Kawasaki Z650RS Retro Bike Launched

At the moment, the just-launched Z650RS is Kawasaki’s most affordable retro motorcycle in India

• The Kawasaki Z650RS is Rs 41,000 dearer than the Kawasaki Z650 on which it is based.
• Kawasaki has equipped the bike with a circular LED headlamp, twin-pod instrument cluster, and retro-themed bodywork. 
• It makes the same power and torque as the streetfighter.

True to our exclusive report earlier, Kawasaki has launched its most affordable retro bike in India yet, the Kawasaki Z650RS. The motorcycle is based on the Kawasaki Z650, and is priced at Rs 6,65,000 (ex-showroom, India), making it Rs 41,000 more expensive than the streetfighter. Deliveries will commence by the end of November or early December 2021.

The motorcycle comes with a retro-themed bodywork with a circular headlight, twin-pod instrument cluster, classic peanut shaped fuel tank, and a single-piece seat. Its design is a tribute to the original icon - the 1977 Kawasaki Z650-B1. It’s available in two shades: Candy Emerald Green and Metallic Moondust Gray.

The motorcycle is powered by the same 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with a 6-speed gearbox and slip-and-assist clutch, just as the Z650. It also makes the same output figures: 68PS at 8000rpm, and 64Nm at 6700rpm. The engine nestles inside the same trellis steel frame as the naked, and is suspended on the same 41mm telescopic front fork and preload adjustable linked rear monoshock. 

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Instead of the petal discs in the naked, this retro motorcycle gets conventional discs of the same sizes: 300mm dual rotors up front with axial calipers, and a 220mm rear unit, with dual-channel ABS as standard. Apart from ABS, there are riding aids in the motorcycle. The bike tips the scales at 192kg, just 1kg more than the Z650. For an added retro appeal, the bike rolls on spoke-styled alloy wheels finished in gold, wrapped with a 120-section front and a 160-section Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tubeless tyres.

While the slightly rearset footpeg position remains the same as on the Z650, the Z650RS gets a taller, wider handlebar. This, coupled with the single-piece seat, should offer comfortable ergonomics for both commuting and touring. And at 800mm, the seat is 10mm taller than the one on the Z650. And at 12 litres, its fuel tank is also three litres smaller than the Z650’s.

Thanks to the underbelly exhaust, the ground clearance is a paltry 125mm, which is 5mm lower than the Z650’s already unimpressive 130mm figure. The features list includes an all-LED lighting system, an analogue speedometer and tachometer with a central digital inset showing the gear position, fuel level, odometer and tripmeter readings, coolant temperature and clock, among other details.

The Z650RS competes with other retro-motorcycles in the 650cc segment such as the much more expensive Honda CB650R (Rs 8,67,865, ex-showroom, Gurugram), and the significantly more affordable Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, priced at Rs 2,81,518 (ex-showroom, Delhi). You could also check out the Triumph Trident 660, pegged at Rs 6,95,000 (ex-showroom, India).