2025 Kawasaki Z650: How does it compare TODAY to the competition?

The 2025 Kawasaki Z650 has arrived, and it will likely be largely overlooked by the motorcycle media, but it definitely shouldn't be overlooked by riders in this market! Is it right for you? Check out this video!

[farmoboy]

Honestly this is the best bike i ever had. Power wise is perfect for road use, ultra reliable, light, amazing looks at least my 2017 green, and the sound even if bad at iddle is amazing after 5000rpm with a wild roar. Don't be fooled by the old engine design and "low" power output. The bike is a lot better than you may expect

[pilotoviajante]

This combination of colors for 2025 looks so beautiful!

[MrSpeed-ltgr]

I recently got an MT07. I think this class of bike, Z650, SV650 or MT07, is a motorcycle that one can ride for their entire riding career.

[gregm]

I was very surprised to read that the Z650 was the best selling bike of 2024 in the US.

[rogerzhang]

I think the needed updates other than the look, including: ride by wire to have ride modes, which also enables optional quick shifter and cruise control; better control of the settings, you can see how much Peter struggled in this video, its abs counter-intuitive to use; a 270 crank to fix the boring sound; a traditional side mounted muffler for aftermarket slip on options only for the ninja; slipper clutch for the versys.

Yes it would be nice to have slightly bigger engine ie 699cc to keep up with other competition, but the bike does not need more torque, but rather extend-ability ie an extra 1000rpm maybe.

[jimbroen]

Your knee seemed to be folded fairly tightly when you were sitting on the bike. I visited the Kawasaki web site and found that they offer an optional seat that sits an inch higher. It's good to see than the manufacturers are taking the opportunity to generate extra sales by offering this sort of option while at the same time making the bike attractive to a larger group of buyers. Not too many years ago optional comfort seats were only available on the top end models.

[RodeoRides]

I can tell you as an owner of a 2023 Z 650 ABS which I like however after riding the Suzuki GSX 8S on a demo ride my bike is a moped compared to the Suzuki. I have mention in past Kawasaki must get busy the Z 650 is in the stone ages and now that Yamaha did those upgrades for the MT 07 this bike is fading to black. Sorry to all the Kawi guys which I am one it's the cold truth.

[tjjr]

Looks great. Put a 270 crank in it please.

[michaelhawkins]

I owned a Ninja 650 and I can say these engines sound so uninspiring. Plus to make them go, you have to ride it like you stole it. Kawasaki styles their bikes nicely (IMO), but they have minimum tech on these 650's. Their 500's can have more tech. Kawasaki needs to make a larger TFT screen across their entire line up. IMO, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a better choice, especially for 2025 in which they made CC and a quick shifter standard.

[krishoku]

I recently got the z650 2024 red one. For my personal opinion. They should optimize the gearing because the 5th gear is already an overdrive. I think they can squeeze more top end from the engine despite the lower power numbers but they are plenty for the street running 4k rpm at 6th gear at 100kph which is the sleep limit in the express ways in my country

[BlackArroToons]

Nice review. I hope Kawasaki offers a wider range of color choices in the future for new bikes. What are your thoughts on the type of Parallel engines, like the Ninja 650's 180 degree, versus the newer 270 degree crank shafts that is said to have more balance for less vibration if true? Or is 285 degrees ideal but more expensive to produce? Regardless I'm happy with the Ninja 650's engine for my riding style. Great bike and reliable engine.

[BraeburnTV]

I want to see Kawasaki move to a Ride by Wire throttle and offer a bidirectional quickshifter on this model

[vitamin_prtein]

Can we install Z900 USD forks on the Z650?

[walterfabianodeandradebenn]

Essa moto apesar da tecnologia, está mais que ultrapassado, aqui no Brasil 🇧🇷 tanto este como o Z650RS, vendem, quase nada!