Test drive Kawasaki Z650: rough, mix, but don’t shake

Kawasaki Z650

The Z650 is the first Kawasaki motorcycle I've received for testing that I've had the opportunity to ride longer. I must admit that I was surprised. We usually associate this brand with stories. For me, the “green stable” was still associated with a tattered, uncomfortable, very sporty and rough motorcycle. Does the Kawasaki Z650 fit this description? Definitely not. More details in the next review.

The Z650 turned out to be really well equipped. To the extent that I can currently recommend it to anyone looking for something similar of the same quality. For both beginners and experienced ones, to upgrade to a larger motorcycle. Especially if you're looking for something to take around town. Especially for all the lower people or for small construction. Why?

First of all, the size of the Z650

This moto is small, narrow and light. Branded design weighing 15 kg. Thanks to this, the motorcycle weighs 187 kg with a fully filled tank and ready to ride. This is a really good result. In addition, the couch is at a height of 790 mm. With a height of 170 cm, there should be no problem reaching the ground with your feet on the floor. So full support and peace of mind. In addition, the steering wheel is narrow, but at the same time comfortable. The tank is very offset almost like 125 cc. This gives you stronger legs and better control of the car. Well, it's very compact. Unfortunately, with my height of 180 cm, I had the impression that the chaff was too close, but it might not be my bike. It is best to try on the motorcycle you are considering purchasing if possible.

Kawasaki Z650

Kawasaki Z 650: perfect? Not really

You don't have to be the ultimate malcontent to find reasons to complain. Fortunately, they concern rather secondary issues. For example, passenger comfort is a bit desirable, even for a car in this class. The couch is short and falls forward too much, and the legs of the backpack rest at too high a height. After cold operation, the engine warms up for a long time idling at high speed. This is typical for Kawasaki motorcycles.

Factory Dunlop D214 tires are so-so. They hold up pretty well on the dry and their reviews are still acceptable, but they're not amazing. Things are worse on wet roads.

Another objection is the mileage of 6000 km, which is not enough today. In addition, vibrations may be felt. They are not too strong or annoying, but are quite distinct, especially under engine braking.

I left the question of tires for dessert: the factory Dunlop D214 is so-so. They hold up pretty well on the dry and their reviews are still acceptable, but they're not amazing. Things are worse on wet roads. Let me put it this way - if the Z 650 was sitting in my garage, the first thing I could do to tailor the bike to my own needs would be to change the tires first.

Kawasaki Z 650 video:

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Driving impressions

The Kawasaki Z650 is a motorcycle that rides very well. It's easy to feel, it's predictable, but at the same time I wouldn't call it boring. It has a claw, but you have to reach for it. In general, I got the impression that it was created in order to squeeze out in traffic jams. It combines good weight distribution, size, and the way it imparts force. The suspension worked great in the city, even in big potholes. The Zetka, however, does not have the characteristics of a driver's seat or a roadster. Definitely feels best in the city, on hard surfaces. Low and high speeds are not a problem. It should also be noted that at a speed of 120 km/h the air pressure is still not felt and this speed can be maintained longer. In addition, I installed the mirrors on this motorcycle without any problems and could see everything in them. But I would lower them when riding on dirt roads and trails.

Kawasaki Z650

Comparison test of Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha MT-07, Suzuki SV650

If your motorcycle history began with a 125 cc motorcycle. See, upgrading to something faster and heavier may seem like a big step, but the latest naked bikes from Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki can make it easier.

Consider these motorcycles - the angry Yamaha MT-07, the veteran Suzuki SV650 and the new Kawasaki Z650 2021. Despite the fact that these motorcycles are much heavier and more powerful than the 125s, all three motorcycles have an incredibly friendly character and are very popular with new riders. so do experienced riders.

At 186cm, the Kawasaki and Yamaha feel small, making them more suitable for average-sized riders, yet the Kawasaki feels particularly narrow. I would like to note that despite their size, you don’t feel any discomfort when driving, even after a whole day.

In comparison, the Suzuki feels larger and longer. The handlebars are wider and a little further back and it is the heaviest bike of the three (197 kg). Kawasaki - 187kg, Yamaha - 179. For a larger rider, the bike's heavy weight won't be a problem and on bumpy roads it even helps keep the Suzuki more stable, but at low speeds it's more noticeable where the Yamaha and Kawasaki feel much more controllable.

All three bikes have fairly similar power outputs. Suzuki is the most powerful - 75 hp. s., slightly behind Yamaha - 74 hp. s., Kawasaki is the least powerful - 68 hp. With. That's quite a difference compared to most 125k's which put out around 14.6bhp. With. In reality, the trio of bikes delivers enough power to make experienced riders comfortable and enjoy their time behind the wheel, without intimidating new riders too much every time they open the throttle.

How that power is delivered also matters a lot. Since all three bikes are twin-cylinder (Suzuki is a V-twin, Kawasaki and Yamaha are an inline-two), the power is distributed evenly throughout the rev range without any surprises. Good torque from low to medium revs ensures comfortable movement in the city and makes overtaking easy.

When switching to a larger cubic capacity, many take into account only the power characteristics, but it is worth paying attention to the brakes. Having sat behind the wheel of a 600cc motorcycle for the first time after a 125, the brakes were the first thing that surprised me. It was enough to lightly press the brake lever with two fingers to stop the motorcycle. The brakes on all three bikes are very effective. The initial stroke of the brake handle does not give a strong dive, which contributes to a more accurate distribution of braking forces. But it is worth noting that the brakes on the Kawasaki grab much earlier than the other two.

Ease of use is the main component of these motorcycles. Each bike is easy to ride, making them ideal for those coming from smaller bikes. From the way they handle to the performance of the engine, everything about these bikes is tuned to make the ride enjoyable.

The Kawasaki has a slipper clutch, making it efficient around town, and the narrow handlebars and seat are ideal for small to medium sized riders. Yamaha's hallmark is its smooth engine and combined with its light weight, the ride on this bike is incredibly comfortable. There is no one aspect that makes the Suzuki stand out, it is simply a well thought out motorcycle.

One of the main reasons why these motorcycles sell so well is the fun ride and perfect handling. These aren't just bikes for new riders, they're bikes that riders of all levels will enjoy. Previous generations of Kawasaki and Suzuki have found success when they hit the road and track, with the Kawasaki Er-6n dominating the Isle of Man TT.

There's no bad bike here, they're all exceptionally good, making it hard to pick a winner.

But for us, the Yamaha MT-07 beat out the Kawasaki and Suzuki. Yamaha is the easiest motorcycle to ride. It hasn't changed since it was released in 2014, but it's still an excellent motorcycle. If you want a light bike that won't get boring as you get more experienced, go with the Yamaha.

The Suzuki SV650 is a brilliant motorcycle that will do everything you ask of it, but it's starting to be forgotten. And the latest model simply lacks the excitement of the MT-07.

The Kawasaki Z650 is a great bike, but that's not enough. The steering wheel seems narrow, the engine lacks agility. On highways, vibrations are felt from the steering wheel, seat and footpegs. But if your height is below average, then this is a great option.

Brakes in Kawasaki Z650

Here, unfortunately, ABS fails. It's not that it doesn't work, because it does. But he does it cruelly, nervously, strongly. I've had a few of these bikes under my butt and know it can be done better. While the system's performance is fine on asphalt, the problem becomes more difficult in hardened soil. It no longer paints on sand or gravel, so it's best to be careful or avoid forest and field trails. In this area, “the brake works nervously.” But also, it's easy to feel the system working and you don't have to struggle with the handle to stay still. On pavement, I had no stress when it came to slowing down effectively.

Kawasaki Z650

Brief history of the model

• 2017 - start of production and sales of the model.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 + ABS (all regions).
Factory designation
: ER650GHF + ER650HHF.

• 2018 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 + ABS (all regions).
Factory designation
: ER650GJF + ER650HJF.

• 2019 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 + ABS (all regions).
Factory designation
: ER650GKF + ER650HKF.

• 2020 - restyling of the model.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 + ABS (all regions).
Factory designation
: ER650LLF + ER650KLF.

• 2021 - no significant changes.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 + ABS (all regions).
Factory designation
: ER650KLMFNN + ER650KMFNN, ER650KMFAL.

• 2022 - the appearance of a new modification Z650RS.

Model

: Kawasaki Z650 ABS;
Kawasaki Z650RS (all regions). Factory designation
: ER650KNFNN, ER650KMFAL; ER650MNFAW, ER650MNFBW.

Engine and gearbox in Kawasaki Z650

He's good for his power. Very linear. Don't feel any shortages or sudden surges in voltage. To achieve this, maximum values ​​are available in the middle of the rev range, so you don't have to torture the engine to feel it. All thanks to two chokes, one of which controls the driver, and the other controls the computer. This power delivery also gives you greater confidence when driving. The motorcycle rides below and asks itself to change gear, the speedometer flickering happily. At the same time, we have excellent performance gearboxes and an anti-hop clutch that not only compensates for rear wheel skidding, but also keeps the system running. The handle is easier to press, the wheel does not rotate when it is reduced, it also reduces slipping during sudden acceleration. Overall everything works beautifully and smoothly. The whole or engine, clutch and clutch work great and are a big plus for this bike. Combustion is also compliant because during normal handling of the bike it was 4.65L/100km.

Kawasaki Z650

Kawasaki Z650 from the outside and a closer look...

... looks very good. There are several colors available, although the green frame on a white background is the most interesting in my opinion. Mot looks aggressive. This inspires respect. The engine is nicely exposed and the whole bike, despite the small amount of plastic, feels like a compact, homogeneous mass. The lamp and the design of the watch, although giving a different impression, are very effective at directing the air flow over the driver. The watch itself, in my opinion, is a plus. This was my first time dealing with them on this bike. Later in the Z900, and I liked them because they are cleverly disguised as a classic tachometer. To achieve this, the display has high contrast, looks great at night and you can see everything clearly in any conditions. All switches are well placed, correctly sized and intuitive. There are adjustable handles as standard and a fairly large under-seat storage area. Everything is made of good materials, although, of course, picky people will find something to “catch on to.”

Kawasaki Z650

What else?

First of all, this bike is excellent value for money. Indeed, for the money this is a great deal if you want a new motorcycle. It looks great, it's cool, and it's nice, with the stock exhaust. It can be optionally equipped with custom exhaust pipes for a more serious sound, but I'd rather spend that money on other accessories that this bike lacks. Apart from ABS, there are no assistance systems, no variable maps and unfortunately I don't know how to drive with a passenger on a longer route. But I have the impression that the passenger is not necessarily enough, everything will be fine on the route, although I quickly sense the temperature, however, I was not able to warm it up. I also liked the leg and how to shape the tank and air intakes.

Kawasaki Z650

More detailed information about this motorcycle can be found on the manufacturer's website. If you want to hear about your first driving experience, I invite you here. Below is a classic, more numbers and a video review.

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Advantages

The new “tidy” is simple and clear.

There are several main advantages of the bike.

• Profitable price.
• Easy controls.
• Designed for bumpy driving.
• Beautiful design.
• Availability of a two-cylinder engine.
• Spins up great on the lows.
• Pulls confidently at medium speeds.
• Low saddle.