Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => 650 Interceptor & Continental GT => Topic started by: iblastoff on September 12, 2021, 05:06:21 am
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https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/2022-kawasaki-z650rs-retro-style-motorcycle-details/
interesting. obviously not as clean and classic looking as the re650, but this one has 67hp and probably a good 30 pounds lighter than the interceptor if its anything close to the z650s weight.
EDIT: the picture showing on the page is the 900 but rumors are saying it will look similar.
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I’m sure it will be quite nice and a success but quite a different sort of thing to the RE
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+1 to that. Keeping H or V rated tires on that beast would be a necessity. The hard part is re-acquiring those cat-like reflexes and 15/20 vision you had as a young adult... ;)
A 45 HP twin will easily haul you around at extra-legal velocities, but that's not really the point of a nice torquey twin. For Japanese iron, Kaw's Versys 650 at 67 HP, 460 pounds and the lovely Suzuki V-Strom 650 @ 66 horsepower & 470 pounds are tough choices to beat and thoroughly sorted as well. And as always, there's that old workhorse the KLR 650. Cut down a wee bit it's a dandy road mount.
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I want to see one in a showroom before I comment on looks. Does the engine have a 360 or 180 crank.
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Seeing the popularity of the RE, Kawasaki decided to enter the fray. looks great, maybe because it's a slight racier copy of the RE650? Will it be available in the US?
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This E-Bay Ad shows a Versys 650 crank & counterbalancer. The crank is 180, as is the counterbalancer. Plain bearings. Looks hella stout, typical Kawasaki. As all these new 650 variants likely share the same motor, it'd be pricey to do otherwise.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254776573842?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254776573842&targetid=1263094003346&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031849&poi=&campaignid=10454522294&mkgroupid=121089751606&rlsatarget=pla-1263094003346&abcId=2146002&merchantid=101498099&gclid=CjwKCAjwyvaJBhBpEiwA8d38vPdfaPwPyk_Z0XJoLziFeUCBd0IfA2UqqsBtaBAjGyezqYrJ5N8nWxoCMs4QAvD_BwE
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I'm confused. Are we talking about a 2cylinder "Z" bike replica Or the WR850 classic?
"The Kawasaki W650 is a retro classic motorcycle made between model years 1999-2007 and superseded by the Kawasaki W800,..." $9,700usd
https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800/2020-W800# (https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800/2020-W800#)
(https://content2.kawasaki.com/ContentStorage/KMC/Products/GalleryImport/2.20EJ800D_40RRD1DRF3CG_A.20200626164041.jpg)
(https://www.cycleworld.com/resizer/h8FrnXcvB4DsTaWVURzEY7VZcI0=/1440x0/filters:focal(1028x763:1038x773)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/octane/C4BOJY3Q3BCK7N5JNLJ7VLKUQA.jpg)
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No, it will be a 4 cylinders just like the old Z650 we can see in the teaser :
https://youtu.be/m1VkokpPaZE
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No, it will be a 4 cylinders just like the old Z650 we can see in the teaser :
https://youtu.be/m1VkokpPaZE
i doubt it. pretty sure it will be a twin, just like the current z650, which is what the z650rs should be based on.
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I'm confused. Are we talking about a 2cylinder "Z" bike replica Or the WR850 classic?
"The Kawasaki W650 is a retro classic motorcycle made between model years 1999-2007 and superseded by the Kawasaki W800,..." $9,700usd
https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800/2020-W800# (https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800/2020-W800#)
(https://content2.kawasaki.com/ContentStorage/KMC/Products/GalleryImport/2.20EJ800D_40RRD1DRF3CG_A.20200626164041.jpg)
(https://www.cycleworld.com/resizer/h8FrnXcvB4DsTaWVURzEY7VZcI0=/1440x0/filters:focal(1028x763:1038x773)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/octane/C4BOJY3Q3BCK7N5JNLJ7VLKUQA.jpg)
this new z650rs version is supposed to be based on the current z650 but retro styled like the z900rs. so a twin as far as i know.
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You're right, it seems that it will be the actual 650 twin engine, sorry for the bad quality of this sketch ...
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+1 to that. Keeping H or V rated tires on that beast would be a necessity. The hard part is re-acquiring those cat-like reflexes and 15/20 vision you had as a young adult... ;)
A 45 HP twin will easily haul you around at extra-legal velocities, but that's not really the point of a nice torquey twin.
+1 on all this. My 70+ y.o. stepfather says his riding buddies are all looking at low-hp twins after years of high-hp super bikes. Not just us middle-agers picking up the twins :)
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Now RE has to step up to the plate and offer a tuned version of the 650 twin with inverted forks, mags and a seat cowl.
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+1 on all this. My 70+ y.o. stepfather says his riding buddies are all looking at low-hp twins after years of high-hp super bikes. Not just us middle-agers picking up the twins :)
Getting older is an interesting journey. About 7 years ago I decided my Ducati 1198 was really "too much" bike for the public roads. So it makes around 175 RWHP and I've thought for the last 25 years that all you can realistically use on the road is 100HP max. So I let the rego lapse and just saved it for the track. I love that bike but it's just ridiculously over the top on the road. So then it's down to the Guzzi and Ducati 1000ss for the road, both around 80 RWHP and that's a pretty sensible road output with decent mid range torque. As much as I can use on the road sensibly. Then I step down to the RE at 43 RWHP and although it feels under powered it causes you to re evaluate what is really necessary on a road bike. I know if I rode in a group with a lot faster bikes I'd be able to keep up in the real world it's just I'd need to wring it's neck a lot and honestly I'm past that in a group ride situation. The target market for the RE is the young urban professional thats more about the style than the performance and us old blokes that aren't interested in tearing about at warp speed trying to prove something. Combine that with a truly amazing up front price and I think RE have nailed it personally.
Ciao
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Getting older is an interesting journey. About 7 years ago I decided my Ducati 1198 was really "too much" bike for the public roads. So it makes around 175 RWHP and I've thought for the last 25 years that all you can realistically use on the road is 100HP max. So I let the rego lapse and just saved it for the track. I love that bike but it's just ridiculously over the top on the road. So then it's down to the Guzzi and Ducati 1000ss for the road, both around 80 RWHP and that's a pretty sensible road output with decent mid range torque. As much as I can use on the road sensibly. Then I step down to the RE at 43 RWHP and although it feels under powered it causes you to re evaluate what is really necessary on a road bike. I know if I rode in a group with a lot faster bikes I'd be able to keep up in the real world it's just I'd need to wring it's neck a lot and honestly I'm past that in a group ride situation. The target market for the RE is the young urban professional thats more about the style than the performance and us old blokes that aren't interested in tearing about at warp speed trying to prove something. Combine that with a truly amazing up front price and I think RE have nailed it personally.
Ciao
Yep. I’d kept abreast of the RE 650 thing having been stylistically lured by the 500 classic a bit earlier on. I was trying to stop myself from falling back into the roadrace mindset. Then when I laid eyes on my Black Magic GT it was love at first sight. I knew from my ballsy SR500 that 45-odd HP was plenty of fun, so I was never going to be dissatisfied with performance. So I’m happy!😁
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Interested to know the price for this bike. It may step on Sportster sales a little. Maybe RE sales too, but the RE is more of a niche market whereas Kaw and HD are mas-market bikes.
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I doubt this bike will make it the the USA.
The W650 (my first bike, and excellent one) sold poorly here, note sure about the W800, but at the end of the day it just "looks" like a retro British bike. It's still japanese which is a buzz-kill for many. Even though they are all made in Asia now, people do still want the name, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Norton, etc. RE should really buy the Norton name and make 1000cc+ retro bikes under that Moniker to compete with Triumph on the high end. Maybe 3-5 years down the road once RE's market share and presence is more solidified in the US market.
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How is a respected Japanese brand a “buzz kill” at all.
It’s pretty obvious this bike will end up in North America just like how the regular z650 is.
The w650 was over 20 years ago when people still wanted high cc bikes. Things have obviously changed a bit.
If anything, royal enfield are the ones with the uphill battle with its brand anywhere outside of India. Im glad they’re selling well but most people I talk to in my area don’t know anything about royal enfield at all. Everyone just assumes it’s a triumph.
If this bike looks right id sell off my RE650 in an instant.
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I read that it was US bound. The W650 was very well done. It looked better than the Bonevilles because the header pipes didnt have the bend in them like Bonneville did. The fit and finish was great. The bevel gear was a big eye catcher. If I had the money at that time I would have brought one.
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Due to aging knees I found the Interceptor hard going, there was a lot I loved about it but I sold it a couple of months ago, find the Himalayan ok and enjoy every minute on that.
I looked around for a small light weight twin road bike and eventually found an X plate ER5 with only 2300 miles on it, (21 years old and not fully run in), it is light to move around and has 50BHP, very zippy and easy to ride.
However, I do miss the growl of the Interceptor and the riding position was much better, but at least I am still on two wheels.
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Getting older is an interesting journey. About 7 years ago I decided my Ducati 1198 was really "too much" bike for the public roads. So it makes around 175 RWHP and I've thought for the last 25 years that all you can realistically use on the road is 100HP max. So I let the rego lapse and just saved it for the track. I love that bike but it's just ridiculously over the top on the road. So then it's down to the Guzzi and Ducati 1000ss for the road, both around 80 RWHP and that's a pretty sensible road output with decent mid range torque. As much as I can use on the road sensibly. Then I step down to the RE at 43 RWHP and although it feels under powered it causes you to re evaluate what is really necessary on a road bike. I know if I rode in a group with a lot faster bikes I'd be able to keep up in the real world it's just I'd need to wring it's neck a lot and honestly I'm past that in a group ride situation. The target market for the RE is the young urban professional thats more about the style than the performance and us old blokes that aren't interested in tearing about at warp speed trying to prove something. Combine that with a truly amazing up front price and I think RE have nailed it personally.
Ciao
Agree. I’ve never been interested in having a race replica motorcycle, but have had high performance bikes like my K1200 GT and Diavel. Now I find that my INTerceptor is actually ideal for most of the riding I want to do now. It wouldn’t be my first choice for touring, but my middleweight BMW covers that. In retrospect, I think I was buying “too much bike” for many years. Would I do it again? Probably.
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https://www.motorious.com/articles/features-3/kawasaki-goes-retro-again/
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Those are some really ugly bikes. :P
I'm willing to put up with the lackluster performance of a retro bike that looks good, but those seem to be the worst of all world's in my book. I don't get the half assed retro styling, but I wasn't a fan of the inline four naked bike styling to begin with, and the twin is just bad. I recognize the looks are subjective, so I'll refrain from positing on the potential for success.
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Those are some really ugly bikes. :P
I'm willing to put up with the lackluster performance of a retro bike that looks good, but those seem to be the worst of all world's in my book. I don't get the half assed retro styling, but I wasn't a fan of the inline four naked bike styling to begin with, and the twin is just bad. I recognize the looks are subjective, so I'll refrain from positing on the potential for success.
there are definitely some bad half assed retro ones. yamaha xsr700 looks weird to me. so does the suzuki sv650x 'cafe racer' edition which looks just...wrong. same with the honda cb650r.
kawasaki imo do a good job blending both though. its kinda like my ducati scrambler. good mix of modern stuff with enough retro styling and performance.
i mean if you dont like the way the z900rs looks (which we're all assuming the new z650rs will look like), thats cool. but i think it looks pretty sweet.
(https://cdn.dealerspike.com/imglib/v1/800x600/imglib/Assets/Inventory/BF/41/BF4115B1-E540-43A8-B30E-F56AE2333A83.jpg)
but yes if you want a heavy ass, slow bike that looks great, the RE650 certainly meets those requirements.
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I have trouble thinking of the INTerceptor as a “heavy” motorcycle. After bikes like my BMW K1200GT or Guzzi California 1400, mine feels like a featherweight.
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I have trouble thinking of the INTerceptor as a “heavy” motorcycle. After bikes like my BMW K1200GT or Guzzi California 1400, mine feels like a featherweight.
Yep, all the reviewers say the bike feels light to ride...
It is heavy enough to feel planted too - was out riding in a gale on Sunday (trees were falling, had to warn a homeowner the road was blocked outside their house) and it felt fine in the corners despite the winds.
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RE should really buy the Norton name and make 1000cc+ retro bikes under that Moniker to compete with Triumph on the high end.
Is the Norton brand up for sale again already?
It seems like just a year ago, that TVS bought it. https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/story/bikes/norton-motorcycles-acquired-by-tvs-motor/
650 twins make up a very small percentage of RE sales. In a recent month the 650s comprised less than 2% of domestic sales volume, and although they sell better in the export market, the total volume is still less than 5% of overall sales. https://www.rushlane.com/royal-enfield-sales-exports-breakup-july-2021-classic-bullet-meteor-12410089.html
I wouldn't think RE would want to spend the considerable investment it would require to try to push their way into the high CC segment, which is already pretty well covered. Better to stay in the middle weights, which is NOT particularly populous, and which, in that part of the world, is considered "big".
Sales figures of Harleys in India were pretty awful. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1185142/india-number-of-harley-davidson-bikes-sold/
BMW doesn't do much better, and, as was the case with HD, most of the bikes they did sell were their smaller ones. https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/bmw-motorrad-records-best-ever-sales-in-india-419656
RE is primarily interested in their domestic market, and I don't think that India wants the big bikes. With petrol there already at about $5.60/gal. and trending up, and median yearly income around $3,100, ( 31 hundred, not thousand), you can hardly blame them.
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but yes if you want a heavy ass, slow bike that looks great, the RE650 certainly meets those requirements.
The INT650 is a heavy ass bike but the Z900RS isn't? :o
If I was that worried about performance I certainly wouldn't be wasting my time with that Kaw. Hell I could have just kept my R1! ;D
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Yep, all the reviewers say the bike feels light to ride...
It is heavy enough to feel planted too - was out riding in a gale on Sunday (trees were falling, had to warn a homeowner the road was blocked outside their house) and it felt fine in the corners despite the winds.
Out in a gale with trees falling. My hat’s off....
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Is the Norton brand up for sale again already?
It seems like just a year ago, that TVS bought it. https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/story/bikes/norton-motorcycles-acquired-by-tvs-motor/
650 twins make up a very small percentage of RE sales. In a recent month the 650s comprised less than 2% of domestic sales volume, and although they sell better in the export market, the total volume is still less than 5% of overall sales. https://www.rushlane.com/royal-enfield-sales-exports-breakup-july-2021-classic-bullet-meteor-12410089.html
I wouldn't think RE would want to spend the considerable investment it would require to try to push their way into the high CC segment, which is already pretty well covered. Better to stay in the middle weights, which is NOT particularly populous, and which, in that part of the world, is considered "big".
Sales figures of Harleys in India were pretty awful. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1185142/india-number-of-harley-davidson-bikes-sold/
BMW doesn't do much better, and, as was the case with HD, most of the bikes they did sell were their smaller ones. https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/bmw-motorrad-records-best-ever-sales-in-india-419656
RE is primarily interested in their domestic market, and I don't think that India wants the big bikes. With petrol there already at about $5.60/gal. and trending up, and median yearly income around $3,100, ( 31 hundred, not thousand), you can hardly blame them.
I’m sure the sales of the 650s are relatively small in India but bear in mind that the Interceptor is one of the top selling bikes in the UK and in markets like Australia and New Zealand has sold strongly. Probably more niche in the USA I’d guess
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The INT650 is a heavy ass bike but the Z900RS isn't? :o
If I was that worried about performance I certainly wouldn't be wasting my time with that Kaw. Hell I could have just kept my R1! ;D
the z650 is about 412lbs wet. so the z650rs will probably be similar.
i dont know why people are all of a sudden comparing the weight of the RE650 to BMW K1200GT or Guzzi California 1400 bikes lol. its such a dumb way to dismiss a valid argument.
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the z650 is about 412lbs wet. so the z650rs will probably be similar.
i dont know why people are all of a sudden comparing the weight of the RE650 to BMW K1200GT or Guzzi California 1400 bikes lol. its such a dumb way to dismiss a valid argument.
So much the same - my GT is 190kg wet.
I really don't know why you still own this bike ???
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the z650 is about 412lbs wet. so the z650rs will probably be similar.
i dont know why people are all of a sudden comparing the weight of the RE650 to BMW K1200GT or Guzzi California 1400 bikes lol. its such a dumb way to dismiss a valid argument.
I was comparing the 650 to the bike you posted a picture of while calling the 650 "heavy ass" but I guess we can compare it to the bike that weighs damn near the same.
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I’m sure the sales of the 650s are relatively small in India but bear in mind that the Interceptor is one of the top selling bikes in the UK and in markets like Australia and New Zealand has sold strongly. Probably more niche in the USA I’d guess
I've read that the 650s are good sellers, and leading their segment in those countries, and deservedly so. I'd like to hear more about other competitors within those segments in those countries. I bet the list includes quite a few machines that are scarce in the USA.
I'm not sure how strong the 650s are selling in the US, RE doesn't seem to break out the export figures they publish by country or region. We do seem to have quite a few US riders here on the forum. I would think a survey of our forum membership, might give us some crude idea of the percentage of this model going to various markets.
I certainly wasn't suggesting that the 650s aren't a brilliant product. I was citing stats with reference to speculating about RE developing a 1000. Will there be sufficient demand, over the amortization period, to warrant the expenditure that a project like that requires? Perhaps, a lot of large machines are sold in the English speaking countries. Here's some stats for the UK: https://www.finder.com/uk/motorbike-statistics
It's interesting to note that sales of ALL motorcyles in the UK for 2019, about 89,000, is a number smaller than two mediocre months of RE production. RE holds about 4% of the India domestic market. About 21,000,000 motorcycles were sold in India in 2019. That's 1 bike in the UK for every 236 sold in India. Pretty amazing, and not hard to see how RE is thriving, especially protected as they are by 50% tariffs plus 28% goods and services tax.
I read that Sid Lal once revealed that exports are important mainly to give the brand prestige at home. Regardless of why they do it, I feel fortunate that I had the chance to own an RE, and glad I chose to.
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So much the same - my GT is 190kg wet.
I really don't know why you still own this bike ???
theres literally no way the gt650 is 190kg wet unless you've removed like everything you could off the bike and mistakenly emptied the gas tank.
i still own the bike cause i bought it lol. its listed on kijiji though if you want it :)
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theres literally no way the gt650 is 190kg wet unless you've removed like everything you could off the bike and mistakenly emptied the gas tank.
i still own the bike cause i bought it lol. its listed on kijiji though if you want it :)
Says you. Stock wet weight is 198kg and I’ve dropped 8 off it.
Good luck with the sale, we’re all rooting for you
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https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/2022-kawasaki-z650rs-retro-style-motorcycle-details/
interesting. obviously not as clean and classic looking as the re650, but this one has 67hp and probably a good 30 pounds lighter than the interceptor if its anything close to the z650s weight.
EDIT: the picture showing on the page is the 900 but rumors are saying it will look similar.
I was interested in the new Z650 twin after reading about it and the teaser on Motorcycle News. So I emailed Kawasaki dealer asked if they had any information - predictably they didn't and said it was news to them. I guess will have to wait until 27th Sept when its supposed to be launched. I did have a Z650 when I was younger and it was a ready good bike, I sold it too a guy in Whitby who promptly, butchered and made it into a awful chopper.
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its revealed. as expected, its a mix of the z650 and retro.
(https://storage.kawasaki.eu/public/kawasaki.eu/en-EU/news/22MY_Z650RS_GN1_ACT4.jpg)
looks like it'll be initially available in 3 different colour ways.
the pipe looks ridiculous tbh. but overall its looking pretty good
(https://storage.kawasaki.eu/public/kawasaki.eu/en-EU/model/22MY_Z650RS_Staticlifestyle_4.jpg)
(https://storage.kawasaki.eu/public/kawasaki.eu/en-EU/model/22MY_Z650RS__BK1_STU__2_.jpg)
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So this is different from the Versys? Is this just badge engineering or does it run deeper? I see forks/tank/seat, a frame guard/cross-brace/?? at the cylinder head, starter/alternator cover, but what else? The Versys twin was pretty good; is this actually "new" or just "Enfield" style model engineering?
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So this is different from the Versys? Is this just badge engineering or does it run deeper? I see forks/tank/seat, a frame guard/cross-brace/?? at the cylinder head, starter/alternator cover, but what else? The Versys twin was pretty good; is this actually "new" or just "Enfield" style model engineering?
does the versys share the same engine as the z650 and ninja 650? if so, then it should be the same. but i dont know much about kawasaki bikes. heres how the page describes it:
At the heart of the new machine is an updated version of Kawasaki’s venerable 649 cm3 water-cooled, parallel twin engine used in both the current Z650 and Ninja 650 models. With a justifiable reputation for durability and performance, the assist and slipper clutch equipped engine unit has also formed the basis of machines raced to success at the gruelling Isle of Man TT races. Tuned in the case of the Z650RS for low and mid rev response, plus characteristic invigorating high rev performance, the engine is rated at 68 PS (50.2 kW) and will also be available from Kawasaki dealers with a 35kw power down kit fitted creating an A2 compliant machine.
heres the page for it (at least for the UK) https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/news/Retrovolution_begins_with_2022_Kawasaki_Z650RS?Uid=08CCDlBbXw1dW1xQCQsKXFoNWlEKXA4MDFFQDVFaWVkKXlg
heres the promo vid showing the green one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umfaef59sAk
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VisorDown article (https://www.visordown.com/news/new-bikes/retrovolution-has-landed-kawasaki-z650rs-officially-released):
While the styling will remind some of the original Z650-B1 of the late seventies, the internals of the bike are bang up to date. The engine is heavily revised for this year and is the same reliable yet entertaining unit as found in the Z650 and Ninja 650.
Tuned in the case of the Z650RS for low and mid rev response, plus characteristic invigorating high rev performance, the engine is rated at 68 PS (50.2 kW) and will also be available from Kawasaki dealers with a 35kw kit enabling riders on an A2 licence to enjoy the Retrovolution for themselves.
Like its Z650 and Ninja 650 cousins, the suspension is provided by 41mm forks with Kawasaki’s own horizontal link rear shock – pre-load adjustment is available. The Kawasaki Z650RS features dual twin-piston front calipers biting down on 300mm round disc rotors. The front and rear brakes are governed by a two-channel Bosch advanced ABS unit.
The Kawasaki Z650RS will be available in UK dealers from early November, and will be available in three colours options:
Metallic Spark Black (£7,549)
Candy Emerald Green (£7,699)
Metallic Moondust Grey / Ebony (£7,699)
For more information, head to: www.kawasaki.co.uk
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So this is different from the Versys? Is this just badge engineering or does it run deeper? I see forks/tank/seat, a frame guard/cross-brace/?? at the cylinder head, starter/alternator cover, but what else? The Versys twin was pretty good; is this actually "new" or just "Enfield" style model engineering?
Twin front brakes are nice. Otherwise kinda meh. But anything that looks less insectoid is ok with me.
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https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/kawasaki-z650rs/
Its a twin,, I am not sure about the exhaust, probably to get it through emissions rules, in my opinion the rad look too big and very vulnerable in a fall, and its only got a 12 litre tank !
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https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/kawasaki-z650rs/
Its a twin,, I am not sure about the exhaust, probably to get it through emissions rules, in my opinion the rad look too big and very vulnerable in a fall, and its only got a 12 litre tank !
my gt650 only has a 12.5l tank and only like 11 litres of it is usable lol. meh.
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I think it looks great and 78hp is a useful amount of shove. I’ve never ridden this engine but assume it will have a modern revvy feel. One of the things I like most about my interceptor is it’s torquey old style feel and power delivery. For the most part I’m not really a fan of a modern bike just given a retro styling kit. Rather have an MT09 than an XSR900 for example.
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my gt650 only has a 12.5l tank and only like 11 litres of it is usable lol. meh.
So how much of the 12 litres in the Kwaka do you think you’re going to be able to use?
The range quoted by testers as 173 miles is similar to the GT (I use 300 kilometres as a limit to give a little wiggle room)
The exhaust is horrendous and the radiator is aesthetically intrusive, to me, however it does look like a good all round package.
If I was after a water cooled bike I’d consider it, though the 40% price premium (based on the GB price) would be a hurdle for some.
Hopefully the Kawasaki will suit your needs and I sincerely hope you don’t get another lemon…………..
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Doesn't look very retro styled to me.
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Doesn't look very retro styled to me.
Retro just means imitative of a style, fashion, or design from the recent past. It could be worse, they could be inspired by this gorgeous piece of motorcycle styling.
(http://www.motorcycle.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/080416-top-10-disappointing-motorcycles-010-suzuki-katana-600.jpg)
Well, not much worse. ;D
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So how much of the 12 litres in the Kwaka do you think you’re going to be able to use?
The range quoted by testers as 173 miles is similar to the GT (I use 300 kilometres as a limit to give a little wiggle room)
The exhaust is horrendous and the radiator is aesthetically intrusive, to me, however it does look like a good all round package.
If I was after a water cooled bike I’d consider it, though the 40% price premium (based on the GB price) would be a hurdle for some.
Hopefully the Kawasaki will suit your needs and I sincerely hope you don’t get another lemon…………..
oh im not fully set on this bike or anything. the 180 firing order kinda concerns me. i've read about some z650 vibrations (dont know if it'll affect this z650rs version) but my gt650 wobbles as well so...
the exhaust is definitely ugly as hell. im sure its to just speed up smog approvals since its the same one as the z650/ninja exhaust.
if triumph made a 650cc bonneville that would be great. 900cc will kill my insurance rate and i dont like the weight of them either.
if honda stopped pumping out ugly ass bikes i'd consider one too. they made the nice looking cb350 h'ness and the cb350rs for india. why not make a 650cc version?? at the very least, hopefully this kawasaki 650 lights some fires under honda and suzukis asses. both who have been largely absent for good looking bikes.
the gt650 was supposed to be 'the one' for me haha. i was gonna sell off my ducati. switch the exhaust to drop 20lbs and make it my main ride. but unfortunately my one experience with royal enfield was such a disappointment and now the whole thing is soured. ahh well.
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I like the new Kwacker, a lot. Saying that, I'm assuming it doesn't share the RE gremlins that have kept my Interceptor off the road for two months now. Raw authenticity is great, but when it comes at that price, life's too short and a return to the rising sun grows in appeal. I've been Royal loyal for quite a while, iron barrel and all, but this has me thinking I could leave it to those young urban poseurs.
I had been thinking a lot about the 900RS, but a recurring part of my fantasy has been a nasty ending on a corner due to an excess of horses.
People are nitpicking about the 650's exhaust etc. Looks ok to me, and overall, seeing the vid, it's a tidy package - and tubeless.
I'll probably forget the 900 and test ride one of these instead.
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Mind you in reading all this and taking on the various considerations, Kawasaki do indeed make very reliable bikes although sometimes they may not look the part.
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I quite like the 650. But the 900.....in green/gold🤤... if the budget allowed it would be mine. The Tiger Sport would go to start the savings...maybe the RE.. when lockdown is over in about another 3 years, I'll take one for a test run. I guess I'm looking back to my early days of screamin 4's.