Living with the 2023 Kawasaki Z650RS: Is It Worth It?

[@dsambernardo]

I have added the helmet lock, an original kawaski accessory. Its very small, not too expensive and does its job. I am very happy with the sound and handling of this bike. My only doubt is if to buy the "retro" logo in the tank fuel as the unit you have reviewed. Very good video!

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks very much!

[@ninja1970fin]

Got one and love this retro "supermoto" :)

[@jasonmounger9152]

I was told of getting one looked at a few at a shop and really liked the look how is the power of it

[@ninja1970fin]

@@jasonmounger9152 after owning gtr1400 snd h2 sx I stll find the power ok, of course the riding style is a bit different but for me it is much fun! I did not want another thirsty inline four but this v-twin that is just perfect

[@julianstanley5036]

Thanks, I enjoyed the direct and succinct delivery of that so I subscribed.

[@gmmotomedia]

Thank you very much 👍

[@Seaga19]

Very fun and nimble. Touring protip: SW-motech legend gear side bags ;)

[@gmmotomedia]

Nice shout out 👍

[@dsambernardo]

Same here. In my case, the SW Motech legend gear black edition on one side. Looks awesome.

[@rj-gd3pc]

@@dsambernardodid you buy the attachment for this bag as well? Do you mind if you can share what did you used to attached this to the z650rs? I just got my z650rs yesterday and looking for this side bags too. Thanks for sharing.

[@martinrea8548]

That was a nice review of a very beautiful looking motorcycle. I've been riding a Honda CB500F for the last two years, and although I'm very happy with it I get to thinking every now and then that I should trade up for a newer bike. This Kawasaki, the Speed Twin 900 and Honda's new Hornet are the ones that appeal to me right now. I'd like a light flickable bike for country roads that also has the option of touring with luggage and has good fuel economy. Would any of you esteemed motorcyclists reading this be able to tell me would there be a big difference in handling and performance between this and the CB500F? Thanks.

[@gmmotomedia]

Thank you!

[@timparker9235]

glad you enjoyed it - I have added radiator guard, rear hugger extender as the standard one lets crap get onto the shock as its too small, helmet lock, renntec rear rack, puig vision screen and G2 throttle tamer - yes there are loads of touring accessories out there, many options and pyramid plastics do colour matched huggers, screens etc that really look the business

[@gmmotomedia]

Nice! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@davebarclay4429]

Thanks for an interesting review. I'm a serial ER-6 owner (I've had three) and I love the 649cc parallel twin engine. I could possibly be tempted by the Z650RS but I really don't know if I could live with the appearance of the radiator which is absolutely hideous! The small tank is also off-putting. I'm used to getting about 160 miles out of a tank on the ER-6 and I wouldn't want much less than that.

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks! What about the naked Z650 or the Ninja 650?

[@davebarclay4429]

@@gmmotomedia After 15 years of ER-6s I'm looking for something retro. RE Interceptor is a strong contender although I'm not so keen on the spoked wheels and tubed tyres. I keep hoping I'll come across a good second hand W800!

[@gmmotomedia]

You and me both my friend! Eyeing out a Final Edition 👍

[@drivingmecrazy9998]

Don't bother with the RE, unless it's just for weekends etc. It's heavy (alot more than this RS), it's sluggish and a lazy ride but very very forgiving. The RS is my 2nd bike, after having an RE for a year and wow what a difference. Tank is rather small, I get about 150-170 miles range depending how I ride it, mostly 70mph+.on a commute of 31 miles each way! I'm keeping this until around August 2024 then going for a 4 pot 900cc bike.

[@MissMan666]

still boring sound from the parallel twin, they should have gone with a crank like MT07 to get the sound. other than that i like it.

[@ninja1970fin]

at 4500 rpm definitely not boring but if you prefer inline 4, have the z900rs

[@MissMan666]

@@ninja1970fin actually i preffer twins, MT07 and the new 2 cylinder in the hornet with 270 degree crank, both sound amazing. The 650 twin used from the ER6 and modified slightly over the years and now used in the new Z650RS have always lacked in sound compared to it's rivals.

[@Drobium77]

they have a pretty decent induction roar

[@salihin3176]

How far can a full tank of gas go?

[@shreywayy]

almost 200 miles

[@davybreen]

Where's my coat, I am off to the dealers. 👍

[@Andrew-sk5jd]

Is this a good starter bike?

[@gmmotomedia]

Yes unbelievable!

[@jamesg4534]

That's one expensive 650. There are better bikes available for that money. Step up to a slightly used 900rs for the same money and get style AND performance without the buzzz.

[@davidreed6779]

To expensive for what you get by about 2 thousand dollars. I'll keep what I have. Kawasaki is ripping people off.

[@gil8972]

I’ve had my Z650RS since March 2022 and I’ve just clocked 8k miles. The best thing I’ve put on it is Bridgestone BT023s.

[@stellauniversal]

Everything is worth it if you know how to enjoy it. Truly enjoy it.

[@rg-ek5pm]

First review of yours I have seen better than many I'v seen so far. Nobody has mentioned the absolutely awful looking radiator this and many other bikes have stuck on as an afterthought! Horizontally mounted rads stick out like a sore thumb when looking at these bikes. Go to a triumph bike for a rad that does a much better job at blending in with the bike.

[@TimurTitov]

Thank you for the review

[@gmmotomedia]

👍

[@o00scorpion00o]

On a bike like that a big digital screen really looks out of place in my opinion, I'd much rather see analogue fuel and temp and a smaller digital screen for time, trip computer, ambient temp.

[@VmaxOG]

Nope! And I'm a kawasaki fan Too much money for a lame twin cylinder bike! Needs a 4 cylinder like the old 70's kz650. I'd rather find the old kz 650 than that lame excuse for a retro ride. They nailed with the 900rs model!

[@Lacehairwigs]

I'm in the uk and things my first big bike from a 125cc .

[@jlrutube1312]

That Yamaha at 5:20 is the ugliest Motor I've ever seen.

[@trevorrwarduk]

Just bought one and added the renntec luggage rack …

[@Jimeoin351]

Why compare a Z650 to a Triumph speed twin 900 when there's the Z900? Great review man.

[@gmmotomedia]

Thanks! I guess I thought because there's a Speed Twin 1200 it wouldn't be fair

[@msromike123]

@@gmmotomedia It just means there is nothing Triumph has in that segment. Maybe compare it to a Ducati Monster next, since they don't make anything smaller.

[@bv7441]

I really wish they put an inline 4 in this…

[@jlrutube1312]

They did. This is the little brother of the Kawasaki modern retro z900cc RS inline four. Look it up.

[@bv7441]

@@jlrutube1312 - I am aware of the 900 RS, I meant a 4 cylinder 650