CFMoto 650NK vs Kawasaki Z650 – Competition Check

CFMoto has launched three 650cc motorcycles in India which feature varied styling and purpose. Of the three, the 650NK is a naked streetbike which is the most affordable offering in the bikemaker’s middle weight line-up. Considering its body style and displacement, the 650NK faces competition only from the Kawasaki Z650 in India. We check out how both bikes fare against each other on paper. 

Styling and Features

Being streetfighters, the 650NK and the Z650 boast of a styling which is majorly similar. Both bikes get a minimalistic, low-slung headlamp, a muscular fuel tank with sharp extensions, an underbelly exhaust, split seat and a svelte tail section. When it comes to features, the 650NK is comparatively more equipped carrying an LED headlamp and turn indicators while the Z650 does away with conventional bulb for both. As for the instrument cluster, both bikes come equipped with a fully-digital LCD instrument cluster which displays all the necessary information.

Engine

In terms of engine displacement, the 650NK and the Z650 are identical as both run a 649cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled motor which comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. However, at 67.2bhp and 65.7Nm, the power output of the Kawasaki is higher than the CFMoto which produces 60.3bhp and 56Nm. 

Cycle parts

Starting with the CFMoto, the motorcycle rides on 17-inch wheels which are suspended by KYB telescopic forks up front and a swingarm-mounted monoshock at the rear. Braking is taken care of by twin discs at the front and a single disc at the rear which are clutched by J Juan calipers. In the case of Z650, this too rides on 17-inch wheels while the suspension and braking hardware also remain similar to the 650NK. However, Kawasaki has equipped the Z650 with Nissin calipers. Meanwhile, both bikes get dual-channel ABS as standard. 

Now, it’s in the weight department that the Z650 has an upper hand. Weighing at 186kg, the Kawasaki is 20kgs lighter than the 650NK which tips the scales at 206kgs. Furthermore, CFMoto has bestowed the 650NK with a 17 litre fuel tank, whereas the Z650 gets a 15 litre tank. 

Pricing

Talking about the pricing, this is where the CFMoto 650NK blows the Kawasaki Z650 out of the park. The former is priced at Rs 3.99 lakhs which is around Rs 1.30 lakhs cheaper than the latter which costs Rs 5.29 lakhs. Notably, the only middle weight motorcycle that is more affordable than the 650NK is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 which is a modern-classic offering. We have done a specification comparison of the 650NK and the Interceptor 650 and, you can read about it here.