2022 Kawasaki Z650RS One Year Review

In this video I'll be sharing my thoughts on the Kawasaki Z650RS after owning this motorcycle for one year.

[@adamemerson7522]

You’re correct sir, it’s a truly beautiful retro, one of the most beautiful ever built in my humble opinion! Thanks for sharing! 💪😎👍

[@blandrooker6541]

Man, I'm really liking the retro UJM design trend. Brings back a lot of good memories for me from the 70s and 80s. 👍

[@Jimireland]

I have the green one too and love it. I found when I rode at slower speeds in high gear I got a bit of vibration in the bars. I think that was my problem, it will do it but it runs smoother with slightly more revs. I now keep it down a gear or two when riding slower and it's not a problem anymore.

[@chamonetv9454]

It is such a beautiful motorcycle. Sometimes i get out of the garage and look at it. Same here! I have the bike for a year now.

[@WalkinOSF]

Enjoyed watching your videos. The warm season is coming back, hope you will make new ones

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Thanks! I'm planning to make some more videos soon!

[@eqreginato]

Hi. Im from Brasil and i am gonna get my 650rs in the end of october 2023. Great video. Hugs from Brasil.

[@timparker9235]

I found that by putting evotech bar ends on I reduced the tingling effect in my wrists a fair bit, such that a 45 minute commute I do regularly where previously I would get the effect several times, now I don't - I've had mine nearly a year too and love it more and more the more I ride it. Mine is spark black and I also just pop out to the garage to look at it. Love the green/gold but it just had to be black though for 2024 there's a red/gold and if I like that, maybe I'll swap - I think your thoughts about the bike pretty much match mine - nice vid!

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Thanks! I'll have to look into getting those bar ends.

[@TrustyZ900]

Beautiful RS. Love that color. My brother and I were on a long bike trip and stopped at a Burger King for breakfast. A guy pulls up on a new '23 650 RS in kind of a black and grey metallic color on the tank. I have to say, it wasn't too appealing. Kawasaki' like Suzuki often pick some really odd paint schemes and this was one. Amazing how a nice color can transform a motorcycle. Talking about wind on the highway. Just returned from a 2k mile trip on my 900 RS and traveling on Interstate 80 in Nevada at around 85 mph for hours really wears you out. Bike did well, but I slept good at night. Excellent review.

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

I absolutely agree about the '23 paint scheme being rather dull. Hopefully they switch the colors up for the coming model years... I must say I'm impressed that you took a 2K mile trip on the 900RS! That sounds awesome, I salute you.

[@TrustyZ900]

@@Hondasaki_Frank Thanks Frank. My name too. Not too many left. I just seen your 1000 SX. Wow, excellent choice. Maybe I'll get one too.

[@giniolamy]

Very beautiful 😍 never seen this one before

[@1999zrx1100]

I had a green ZRX1100, same thing it was so nice to look at. Wish I kept it. 👍

[@user-rn6jx3ux9c]

Great review 😁

[@brenthall6554]

Hi Frank, It's odd that yours vibrates the handlebars. I just picked one up and rode it 400 miles home. I didn't notice any vibration. I was cruising at 4,500 to 5,500rpm though. Mine doesn't like being lugged below 3,500 rpm. I lost track of how many motorcycles I've had since 1976, and I absolutely love mine. This is kind of motorcycle that is just perfect to ride. It isn't trying to pose as a cruiser, nor repli-racer. Its just a great all around motorcycle. I love the light clutch pull too. I

[@brenthall6554]

I rode mine today through a tank of gas. No vibration to speak of. I wonder if your handlebar rubber mounts are quite right.

[@nimrodm3094]

Nice bike! I have the 50th anniversary edition one and it's been great. I'm planning to put an aftermarket exhaust and I'm wondering if you did an ecu tune after you did the IXIL? Did you encounter any problems with the exhaust? Also, does yours have that little bit of snatchy throttle on 1st and 2nd gear low rpm?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Thanks! I did not do an ECU tune with this exhaust. The IXIL full exhaust has a cat and a "bread box," so the airflow doesn't seem to be massively different from the stock exhaust. The fit was perfect and it has a spot to thread in the O2 sensor. It gives the bike a deeper sound and slightly more volume, but doesn't make it obnoxious. I do notice that snatchy on/off throttle feel, but from what I understand that's pretty common with fuel injected bikes.

[@user-bu2en3cl6s]

I don't know what squid cut up the exhaust but the rest of the bike looks good.

[@windcuna]

Good one! I have a very similar experience after a year with the RS. The buzz in your wrist is the only issue on long rides which aren’t so bad if you stay at 60-70 mph. Question - did you evaluate the other IXIL exhaust option before fitting the one you did ; any reason other than looks that you chose this exhaust ? (I like the IXIL sound but considering it seriously for ground clearance which is an issue on Indian city roads esp. with a pillion ; surprisingly I’ve done solo rides on broken rural/village roads in India without scraping)

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

I chose the IXIL RC exhaust for both the looks and for the sound. I just measured the ground clearance, it's about 6" at the lowest point. (where the pipe goes underneath the engine)

[@windcuna]

Thanks! Helpful

[@rkr6237]

Hi… how’s your experience been with the ground clearance with the stock exhaust on Indian speed breakers? Thanks

[@jimmarshall807]

Nice looking bike, sounds good to ride too. Whereabouts is the countryside you're riding in, it looks really nice too!

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

This is in West Virginia. It's an awesome area to ride!

[@verediano]

Hi, nice review. It makes me much more comfortable about this bike knowing how it performs in long term. Do you think the position where the sliders are could damage the bike somehow? And about accessories like the rear bar and the ones to carry bags, is it easy to find for this bike?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Thanks! The sliders seem well positioned for a low speed drop, but like any frame sliders, a high speed impact could damage/bend the frame. I found the rear bar on Alibaba for $70, but the fit wasn't very good. It took some work to get the holes to line up; probably better to buy the one straight from Kawasaki. In all, the aftermarket parts availability seems decent for this motorcycle.

[@AkzoPainter]

How do you like that exhaust? I’m thinking of ordering one for my Z650. I love how it’s more of a deeper tone compared to a lot of other exhaust that sound real raspy and like an angry lawnmower lol.

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

I'm very happy with it. The fit and ease of installation were quite good, and the exhaust note is much deeper than the stock exhaust and slightly louder. I liked the appearance of the stock exhaust a little better, but all things considered I like the IXIL exhaust.

[@benjaminminty9602]

When I saw the exhaust on your bike at the beginning of the video I expected it to sound like crap. Because that’s my opinion on almost all of those stubby slip ons. Louder isn’t better for me. But that pipe sounded really good. Really surprised me. Nice bike. The green and gold wheels look fantastic!

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Thanks, that exhaust is an IXIL full system. It's only slightly louder than the stock exhaust because it still has a catalytic converter. I'm right there with you about loud exhausts. I like a little more volume than stock, but not obnoxious.

[@rajivbhalla3194]

​@@Hondasaki_Frankis there any increase in the GC with this exhaust ? Will the GC increase if the catalytic converter is removed

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

@@rajivbhalla3194 I'm not sure what you mean by GC 🤔

[@rajivbhalla3194]

@@Hondasaki_Frank Ground clearance 😊

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

@@rajivbhalla3194 Yes, I'd say it has slightly more ground clearance with the IXIL exhaust. Maybe 1 inch. The cat can't be removed on this system unless you cut it off and weld your own pipe in its place.

[@robertpinder2307]

It seems a shame to me to get rid of one of the best looking stock mufflers on any motorcycle!

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

The stock exhaust does look very nice on this bike, but I wanted to hear that exhaust note a little bit more.

[@kwakithailand]

Which is the Z900RS muffler 😁

[@rkr6237]

Hey man just wondering if you’ve had any issues with ground clearance going over speed bumps etc? Thanks and safe travels

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

No, I've never had any issues. It has about 5" of ground clearance, if I remember correctly.

[@Motoristika]

Really nice bike!!! Do you know the max load weight for this bike? And it is beginner friendly ? Did you also ride it with a passenger? Thanx :)

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

The max weight capacity is about 400lbs. I have not ridden with a passenger, but it has great brakes and decent power so I think it would handle the added weight fine. I would say it is beginner-friendly. The motorcycle is fairly light and easy to handle, and the engine is smooth enough with the power delivery that it won't surprise a new rider.

[@steveroberts2533]

There a tool under the seat in a little bag for adjusting the suspension and there are seven settings 7 is hardest takes five minutes to do

[@kalnwi2023]

spanner wrench

[@jpdaddy678]

Sometimes you just gotta look at it

[@HonestKeyboard1771]

where is this city/state? It looks stunning (I work remote and looking for new places to move to with the intention of also riding in a not super dense city)

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

This is in West Virginia. It's superb for riding motorcycles. Nice winding roads through the mountains, and very little traffic.

[@dostoevsky90]

Country roads take me home, West Virginia…. I loved that song since the first day i heard as an Indian kid😊…Happy rising to you and your bike looks great…. i love the Kawasaki Z650RS but they are pretty costly here hence got my self a classic 350 Royal Enfield Signals.

[@David..]

You lucked out, love the paintwork. For 2024 they decided to just paint this boring black.

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Yeah, I really like the paint color on this one.

[@d.4tay549]

Oh! Gravel. We are all just more gravel away from a bad day. Any problems with the shifter having all those different connections, angles and bends?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

No, I haven't had any trouble with the shifter. It still feels nice and solid.

[@d.4tay549]

@@Hondasaki_Frank Sweet bike. Thanks for the reply.

[@atb_massive_night9679]

Are those aftermarket indicators, they look much better than the standard pointy ones on my z65ors.?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Actually they are standard.

[@atb_massive_night9679]

@@Hondasaki_Frank I wonder why they changed the UK spec ones for horrible modern looking pointy ones??? going to have to try and get hold of a set of these round ones

[@paolodechipiece1027]

Nice styling, but muffler is all wrong for a retro. It needs 4 cylinders and a centre stand also to make it like the original and 900rs

[@svaralen]

Love the bike!!! Do you think it is beginner friendly!? ✌️

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

I would say that it is fairly beginner friendly. The seat height is not too high, and it is a fairly light motorcycle for the middle-weight class. The engine produces plenty of power, but not too much to surprise a beginner rider.

[@svaralen]

@@Hondasaki_Frank Thanx a lot ✌️, will go tomorrow to test one 😎 Do you know maybe the max load weight? Thanx

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

@@svaralen Cool, it's a fun bike. The max weight capacity is about 400lbs.

[@camilloscottodifrega7828]

Saund e bellissimo io sto in italia come si chiama la marmitta

[@rafael_vergani]

Is it good for the passenger or have you not tested it?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Sorry, I have not had a passenger on it yet.

[@DavidPalmer_planeace222]

Ive ridden before. It really depends on who rides with you. Might have to adjust the rear suspension but does alright. I don't recommend going out of town for long rides without frequent breaks, but since the tank on this thing isn't very big, its not a huge issue.

[@ranakirti]

what your opinion on not having Tracion Control?

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

I think this motorcycle does not need it. It's not powerful enough to slip the back tire unless you ride very aggressively in the wet.

[@inseasonandoutofseason]

That gold does not match all the chrome imo, it seems out of place. I would prefer black or chrome color on the wheels. I do agree that the rest of it looks great.

[@Hondasaki_Frank]

Yeah, maybe choosing gold wheels was a strange choice since Kawasaki was going for a retro-look. But I like them.

[@jameswaterhouse-brown6646]

Surely Kawasaki had an inline 4 they could could have put in it.

[@jameswaterhouse-brown6646]

@atharvasamant581 that’s true

[@d.4tay549]

See Kawasaki Z900 RS.

[@EsteeZeta]

Really nice bike, but two cyls on 650 is no good, an old 600 on 4, is such a smooth ride!!!!

[@christosswc]

Besides the extra cost and fuel consumption, you are looking at a hefty increase in weight there aren't you.

[@rostislavhruska8601]

Big motorcycle with 2stroke? Wtf! No go option.

[@dertechniker8867]

I rode the Z 650 RS and the BMW G 310 R on the same day - to be honest, I would take the BMW.

[@brenthall6554]

Why? They are nothing like each other.

[@dertechniker8867]

@@brenthall6554 yes, it's true - you can't really compare these bikes. Nevertheless I made a comparison because I rode them at the same day. In my opinion the Z650RS isn't a retro bike. It just uses retro elements. A no go for me is the left site of the engine. Sooo ugly. There are also other details I don't like - the handlebar for example - it should be the same like on the Z900. The BMW is styled and engineered more consequent and has got a very precise and stabil handling. Of course it hasn't the power of the Kawasaki but the difference is not so very much.

[@trailrider1980]

​@@brenthall6554i would never choose the indian built bmw. Too many issues and is not even manufactured by bmw. True the 650 rs platform can be improved but the bmw while lighter doesn't have anything on it, in my opinion.

[@downwindone]

the engine and brakes of the rs works powerfull, .. is not a 300cc... but if u prefer a lightweight its fine

[@spearmintvole9522]

It looks nice but the way it sounded, the clunk and jerk as it went into first and the way it rode, it seemed a lot like, and I mean a lot like a 20 year old CB500. You could get them with gold wheels too LOL. Seriously the original Z650 was a decent and smooth inline 4. This is a cynical attempt to market last years leftover parts as nostalgia. Get a Guzzi or Triumph they do that sort of thing properly.

[@grahamwright9897]

Great review . It’s a ZED not a zeeeeeeeeeeeeee 😂