Kawasaki Z 650 first driving impressions

Kawasaki Z 650 first driving impressions

2-meter-man on a small kawa

Our test editor Jens Moller-Tollner, who incidentally is exactly two meters tall, has summarized the first driving impressions of the new Kawasaki Z 650!

Saving weight on a motorcycle is an iron thing. A kilo here, a gram there, that’s possible from model generation to model generation. But if it is to be 19 kilograms, something really has to happen. So it’s little wonder that for the new one Kawasaki Z 650, as the successor to the ER-6n, virtually the entire concept has been turned inside out to fully exploit the slimfit potential.

Most of the pounds could be saved in the frame. It now wraps around the parallel twin as a tubular space, previously a double-tube bridge frame. Makes ten kilograms less. And because the new frame concept also includes a redirection for the rear suspension strut, which was previously directly hinged, the swing arm on the new Kawasaki Z 650 can be lighter. This is the next minus of 2.7 kilograms on the account. The engine lightened by two kilograms, the new rims, the smaller ABS control unit from Bosch and a few add-on parts also contributed to the weight loss. Makes a total of 19 kilograms.

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Kawasaki Z 650 powerful from below

With this positive minus, it does not matter that the engine of the Kawasaki Z 650 with 68 hp makes four horsepower less than the unit of the predecessor. But the torque increased to a good 66 Nm at 6500 rpm. But what is even more important: As part of the Euro 4 adjustment, Kawasaki has completely retuned the engine so that it starts more powerfully at the bottom and in the middle and doesn’t always want to turn.

And that is actually the case, as we were able to experience at the presentation around Huelva in southern Spain. With a strong sound and audible rattle from the enlarged airbox, the twin marches forward in the higher gears from 3000 rpm. So much pressure at this speed was alien to the ER-6n. What is still positive: The lower weight gives the new Kawasaki Z 650 a noticeable plus in handling.

Anything else that caught the eye of the new Slimfit Kawasaki Z 650 can be found in MOTORRAD 1/2017 (on the kiosk from December 23, 2016).

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Technical data Kawasaki Z 650

engine

Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, one balance shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, 2x Ø 36 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 336 W, battery 12 V / 14 Ah, mechanically operated multi-disc Oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary ratio 3.067.
Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 60.0 mm
Displacement: 649 cm³
Compression ratio: 10.8: 1
Rated output: 50.2 kW (68 hp) at 8000 rpm
Max. Torque: 65 Nm at 6500 rpm

landing gear

Lattice frame made of steel, supporting motor made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 41 mm, two-arm swing arm made of steel, spring strut with deflection, adjustable spring base, double disc brake at the front, Ø 300 mm, double- piston floating calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels: 3.50 x 17; 4.50 x 17
Tires: 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17

Dimensions + weights

Wheelbase 1410 mm, steering head angle 65.5 degrees, caster 100 mm, suspension travel f / h 125/130 mm, seat height 790 mm, ready-to-drive weight 187 kg, tank capacity 15.0 liters.

Guarantee: two years
Colors: white, black, gray metallic
Price: 6695 euros
Additional costs: 225 euros

Motorcycles for little women (and little men)

48 Pictures

Pictures: Kawasaki Z 650 first driving impressions

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Kawasaki Z650 sales in Germany

1000PS marketplace app

The Z650 is surprisingly cheap on the used market.

Kawasaki’s Z 650 is particularly popular with novice drivers and small people. But the compact naked bike could also be just right for bargain hunters, because used Z 650s change hands for surprisingly little money. Here is the price overview: used Kawasaki Z 650 in Germany.

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