Kawasaki Z500 vs. Kawasaki Z650: An In-Depth Practical Comparison!

[@thejaysun]

It's funny how online motorcycle culture has convinced so many that you need more cc's to have a great bike. Practicality seems to get overlooked too much. Both great bikes

[@PeterLoweOne]

I don't think it's only online motorcycle culture. I've heard people say that long before motorcycle culture hit the internet. (yeah. I'm old as dirt!)

[@enricohagn]

For those growing up with an "Open Autobahn" and/or living in the Alps: Displacement is irreplaceable 🤷

[@oldcowbb]

i'm enjoying my ninja 500 on my daily freeway commute, the speed is more than enough. I don't think i will go any higher than 650, i rather have a lighter bike that i and roll in and out of the parking space. Not to mention MPG goes down and insurance goes up with higher CC

[@dsambernardo]

I owe the Kawasaki Z650rs in green (in part because of your great review of that bike, thanks Peter!) which has the same engine as this z650. In my opinion, that engine is very useful for all ranges and appropriate for both experienced or newbies riders. If is not a matter of pricing, everyone should go for the z650. People who start in the motorcycle lifestyle with the z500, after several month will surely want that little more extra power that the z650 offers. Anyway, both bikes are awesome. Thanks for the review!

[@honda116969]

All motorcycles are dope, I prefer something around 500-650 CC cuz you actually get to use the engine. Cool review dude 👍😎👍

[@PeterLoweOne]

I like that level of displacement too. I own a 900 (948cc) now but that 500 to 650 range is definitely fun!

[@BlackArroToons]

Nice review, Peter. For range, on my '21 Ninja 650, with the 4.0 gallon tank, I was able to reach 233 miles with still a little to spare. Normally though, when easy on acceleration and mostly doing the speed limits, I average 225 miles per tank for range, which is really important for when finding new rural roads and sometimes getting lost out there!

[@enricohagn]

Awesome consumption figures. Did you tune/detune the engine to achieve it?

[@BlackArroToons]

​@@enricohagn Thanks! No adjustments other than the stock muffler replaced with the Yoshimura exhaust and pipes when I bought it. But even with it, I was getting poor mileage based all on my riding method alone. I was only getting 175 miles range before it was almost bone dry of the 4.0 gallon tank when riding aggressively. Now, every time out, I get 225 miles with about .2 gallons to spare, which is plenty to go another 10 miles with if needed. So when filling up to the filler neck, the fuel pump will say 3.72 gallons filled. Or 3.8. When it's really close, it'll say 3.94 one time at 233 miles range on one tank of fuel. The whole key for 225 miles range on the '21 Ninja 650 is just gentle acceleration, and doing mostly the no more than 5 miles above the speed limit, though I go over once in awhile as needed, but balance it out with slower backroad riding. Another big key is to average 60 miles per gallon, keeping an eye on the MPG feature on the TFT display, which is really helpful. The final factor, is if I get to 170 to 175 miles, and then the last fuel bar starts blinking with the fuel icon to get more gas, that means I have an extra 50 miles in the tank as long as I maintain the same general MPG of 60. Never had an issue so far, and I'm now confident with this slower, more relaxed method of riding, which not only lets me stay on the roads longer, but spares my tires by a lot. Much less burning through that rear tire like before. The speed demon in me is gone I'm happy to say.

[@enricohagn]

@@BlackArroToons thanks for your highly appreciated as well as detailed feedback, mate 🙏. Your advice (about gently pulling on the cable) should help me with getting better mileage (although the horse I'm writing about is a Vulcan S instead of a Z650). Wishing you a safe ride, mate!

[@BlackArroToons]

@@enricohagn Cool, you're welcome. The Vulcan S is a really nice cruiser style motorcycle. Yes, a gentle start and throughout the ride, being light on the throttle can make a huge difference for extending your fuel range from the 000 trip meter. The more the throttle is opened, the faster it burns fuel. Another observation is going downhill or on level, flat ground, saves more fuel too, compared to really steep hills, where going slower can save more fuel while uphill. A safe ride to you also, thanks! This will be my 23rd year in 2025 riding motorcycles yearly. A lot of fun.

[@enricohagn]

@@BlackArroToons thanks again for your highly appreciated suggestions, mate 🙏 I will most definitely try out your advice very soon. A 500 miles trip (Mekhong River's edge to Bangkok) is coming up (for which I saddle the Z900RS usually). This ride I will use the lil' Vulcan. By scheduling 10h (instead of the 8h it takes on the Z) surely your tips will help me to improve the mileage. Always a safe journey, keep the tarmac under the rubbers, mate 👍

[@enricohagn]

Thanks for this top notch quality presentation of these lil' bikes, Peter 🙏

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi Peter. Interesting comparisons.

[@mrmoon1482]

Did my test on the Z650, I’m 6ft1 and felt to small for me, it also had a lot of vibes in the bars,

[@AliHassan-xy2jw]

Hey Peter or anyone, I need bike I can have passenger on(not all the time, but a couple days a week). Can the ninja 500 krte hold passenger properly

[@PeterLoweOne]

It can. It will depend on your passengers comfort level with the seat. The best passenger bike in that general lineup from Kawasaki would be the Versys 650, but that is a more expensive bike.

[@Ayush-08-GT]

Drz400sm vs drz400s❤ 0:39

[@PeterLoweOne]

Oooh. That would be a good one!

[@ELMASQUELAMONTA]

Is 2024 every motorcycle should have led lights

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm surprised by how many North American bikes still don't have them when European versions of the same bike get them.

[@korazon3spinado]

The 650 is around $3000 more isn't it?

[@PeterLoweOne]

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

[@brentcollins9727]

I’m a skinny guy and find the ninja more comfortable, with its narrower bars.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah, fit is such a personal thing. For me personally, neither one is more or less comfortable, but that's going to be different for everyone. I think my point is that it's not going to be night and day different for most people. They're similar, but people will have preferences for sure.