[Moto] The neo-retro motorcycle that has everything: it's fun, useful and attractive

[#Wittels-]

 

The creation of Kawasaki is a novelty and, at the same time, it is the perfect synthesis of the motorcycle of all life. The Kawasaki Z 650 RS brings together the three basic qualities of a motorcycle, as it is fun, useful and attractive.
You can get on a motorcycle from many years ago or a new one, of one type or another, with one need or another on your part, but in all cases there is a link: a handlebar, an engine and two wheels. This combination is there for what you prefer, but always under some premise that will make you opt for a specific option. And among these, the fundamental ones are that it makes you happier at its controls, that it solves a need in your day to day life or, of course, that you feel an irresistible attraction to its image.

 

The difficult thing is to find a model that adapts 100% to all these requirements. And this is where the new neo-retro option of the capital K brand dazzles. The Kawasaki Z 650 RS exposes an eternal approach combining such a compendium of proposals that makes us rediscover the most authentic meaning of the motorcycle for all lovers of this world.

 

 

As it does? Intermingling heart and reason in equal parts. Heart for its Vintage vision by recalling a milestone of "green" motorcycles such as the Z 650 of the 70s (specifically, the 1977 B1 version), but also for the sensations offered by the balance of a technical proposal that is committed to the agility and response of an engine that is always attentive to your driving style. And because it is as suitable for those who start riding a medium-capacity motorcycle with the recently released A2 license as for those who want a useful motorcycle in all uses with the A license, as practical in the city as when commuting. any route, comfortable, accessible and as valid as you propose.

This proposal is new to Kawasaki. Its RS surname fits into the same segment as its sister Kawasaki Z 900 RS, but compared to this, it is valid for A2 card users by installing a limitation kit. In addition, its designers have taken special care in combining its lines with those of the models of the past and have achieved a set with even more retro appeal, but without reaching the classic extremes of the W 800 series as it is located in a time space most present today. Although there are already 44 years that separate the new Kawasaki Z 650 RS from its original Z 650 reference. This is called "old school".

 

The Kawasaki Z 650 RS also arrives to complete one of the most diverse series on the current scene among medium displacements. Together with the naked Z 650 from which it derives directly, the sporty Ninja 650, the trail Versys 650 and the custom Vulcan S, they represent a very unusual lineup in the catalog of other brands on the market today. All of them exhibit their own personality, but in case you identify with the philosophy of the most timeless biker, biker or "motard", the Kawasaki Z 650 RS is the perfect choice.

 

As is the norm in the brand, the Kawasaki Z 650 RS is marketed with different prices depending on its decoration and finishes. In this case, only their colors are distinguished, since no versions are offered. In black its price is €8,399 and in the legendary green that you see in the photos or in the gray/ebony combination for €8,550. In both cases, until December 31, 2021, free third-party insurance is included (which represents a saving of around €243) and, if you finance it, four years of free official warranty (which is equivalent to €242). This financing program called "K-fácil" offers you installments of up to €82.46/month in 35 monthly instalments, with an entry of €2,519.70 and a final of €3,791.97 (APR: 5.63% and NIR : 3.99%).

 

When it comes to finding rival twins for the Kawasaki Z 650 RS, we have to do it among the models that have specific historical roots. With these principles, the closest references are the Moto Guzzi V7 series, the BMW R NineT Pure and the Triumph Bonneville T100 and Royal Enfield 650 ranges. The Italians propose the exclusivity of their V-Twin engine with the cylinders in a transverse position to the direction of the march, a scheme similar to the only BMW boxer, while the British have managed to become an icon of Heritage lovers with the most extensive range among all current brands. In all three cases, the displacements of these rivals (744 cc, 1,170 cc and 900 cc, respectively) far exceed the Kawasaki Z 650 RS, as well as their prices, from €11,300 for the English one and from €9,399 for the Italian or €13,190 of the only R NineT valid for the A2 card. As for the Royal Enfield 650, they are cheaper (from €6,789), but their power is lower (they are restricted to the A2 license) and their weight is higher.

 

Of course, the list of Vintage-style models on the market is more extensive, but in all cases as free interpretations of the retro concept. Yamaha versions such as the XSR 700 (from €7,899), from Triumph itself such as the Street Twin (€9,450), the extensive Scrambler Ducati 800 series (from €9,099) or the new Macbor Eight Mille 500 (from €6,290) fit here. ) ). More “neo” than “retro” interpretations can be found in the Brixton Crossfire (from €5,999) and CF Moto 700 CL-X (€7,195). Never before has the Vintage segment been so prolific.

 

HOW IS THE KAWASAKI Z 650 RS
The starting base of the new Kawasaki Z 650 RS is the naked Kawasaki Z 650. From it it takes the tubular steel chassis (13.5 kg in weight) that premiered the iconic H2 in the Japanese catalog and that has been progressively adopted by multitude of latest generation models of very different concepts in the brand. In its cycle part, the fork maintains the conventional structure with uncontrolled 41 mm bars (an inverted one would have been sacrilege), accompanied by a shock absorber (this time sacrilegious, but the evolution of time requires it) in an almost vertical position " Back link” adjustable in preload. In the brakes, it changes the wavy profile discs for traditional ones, while the design of the accent rims stands out, recalling the spokes of yesteryear. Only in the green version are they decorated in gold, being black with red trim in the gray version and totally black in the base option.

 

The engine is the same inline-twin with DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder fuel-injected heads with 36mm bodies and dual throttles. In both cases, the lost torque and power records are identical: 68 hp of maximum power at 8,000 rpm and 64 Nm at 6,700 rpm of maximum torque.

The tires also maintain their measurements on the retro and the naked, with a 120/70-17 front and a 160/60-17 rear. In its measurements we do find differences, with a distance 5 mm longer in the Z 650 RS (1.41 mm), 10 mm more in total length (2,065 mm), 35 mm more in width (800 mm) and 50 mm more Tall . These figures identify the profile of the classic compared to the modern and sporty naked. In addition, the height of the seat increases by 30 mm and the tank accommodates 3 liters less capacity in the Z 650 RS, keeping the total weight at 187 kg. Both the seat and the tank come with 100% classic lines compared to the avant-garde of the Sugomi school present in the Z 650.

 

Link: https://www.formulamoto.es/kawasaki/z650/neoretro-kawasaki-z-650-rs-2/263432.html