The Kawasaki Z650RS | Can it Beat the Brits?

The Japanese motorcycles of the 1960s and 70s finished off the British motorcycle industry. This, the new for 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS is the successor to the highly regarded Kawasaki Z650 of 1976.

With looks clearly reminiscent of that 1970s bike, how does Kawasaki’s latest offering in the retro motorcycle market compare to the current crop, such as the Triumph Speed Twin 900, the Moto Guzzi V7, and the Royal Enfield Interceptor, among others.

Can this little Kawasaki offer enough character, charm and performance to be a real competitor in the market?

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The Bike:

Kawasaki Z650RS
650cc
187kg
67hp
Parrallel Twin

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Wheels Motorcycles
First Drove
Fengate
Peterborough
PE1 5BJ

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Locations:

- Holbrook, Suffolk
- Woolverstone Marina

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My personal motorcycle: 2010 Triumph Bonneville 865cc (the base version)

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Gear for the Day:

- Exklusive Helmets, Rage Shiney Black
- Frank Thomas Patrol Jacket
- Broger Moto California Washed Black Jeans
- TCX X-Blend Boots
- Indian Motorcycle Gloves

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Buy us a coffee:


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Find me on:

- PODCAST: Freedom Machines With Freddie Dobbs
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- Filming and editing: @monikameraki (Instagram)

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Music:

Mindserver Unlimited - On Cruize Control
Larry Poppinz - In The Middle Somwhere
Lofive - In a Little While

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Some affiliate links may be used. You won’t be charged a penny for clicking on them, but I may get some commission from any purchase

[Sideburns]

As a freshly qualified rider I took out a Z650RS for a test ride, was incredibly surprised and impressed by how easy it was to ride. Really sublime handling. Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. Engine not the the most exciting but plenty of character and the bike felt quick enough. And those looks really sell it, especially in the green.

[tde]

I loved this bike already, but that guy praising that bike in elegant british english made me order it immediatly

[MrCerddoriaeth]

I have one of these and it’s an awesome bike. I used to ride back in the late 70s and early 80s and have just come back to riding bikes aged 60. It has beautiful handling and very quick indeed! Love it.

[SQTierHog]

Paused at 5:14.
I'm reminiscing so much here. Although in my mid-teens (or so) when this came out, I'm remembering when my older brother brought home his new KZ900.
I'm so grateful to be alive to see (and ride) all the 'old' bikes making 'new' appearances but with new tech!
Thank you Monica and Freddie!

[kellanhills]

Kawasaki make such beautiful bikes. The retro bikes are sublime.

As an aside Monica and Freddie your talents exceed a motorcycle channel. Superior video work and editing great scenery and always excellent information. Freddie your delivery and comfort in front of the camera makes the videos easy to watch and you always have great information. Great channel. Blessings for further success

[ChickenMeister]

This is the kind of bike you'd see an older uncle stop by with and the one you'd promise yourself you'd buy when you were older. Nice to see retro done well.

[madcoyote]

I drove the Triumph Street Twin and it sadly didn't fit me or I was just not feeling comfortable, on the Royal Enfield I had so much fun, but when I got on the Kawasaki it was just pure bliss.
About the engine looks, I don't care, because it's so blacked out, you hardly see it. The only thing you see is the lovely tank and silhouette 🤗
Funny that you like the look of the exhaust...I don't . I get it, that for a modern exhaust it's well done. Especially the sound 👌
But I got the 50 years of Z book along the bike and in that are just some wonderful examples how I want it...so I will change it in the near future. 😁
End note...it's a Japanese bike, so it will be much more reliable then all the named competition 😉

[nikitis]

If you don't mind the sound from that Kawasaki 650 twin, I think you'd be a happy with your purchase... I would have preferred they used an in-line 4, not so much for the performance but for the traditional Kawasakii 70's howl. It's a bit of a miss for me 😕

[mattdavies]

Freddie your passion for bikes is contagious. Try the bigger sibling Z900RS, you’ll love it. Keep up the good work, my favourite channel.

[mgerg]

I saw many times this test and I got a problem: there is no chance to give a like more than one time. 😊 I love the way you introduce the bikes. The emotions are coming through the screen all the time I view your videos. Good job again. 🏍️💪🙂

[dionoliveira]

Freddie there are many that review well and technically sound, but here you have shown something special! the passion you exude for this bike and its character are tangible!
Thank you.

[michals]

Kawasaki is really underrated in motorbike world, z1000sx, w800, versys 650 (so popular in Asia), z900 and z900rs all great bikes

[fingerhorn]

Same engine as my old ER6f from well over a decade ago. It was also a light machine and the engine was a cracker, but this Kawasaki is clearly more comfortable, is utterly stunning to look at and it's reasonably priced. It's going to be a huge success (or perhaps already is).

[colingoldthorpe]

I put the Z900RS side by side to my T120 gold line in the dealership. Took a long hard look and the T120 was just finished off better. The wiring and routing of cables was better and overall appearance was far nicer. The Kawasaki was a nice bike but for the same price the T120 in my humble opinion was the real retro bike, that will stand the test of time.

[machineabart]

Tried Speed Twin and the 650RS. Both great bikes. What drew me to purchasing the RS is rev counter which does not exist on the Triumph Speed Twin. Also my legs are more bent on the Speed Twin. RS is more relaxed position wise.

[kenschauer]

Great review! I ended up buying this bike and totally agree with this review. Great bike, very nimble and faster than I want to go., and pulls hard in 3rd and 4tth gears..love it!

[motoexploration]

"... hand on heart, it would be this bike ... " nicely put.
Balanced review, indeed. I'm sold and bought one.

[panosrallis]

One of the best videos I have ever seen on motorcycle presentation... So much passion... I love the bike and I hope I can have it really soon. Keep up the excellent work my friend... Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷

[hatchetjack]

My Son and a friend of mine both own Kawasaki Z650's, one the RS model. They love them! If you buy a Japanese bike or a Triumph today, it's probably made in Thailand. ( Z650 engine/ Thailand). I've got the Japanese made Kawasaki W800 Cafe! All are VERY reliable, I remember the 60's and British bikes...Amal carbs, Smith instruments and Lucas electronics insured that they would be very IFFY regarding reliability! I was riding Hondas and Yamahas (XS650)...My friends with Triumphs and Beezers were riding tow trucks!

[mrbxv]

Outstanding review, Freddie. You always give the full context of why the bikes are made and compare them to their competitors.