Kawasaki Z650RS
2026 Kawasaki Z650RS: 68 hp neo-retro roadster, A2-restrictable, 187 kg, €8,399. Full specs, press reviews, maintenance and rivals.
At a glance
The Kawasaki Z650RS is a neo-retro roadster inspired by the 1976 Z650, powered by the Z650's 649 cc, 68 hp twin and restrictable for the A2 licence. Priced at €8,399, it wins over reviewers with its style, ease of riding and agile chassis. Basic suspension, minimal equipment and some finish details are its main drawbacks.
World press review
Meta-score
7 sources
Press ratings
Light, narrow and easy, with a perky engine and plenty of style; soft seat and rear suspension, high footpegs, slightly snatchy throttle at low rpm.
Punchy engine at low and mid revs, very good handling and great looks; little technology, a little small for tall riders, ABS cuts in early.
A convincing likeness of the original Zs, upright posture and stability; disappointing finish (chrome-look plastics, generic radiator) for the price.
Timeless lines, good road and town manners, finally an A2-friendly Z RS; price in line with rivals, mid-range vibrations.
Attractive, effective and easy: responsive engine, precise fuelling, agility; original tyres, exposed headers and engine finish could be better.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
No test of the 2024 to 2026 model years has been published: reviews cover the 2022 launch model, which did not yet have traction control. MCN rates it 4/5 and Motorcycle.com 85/100. BikeSocial, Visordown, RevZilla, Moto-Net and Le Repaire des Motards tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: successful neo-retro styling that recalls the original Zs, a lively and flexible engine, a light and agile chassis, a relaxed riding position and A2 compliance.
What they criticise: basic suspension and a soft seat, minimal equipment, some disappointing finish details for the price (chrome-look plastics, generic radiator, exposed headers) and a price that Motorcycle.com finds high and Moto-Net in line with rivals.
Key quotes
"Fun to ride, soulful and with a responsive chassis that certainly doesn’t feel old-school, there is little not to like. In RS guise it feels as if the Z650 has finally found its identity in life."
"Objectively, it hits the marks of looking great, being comfy, and performing well. But in a category like the modern-retro class, having a bit of character and a bit of soul means even more."
"It’s a balanced and characterful platform for new & current middleweight riders to find their footing, with a predictable riding character and flickable nature - plus it’s a solid addition to the bustling modern classic machines that are out there."
"This is a motorcycle built — and bought — with a specific desire to bring Japan's motorcycling past into the present. And in that respect, there is nothing like a Z."
"Attractive, effective and easy, the Kawasaki Z650RS asserts its strong looks and assured vintage elegance."
Pros
- Successful neo-retro styling
- Lively, flexible engine
- Light, agile chassis
- Relaxed riding position
- Restrictable for the A2 licence
Cons
- Basic suspension
- Minimal equipment (no TFT or connectivity)
- Finish could be better for the price
- 12-litre tank
Our review
What is the 2026 model year?
The Z650RS arrived for the 2022 model year. In 2024 Kawasaki added two-mode KTRC traction control, which can be switched off and which the launch model lacked. The 2026 model year only changes the colours: Metallic Ocean Blue with gold wheels, Candy Emerald Green and Ebony. Kawasaki France lists specifications identical line by line to 2024.
On 3 September 2026 Kawasaki announced a 2027 model year, also without technical changes, in two colours (blue with gold wheels, black with red wheels). Its price has not yet been published.
How much does it cost?
Kawasaki France lists the 2026 Z650RS at €8,399, the same price in all three colours. A version restricted to 35 kW (48 hp) is offered for the A2 licence, via a kit whose price Kawasaki does not publish. In the United States, the Z650RS ABS costs $8,999.
How good is the engine?
It is the Z650’s 649 cc parallel twin: 68 hp (50.2 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 64 Nm at 6,700 rpm. Dual-throttle-valve injection keeps a cable throttle, with no power modes.
Reviewers find it lively and torquey: perky for BikeSocial, punchy at low and mid revs for Visordown, fun for Motorcycle.com. Moto-Net notes mid-range vibrations, BikeSocial a slightly snatchy throttle at low rpm, RevZilla some fuelling glitches.
How does it ride?
The 13.5 kg trellis frame and 187 kg wet weight make it light and agile. MCN praises a responsive chassis that doesn’t feel old-school, Visordown very good handling. The suspension is basic: a non-adjustable 41 mm conventional fork and a preload-adjustable shock that BikeSocial finds soft. Braking uses two 300 mm discs with two-piston Nissin calipers; MCN finds the ABS fine on the road but not the most advanced, Visordown finds it quick to intervene.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Kawasaki quotes 4.4 L/100 km, giving a range of about 270 km from the 12-litre tank, which is small for a roadster of this size. BikeSocial recorded 5.2 L/100 km on the trip computer. Kawasaki does not publish a service schedule specific to the Z650RS; the Z650’s, which shares the engine, calls for an oil change every 12,000 km or every year and a valve clearance check at 42,000 km. The warranty is 4 years with unlimited mileage.
Recalls
No recall has been identified for the Z650RS (RappelConso, Safety Gate, NHTSA).
Specifications
| Displacement | 649 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 68 hp (50.2 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 64 Nm @ 6,700 rpm |
| Weight | 187 kg (wet, tank over 90% full) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 2.75 |
| Seat height | 820 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 12 L |
| Fuel consumption | 4.4 L/100 km — 107 g/km CO2 (Kawasaki figure; 4.5 L/100 km with the 35 kW kit) |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 42,000 km (Kawasaki service schedule for the Z650, same engine) |
| Engine type | Parallel twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist and slipper clutch |
| License | AA2 Restrictable |
| MSRP | €8,399 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 83 x 60 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 10,8:1 |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection, dual 36 mm throttle valves (cable throttle) |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 8000 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 6700 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | High-tensile steel tubular trellis frame (13.5 kg) |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 24 ° |
| Trail | 100 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1405 mm |
| Ground clearance | 125 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm conventional telescopic fork, non-adjustable, 125 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Horizontal Back-Link monoshock, adjustable preload, 130 mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 300 mm discs, two-piston Nissin calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 220 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60 ZR17 |
| ABS system | ABS (Bosch) |
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Quickshifter | No |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | Twin analogue dials with multifunction LCD screen |
| Other features | Two-mode KTRC traction control, can be switched off (one mode on the 35 kW version), Assist and slipper clutch, Economical riding indicator (ECO), Round LED headlight, USB socket under the seat as an accessory |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Upright, wide flat handlebars |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Minimal (naked) |
The Z650RS has a more upright position than the Z650, with wide flat handlebars and an 820 mm seat (a 20 mm lower seat is available as an accessory). Motorcycle.com finds it very comfortable, but the seat and tank are not designed for sporty riding. BikeSocial finds the seat soft and the footpegs high; Visordown finds it a little small for tall riders. The brake and clutch levers are span-adjustable.
Ownership & maintenance
3.9 to 5.2 L/100 km (foreign press readings: BikeSocial 5.2 L/100 km on the trip computer, RevZilla 50 to 60 US mpg)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~270 km (calculated from Kawasaki's figure: 12 L tank / 4.4 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 42,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 12,000 km |
| Chain | Check, lubricate and adjust at every service |
Warranty
4 years / Unlimited mileage (2 years manufacturer + 2-year extension included)
Kawasaki does not publish a service schedule specific to the Z650RS. The Z650’s, which shares the engine, calls for an oil and filter change every 12,000 km or every year, spark plug and air filter replacement every 12,000 km and a valve clearance check at 42,000 km. Coolant is changed every 3 years, brake fluid every 2 years. MCN gives a valve check at 15,000 miles (about 24,000 km) in the UK. The warranty is 4 years (2 years manufacturer plus a 2-year extension) with unlimited mileage.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Z650RS | €8,399 | 68 hp (50.2 kW) @ 8,000 rpm | 187 kg (wet, tank over 90% full) |
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 6502026 | €7,690 | 47.5 hp | 217 kg (kerb) |
| Triumph Trident 6602026 | €8,295 | 95 hp | 195 kg (wet) |
| Honda CB650R E-Clutch2026 | €9,199 | 95 hp | 207 kg (kerb) |
| Kawasaki W8002025 | €10,999 | 48 hp | 226 kg (wet) |
Generations
- Z650RS (ER650M)2022 – 2023
649 cc · 68 hp · 64 Nm · 187 kg (road-ready)
Launch: neo-retro version of the Z650 (same engine and trellis frame) with a 12-litre tank, round LED headlight and analogue dials; ABS, no traction control.
- Z650RS (ER650R)2024 – today
649 cc · 68 hp · 64 Nm · 187 kg (road-ready)
Two-mode KTRC traction control added, the rest of the bike unchanged; new colours each year.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z650RS (ER650M)2022 – 2023 Launch: neo-retro version of the Z650 (same engine and trellis frame) with a 12-litre tank, round LED headlight and analogue dials; ABS, no traction control. | 649 cc | 68 hp | 64 Nm | 187 kg road-ready |
| Z650RS (ER650R)2024 – today Two-mode KTRC traction control added, the rest of the bike unchanged; new colours each year. | 649 cc | 68 hp | 64 Nm | 187 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.