2023 Kawasaki Z650 vs. Z650RS - Complete In Depth Comparison

The 2023 Kawasaki Z650 REALLY impressed me! How does it stack up against the Z650RS? That's what this video is all about! Want to compare these two bikes for yourself? Connect with the amazing team at Jim Gilbert's PowerSports here: powersports.wheelsanddeals.ca...

[@debr628]

Great video! I have a 2020 Z650 and love it! Riding a while I made a few subtle changes ... Koso heated grips, Puig sport windscreen, Akrapovic exhaust, Shad semi-rigid sport bags ... wasn't thrilled with the Dunlops, replaced them with Metzeler M7 RR tires. My only gripe is with the increased cost of insurance ... in Ontario the Z650 is slotted in the super sport category. Tried to appeal and no luck. My 2016 Triumph Street Triple R (105 bhp) was classed as a standard ... in insurance terms that equals 1/3 to 1/2 less per year to insure

[@jochenkey]

Thank You for showing the seating position differences

[@paulstanley3265]

I was going to buy the rs but it was 9999 us so I got the Vulcan s for 7500 us and been very happy with it. I’m hoping maybe Kawasaki will come out with a 900 Vulcan s . Great video as always keep up the good work.

[@kwakithailand]

Great comparison of these two low midrangers as usually, Peter 👍 With the 650RS the buyers are paying for the looks, as did we for buying our Z900RS' 😁 *ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS* here 😀

[@BioGOD009]

GREAT JOB! EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE 👍❤️ MT07 or z650 for me?… what do you guys think?…

[@Ichogil]

Great style you have my friend👍

[@siamsunsets6464]

I ride to get away from the grid and the cell phone. So it's the R.S for me. (who wants their speed recorded anyway).

[@42much1]

Here in Brazil both bikes got the signal led lights. I do not care much about the connectivity , both the smaller fuel tank In the RS is a pill difficult to swallow. I thought it would be the opposite, more fuel capacity in a real fuel tank. Honda CB 500f has 17.1 liters, Kawasaki should have keep at least 15 liters.

[@postersm7141]

I have the 2021 Z900 RS Café (Big Brother of the 650) and I absolutely love that bike with its 948 cc In line for cylinder engine

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm going to post a video soon. I've begun breaking my bike in, (I bought the Z900RS SE) and I'm finding some REALLY interesting stuff, including NONE of the snatchy throttle that other reviews are talking about. I've got some theories as to why that may be.

[@timparker9235]

I have the RS and after the test ride I sat on the Z650 just to compare and with my 34in legs, the Z650 was really cramped which I think is worth a mention for riders with long legs - loving the RS and was swayed completely by the looks to attract my attention in the first place and then by the test ride on which it did everything better than my previous bike, 2018 CB500F

[@PeterLoweOne]

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought there would be much of a difference, but I guess you mean the Z650 doesn't work because of the way the tank loops above most people's knees, for you it comes in contact? I guess that makes some sense. And yeah, I don't think people realize how great these bikes are! That CB500F really feels a class below, in my opinion. It's a fine bike, but these feel better, as you say, in just about every way.

[@luthfifauzi8823]

Are the frame similar?

[@yyx2366]

​@@luthfifauzi8823 The frame is the same one, there are no differences

[@kamilskwara2069]

Great review! How tall are you for reference?

[@PeterLoweOne]

6 feet.

[@kuyaboogs4109]

You think z650's exhaust system will fit in z650rs? (Aftermarket)

[@PeterLoweOne]

Probably??? I can't say for sure, but a lot of the parts are carry-over. I'm probably not the best person to ask.

[@RodeoRides]

Here in the U.S. RS is $800 dollars more, I test rode both and I wasn’t paying a premium for no traction control no led turns and the lcd display I liked way better. I’m hoping the green frame Z gets here soon I’ve been waiting months.

[@siamsunsets6464]

I do think the retro will hold it's price better long-term with the Z just being another average modern looking bike.

[@_Moto215]

How did you even get that color z650? That's not even an option on Kawasaki's website for 2023. I love it though.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I film in Canada. This is a colour scheme available to us this year.

[@_Moto215]

@@PeterLoweOne Darn. I may have to head for the northern border because that color scheme is awesome. Excellent video and thanks for the quick reply!

[@ironbranch8175]

Why no traction control in rs? Its not a issue of styling lol

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha. That's a great question that I don't have an answer to.

[@the.communist]

For style, the rs, for everything else, the z650

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm not going to lie, I like the Z650 in person for its style, and I'm someone who bought a Z900RS for myself. I guess what I'm saying is that I like the style of both of them.

[@the.communist]

Stupid not installing the traction control on the zr

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm not sure that traction control is "needed" on the 650 engines. It's definitely helpful in poor weather, and I'd rather have it than not, but I drove a Versys 650 for years and never felt the need for traction control. The bigger bikes run more of a risk of slipping from extra power, and in that case it's helpful. You can wheelie these 650's but you're not going to do that by accident.

[@the.communist]

I dont get why the rs has only 12 litres tank. A 650cc bike!!!

[@PeterLoweOne]

That's the price of style, I guess!

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi

[@PeterLoweOne]

FIRST!

[@herrtomas6729]

@@PeterLoweOne sometimes I get lucky! Thanks for the review again