
What did I think of the engine , chassis, the technology fitted and the aesthetics and finish ? How did I get on with riding it and , if I was spending this sort of money on a new bike, would it be my choice?
Other videos, including those on the Kawasaki Z900 rs , are available at: / @michaelmam - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I like the paralllel twin because I don't need a four cylinder or the extra power. I've owned four cylinder bikes, one 900cc which was the quickest bike I've ever owned. But at my age I find the 650 to be plenty of power. It seems when I ride a bike with 100 plus hp I have a disconnect between my brian and my throttle hand. So if I want to live longer it is best for me to stay with the 650.
Sounds like you have worked out what is right for you which , ultimately is what choice is all about 👍
Thank you Micheal for another comprehensive and entertaining review. Enjoy your summer and ride safe!
Thank you Robert . And you!
I just bought one in December 2023. It's a lot of fun. It's got some quirks like any bike but none that really bother me. I don't have vibration problems at all. It feels very light, handles great, great brakes and looks super cool. The main thing I like is even in 5th gear you have gobs of power when you open the throttle. Faster than I want to go...They are a little pricey but a great overall bike..No regrets here!
If you are happy , that is all that matters . Have fun ..
Another good video review Michael. This 650 is ideal for commuting and just stead pottering on a nice sunny day.
I bought a the Z650rs in June of this year, it's perfect for how it's designed be. I had a 79 650sr with the 4 cylinders and a fairing, also a nice bike for it's designed purpose. Great japanese design and engineering that never lets me down. That was a fair and honest review of the Z650, like many I watched Pryor to my choice, the Honda CB650r was my 2nd choice.
Great to hear that you are happy with your bike 👍
I love this bikes as much as I can without even sitting on it yet.
Thank you Michael. Love the looks of this bike. Nearly purchased when it came out even with the cheaper interceptor parked beside it. Ended up going for a larger Cc.
Terrific review, thanks
I love the colour
I did too . A classic Kawasaki colour ..
Very nice review…thanks
this Kawa looks so good... it's like the best balance of modern and old school
If it rode as well as it looked, they would be flying out of the door .
Wonderful review especially with your historical account of your 4 cylinder 650. The info on older bikes gives me a good reference point which i can relate too. Sometimes i think i should have kept my R6 and i wouldn't be looking for a bike now. I did have good memories of my 79 SR650 and zx10.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Personally I often remember bikes as being faster and better handling than they prove to be when I ride them now . Engine , chassis , tyre and brake technology has come such a long way . I enjoy both but if I am trying to "make good progress " the new ones feel a lot safer😂 ZX10 was a weapon in its day ...
Good review, had a 77 Z1000 myself which I restored in 2000 like you said nice looking but scary handling
@@redzed40 Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it 👍
@@michaelmam You done a evap delete and moved your reg/rec yet on the ceptor ?
Good review thank you
Thank you Malcolm for watching and taking the time to comment .
Glad I bought the 900 , no comparison in my eyes .
Hi Glenn , I like my 900 as well 👍
We are all different , which is good ..
Tampoco hay comparación en el precio...
Casi 4000€ de diferencia.
Can a bike be art? I think the Z900RS is perhaps as close as it gets. I had a Honda 400/4 back in the day and those pipes were a thing of beauty......not sure that the Z650RS quite hits the mark. Interesting video. Thank you.
Nice to hear from you Quentin . Personally I think some bikes are works of art . Completely agree about the 400/4 exhaust !
My 996 R looks like it is doing a hundred miles an hour stood in the garage 😂
I bought a z900rs (great Facebook group btw) but I think the green and gold on this bike looks lovely. I wonder how a z9rs would look with it. All the best Michael.
Good question!
Good review, nice picture of Joey on the wall behind you.
Thank you . I like the picture too . I have had an SP1 for 22 years , which I bought new .
Nice review
Thank you . Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment .
Re - the header pipe layout; I would guess the shape is a result of fitting a particular tuned length, into a fairly restricted linear distance between cylinder head, and the large cat beneath the engine.
👍. I have no doubt there are good technical reasons for the shape . My comment is an attempt at a light hearted comment on the Aesthetics . Thanks for commenting !
They got the styling so right on this one … maybe should have put the ninja engine in 400 or 600 so we could have had 4 pipes and the howl
It is a looker . Should have selected a slightly more charismatic engine in my opinion . It is OK , but nothing special . They make better engines than this ..
As an older returning rider, I wish I had bought the Z650RS as my starter bike, instead of the RE Meteor 350 I did buy. While the Meteor is a lovely bike and would definitely recommend it for certain types of riding and riders, I have quickly outgrown it. Now, I'm looking at a used Z900RS as my next ride!
Thank you for commenting . I agree completely ! The 350 is a good little bike but you have to be content at 55-65 mph for most of the time . The 650 is more than capable of holding its own in all traffic and road types and a great bike to either learn or refresh your biking experience . Most reasonably confident riders would find the Z900 easy to ride at lower , legal speeds but it can crack on if you choose to .. 👍
Nice review. Its a retro bike so you should compare it to retro bikes, not to modern naked or sport bikes. Put it against an interceptor, a V7 or a street/speed twin and the Kawasaki has more power and better value then all of them. Also a just bought one 😎
Nice bike . Looks great . Hope you enjoy yours . Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment . I appreciate it 👍
I traded in my Z650 for a Zephyr 750. Loved that bike. Then traded that in on a Ninja 600 E.
Definitely a marmite bike . I have met a few fellow motorcyclists over the years who loved the 750. Didn't sell well but some of my favourite bikes didn't either 😂
A plumber did it after a night out........., cracked me up!
There's an argument to be made for TC.
In my country, asphalt is quite slippery compared to the rest of the world, dusty and greasy roads are an issue as well and then there's, of course, rain.
And rain on inherently more slippery roads is a nightmare.
The real reason TC is not needed on this bike is it's character.
It's not a sports bike and those buying it would not be looking to thrash it, rather enjoy riding slowly and, occasionaly, in a sporty manner but never with a racey mindset.
At 7/10s let's say, leaving a good margin for error or misfortune.
It is,after all, aimed at the more mature crowds who have lost their virginity long time ago, together with a good portion of their testosterone.
Of course younger riders will love it as well, there are a lot of mature youngsters out there to be fair.
As for engine modes and quick shifter being absent, that's an actual plus.
Lastly, a naked bike with roughly 70 hp will not do 130mph, the actual top speed is around 185km/h or 115mph, hence the somewhat close gear ratios.
Hi Michael, always enjoy your videos. Honest and obviously expertly researched...like you I didnt like the exhaust headers they spoil what is otherwise a very nice looking modern tribute to the iconic original. I guess an inline 4 not possible with modern rules..
Thanks David . Looks like the days of the middleweight 4 cylinder are gone for the foreseeable future but it is good to see the manufacturers investing in developing their twin engines . The Kawasaki 650 is quite an old design now so I suspect a new engine will appear at some point ? Ride safe 👍
Really good review. As a rider of 50 odd years i currently own a VFR1200F which is great fun but very heavy and also own a 2008 cb1300s which ive had from new. At 71 im thinking of getting a lighter replacement but struggling to decide which bike would suite me. After watching this Im leaning towards the z900rs. How does the weight feel on that as compared to a triumph bonneville? Neither are light.
The Z doesn’t feel heavy and I move it around the garage quite a lot , which is where I normally feel it , if it is . Been a while since I have had a standard bonny ? Honest answer .. can’t remember . I did a review comparing the RS to a Thruxton over a year ago though . They were about the same weight but the Z was lighter to ride ..👍
I didnt buy the 900, which looks gorgeous in my view, because I didnt want the weight and 45mpg - my reason for having a bike was to not have to buy a second hand car and I'm getting 74 mpg currently - at 45mpg for the 900 I might as well have bought a car anyway. It just fitted my purpose brilliantly.
Sounds like you are very happy with your choice Tim ! 👍
Great video as always...
Maybe l did not hear it but when you were looking at alternatives l thought you missed the Yamaha XSR 700 which to my mind is a closer rival to this than the MT 07. Of course class wise they are pretty similar but for a like for like comparison l think the XSR form factor is this closest to this one.
A couple of people have meantioned that and I am sure you are right . Although I have ridden the R7 and R6, they have both been on track days . Clearly need to familiarise myself with the wider range and find a dealer willing to lend me some bikes 👍
Thank you for this video. What about as a daily commuter? What do you think of it (suspension comfort, brakes, low-rev torque for start-stop conditions)?
I made that video a while ago now but I certainly remember the bike being very easy to ride , balanced and quite small . All good characteristics for commuting in traffic . Quite an old fashioned engine and clutch which is light enough but not as smooth as some now . Bikes like the Vstrom 650 and 800’s have what is called something like a “low rev assist system” which makes them really good in stop / go traffic . From memory , brakes were fine on the Z650 I rode . Ultimately whilst specifications are facts , how a bike is to ride is far more subjective and opinions differ . My opinion is no more valid than anyone else’s but I could definitely commute on a Z650 but would factor in how much time the commute was on open roads and weather . It is an open retro naked . Hope this helps ! Have fun .
I could have sworn the z650rs had traction control?? Or maybe later models??
I think you are right . All UK bikes of this size and age need ABS even if it is a bit basic . My error . Apologies 👍 .
why no engine fins? (Vulcan 650 has them)
@@alandmorley As you know fins are purely decoration on liquid cooled bikes so I can only assume that they preferred the look of the engine without the fins🤷🏼♂️
Yea seems a retro should have those
Good review. As a potentially returning rider who also had a z1000 back in the day, blue and gold just like last year's z900rs, i would probably go with a RE interceptor. Just a bit more character and cheaper.
For the price of a new z650rs you can get a leftover z900rs here in the US .....
Hi Ralf , thank you for watching and taking the time to comment again .
The old Z1000 had just over 80bhp (83 from memory ) . The interceptor has 47 and the RS 109 . I would try both if you can , before buying ? A used RS might suit you better ? You mentioned you are 6’2 “ on a different video . You might quickly find the Interceptor a bit tame ? I really like mine but I have put a Big Bore kit on it 👍
@@michaelmam That is what i am thinking. I would likely be wanting a bit more power. Then again prior to my Z1000 I had a suzuki GS 550 and if I am honest that really had all the power that I needed in real life and in real traffic.
Test rides are hard to come by here in the US. Shops ma have only 1 or 2 (or none believe it or not) and those are the ones they want to sell without miles on them so they won't let you drive them.
I love the blue one with the yellow stripes as that was the one I had badk then.
Then again for what is at my stage of life essentially a frivolity I am just a bit reluctant to spend $10k on something that I don't need. A leftover Inty is half that ....
Then again I did see some old codger drive a Ninja 1000sx which looks like a spaceship to me, but kind of tempting ...
@@ralfybaby 😂 If I removed all the things that I don’t need and might kill me from my life .. there wouldn’t be much left …
@michaelmam I agree. Still have some dependents though ...
@@ralfybaby I understand completely 👍
Hilarious contradiction when you disliked the rim coloured exhaust, but liked the rim colour😂
You might want to watch it again .. or not 😂
I'd swap out the MT07 for the XSR700 in your list. A shade over 8000 pounds now but a great bike.
Good comment ! A bike I have yet to try but certainly in that space 👍
@@michaelmam The XSR700 is on a whole different level than an XSR900. I'm talking pre 2022 monstrosities that Yamaha have now made them.
I love everything about this bike except its price, its competitors make the little rs seem pricey.
Hi Michael , I do think the RS is a great looking bike but the arrival of the latest , higher spec Honda Hornet and Suzuki GSX8S do make it look a little expensive . The Yamaha legacy version of the XSR is actually more expensive but the base one is much nearer . I don’t know , but suspect deals can be done .. Personally I have found it better to buy the bike I really like , at the best price I can,rather than the bike which is the best deal …👍
does the gas cap open with a key?
No you use a crowbar.
not all have locking caps@@kalnwi2023
I think I would rather have the Royal Enfield 650 to go alongside my 900RS.
Hi, You probably recall that I have an Interceptor as well. I have put a Big Bore kit on it , taking it to an 865 which livens it up quite a bit. 47bhp on the standard bike means that you do more following than intercepting..😂Popular bike though and great value. The finish on the Kawasaki is better. Lucky that we have so many good bikes to choose from !
@@michaelmam can share more details on that bore.
@@realdevbro447 made a few videos on the whole thing - 5 in total .. this is the end one 👍 czcams.com/video/jY284eJTy4c/video.html
Whilst this bike looks nice in terms of the front end and colours, I think it's a shame the Z650RS has effectively replaced the W800 in the UK market. Sure the Z650 is more performant, but it's also pretty obviously a modern bike with some retro styling tacked on - the W800 was a classic bike with the minimum of modern kit. The Z650 is also of lower overall finish quality and lacks my favourite feature a bike can come with - a centre stand! Since this bike costs about what the W800 did you're getting less for your money IMO, beyond the peak performance specs.
I very nearly traded my CB650R in to buy this bike: only the green with gold wheels. Because it looks utterly divine. The old z650/4 is one of my fav bikes of all time. The reasons I didn't trade down, in the end were simply the old engine that is uninspiring and way down on power/torque and, the thing that you made light of, for no valid reason in my view, the lack of TC and basic modes. You can come a cropper on a bike at less than 5mph if it doesn't have TC. The power of the bike is pretty irrelevant. TC is, nearly, as important as ABS on bikes. I would never buy a bike without it. It's not expensive and it's a great addition to safety - just the basic, non-cornering TC. Although, I'd be delighted to have the 6 axis stuff keeping me safe.
Thanks for watching Clive and taking the time to comment . We have very different views on TC , which is fine . Each to their own . 👍
In this year 2023 have TC
Z650RS does not. Z650 has.@@FilipeNeves-xp1ur
I have the bike and not once did the rear feel unstable at full throttle even in rain. 67hp isnt enough. also some people swear on non abs bikes. either way enjoy riding.
@@kristwi37riding skill will always override tech. you are absolutely correct, and the bike is also not powerful enough to spin the rear wheel that fast
Why compare the outputs of a 650 with a 800? Pig ugly exhaust headers.
Kawasaki KZ750 twin. Remember them? I do. Rode one and it was just so bland and gutless. Sounded as bland. This 650RS reminds me so much of that Kawasaki disaster. Kawasaki KZ750 Years produced: 1976-1983
Claimed power: 55hp @ 7000rpm (1976)
Top speed: 103mph
This is where there are two Kawasaki's in 2023. The green and black Monster Energy drink Kawasaki and the almost totally lost retro division and both are struggling badly.
😂 I do remember the 750 twin . Verging on sale proof ...
I do really like the Z900RS - I must do , I have bought two . Thanks for commenting.👍👍
@@michaelmam The 650RS looks nice but it isn't the 900RS minus some capacity. But we both know Kawasaki haven't quite got it right in the past eh?
@@theaustralianconundrum In my experience ALL the manufacturers have made bikes over the years which can be fairly described as “duds” and Kawasaki have had their fair share . The Z650RS is not in my mind, a bad bike . It is just not as good to ride as it looks. Most of the others are now making some pretty good parallel twin engines and the one fitted here is beginning to show its age .
@@michaelmam Spot on sir! Take care.
No centre stand which makes a task as simple as oiling the chain an absolute nightmare - why don't they fit a centre stand?
No kick start. Some of us enjoy starting our bikes with the kick start & I can think of no good reason why a kick start is not fitted.
Why do motorcycles have black engines? No option to spend a Sunday afternoon with a cloth & a tube of Autosol on your casings.
I don't like the exhaust.
I don't like these retros - why don't they just start producing the original 1970s models?
Produce the original 1970's bike, with single disk front/drum rear brake as well as unbearable curve handling, too 😂
@@enricohagn Yup - skill was required to ride those 1970s machines which is something you obviously don't have. Stick to cars would be my advice to you.
Best regards, dear heart xx
@@rosiemason-rk4cm immensely opinionated 😂😂
@@enricohagn What is wrong with having an opinion?
Maybe you'd be best dressing all in taupe & standing at the back, unnoticed by anyone.
Best regards, dear heart xx
@@rosiemason-rk4cm "stick to csrs would be my advice to you"...
Is an "opinion"?
Ladies version of 900.
😂 I have met a few ladies on track days who left me for dead ......I sponsored Georgina Polden some years ago . She was ballistic...
You know what I mean. Maybe I should have said Hairdressers. Michael is busting his gut to be nice but it comes across as bland in every respect but still expensive (as is the 900RS - I own the cafe version)
I agree there are many women than can ride rings around me
@@frupertlister2039 Yes , I do try to be fair . Although I was genuinely looking forward to riding the bike I was a bit underwhelmed by the engine . I prefer my 900 but accept that not everyone wants 109bhp , nor the weight . 👍
@@michaelmam 2020 Yamaha XSR900 for me and at 115bhp and BONKERS torque of 90Nm @ 3,000rpm = a winner. Build quality is also utterly 5 stars plus smooth as a jet with no vibes..
Nice bike, but I prefer the XSR700: its looks and the 270-degree crank. I don't like the clocks on the Z. 1990 [Nick J]
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment . I haven’t ridden the XSR700 .. sounds like I should 👍
@@michaelmam Nor have I. But I have always liked it. I almost bought one but found a bargain SCR950. This is in Thailand. 1990 [Nick J]
@@michaelmam Kawasaki didn't nail this as well as the 900RS. That's my opinion. Biggest mistake? Making it a parallel twin instead of a 4. However the rims are nice, as is the overall retro tank, side covers and the general look. The brakes are budget gear and not worth that money. Clocks look plastic and cheap. It is fairly expensive given modest credentials and just is not the Z900RS which although has it's shortcomings, is a much more credible road bike shout out to the 70's. Cheers and wonderful lighting and vid quality!
好的評論感謝
Thank you . Glad you found it useful 👍