2023 Kawasaki Z650RS Review | Daily Rider

Kawasaki’s Z650 adds an RS to the name and a splash of ‘70s style to the look. Zack hits the Daily Rider route to see how the updates and changes compare to the standard Z650 and to the rest of the motorcycling world.

SPECS:
MSRP: $9,100
Engine: 649 cc parallel twin
Measured weight: 415 lb. / 188.2 kg
Fuel capacity: 3.2 gal. / 12.1 liters
Seat height: 31.5 in. / 800 mm

Zack’s gear:

0:00 Intro
0:50 Out Sponsor, REVER
1:16 A quick walkaround the Z650RS
4:04 On The Road!
6:26 Freeway Cruisin’
9:50 Urban Manners & Stop Sign Challenge
12:55 Lover’s Lane
14:18 At the Lights
17:50 Gettin’ Dirty
18:57 Will it Wheelie???
20:46 Instagram Questions!
26:10 On the Daily Rider Leaderboard

[LukeStevensPhoto]

I will never get tired of Zack's "I've done something a bit silly" laugh. It's pure joy and I hope he never changes.

[Djskdhsjq]

Zack, for future videos can you can snap a profile picture of you sitting on each of the daily rider bikes, so we can see the human to bike ratio and ergonomics? Gracias mi amigo!

[jjenningsoh]

Just passed 400 miles on my 23 model. Everything you said is spot on! It’s just all around good. To have no disappointments or regrets at all is a rare thing.

[brantfurr]

I would love it if you made a mention of headlight effectiveness in your ride... My "daily ride" often starts in the dark, on rural roads, and a good headlight is very important on my commuter moto... As always, great work on this piece. Thanks for the hard work you put in to keeping us all informed, and entertained.

[MoroMagrew]

I have this bike and got it as soon as it was announced, yes based solely on the looks! 100% form over function! I know the Z650 is reliable and got fine power for me, and with this bike’s sweet looks I was sold! People say the engine and set up is boring, and that usually dominates the reviews, “why doesn’t it have a different firing order like the Yamaha” etc etc etc, really there are so many bikes with the trendy 270 crank that a 180 is almost interesting! I love the bike! Confirmation bias? Convincing myself of the purchase? To a degree… Absolutely! Where I live we have no Royal Enfields, and Triumph are twice as expensive as in other markets, so it makes this bike a better purchase! I do wish that it had a better looking exhaust like the Z900RS, and the it’s beyond me why they didn’t put fake cooling fins on the engine, the same engine on the 650 Vulcan S has them, and the Z900RS has them. Not sure how long this bike will be for this world, with Yamaha, and now Honda and even Suzuki with more modern and trendy engine platforms, maybe Kawasaki will go the same way with their 650 platform.

[dcmassena]

Daily Rider is some of the best motorcycle content on the internet. Thank you for producing this kind of content. It is nice to see different bikes being run through the same course and compared using similar situations. Keep it up!

[jdecker]

Zack, Ya gotta get your hands on the 900RS for the daily ride. Instant leaderboard topper for sure!

[austink]

I believe that MOST of the “it’s so boring” comments come from people who don’t actually ride.

If you can’t have fun with a z650 because the engine is slightly less peppy than an MT07, you’re doing something wrong.

[Josipa-gcsi]

I ride this bike Z650RS for half of year now and it's really fun 😊

[solcalsteve]

Thanks Zack. Having watched most of your reviews I went and bought a Z650 RS 50th anniversary model today.

[kentstray]

About the upright seating position, I've found that a slightly more forward leaning position is more comfortable on a long journey because an upright back takes the full brunt of gravity and the bumps on the road.

[falcodog]

Great review!
Side bar:
Even if RevZilla didn't have the industries best selection, pricing and customer service on motorcycle gear, I would still be tempted to buy from them to because of their excellent videos, reviews, reviewers, podcasts and Common Tread articles.

[Heritagejim]

I purchased the OG in 77 in Gun metal and loved it. I like how Kawi uses the style of the 650 lettering from the original your spot on with the cockpit set up.I bought my 2nd 650 in 82 the color was Ox Blood Red. Both these bikes were bullet proof. I lived in Euclid back in the day, rode out to New Port beach every day to get to my job. I had a white Vetter fairing. When I got on the road, the seas parted thinking I was CHP. I loved those bikes, and I may have to check on these for a longing for the Good Ole Days😎

[brianrobinson]

Awesome review really appreciate that you put these up on Saturday, I can't think of anything else I like better than eating breakfast drinking some coffee and watching the next daily rider experience !! 😊 happy boy

[r.petrovic]

I feel like I literally wished this bike into existence. I loved how z900rs looked, but it was out of my price range.

Even when I bought my previous Kawasaki I was asking the dealership will they make 650 version of z900rs.

I've owned z650rs for over a year and I still get excited when seeing, or riding it. I love it.

Btw I have a green/gold color way.

[destinationyonder]

No, thank you Zack for answering my question! And yes i did came to this conclusion, it's not 35% less bike, but the 900 (yes i do own one) is worth the extra price (if that makes sense)!

[chrisl]

I love this bike, great review. Just mind boggling how 600-700 class bikes are now $10k out the door.

[JustBoogie]

I really took this video into consideration before purchasing this motorcycle. I was fortunate enough to get this bike on sale $1500 off! So basically purchased it for sticker price with all the dealer fees. Just did the dreaded manufacture break in procedure, and I’m really surprised by how responsive this thing is all around! Night and day between my CBR 600RR. Thanks so much for your review!

[southpawscientific]

I had prejudice against this 180 parallel twin until I rented a Ninja 650 and rode Angeles Crest…when you have that engine in the upper power band, it really sings

[destroyerxd]

Best looking motorcycle to go on Daily Rider. Was hoping Zac would do the Z900RS.