Kawasaki has taken the wraps off the all-new Z650 S for 2026, which, for now, joins the standard version of the popular middleweight naked in the manufacturer’s line-up.
- New Z900-inspired styling with revised bodywork
- 4.3-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity
- Revised ergonomics with a wider handlebar and repositioned footpegs
2026 Kawasaki Z650 S details
Offers revised ergonomics and refreshed styling.
The Z650 S introduces significant styling changes compared to the standard Z650, with nearly all-new bodywork. For starters, it borrows the 3-lamp LED headlight from the Z900, giving it a sharper, more aggressive look. The front end also looks beefier thanks to the redesigned tank shrouds that extend towards the radiator.
Ergonomic changes are also significant, starting with a new handlebar that’s 30mm wider than the standard Z650, which, along with repositioned foot pegs, should result in a noticeably altered riding triangle. Kawasaki has not updated its official website with specifications, but it does mention in the press release that the rider seat is approximately 15mm taller than on the standard Z650. There seems to have been an emphasis on improving passenger comfort as well, as the pillion seat is now 20mm wider and has 10mm of additional padding.
The Z650 S also features an updated 4.3-inch TFT display that, like the unit on the standard Z650, integrates with Kawasaki’s Rideology app via Bluetooth, allowing for phone and SMS alerts and ride data via the app.
Mechanically, the Z650 S retains the 649cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that also powers the current Z650 and Versys 650 models. Kawasaki has not yet confirmed whether there has been a change in tuning or peak output figures with the Z650 S, but it’s likely these will be quite similar, if not identical, to the 68hp and 64Nm on the Z650.
Braking hardware comprises twin 300mm front discs and a 220mm rear disc, with a new Continental ABS unit. The suspension setup, featuring a conventional telescopic fork and rear monoshock, seems to be carried over as is.
Kawasaki Z650 S price and availability
The Z650 S will be available in three colour schemes, with prices starting from GBP 7,199 (Rs 8.42 lakh) in the UK. While Kawasaki hasn’t officially stated whether the Z650 S will replace the standard Z650 in the future, the new model’s design language brings it closer to the brand’s latest Z models. Mechanically, both bikes share nearly identical underpinnings and performance figures, with the key differences lying in their styling. The Z650 and Z650 S may coexist for a while, but it remains to be seen whether both models will have a place in Kawasaki’s line-up over the long term.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
