Kawasaki buffs up its proven super-naked Z650 with a dual-mode Kawasaki Traction Control feature that adds two new levels of safety and peace of mind. Minimal as it is, the bodywork manages to channel Kawi's signature look while wasting nothing on superfluous items that'll just weigh down this new Z bike. A 649 cc parallel-twin engine delivers the goods with a slipper clutch for more insurance at the rear contact patch.
The Z650 is a recycled moniker that first rolled from 1976 until 1983. Phased out in favor of newer designs, it rose from its own ashes in 2017. Today it's a modern, super-naked streetbike available with or without ABS.
2023 Kawasaki Z650
- New Two-Mode Traction Control
- Sugomi™ -Inspired Styling
- Sporty 649 cc Parallel-Twin Engine
- 4-Inch TFT Display
- Adjustable Brake & Clutch Levers
- Model: Z650
- Engine:: 649 cc Parallel-Twin
- Power Output: 67 HP
- Torque: 48.5 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM
- Transmission: 6-Speed
- MSRP: $7,749
- Good Electronics For The Size
- Dual Throttle Valve Feature Smooths Out Poor Technique
- Plenty Fast For All U.S. Roads
- Boring Paint Packages
- Taller Riders May Feel Cramped
- Forward-Leaning Posture
2023 Kawasaki Z650 Performance And Capability
With the same parallel-twin engine that you find in the Ninja 650, the Z650 offers power with liquid cooling for the warm-weather stamina and temperature stability it brings to the table. An oversquare layout leaves it with an 83 mm bore and 60 mm stroke for a total displacement of 649 cc and a medium-hot, 10.8-to-1 compression ratio that'll probably tolerate mid-grade fuel without a problem.
Dual, 36 mm throttle bodies feed the beast and rock Kawi's Dual Throttle Valve system that smooths out the difference between rider demand at the throttle grip and what the engine can deliver. This gives it smooth transitions and tractable power throughout the range. The traction control, new for 2023, makes sure you don't overdo it, so you have the potential to safely get everything the engine has to offer. The TC feature lets you dial in for low or high levels of intervention plus an “Off” setting for a full raw ride.
The Z650 produces 67 horsepower and 48.5 pound-feet of torque. Power flows through a slip-and-assist clutch that prevents excessive backtorque from breaking the rear-end loose on hard downshifts and engine-braking actions, then a six-speed transmission. A chain-type final drive finishes the drivetrain with a Z650 top speed around the 122 mph mark.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Liquid-Cooled, 4-Stroke, DOHC, Parallel-Twin |
Displacement | 649 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 83 mm x 60 mm |
Compression | 10.8:1 |
Power | 67 HP |
Torque | 48.5 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Fuel System | DFI® with Keihin 36mm throttle bodies |
Final Drive | Sealed chain |
Gearbox | 6-speed, return shift |
Design
The Kawi "Z" line has a certain je ne sais quoi that sets it apart from the other naked streetfighters on the market, probably due to its aggressive lines and sinister, spiky cheek fairings and headlight housing. The factory taps into its dark side through its Sugomi design philosophy that rocks ample blackout treatment to go with the monochromatic sheet-metal coverings available in both of the available colorways for this year.
A vented, race-style fender leads the way with low-drag penetration and a shape that helps feed the wind to the radiator for improved waste-heat removal. Dual LED headlights split the night and come topped by a small flyscreen with the blinkers mounted high above the headlights, well out of harm's way in case of a drop or slide.
A 4.3-inch color TFT instrument bundles all the pertinent metrics into one location and comes ready for Kawi's infotainment system. The Rideology the App feature connects through your smartphone and logs your ride information for later review if you're into ride analytics and such.
The cockpit is that of a streetfighter with a forward hand position and a deeply sculpted tank that meets a narrow waist to make it easy to deploy your training wheels. You can tune both hand levers through a five-position range to accommodate your hand size and personal preferences.
The pilot's saddle rides 31.1 inches off the deck and sinks well into the bike for good man-machine integration. This should be okay for all but the shortest inseams, A lofted pillion pad pairs with fold-up foot pegs for two-up capability right off the showroom floor.
As usual, the taillight rides in the tip of the subframe. However, the mudguard assembly that carries the rest of the rearward equipment is rather long for this kind of bike for a bit of a stretched-out look in the back.
Kawasaki Z650 Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 80.9 in |
Width | 30.1 in |
Height | 41.9 in |
Seat Height | 31.1 in |
Wheelbase | 55.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Fuel Capacity | 4.0 gals |
Curb Weight | 410.1 lbs (w/ ABS: 412.3 lbs) |
Chassis
High tensile-strength steel is the material of choice for both the main frame and subframe sections on the Z650. It uses the engine as a stressed member with a three-point mount to complete the structure.
The factory took care to make all bends in the frame as gentle as possible to not compromise on strength, and even tuned the wall thickness of some of the members to strike a balance between rigidity and weight. An asymmetrical swingarm runs a gull wing on one side and a straight bar on the other to complete the standing structure.
The suspension is plain vanilla with 41 mm, non-adjustable telescopic forks ahead of a coil-over monoshock that comes only with the obligatory spring-preload adjuster. Suspension travel is 4.9 inches up front and 5.1 inches out back, which is plenty for work on the grittiest urban jungle.
Cast, 17-inch wheels round out the rolling chassis with a 120/70 and a 160/60 on the front and rear, respectively. Dual, 300 mm discs and two-piston calipers slow the front wheel with a single-pot anchor and 220 mm disc. The discs come petal-cut which aids in heat dispersal for a reduced chance that you'll cook the discs. You can get the Z650 either with or without ABS protection.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Frame | Trellis, high tensile steel |
Front Suspension/ Travel | Telescopic fork/ 4.9 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Horizontal back-link with adjustable preload, swingarm/ 5.1 in |
Rake | 24° |
Trail | 3.9 in |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 160/60 ZR17 |
Front Brake | Dual 300 mm petal-style discs with two-piston calipers (available ABS) |
Rear Brake | Single 220 mm petal-style disc (available ABS) |
2023 Kawasaki Z650 Price And Availability
The 2023 Kawasaki Z650 costs $7,749. If you want the ABS version, it will set you back $8,249. You can choose between the Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black or the Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Ebony colorway.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Features | Traction Control, ABS, Snartphone Connectivity |
Warranty | 12 Month Limited Warranty |
Colors | |
└ 2017 | Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Spark Black, Pearl Flat Stardust White/Metallic Spark Black |
└ 2018 | Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black, Metallic Matte Covert Green/Metallic Flat Spark Black |
└ 2019 | Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Spark Black, Stormcloud Blue/Pearl Storm Gray/Metallic Flat Spark Black |
└ 2020 | Metallic Sparkle Black, Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black |
└ 2021 | Pearl Blizzard White/Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black |
└ 2022 | Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black (non-ABS only), Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray (ABS only) |
└ 2023 | Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black (non-ABS only), Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Ebony (ABS only) |
Price | |
└ 2019 | $6,999, ABS: $7,399 |
└ 2020 | Black: $7,249, ABS: $7,649; Two-Tone: $7,349, ABS: $7,749 |
└ 2021 | $7,249, ABS: $7,749 |
└ 2022 | $7,549, ABS: $8,049 |
└ 2023 | $7,749, ABS: $8,249 |
Competitors
Longtime domestic foe Honda has its own midsize naked sport with the CB650R model that covers many of the same bases. Bodywork keeps to an absolute minimum with the smallest cheek fairings and just a plain round headlight with no artsy-looking structure around it for an even cleaner look than our Kawi.
Suspension and brakes are almost a wash with ABS availability across the board and similar suspension travel to boot. Only the Honda comes with four-bore calipers for greater front-wheel stopping power.
Honda switches things up in the engine department with an in-line, 649 cc four-banger that rides transverse in the frame. It cranks out 94 ponies and 47 pounds o' grunt against 67/48.5 in the trade-off between the two-cylinder and four-cylinder format.
You'll pay for that advantage. The Honda CB650R costs $9,399, and since the Kawasaki is already faster enough, it may not be worth it for that little bit of extra power.
He Said
“Between the looks and proportions, this platform is clearly intended for a younger audience. That said, the boosted electronic suite will help less-experienced riders keep it between the stripes and the dirty side down. The traction control system was a solid addition for the MY2023 machines.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“This is a feisty bike. Performance is lively with precise throttle response, so you can expect a fun ride. It's priced affordably and comes with traction control now and has a ride app, so it's a nice bike for the money. The steering geometry tweaked just a skosh from the Ninja improves handling and makes the Z650 more than just a naked Ninja."
FAQ
Q: How much horsepower does a Kawasaki Z650 have?
The 649 cc parallel-twin engine produces 67 horsepower and 48.5 pound-feet of torque.
Q: How much does a Kawasaki Z650 cost?
MSRP on the 2023 Kawasaki Z650 is $7,749 for the non-ABS model and $8,249 with ABS included.
Q: Is the Kawasaki Z650 the same as the Ninja 650?
The Kawasaki Z650 and the Ninja 650 carry the same 649 cc parallel-twin engine. The Z650 is the naked version of the two, but subtle differences in the suspension geometry make handling a little different from the Ninja.
Q: Is the Kawasaki Z650 a beginner bike?
A relatively low seat height and comfortable ergonomics make the Z650 ABS suitable for new riders providing they have the confidence to handle the power produced by the 649 cc parallel-twin engine. The Dual Throttle Valve feature forgives poor throttle technique and the addition of traction control adds another safety net for folks learning to ride.
Q: Is the Kawasaki Z650 fast?
Top speed of the Kawasaki Z650 is around 122 MPH. According to data collected by zeroto60times.com, this generation of Z650 manages zero-to-60 in 3.4 seconds and a 12.4-second quarter mile.