The Kawasaki Z650RS blends classic looks with modern engineering, wearing a round LED headlight, analogue-look instrumentation and seventies-influenced bodywork over Kawasaki’s proven middleweight platform, a genuine retro alternative to the sharper-edged Z650 naked for riders who prefer their style vintage and their engineering current, and who would rather stand out at a bike meet than blend in, and who want a bike that turns heads for the right reasons outside any cafe stop or bike meet.
The 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin is shared with the rest of the Z650 range, a DOHC eight-valve engine with an 83mm bore and 60mm stroke producing 68PS at 8,000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 6,700rpm, fed by twin 36mm throttle bodies with dual throttle valves and a 10.8:1 compression ratio. Drive runs through a six-speed gearbox and wet multi-disc manual clutch to a sealed chain, and a 12 litre tank keeps the retro silhouette slim without compromising the same accessible, confidence-inspiring performance found across the Z650 family, helped by digital ignition and electric start for effortless mornings, whatever the season throws at it.
A lightweight trellis, high-tensile steel frame keeps handling natural and easy at 187kg, working with a 41mm telescopic fork and Horizontal Back-link rear suspension with preload adjustment and 125mm of travel for genuine everyday comfort, riding on 120-section front and 160-section rear tyres. Dual 300mm discs with dual-piston calipers handle front braking, backed by a single 220mm rear disc, and a relaxed, wide handlebar riding position pairs with an 820mm seat height, a 1,405mm wheelbase and 125mm of ground clearance for a genuinely comfortable stance in the saddle, whatever the length of the ride.
It suits riders who want retro character without sacrificing the usability of a modern naked bike or its everyday reliability and low running costs, equally at home on a weekend cruise as a daily commute, and it comes with Kawasaki’s four-year manufacturer warranty, backed by GT Motorcycles’ aftersales team for ongoing servicing and genuine parts. Available now through GT Motorcycles, your Kawasaki dealer in Plymouth, with finance and test rides offered to riders across Devon and Cornwall.
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