Kawasaki has unveiled the all-new, retro-styled Kawasaki Z650RS for international markets. The Z650RS takes a page out of the Kawasaki Z900RS introduced in 2018, with the neo-retro design theme. As the name suggests, the Z650RS is based on the naked Kawasaki Z650, and the Ninja 650, but the changes come in the design, with a retro-flavoured round LED headlight, alloy wheels designed to resemble wire spoke units, and a pair of analogue dials for the instrument console, going with the retro theme, but with a small digital panel for extra information.
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The Kawasaki Z650RS is a retro-styled motorcycle based on the Kawasaki Z650 and the Kawasaki Ninja 650
The retro styling is the biggest talking point of the new Kawasaki Z650RS, and it seems inspired by the Kawasaki Z650-B1 of the late 1970s, although the new Z650RS is a completely modern bike underneath the retro-inspired styling.
The Kawasaki Z650RS is powered by the same 649 cc, parallel-twin engine which makes 67 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 68 Nm of peak torque at 6,700 rpm.
The Kawasaki Z650RS is powered by the same 649 cc, from the naked Z650 and the Ninja 650, which produces 67 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 68 Nm of peak torque at 6,700 rpm. Also available in Europe is an A2 kit, which drops power to 47 bhp, and will be targeted to get in newer and less-experienced riders into this neo-retro machine.
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The tubular steel trellis frame is shared with the naked Z650. The Kawasaki Z650RS has a 12-litre fuel tank and comes with a kerb weight of 187 kg.
The tubular steel trellis frame, shared with the Kawasaki Z650, weighs just 13.5 kg, and the frame has been designed to be slim in the middle, to make it easier for riders to get their feet down easily from a seat height of 820 mm. The fuel tank is just 12 litres, enough for the daily runabout, but will ask for frequent refills. Kerb weight is rated at 187 kg, which is relatively light, and should be easy to manoeuvre.
The Kawasaki Z650RS comes with a seat height of 820 mm, but a slim mid-section making it easy for riders of all heights to put a foot down.
Like the naked and the Ninja, suspension consists of non-adjustable 41 mm forks up front, while a horizontally mounted monoshock, adjustable for preload, takes care of rear suspension duties. Braking duties are handled by twin piston calipers gripping round 300 mm discs on the front wheel, instead of Kawasaki's petal style discs on the Z650. On the rear wheel is a single piston on a 200 mm rotor, and Bosch anti-lock braking system (ABS) is standard.
The Kawasaki Z650RS has been unveiled in three colours in Europe.
The new Kawasaki Z650RS is expected to be available in European dealers starting from November 2020. As for India, we expect the new Z650RS to be launched sometime in early 2022. In Europe, the Kawasaki Z650RS is available in three colours, Metallic Spark Black, Candy Emerald Green and Metallic Moondust Grey/Ebony.
