The Kawasaki Z650 S takes the familiar Z650 naked and adds a sportier riding position, with a wider handlebar and a more forward-leaning stance that sharpens the connection between rider and machine without straying from the accessible spirit of the standard bike or asking for any extra riding experience to enjoy it on a favourite stretch of road, whether that is a coastal run or a commute.
The 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin carries over unchanged, a DOHC eight-valve engine with an 83mm bore and 60mm stroke producing 68PS at 8,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 6,700rpm through a six-speed gearbox and wet multi-disc manual clutch to a chain final drive. Twin 36mm throttle bodies with dual throttle valves and a 10.8:1 compression ratio give a strong, accessible spread of power, with a delivery that stays smooth and predictable however hard it is worked, and a 15 litre tank offers a useful distance between fuel stops, with digital ignition, electric start and a semi-dry sump for genuinely easy ownership.
A trellis, high-tensile steel frame and 41mm telescopic fork are shared with the rest of the Z650 family, matched here to Horizontal Back-link rear suspension with preload adjustment, while dual 300mm discs with dual-piston calipers provide the front braking and a 220mm disc backs them up at the rear. Aluminium styling accents and the dynamic, crouching Z Supernaked silhouette give it real road presence, and at 190kg with a 2,055mm overall length and a raised 805mm seat height, the more athletic stance is felt as soon as you sit on it and grip the wider bar, leaning slightly further forward over the tank.
It suits riders who already enjoy the Z650 but want a sportier, more engaged riding experience without stepping up in engine size, trading a little low-speed ease for extra feel through corners on a favourite piece of road. Kawasaki’s four-year manufacturer warranty is included as standard, with GT Motorcycles on hand for servicing and genuine parts throughout ownership. Visit GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, to arrange finance and a test ride, serving riders across Devon and Cornwall.
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