2023 Kawasaki Z650RS | First Ride

The 2023 Kawasaki Z650RS is one of the best middleweight modern classic motorcycles - powered by the very reliable 649cc Parallel Twin engine!
Today I'm picking it up from KD Motorcycles and will give you my first impressions review. Stay tuned for the long term in-depth review of this bike in a couple of weeks.
Find out more about this bike: www.kdmotorcycles.co.uk/new-b...
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KD Motorcycles: www.kdmotorcycles.co.uk/

[@gmmotomedia]

Correcting my comment over the Z650RS engine. It's indeed a 180 degree crank, not a 270 👍

[@farmoboy83]

agree. This, the z900 a d the mighty w800 are masterpieces of design

[@IggyWildcat]

Kawasaki knows how to do retro. 👍

[@ekspatriat]

Well it's not an inline 4 so not really retro. Parallel twins are a very dull cop-out.

[@milbella1]

I just wish they made the z900rs in this green

[@dsambernardo]

Another z650rs owner here. Love your review and I can state that everything you say is totally true. It's an awesome bike. Love the "Kawasaki" retro logos on the fuel tank but they are an extra of 90eur! Mine comes with the normal ones. Thanks for your review.

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks very much 🙏

[@rj-gd3pc]

Hi I’m currently waiting for my z650rs on emerald green, I’m so excited how you described your experience with it. Two question, is the handle good in a downtown traffic as well? How’s your experience with long ride? Thanks so much for taking the time.

[@dsambernardo]

@@rj-gd3pc Hi! The handling is very good. The bike is very thin so you can ride easily between traffic. The assisted clutch makes it much easier. Also, you can ride quite slowly in second even in third gear without feeling the rattling of the motor. In long rides, the seat is very comfortable and when you rev it up, it responds even in low gears. The position is very straight, so in highways you will feel all the wind, but this is something that goes with this retro bikes. I am very happy with it, and I have owned MT7, GSXR 600, cb600f and this is the bike "for every use". You'll see how people stare at you when you pass by because the green colour is just beautiful.

[@kevinwest4047]

I'm defo buying one,

[@timparker9235]

Z650RS owner here, its not a 270 degree crank but I agree with everything else you've picked up on here. Looking forward to your full review

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks mate, sorry about that I'll pin a comment up 👌

[@richardcurtis114]

It's a beautiful looking bike. Stunning..its light.handles lovely. But I help thinking its been strangled by the exhaust.

[@enricohagn]

Or by the EUDSSR (as well as local) emission laws?

[@MissMan666]

4:20 This is not a 270 degree crankshaft, that's why it sounds exactly like the other 650 kawa's from the past years, yeah boring and no where near as good as MT07 etc that has a 270 degree crankshaft. The Z650RS has a 180 degree crankshaft.

[@Motoristika]

Really nice bike!!! Do you know the max load weight for this bike? And it is beginner friendly ? Thanx :)

[@gmmotomedia]

I couldn't find the load weight anywhere but I think yes it's beginner friendly. I still advise to ride something a little smaller if it's gonna be your very first bike.

[@John-lc1uq]

I think these "retro bikes" should be tested by guys like me .i am 67 and i rode a 900 in 75 when i was 19.

[@Niro.C]

The Kawasaki 650 engine is a 180 degrees crank, isn"t it ? Not 270 degrees.

[@feet57]

maybe it fires like (Crossplane) ? offset crank with two power strokes 90 apart? and some balancer. Sounds fairly short stroke. looks fun.

[@andregrastyan3403]

Yes, it's not a 270 crank. It's a 180 just like the Vulcan650.

[@gtaslowrider]

I think the Triumph Trident is a better package with a better engine and more modern tech.

[@feet57]

MY T160 was a Trident - the new thing is nothing like it (cosmetically) which is a shame- a retro would be in the same league as the Kwacker to compare.

[@ironkcirb285]

Given a nice bike even acc'y and clayton can look good🤣.

[@gmmotomedia]

😅

[@Las0787]

American accent in Accrington 😂😂😂😂😂

[@gmmotomedia]

You'd be surprised by just how much diversity there is in Accy now. It's a thing of beauty 😉

[@robb7177]

Actually southwest England Exeter/plymouth is similar as American accent , the Norman French changed the London area accent . The American accent is probably more similar to the original English accent .