Kawasaki has revealed a new middleweight motorcycle, the Z650RS for the international markets. This new, retro-style motorcycle, which shares its underpinnings with the likes of the Ninja 650 and the Z650, should reach the Indian market. However, the official details are unavailable yet. While we await the Indian launch announcement, here we explain all the details about the new Kawasaki Z650RS.
Design
The new Z650RS draws styling cues from the bigger displacement modern classic Kawasaki model, the Z900RS. The new middleweight motorcycle from the Japanese two-wheeler brand features a single-pod round headlight with a chrome surround at the front, round shape for the rear-view mirrors, a curvy design for the fuel tank, flat seat, and an underbelly exhaust. The split-style spoke wheels and the twin-pod semi-digital instrument cluster enhances the retro design of the Z650RS.
Colours
Kawasaki has listed the new Z650RS in three colours for the European market – Candy Emerald Green, Metallic Moondust Gray/Ebony, and Metallic Spark Black. The Candy Emerald Green paint option gets golden-coloured alloy wheels while the other two feature black-coloured units. The graphics are slightly different on each colour option.
Features
The new Kawasaki Z650RS packs features such as full-LED lighting and a twin-pod semi-digital instrument cluster. While its middleweight siblings, the Ninja 650 and the Z650, use a colour-TFT screen with Bluetooth-connectivity, the Z650RS gets an LCD screen that sits between two analogue dials. Other features on the retro-style model include dual-channel ABS, and an assist and a slipper clutch mechanism.
Engine
The mechanical specifications on the new Z650RS are identical to the Ninja 650 and the Z650. Thus, this new model from Kawasaki continues to use a 649cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that produces 67.3bhp of power at 6,700rpm and 64Nm of peak torque at 8,000rpm. The motor is linked to a six-speed gearbox.
Hardware
The hardware, too, is similar to the Ninja 650 and the Z650. Thus, the suspension tasks on the new Z650RS are performed by 41mm telescopic front forks and a horizontal back-link mono-shock. The braking setup includes twin 300mm rotors with dual-piston callipers at the front and a 220mm single disc at the back with a single-piston calliper at the back. The motorcycle uses a trellis frame. It boasts a seat height of 820mm while the claimed kerb weight is rated at 187kg.
