Kawasaki Z650RS - Retro and Sport - Full walk around review!

The Kawasaki Z650RS is a Retro looking bike with key pieces that are modern sport bike ingredients. Put it all together and you've got a comfortable, sporty ride, while still having a great retro look. Want to see this bike in person? Check it out at Jim Gilbert's PowerSports in Fredericton New Brunswick. You can connect with their team here:
powersports.wheelsanddeals.ca...

[@TommyTucker0]

Im 60 and have been riding bikes since I was 15, I had a Z650C and Z1000H back in the late 70's for me It's like going home, I love it!!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Feel free to subscribe, I have a lot more content planned! I love the Z650RS. It's such a comfortable, and practical bike!

[@edirib2004]

Congrats Peter, you´re the best expert and have a perfect timing explaining all details.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I hope that means that you'll subscribe to my channel!

[@joegoncalves2496]

Nice looking machine! Love the retro Z bikes. Brings back fond memories as one of my first bikes was a 78 KZ650 with big bore kit. Had lots of fun on that bike.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah I began riding in the 90's but myself and my friends all drove bikes from the 70's and 80's and these bikes really bring me back to those times. The nice thing about this bike is it handles and performs like a modern bike, but has the looks of the older bikes. It's fun! And fun to look at.

[@gregsmith3056]

Fantastic explanation. I’ve got one in green and I absolutely love it and it’s well suited to the roads in the UK which are very twisty .

[@PeterLoweOne]

Awesome! I haven't seen this in green yet, I'm looking forward to spending more time with it as the 2023 models arrive! Thanks for sharing!

[@rj-gd3pc]

Into the wait list for the same color.

[@dsambernardo]

Thanks for the great review! Just bought my z650rs in green. You're right in everything you state. Greetings!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@herrtomas6729]

That looks like a great bike.. Wish I was younger!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Whoa! First again! Yeah, this bike is advertised as a retro throw-back, because of it's looks, but styling aside, as a general motorcycle, it's very good! It's comfortable, sporty, good power and efficiency, clean simple and informative gauges. It's a pretty great all around street bike!

[@kegancook2360]

Just bought one in the metallic moon dust color yesterday. Got about two months to go for warmer to set in and start riding it.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I feel your pain!! It's currently freezing rain here, on top of the layer of snow and ice that already fell! Bring on Spring. Also, I love that colour choice! Feel free to subscribe, I've got a lot more R.S. content to come!

[@jace7541]

very well said! - I bought the green one!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Awesome! Great bike! Feel free to subscribe! I plan more content with these, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the bike moving forward!

[@jace7541]

@@PeterLoweOne good to hear. I'll definitely let you know.

[@PengithePengsen]

Bought the green z650rs two weeks ago. Thought long time about to go with the 900 but I think for most everyday scenarios the 650 fits better to me. But still not sure 😅 Maybe one day I’m going to buy a 900 and the 650 is a gift for my wife. Thx for your super detailed video expertise. Greetings from Hamburg Germany 😊✌️

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. I'll be honest, the 650 is an EXCELLENT motor for a street bike, and I really enjoyed it in my Versys 650 that I owned for years. I chose to go with the Z900RS SE because I just really liked the bike, and this will be the fastest bike that I've owned. I'd recommend the Z650RS to just about anyone, while the Z900RS isn't going to be for everyone. I think you made a great choice, and as you say, you can always look to move on in the future if you feel you want a little different riding experience.

[@FilipeNeves-xp1ur]

I think you made the best choice as said by a user above who derives more pleasure from driving in a medium cylinder than in a larger one. On a road with twisted curves you will have the best understanding of what I say.

[@oc8230]

Nice

[@bluesysaxman]

I have this exact motorcycle. My only gripe is where they placed the valve stem in the tires. It's very hard to get to. Why they didn't put a right angle stem in is beyond me.

[@yanickbelzile]

This is a bike that I have been looking at as my second bike. I test rode the Z650 this summer and like it for everything you've said, i.e. great street bike, but I like the looks of this one better. My question is with the way the exhaust is set up, is there a way to add a slip on, or is your only option to due a full exhaust system since the end can is built into the cat?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I don't think there's a factory option, but you'd think there would be something in the aftermarket. I used to have the Versys 650 and I remember at the time there was no factory option for a different exhaust.

[@yanickbelzile]

@@PeterLoweOne Thanks for the reply!

[@eloammazzatutti8976]

Hi Peter, do you think it is also good for long trips? Thx

[@PeterLoweOne]

Oh absolutely! Let's talk long trips for a second. The engine is great for them (especially solo trips) I can verify this myself as I did several long trips on my previous Versys 650. You also want a comfortable seating position and a good seat with some room to move around on... This bike has those... The only thing that some riders prefer on very long trips is some extra wind protection. I haven't checked, but I'm sure the aftermarket would have something if you wanted it, but even then. Plenty of people go on long trips without windshields, and I feel like that could be done on this without a problem.

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

Wow, saw your Z900RS video before. How would you compare these 2, and which one would you pick?

[@PeterLoweOne]

Oh man, that's tough. I love the Z900RS but it's more expensive, so in some way that makes some sense. The 650 engine is just a perfect engine for the street. It's peppy enough to be a lot of fun and allows you to do whatever you could want to do on a (street) motorcycle. The Z900RS adds a level of sportiness and flat out speed, and I think it's the more desirable model for me, but I'd be thrilled with either of these!

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

@@PeterLoweOne thanks Peter, that’s a great answer. Budget is a big factor here. Yes, for an everyday city riding, I think 650 should be sufficient, but 900 is just stepping up the game. Video idea: Comparison video z650RS & z900RS😀

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@user-wn8iv1ve7d I've already planned to do that. I think it's a great idea. Honestly, I think people's budget prevents people from comparing these, but there are absolutely things to talk about with each, and the Z 900RS doesn't win in every category! There are plenty of reasons to buy both! Thanks again for watching!

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

@@PeterLoweOne sounds exciting, looking forward for the comparison video🥳

[@user-wn8iv1ve7d]

@@PeterLoweOne yes I ride a cb500f and find that smaller bikes can be more fun to ride.

[@nigel.ivoryreyes197]

Hi I am 50years of age , I really wanted to start on a 200cc, but I realized that I a can go with a higher cc ,and I love old model bikes ,as you know by now I am a beginner,I am 5/7" inches,do think I should start on one let me know

[@PeterLoweOne]

I think this is a good bike for beginners. It does have a little more power and weight compared to something like a Ninja 400 or Z400, but if you're patient and not a risk taker, I think this bike would work for a beginner.

[@nigel.ivoryreyes197]

Thanks for your for your wisdom,I look at all motorcycle,but starting right down to basic is the better way for me simple Thanks,and can u make some more contents on upcoming old school motorcycles please, Happy New Year's

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@nigel.ivoryreyes197 I will make a lot more videos. I'll cover every bike, and come back to them as often as I can.

[@FilipeNeves-xp1ur]

This bike is a school bike, as so many journalists who have tested it have said. It is incredibly easy to drive, low weight, high handlebars, extremely agile in turn-counter-turns and besides that it is beautiful and fun to drive. I think it will be what you are looking for, try to do a test ride to verify.

[@genegoodwin8925]

Love the retro styling but the driver's foot pegs are too far rearward for me, amd to me it is geared too low with that 46 tooth rear spocket. I can chabge the rear spocket, but the rear set driver's pegs I'd have to get use to. I guess that's what I get for growing up in the 60's instead of the 80's.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah, this is still a modern sport bike underneath retro styling. I bought the Z900RS and it's very comfortable for me. The one thing I'll say about the gearing is that these bikes are geared for acceleration, and that's what most current riders want. But I really don't think it's geared poorly. It has lots of room to rev out and is still very calm at highway speeds. Sometimes people want to change the sprocket because they don't like seeing a tach needle at a certain RPM, but from a riding perspective, it's actually fine.

[@genegoodwin8925]

@@PeterLoweOne On teh Z650 RS they say it runs at 4500 RPM @60 and 5500 @70. To me that's a lot. I'd like to reduce that closer to 3500 and 4500. I know that's just me, I'm funny like that. Thanks for the reply.

[@jhonasdiez959]

Did u change the color? Or its the original color... Coz it's looks like z900rs

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha. I didn't change the colour. This is the Z650RS that is sitting in the showroom today, available for sale.

[@jhonasdiez959]

@@PeterLoweOne i guess its a special edition?

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@jhonasdiez959 Yes! The 50th Anniversary Edition.

[@michaelkaufman9625]

You did a really good job blending technicals and facts with ergonomics. You must have some form of education/teaching experience because the presentation is well thought-out, concise and easy to follow and not too long.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha! Thanks for watching. I used to run a channel that had a million views a month. I had some trial and error practice there. I'm still not where I want to be with my presentations, but it's definitely something that I've been working on for years and will continue to work on!

[@herrtomas6729]

hi

[@louiesalazar5302]

What is your height sir?

[@PeterLoweOne]

6 feet. 👍

[@bluesysaxman]

This bike specifically pays homage to the 1977 Z650.

[@PeterLoweOne]

It does! Although this is a twin cylinder that makes more power than that 4 cylinder.

[@bluesysaxman]

@@PeterLoweOne I did not realize the original had a 4 cylinder. I will have to do further research into the original.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

2nd

[@frankstocker5475]

The Dunlop tires are so bad, try them in the wet if you dare.

[@WyreForestBiker]

"Zed" because you know how to speak English ... well done old chap.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Hey... why did you call me old? 😃

[@the.communist]

By only putting 12 litres, they alianated potential customers

[@PeterLoweOne]

My feeling is that if you like the bike, you'll find it an annoyance that the tank isn't larger, but I don't think it will stop as many people from buying it as you might think. Most people aren't going to be going on multi-day tours in the middle of nowhere on this bike like an adventure bike might, so I think for most people it will just mean some extra gas stops, not getting stranded.

[@xclent1975]

Spend $3500 more get the z900rs

[@PeterLoweOne]

$3500 is no small chunk of change for a lot of people, but don't worry, I'll review that bike soon. I'm a big fan of it!

[@PabloCruise1]

No.

[@maxheadroom7687]

In Australia we are limited to up to 650 as learners. This for the money seems a great bike. Another $3500 takes the bike into a really crowded market and makes the cost for starting prohibitive. Thanks for your great review.👍🇦🇺😎Max.

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@maxheadroom7687 Thanks for sharing your thoughts!