Menus
- What you must remember
- Themore
- Theless
- Make yourKawasaki Z650 1978
- Opinion
- Performances
- The technical aspect
- Competitors
- Gallery
- Related articles
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement valves remained the prerogative of European brands (English, German and Italian). In a few years, Honda and Kawasaki seize the top of the range with the evolutions of the CB750K and with the Z900A. English industry struggles to find its place between the under 500cc and the over 750cc Japanese.
The coup de grace was given in 1976 with the presentation of the surprising Z650. Marketed in 1977, this model comes to support the big Zs (900 then 1000). The mission of this midsize, designed by Gyoichi Inamura, is to offer good road and sporting qualities while being more sober than the famous 2-stroke H1 and H2 (the oil crisis having been there). The specifications could be summed up as follows: the Z650 must be neither too heavy nor too greedy, have a sporty temperament while allowing to cover long distance without tiring its pilot..
The engine was of a modern design for the time: 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled and fitted with a double overhead camshaft, but only had 2 valves per cylinder. It develops 64 horsepower in its first version and immediately proves to be reliable and enduring..
The cycle part is healthy and rather agile, but it is not a model of perfection either. Although equipped from the first year with a disc brake, braking can still be improved. Thus, if the engine base will not be truly retouched until 1981 (67 horses, then 69 in 1983), each vintage will see its small modifications in terms of braking: a second disc at the front, then a disc at the rear. replacing the drum, drilled discs for better braking in the rain, etc, etc, …
The line is successful. The understated matte style with a touch of sportiness gives it a timeless look. It will also allow it to pass the years without taking a wrinkle, at most it will be given a makeover thanks to alloy rims..
The Z650 will be available in 1979 and will be slightly chopperisera with the SR version. The differences will not be obvious and the “SR” will not mark the spirits more than that. A Z remains a Z whether it has a large handlebar or not.
If it greatly participated in the decline of the English motorcycle, we have to admit that we can not blame the Z650. Many bikers have made their debut in big cube with this easy and playful motorcycle. It will bow out in 1984 to make way for the hyper modern 550cc then 600cc GPZs but still retains, even today, a nice image and unforgettable memories to the old guys..
What you must remember
Themore
Theless
Make
yourKawasaki Z650 1978
Estimate, calculate and compare the cost of insuring your motorcycle.
Calculate the cost of
insurance
Test the price of the motorcycle insurance specialist
Opinion
on 5 opinion
users
Read the reviews
Model marketed in
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
nineteen eighty one
1982
1983
Performances
-
Max speed:
186 km / h
The technical aspect
Kawasaki Z650 1978
- Frame
- Frame: Double steel cradle
- Tank: 16.8 liters
- Seat height: 800 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,437 mm
- Dry weight: 211 kg
- Weight in running order: 220 kg
- Train before
- Telescopic fork, deb: 140 mm
- Double disc Ø 245 mm, 1 piston caliper
- Front wheel:
3.25
– 19
- Transmission
- 5-speed
- secondary by chain
- Rear axle
- Two combined shock absorbers, deb: 80 mm
- Single disc, 1 piston caliper
- Rear wheel:
4.0
– 18
- Motor
- 4 Cylinders
in line
, 4 stroke - Cooling: air
- 4 Mikuni Ø 26 mm carburetors
- Double t-camshaft
- 2 valves per cylinder
-
652 cc
(62 x 54 mm mm) -
64
ch
at 8,500 rpm -
5.80 mkg
at 7,000 rpm - Weight ratio /
power
: 3.30
kg / hp - Compression: 9.5: 1
- Crit’air:
Detached pieces
exhaust
motor
fluid
electricity
filtration
braking
chain kit
Competitors
Gallery
Related articles
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
At the end of the 60s, the Japanese made a remarkable entry into the world of big 4-stroke vehicles with the Honda CB750K. Until then, high displacement…
-
Present in the Kawasaki range since the end of the 80s, the 500 GPZ has seen little evolution during its career, without falling into oblivion or…
-
Present in the Kawasaki range since the end of the 80s, the 500 GPZ has seen little evolution during its career, without falling into oblivion or…
-
Present in the Kawasaki range since the end of the 80s, the 500 GPZ has seen little evolution during its career, without falling into oblivion or…