KAWASAKI Z650RS (2022 - on) Review

The bike still handles really well, although I’m not that confident in the corners so I could probably lean it more but I think that’s more of a “me” problem than a bike problem. Back brake struggles to be effective at anything above low speed but front brake works absolutely fine and I always have confidence in my stopping ability.

Engine continues to perform well - it confortably responds at any point within road speeds and has plenty more to give if you wanted it. I’ve done a lot of both local rural commuting, and a couple of 150 mile trips mostly on motorways and it’s fine with all of this.

I reviewed this a couple of weeks after I got it back in august 2022. Since then the bike hasn’t broken down or failed, although I did have to put a new chain on as the current one was seizing up. Whilst it has been ridden in all weathers and much of the 3K miles I’ve done since purchase has been through the winter, I expected the chain to last longer. I have kept up with the regular cleaning, lubing and adjustment…Otherwise all is pretty good. A tiny bit of surface rust and a smidgen of paint failure but nothing too serious to worry about, and it’s doing well given the very salty and wet local roads of the past 4 months.

I had a basic service that was an extra (wasn’t due one for another 3,000 miles but whilst it was having the chain done I asked them to change oil and do general light service to ensure things are in tip top condition. Not a dealer service, but a reputable local garage. Was happy with the price (about £150 without the chain etc.)

I wasn’t looking for a bike with lots of extras, and that’s what I like about this. The dials and TFT have enough info, and mine came with the chrome grab rail that makes moving the bike a little easier - without that it would be a pain to manoeuvre I imagine.

I should caveat this by saying that I am new to the full license world, having been on a 125 for 2.5 years. I test rode this, and the Enfield interceptor, and took my course on the standard z650. This knocks the Enfield out the park in terms of thrills, and the extra height makes the RS stand out from the normal z650 - really good for me as I’m 6’8”. It’s Easy to get beyond road speeds in third gear if you wanted to, and then when it’s time to pull up, the front brake does it’s job well. In slower riding, the rear brake is fine and the clutch works well for slow speed control - no cramping or aches! The bike overall seems happy enough pulling away at low rpm, and keeps going nicely into the top end. The engine noise is pretty smart as well, but I still think I’ll change the exhaust in due course just because it looks so silly with the dog leg and stubby pipe!

The engine is great - it doesn’t feel like it’s running out of puff at any point, and I weigh nearly 20st!

Bought it as a used model with 1300 miles on the clock. Really impressed with the quality - welding is secure and not messy, and all the fixings and features are really secure and look great. No signs of corrosion but time will tell of course! The dash has some helpful info like mpg, average mpg, gear indicator and a couple of trip counters. The analogue dials are refreshing - most cars and bikes seem to prefer digital these days so a return to needles was great

Insurance is quite high but then I’m a new rider and don’t have a garage. Fuel efficiency is impressive - I’ve done about 140 miles and haven’t exactly been trying to ride economically, but still the bike is reporting average 63mpg! Not a patch on my 125 but then what is?!Looking in the book, servicing intervals seem quite long - about once a year for my mileage. (It seems to require one about once every 7500 miles after the initial stuff)

The dash is nice, but other than that you don’t get much equipment. Mine came with added Oxford heated grips, a trickle charger connector and the chrome grab bar - all put on by the previous owner. I’ll probably be adding some luggage because I use the bike for commuting and can’t always fit everything in a rucksack. The LED headlight is great though! Although I’m sure other road users don’t like it, it shines clearly through the dark for a good distance even in dipped mode.

Front brakes very good, rear brake is certainly adequate for me. Overall very good stopping ability. Have not carried a pillion.Suspension is pretty supple/comfortable. Have not experienced a sore backside after an hours plus riding.Nice handling, is fairly light and very easy to manoeuvre on the road and in the garage. Surprisingly steady in blustery conditions. Have done a couple of short motorway stints at 70mph. Not too much buffeting at that speed but a flyscreen would help (if Kawasaki offer one later). Is fine up to 60-65mph without one.

Overall very impressed with flexibility, smoothness and economy after first 500+ miles. Plenty fast enough even using running in rpm limits.

Two months and 500 miles in at time of writing. Build quality/finish appears very good so far. Have the 50th Anniversary edition with Fireball colour scheme. The paintwork is very impressive, especially the “Z” on top of the fuel tank. It’s all paint as far as I can tell, is not just a decal with lacquer over the top like some bikes I have seen recently.

Annual servicing cost not known but expected to be reasonable on this model being an existing and proven engine.Getting high 60s mpg after the first 500 running in miles.

Would have liked the option of Kawasaki heated grips but the Oxford ones fitted by dealer work just fine. A flyscreen similar to the one available for the Z900RS would be ideal but by no means essential. Likewise a single “can” style exhaust would look better than the standard one but that works fine and is not too loud.My model came with the rear grab rail (optional on the other versions) fitted as standard, and personally I think it looks better with it.

Can crash over potholes, and can only manage 2 hrs before getting a numb bum. At 5 11 it's a bit small, bars are nice and wide but legs feel cramped. Pillion provision is ok and the genuine grab rail is a must.

Bit dated, but crude, notchy gearbox. But tried and tested, hopefully the gearbox will improve with miles, but so far it's not getting any better.

Surface corrosion after 3 weeks on chain, fasteners and exhaust, even though it wasn't used in the on salty roads and the chain lubed. Little disappointed as the bike us dar from cheap. Reliability so far has been good.

50 plus mpg, badic rain cylinder and cheap to insure snd run.

Abs... and basic clocks. Not a lot else.

Great fun, very nimble, stable and responsive when throwing around the twisties but well mannered in the town and for general commuting.

I've always liked this middleweight twin and it's got better over time. Delivers smoothly and little of the lumpiness (or 'character' depending on your view) associated with twins.

Never had or heard of a problem with this engine and between the ER6, Versys, Z650 and now Z650RS it's been around with various tweaks for a long time.

Quite simply it doesn't come with any frills and that's my biggest gripe. Love the style, the retro clocks, the looks but when you don't even get a helmet lock grab bar/handles or luggage hooks, it's a pretty poor show.