2023 Kawasaki Z900 vs Z650 - Is the Z900 a better second bike? Complete comparison view!

The Z650 is such a good bike for most riders that many forget about the Z900. In this video I discuss if the Z900 should be your "move up to" motorcycle instead of a Z650. I love both these bikes, but I hope this video helps you see the technical and practical differences between them so that you can make the best decision for you!

[@aaroneverett296]

I'm 5'8" and have no problem touching the ground on my z900. I really enjoy the bike for commuting to work, it's very comfortable. I do plan on tracking it too, that's why I went for the z900.

[@Carlisho]

I was first going to buy a Ninja 1000 but ended up getting the Z900 instead, incredible second bike, I honestly think the Z650 would have gotten slow for me eventually just like my Rebel 300 did. Its all about respecting the bike and knowing when to back off. Edit: also forgot to mention that because the z900 has that Low Power mode you can basically have a 650ish bike on demand which makes it a much better choice imo

[@ThargtG]

A friend got his z650 to 123 mph

[@martymcgrogan]

Very well done synopsis. Thorough and easily understandable.

[@PeteZa92]

Amazing bike comparisons as always. Honestly, probably the best I've seen

[@TrustyZ900]

Have a '22 Z900 and the only complaint was the tires. Michelins now. Excellent. Have had scores of bikes and this one is a sweetie. Smooth, powerful and cool looking. Be with me till the apocalypse.

[@exe16]

Stock tires are only for breaking in the engine anyway. Having some more road biased rubber might actually be a good idea since you shouldn't be redlining a brand new bike all the time, lol.

[@anthonycawley9484]

Hi I’m Anthony and I passed my test on the 22/6/2023 after riding my lexmoto lxr 125 for 6 months then jumped straight to the z900 and I love it but I did learn and do my test on the z650

[@dsambernardo]

Both engines are awesome, but for my needs, I stay with mi 650.

[@carlosvejar3938]

Thank you for the video very informative good information great presentation. You actually helped me solve my issue. I'm a returning rider, i had 250 dual sport to refresh my skills. And now I want to move up. The z900 does what I want very nicely

[@PeterLoweOne]

If you have some experience riding, the Z900 might be a great bike! I love my Z900RS SE. That's another bike you may want to consider, I absolutely love mine!

[@carlosvejar3938]

@@PeterLoweOne I prefer the fit of the regular z as opposed to the RS. The regular Z is very inviting to me. The deciding factor is the adjustability of the Z900 suspension. Great video thank you

[@ThargtG]

I had a z650 as a first bike and I gotta say it was probably the best choice I could've done. Lightweight, versatile, fun, plenty of power for everything you need and even more. If you can control yourself (just a little bit) you wont have issues with it. I would NOT recommend it as a 2nd bike personnally altough it all depends on what you start with. My version had no TC, no abs, nothing and was easy to keep control of. Might be a little too small for tall riders (Im 6 feet, 130lbs and I got cramped up after 2-3 hrs of riding. That seat is awesome with that butt wall. The z900 I havent tried but I would consider it as a 2nd (or 3rd,4th,etc) as its a good platform with a bigger engine and frame. Both of them have killer looks to me but that's all personal. EDIT: I know it might be hard to get your hands on one but I would've loved an h2 sx in depth presentation

[@PeterLoweOne]

Ooh I'd love to do a review on an H2 as well. Maybe @canadiankawasakimotorsinc.8884 could hook me up!

[@honluu298]

Hi Peter. When you mentioned low power mode on the z900. Did you mean rain or road mode? Thanks

[@JagoTFC]

I bought that exact color Z650. When I jumped on that, it felt better than the Trident.

[@Mihalyofficial]

After owning a number of different bikes w different engines, I've always found the lighter and smaller bikes much more fun. They are lighter, easier to handle and you dont have to be as careful as w a more powerful bike. I only wish the 650 came with a 4 cyl for that amazing sound, but other than that I'm still looking for a 650.

[@_Moto215]

Any way to get that color scheme 650 to the US? Did you ever export one? Not sure how that works.

[@drslav754]

It’s petal mounted calipers as opposed to radially mounted… it’s not the disc that’s petal style 😊 As for bikes… both are good choi. If you do take long trips or have a passenger z900 is better if you can handle the weight. It’s a beast. Z650 totally fun in the city and day trips. Exhaust options are available for 650 also. Both bikes benefit with some increase of power but significantly smoother , weight reduction and sound especially 900.

[@DavidJohnson-gh3si]

Thank you Peter, really excellent and informative reviews. I will often take my son on the pillion so I’d like your advice which bike is better suited for that in terms of comfort and safety.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Hello, it's tough to say which bike is safer, as these bikes are similar other than the engines. The biggest safety feature between these two will be the person riding it. If you're someone who may have trouble staying out of the throttle, then the 650 will take a little longer to reach crazy high speeds. As far as comfort, again, these are both very similar and it may come down to your individual body types as to which one you prefer. I bought the Z900RS and the style of that bike might not be exactly what you're looking for, but the RS models do share most of the frame, engine, suspension, brakes and more, but the RS bikes do have seats that I think are a little more comfortable for two up riding. They do cost a little more, so it's up to you to see if that's something that you think will work for you. Sorry I can't help more than that. I know it's probably not the precise answer that you're looking for.

[@DavidJohnson-gh3si]

@@PeterLoweOne That’s most kind of you Peter! Very grateful for your expertise. I realise now that my question was framed badly. I should have asked what, in your opinion, are the features that make any bike suitable for passengers. My sons and I are both 1.88m of medium build. I am an experienced rider. Would you say a combination of seat height and width, grab handles plus an upright riding position are key features to look for or any other considerations please?

[@DavidJohnson-gh3si]

@@PeterLoweOne p.s. I do take your point about retro bikes with their larger saddles. I’m guessing the K800 might have the best ‘lounge’ style seating comfort

[@tonymartinez7205]

I have the Z650 2021, I flashed the ECU, removed all factory restrictions and installed an after market full exhaust system and this bike is really fast, plenty of torque, super nimble, good passing power, very easy on bumper to bumper traffic and Fwy traffic. I can reach 110 ~ 120 MPH very fast if I need to. I am a short guy, 5' 5" and 140 lbs. I guess the Z900 is more for tall guys who are over 6' and over 200 lbs. The Z900 will be heavier and harder to maneuver in streets or heavy traffic. I have the Suzuki GSXS1000 and is not that easy to riding on heavy traffic, however, my Suzuki GSXS1000 is excellent for Fwy speeds. My GSXS1000 weights like 440 lbs 160 HP vs the Z900 467 lbs 125 HP.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I ride a Z900RS SE and it's excellent in town. It's also more than fast enough to be a lot of fun. People don't believe me when I say this, but there comes a point with bikes and cars where more power can become less fun if you're not exceptionally skilled, and for me the Z900RS SE is just perfect! Much beyond that, and it just gets more difficult to drive, not necessarily faster for most riders.

[@T418HSE]

Great video, thanks! I'm literally sitting here, waiting for my z900 test drive tomorrow morning. Unfortunately they don't have the z650 available for test driving, and I can't make up my mind. I've been riding bikes for quite some time. Handling the power and the weight wouldn't be a problem (had an XJ6N), but I am concerned about which one would be more comfortable in traffic, since I will be using it not only for long trips on the highways during the weekends, but also as a daily commuter bike in the city. What worries me is that after getting off an 87hp bike, downgrading to a 67hp bike might end up boring in the long run. I know they say it's better to ride a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow, but what's your take on using the 900 as a daily commuter? Is it comfortable, and if not, is it worth it to take that hit in exchange for the highway experience of the 900? Thanks in advance!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Great questions and thought processes. So I always try to be honest, and I definitely have a personal bias right now as I'm clearly still in the honeymoon phase with the Z900RS SE. So I've really enjoyed the new bike and it's not that my Versys 650 wasn't enough, it really was a great bike for me, but the Z900RS is the type of bike that I've always dreamed of owning. It's a big 4 cylinder with plenty of power, awesome brakes, and great suspension. I find it very easy to drive in town, and it's a great do everything bike that does everything better than the Versys 650 that I owned before, other than that bike had good wind protection which can matter. But the Z650 is likely to be just a bit more nimble, but honestly the Z900RS is nimble and sporty too. So to be honest, I don't have regrets in spending more money for the Z900RS SE because it's not just about more power (and it had a lot!) It's also about the key pieces being upgrades (suspension/brakes) so it's one of those cases for me of everything being very good on the Z650RS, but every key piece being a well worth it upgrade on the Z900RS. If you're worried about stepping down in power, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the engine of the Z650RS as it's still plenty quick and a whole lot of fun, but the Z900RS has instant passing power in any gear at any speed, where the 650 will require you to downshift to fly by people. It's tough for me to be hard on either bike. I'd be happy with either, but I'm in love with the bike I bought.

[@T418HSE]

@@PeterLoweOne Thanks for the reply. We're all biased towards something, but admitting it is a great way of being objective. Now that you've mentioned it, it's crystal clear. I believe you were absolutely right when you decided to go for "the bike you've always dreamed of owning". If having a bit of a bulkier ride for commuting every other day is the price to pay to have your dream-bike, it shouldn't be a big deal. That said, I'll go for the z900 myself! Thanks again!

[@christianjensen3459]

Hi Peter! Great review I must say! I'm considering going from a Vulcan S 650 to the Z900 myself. The Z650 seems a bit small for me, being 6'2 and heavier set. Even though I think the Z650 would be a blast to ride on as well. The engine certainly is fun in my Vulcan! Cheers!

[@Fuente_opusX]

I'm in the same boat as you, but I'm not as tall. I'm also moving from a vulcan S up. I've ridden the 900, and it's so smooth. I'm gonna ride a z650 in a few days to try and compare them

[@_Moto215]

@@Fuente_opusX Did you ride it. Im also in same boat. Currently in a Vulcan S looking at the z650.

[@Fuente_opusX]

@PhillyArmyDude I did, but I bought the Z900 it is a wonderful machine. The power delivery is perfect. The z650 is a great machine, but if you are anything like me, you will feel very similar power delivery. Now, it may be more comfortable and athletic, but it's gonna be similar. That's why I went Z900. The bonus is the Z900 in rain mode is basically a z650 but smoother.

[@_Moto215]

@@Fuente_opusXThanks for the quick reply. Did it have a big impact on your insurance rate?

[@Fuente_opusX]

@PhillyArmyDude yes it raised it a good bit. Though me wrecking then fixing the Vulcan probably had something to do with it, lol. It doubled from ~$60 to ~$124. I shopped around a bit. Age will also play a factor.

[@Darksider95]

I own a 2017 Z650, highly recommend the bike. It's comfortable, fun, nimble, light, and easy to control. The only complaints I have was the 180 parallel twin not sounding good with any aftermarket exhaust, and the throttle can be a little sensitive on low speed cornering or u-turns, but this can be a good learning tool to learn throttle control. The power delivery of Z650 is very predictable, it doesn't have an RPM where the engine "wakes up", it just pulls consistently across the whole RPM range.

[@BlackArroToons]

Peter, thanks for the great reviews. For the 900 and 650Zs, are they tougher at freeway speeds compared to the Ninja 650 with its fairing and windscreen? I never rode a Z650 or Z900 standard to find out yet.

[@cr4sher7]

For sure tougher.

[@BlackArroToons]

@@cr4sher7 Thanks. Much more wind I expect.

[@cr4sher7]

@@BlackArroToons Yes, you will still feel it on ninja, but it will be a bit better. You can always go for Z650/Z900 and buy a windshield - which should help a bit. I drive naked Z650 I feel comfortable with 120-140km/h, but I am not fast driver. More than that wind starts to feel quite strong. If you are worried about the wind maybe consider Versys. It doesn't look that well but is extremly comfortable when riding. Really depends on your needs 😀

[@BlackArroToons]

@@cr4sher7 Cool, thank you for the details. I have a '21 Ninja 650, but have never been on the freeway on a standard or naked bike. Good to know the wind doesn't sound too much heavier than with the fairings to divert the wind. With the Ninja, I have to tuck low to deflect the wind to my facemask, but the wind is part of the fun, and good at cooling down on warmer days. Thanks! Enjoy the ride! The 650 engine is great.

[@frawdulent]

It’s a motorcycle. Of course there’s going to be wind. Jesus.

[@BrasilNewSP]

Motos Maravilhosas. 👏🏼👏🏼🙂

[@hawaii5084]

I'm 5'3" i have a bone stock '08 Yamaha R1 and a '22 Kawi Z900. Absolutely no problem in terms of riding both bikes.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Forget the fact that you're 5'3". If you can ride an R1, you're probably ahead of many riders. But I do agree with you, many riders get too caught up in seat height when that probably won't have as much effect on their ownership experience as other factors.

[@hawaii5084]

@@PeterLoweOne you sir has the ability of getting down to the point to where you’re viewers can relate in terms of decision making Awesome.!

[@KellerFkinRyan]

hey peter, i have a question about the z900se vs the zh2 se. i know you own a z900 RS SE, and i’m wondering which one you think has better sporting pedigree. it would have to be my only bike, as i can’t afford multiple at a time. obviously the zh2 has it beat in a straight line, but how about in corners? the zh2 gets the showa skyhook suspension & brembo Stylemas, and the z900 se gets the ohlins rear and brembo 4.32’s.

[@PeterLoweOne]

So, I'm not sure how to measure sporting pedigree... There's no question that the H2 Is going to be the sportier bike. If you're judging sporting pedigree based on track performance, go with the H2. The way that I measure bikes is fun factor. The sporting capability of the Z900RS SE is well beyond my skill set. And although the first few weekends with the power of the H2 would be absolutely hilarious... On public roads, you really can't access that power on a regular basis. The Z900RS SE is still PLENTY fast, but from a fun perspective, you don't have to be so careful literally ALL the time. To me, the two bikes are going to be very close in fun factor, they're just going to be different in how they deliver that fun.

[@KellerFkinRyan]

@@PeterLoweOne thanks so much! I was referring mainly to how kawasaki has openly stated that the frame of the zh2 is more flexible than its sportbike counterparts. ive heard a few people complain about it feeling z650-esque in corners, and saying its a little bouncy. then again, those who complained had the base model and not the SE, so their suspension wasn't the top spec. thanks again!

[@tai3461]

Hey, do you think the A2 version of the z900 might be an Option for newer rider? It got 95ps and the same kw as the big one. But its possible to drive it at 48ps for beginners (i dunno if thats in america as well but here in Germany its how i described... Or tried to) Greets :)

[@PeterLoweOne]

If you're going to get something with 48 horsepower, you could get the Z400. It's lighter and easier for a new rider to really grow on. I will say that, even with it's full power, it's controllable power, but lets' be honest, if it wasn't limited in power, there isn't a rider that I know that wouldn't at least want to test that power out, and that's when things can go badly quickly. So if you could get a limited power one, it's something to consider, I just think you'd have more fun learning on a lighter bike that could be run right up to redline.

[@elitedimitri1184]

I did the same but with the z650 (netherlands)

[@running4fun74]

So, I currently ride a 2017 SV650. Would a z650 be an upgrade? Really thinking about a 2021 z900.

[@PeterLoweOne]

A z650 would be a move within the same class, so you'd gain some technology, notably the TFT display, but you're not moving the needle too much in terms of performance. The Z900 is a clear performance upgrade. A Z900 isn't quite as nimble as a Z650, but it's a definite step up overall.

[@running4fun74]

@@PeterLoweOne thank you. I wasn't sure if the cylinder position difference between the two 650s would make much of a difference.

[@Dr.BenjiBuddy]

Thinking of going for a z650 as a first bike, but I'm 6'2, about 200lbs and I plan on taking it onto the highway quite a bit... Maybe the z900 would be a better fit?

[@PeterLoweOne]

The Z650 will easily be enough power for you. I don't recommend the Z900 as a first bike. In the 80's and 90's I've driven in cars that had less horsepower than the Z650. I think sometimes people forget how much power modern day motorcycles really have.

[@Dr.BenjiBuddy]

@@PeterLoweOne thanks for the fast reply! My driving school uses Honda cb 650 f. Ive had about 20 hours of lessons so far and I think I'd get a little bored of such a bike after a few more months. Perhaps the z650 is a lot different?

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@Dr.BenjiBuddy It depends on what you mean by bored. If you're someone who can't have fun until you're well in excess of the legal speed limit, than you may want to be looking to see if you can get into a local racing league. More power doesn't always equal more fun. In some cases it can lead to less fun. The old adage that it's more fun to drive a slow bike fast than a fast bike slowly holds some truth. I own a Z900RS SE and I don't drive it all that much differently than I drove the Versys 650 that I owned before it. The power is thrilling for sure, but the Versys was thrilling too. I'm not saying don't buy the Z900. I'm just saying that your first bike, whatever it is, is often about really learning about the type of riding that you do in the real world, over time. If you think the Z900 is right for you and you know you can be responsible with the power, I wouldn't stand in your way, but I still don't recommend it for new riders. Remember. Skill is what makes you fast, not power. Power is more likely to get you in trouble. Skill is more likely to get you out of trouble. It's easier to develop great skill on a little less power. But again. Don't let me tell you something that isn't right for you. Choose what's best for you.

[@Dr.BenjiBuddy]

@@PeterLoweOne I'm not really looking for a high top speed, maybe I'll try that once on the German autobahn... if I dare 😂I'm definitely not a speed addict. The main thing I'm looking for in a bike is nice accelaration and preferably in the lower gears, which would make overtaking cars extremely easy... Anyway, you've convinced me to at least test ride a 650 before looking for a 900 :) Thanks for the feedback!

[@user-qy2hb5dn6z]

What is the difference in the price of treatments?

[@PeterLoweOne]

Up to date pricing can always be found at www.kawasaki.ca

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi

[@deant6627]

I upgraded to a Z900 from a CBR650R

[@navindranmurugaya6738]

how is it going? I have cbr650r now. Really looking into buying z900. Please share your thoughts with me.

[@mariomatisa7100]

No upside down forks is a shame

[@PeterLoweOne]

Move to the SE model and you'll love everything about the suspension. I bought the Z900RS SE which has the same upgraded suspension and Brembo brakes and it's fantastic.

[@chrisdadigger1018]

I wish they would stop putting all these electronics and motorcycles all it does is drive up the prices of the bike and if you think you need traction control then that motorcycle is too much bike for you. I would stay on a 400 or 500 cc until you can ride the pants off it. Then move up.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I don't "need" traction control on my Z900RS SE, but I like that it's there and when I push the bike, I can activate it. To me, it makes the bike more fun to drive hard. It doesn't replace good riding technique, but it's awesome for riding in the rain, and a nice buffer for semi aggressive riding. You can always turn it off, but even when it's activated, it's not at all intrusive. I like that it exists.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

1st

[@chechoboost]

Z650 is the one

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha! I really like them both! I drove a Versys 650 for years and loved that engine, but now I drove a Z900RS SE, and I love that bike too!

[@girishkumargopidalai4470]

I would like to buy a z650.