Kawasaki has expanded its retro family with the Z650RS, claiming to have unleashed a retrovolution. The Z650RS is a tribute to the 1977 Z650-B1, with the difference that the original Z is powered by a 652 cc four-cylinder in-line engine and the new RS by a 180° twin.
However retro-volutionary the new Z650RS may be and as super-fat as the bike may look, there will no doubt be those who find it sacrilegious what Kawasaki has now done, for the simple fact that this now unveiled Z650RS it with two cylinders less than the original Z650.
In all honesty? Judging by the first images that Kawasaki has now released, we think ‘so what’. In terms of design, if you ask us, Kawasaki hit the nail on the head and that’s all that matters in the end. Moreover, it is not a copy, but a tribute to the original Z650 and that concept can be stretched quite widely.
The basis for the Z650RS has been the last generation of the Z650 – just as Kawasaki tackled it four years ago with the Z900RS. The 649cc 180° twin has been adopted from the Z650, with the difference that the RS’s marten lids have a more retro look. According to Kawasaki, the focus of the block is on flexibility at the bottom (up to 3,000 rpm) and torque and power in the midrange (3,000-6,000 rpm), but the extent to which this deviates from the power delivery of the current Z650 is not stated.
The bicycle part also seems to have been taken over from one of the Z650. The half-timbered tubular frame looks identical, just like the front fork and beautifully designed banana swingarm on the exhaust side. The block is included in the construction as a load-bearing part, as is the footrest’s gusset plate. The steering head angle is 24° equal to the Z650, only the wheelbase has been shortened by 5 mm to 1.405 mm.
However, we are convinced that the Z650RS will provide a completely different driving experience than the Z650, which can be entirely attributed to the ergonomics. Starting with the saddle, which now has a flat shape and is placed 10mm higher than
the 790mm of the Z650. With us in Europe, that is even 30 mm, because here it is supplied with the higher saddle as standard.
The higher seat has created more legroom and that is good news for the bigger motorcyclists among us. In addition, the handlebars are 50 mm higher and 30 mm closer to the rider, which should have resulted in a significantly more relaxed seat, a seat that could be perfectly matched to the retro character of the RS.
The flat seat, side panels, butt with unmissable ducktail and flat tank are very reminiscent of the Z650 from 35 years ago, and the same can be said of the chimes. The two round clocks with a beautiful LCD display in between are the perfect example of how the dashboard of a retro classic should be. The round headlight also has a beautiful classic look, but is equipped with modern LED lighting.
Of the three colors available, the Candy Emerald Green with its pin striping is closest to the original 1977 Z650. Together with the cast wire wheels and a range of genuine Kawasaki accessories on hand, the Z650RS is a feast for the eyes. 2022 will be the year of the “Retrovolution” with the new Z650RS.
The new Z650RS will be available at Kawasaki dealers from November in Metallic Spark Black, Candy Emerald Green and Metallic Moondust Gray / Ebony. Prices will be announced later this year. A 35kW version is of course available for holders of an A2 (code 80) driving license.
-Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.