Kawasaki Z650 Expert Review

The Kawasaki Z650 gets a sharper and more aggressive design based on Kawasaki’s Sugomi styling philosophy. The new LED headlamp looks modern and provides good illumination. It also gets a compact TFT instrument cluster that is crisp and easy to read. The display supports the Rideology app, but it is limited to ride statistics and does not offer navigation or phone notifications.

The Z650 offers an upright riding position with a low 790mm seat and a wide handlebar, making it comfortable for everyday riding. The seat is soft and works well on shorter rides, while the wider pillion seat improves passenger comfort. However, the handlebar feels slightly close to the rider, and the seat could offer better support on longer journeys.

The 649cc parallel-twin engine delivers strong performance with smooth and easy-to-use power. It accelerates quickly and is backed by a sporty exhaust note that becomes more exciting as the revs rise. At the same time, the engine remains tractable with good low-end torque, making city riding relaxed and effortless.

The Z650 feels at its best on twisty roads, where its strong mid-range performance and agile handling make it enjoyable to ride. It is also easy to manage in the city thanks to its comfortable ergonomics. The Dunlop tyres offer adequate grip in dry conditions but feel less confidence-inspiring on wet roads. The ABS can intervene too early, and the 130mm ground clearance means the bike can scrape over tall speed breakers.

The motorcycle comes with an LED headlamp, TFT instrument console with Rideology connectivity and dual-channel ABS. However, the ABS calibration could be better, and the connectivity features are fairly basic.

The Kawasaki Z650 is an approachable middleweight naked motorcycle that combines attractive styling, strong performance and everyday usability. Its friendly nature and comfortable ergonomics make it an excellent choice for riders looking to upgrade to their first big bike.