3000 miles on mine in 9 months. Super light, accurate handling. Very good roadholding. Changes direction with ease. Ride quality firmish but copes with our s***e UK roads well. Seat and riding position very comfortable. Brakes, STRONG. Doddle to ride on any road and traffic situation. The star is the punchy engine that pulls strongly throughout the rev range - particularly from 6000 to 8500 revs. Surges forward with real grunt from 70 to three figures. Finally, the powerful and predictable engine braking's great for scrubbing some speed after a fast overtake. Flaws -bit of vibeyness through the seat occasionally, minor tingles through footpegs, bars virtually none - seems improved over the '17 version I test rode in that respect, so something's been altered. To sum up: Good at everything bike, and FUN.
Thanks a lot for your both informing and entertaining review on the Z650. I will be getting mine in black in July. Being an English teacher at a German school, I am also grateful for some perfect English language input every now and then. Keep up your brillant work!
All four Kawasaki bikes with the 650 parallel-twin are very nice. It's a well-proven engine with great characteristics, and more than adequate power. Thanks for the great review!
Another terrific review Mark and thanks for that. I purchased my Z650 last year based partly on your informative review. These Z models just keeps getting more attractive year by year. Keep up the good work and ohh it is the ground and not the floor remember 😎.
@@ryanyee97 I chose 2019 z650 but I wish I chose 2019 mt07 only because of ergonomics. I like mt07's wider handlebars and how it handled on the tight turns. I will add a spacer and replace with a wider handlebar. 6ft/180cm tall.
Best review I've seen of this bike. Very thorough and fair. Want to upgrade from my MT03 and the Z650 fits the bill as it's only slightly bigger and heavier and I'm not particularly tall. Love the specs, styling and performance. Actually, fancy a CB650F/R but it's a bit heavy and more expensive and I probably don't need that much power. This bike looks perfect and this review has sold it to me. Thanks very much Mark.
Hi bruce thanks,yes out of them all cb650/mt07 etc etc the z650 is the one id go for ,just like its feel and the way it rides plus the new upgrades like the tft make it a winner all the best mark
Excellent review! I have a 17 here in the US..I absolutely love mine for all the reasons you list..its everything I wanted in a road bike..fule injected liquid cooling..popular tire choices and light weight..I wish I had the led lighting tho..can never be to safe
I was doubting between this and the ninja because i also like sportbikes but u made me choose the Z650 as my first bike with no doubt now. I'm waiting the quarantine to stop for going to the store. Thank you so much!
I've had the bike now for 3 months and ridden 2000 miles (commuting into london). Lovely ride and not tiring, its well worth getting the smoke windshield its 10cm wider and 5cm higher than the original screen but gives you so much better wind cover at higher speeds without taking away from the looks of the bike.
Excellent review. Than you for all your reviews. All of them are well crafted with rich attention to detail. Ride safe and stay clear of the virus, sir. Blessings. 😀
Great review. I've got the Vulcan S 650. Same engine (slightly less BHP) in a different style of bike. I love the look of this Z650, neat tidy and mean looking.
@@markpulling12 great bike, in my opinion anyway. My only complaint is the seat. It's ok at first then after about an hour gets uncomfortable. I've had mine in for more foam adding. Testing it today so hopefully it's better!
Thank you for the review. I ride a 2007 plasma blue Kawasaki 650R Ninja (ER6F) with only 4,050 miles. I'll never be able to go over 90-95 mph anymore here because of the "street racing" law now so a bike like the Kawasaki Z650 appeals to me because of its improved mid range as they say.
Another excellent "real world" review - thank you Mark. The new Z650 looks much better than the previous iteration. Seems the perfect package for a new rider and I can see it giving the MT07 some stiff competition for that money. I fear the SV650 is beginning to get left behind despite its terrific, bulletproof engine.
Agree. Where I come from there is a big premium (+23%) between the SV 650 and Z650 with the MT07 in the middle. The Z is more beautiful but a bunch more cash ;-/
@@ClearBrookExotics I purchased a Z400 3 weeks ago and this is the most fun I've had on a street bike. My last street ride that I sold 3 years ago was a 2011 Triumph Speed Triple. I've been riding dirt bikes since selling my ST but got the urge for another street bike. I test rode two 300cc bikes and, while they handled very well, they didn't have enough power for me (an experienced rider), but I wanted a very light maneuverable bike. A friend urged me to try a Kawasaki Z400 and I was totally impressed so I bought it. It doesn't have the brute power of bikes I've owned in the past but it corners like crazy, gets insane fuel mileage, is cheap to insure & service and is just plain fun! I get the feeling I'm sitting "in" the bike, not on it, and that lowers the CG. I've owned numerous Honda's, a couple Triumph's, a Suzuki and a Yamaha but never really considered a Kawasaki but I think Kawi is really making a huge push to up their game and build bikes that are on par with Honda. The fit & finish on this Z400 is impressive and a slipper clutch on a 400 cc bike? Yeah! I'm loving street riding again and will be looking at another Kawasaki when I'm shopping for my next bike. Sorry you didn't get a chance to ride the Z650 before you bought your MT07.
I have a 2018 Versys GT, 5,400 miles done and very pleased with it. Very good usable engine, mine doesn't really have any vibes worth mentioning about it. On unknown roads it is very quick with great chassis and quality suspension.
Nice review mate! I found a brand new leftover 2020 Z650 at a local dealer for what I believe is a good price. Im signing the paperwork and taking her home in just a few days!
Great video mark , I pick mine up on Saturday, I’ve bought a 19reg z650 . I’m glad you pointed out the height of the bike as I’m only 5ft”5 that’s one thing I noticed about the bike straight away I could put both feet on the ground without having to get on my tip toes 😅
Really enjoying your reviews/videos during this quarantine! Keep’em coming!! Hope you can do a review on the CB650R soon...between the Z and the Ninja 650, which did you enjoy most?
Mine is a 2019 ABS black/white with touring equipment (guards, panniers and a taller windshield). I will change front 15T sprocket with a 14T to get more punchy start and more torque on low revs. I'm 6ft/182cm tall and I wish the seat was more higher and handlebars position more higher and wider. It is possible to add a spacer and to replace handlebars with versys 300 model handlebars. Overall, it's just a very good bike. Nice review, Mark. Keep up the good work. Good luck. 💯✔️
it's quite obviously just to confuse the rust. rust: oh look, a brand new bike. "sees rust protector that looks like rust" rust: oh well, nothing to get here bois, better look elsewhere.
Mark m8 ,it would be really great if you did pillion reviews on the bikes you test as this is one big area that gets neglected or ignored by other reviewers most of the time .Thanks for your reviews .
Just a shame that the indicators are not LED like on the up-dated Z900, otherwise; it looks like it is all the bike you need on a budget. Good review as per normal Mark. cheers fella.
it’s so nice to have a realistic review without music, without a lot of edited in flashes and graphics. Just the facts. I appreciate the UK riders points of view.. it’s my impression that the UK riders not only use their machines more, but they depend on them for basic transportation more than here in the US. I always get a kick out of the fact that drizzle or wet roads don’t even get mentioned many times by UK riders.. They just deal with it. it’s slightly unnerving, watching videos of people riding on the left side of the road i’m slightly suspicious of motorcycle reviews that the tester is friends with the shop that supplied him with the motorcycle. Possible that the writer is slightly obligated to give a Rosie review.. I was watching one review for this motorcycle from, and obviously American reviewer. His video was unwatchable, he kept flashing in different sections of video of peoples faces and different motorcycles and going on tangents in different directions. Unwatchable. my longtime riding buddy, is considering one of these bikes as his smaller bike. He currently has an FJR.. he rode my 2019 Kawasaki Z 400 i have made 22 changes to, which I have listed in a video, several videos on my RU-vid channel. He was so impressed with my Z 400 and the upgrades I made to the seat and the windshield and the horns and the grips and the foot pegs and the shock and the trunk. I added, that he feels that that is what he wants as his smaller machine.. only he wants a 650 over the 400.. as everyone knows here in the United States, anyway, the bigger, the better.. I was never 100% on board with that ideology. I actually have more fun on a smaller bike that I can use 100% of the power without spraining the rules of the road too much.. Great review. Thank you.
Test riding one from Bournemouth Kawasaki next week - probably the same bike! :-) Need to decide between this and the MT-07 (which I'm also riding next week from Crescent - probably also the same bike from your other video!). Gonna be a tricky one. Thanks for your reviews, gives me an idea what I'm looking out for when I get my hands on them.
great stuff lee....let me know which you prefer id be interested in getting your thoughts :) can you mention you saw my videos to both shops as it really helps thanks
Thanks Mark. I love the new styling and the white color. I see that they got rid of those hideously large Versys letters and covered the big open space where the key was. These bikes will be flying out the doors of dealerships. Thanks again...........Sal : )
From what I've seen. Most modern 650s are indeed fast for the road. All the way till 90-95mph in Mexico. And if you are not doing track days you don't need anymore. If so tell me a time where you've done a bend 70mph with 25-30 degree lean angle.
An interesting point made in this weeks MCN when they tested the new Ninja 650 is the price is too close to the Honda CBR650R. I know this is a review of the naked version, but the point holds true for the naked version of the Honda as well, and I think they have a point. This time last year I seriously considered the Kawasaki 650, but I bought the Honda as it was much more bike for not much more money. It's just my opinion of course, and I'm probably biased, but the difference between the bikes for a few hundred quid swayed me very easily. Whatever I think, another nice review Mark.
SinuousGrace Hi 👋, it’s more a feel thing really. The four cylinder engine, it’s sound, the way it delivers power, the braking power, the riding position. The Kawasaki is good, but the Honda is a better bike. Are you choosing between the two?
@@SaqibKhaliq Yep, pretty much. I've owned a stock FZ6R and an extensively modified SV650S but haven't ridden in a few years (after getting married). I'm looking for midweight / mid displacement, mostly unfaired, new, Japanese bike. I've already kind of eliminated the SVs and the MT-07 / XSR700 from my list, so it really comes down to the Z650 and the CB650R. I'm in the US -- I can get the Z for $7868 out-the-door, whereas the CB650R would cost around $10,800. So I'm trying to decide whether the CB is worth $2900 more (37.2% more).
Hi it's rst tractech Evo textile sports jacket and trousers with paragon waterproof boots,I have the touring jacket too,all the rst stuff is great value for money,I also use their two piece leathers with sidi mag boots,two scorpion helmets All the best mark
First off. I enjoy your videos. Your videos are simple and non biased. A rare thing to find on you tube motorcycle reviews. I am going to be a new rider and am in my late 30s with minor sciatica issues. I have been looking at and feeling out many motorcycles ranging in the 300cc 700cc. In your opinion, which bike in both the sport bike and cruiser bikes would you find more fitting do to long rides on?
Hi Peter many thanks 👍 Oh what a choice of bikes there are these days ...my choice for a cruiser would be the royal Enfield super meteor 650....naked bike ..an mt07 Is very beginner friendly...if you have back issues a sports bike may be ok with its lean forward position...ninja 650 ? ....honda cb500f and cb500x are very good as a first bike...best thing is sit on as many as possible and try them out ...you will find the right one :) Good luck and best wishes mark
Hiya! Loved the review. I currently have a Benelli TNT 135 and as much fun as I’m having with it as a newbie, I was thinking of taking a jump up to the Z400. However, I think this bike just looks and sounds fantastic. I’ve got about 3 months of pretty constant riding under my belt, do you think a jump to a bike like this would be too much? Or would a newer rider feel comfortable on this bike. Cheers!
It still irritates me no end when I see a lovely bike like this with a fuel gauge and a gear position indicator and my Ducati 797 doesn’t 😡. Feels a like a big contradiction, you can have Brembos, though not basic things.
Richard Collins IMO gear indicators and gas gauges are useless If you need to accelerate drop down a gear if you want to cruise pop it up a gear And for the gas gauge every time I get back from a ride I fill up my tank But I have a gas gauge and gear indicator so I wish I could move mine from my bike to your bike lol
Never ride a bike ya can't afford to drop! Never buy a bike ya can't afford to kick of it's stand! Ever! Your life, Your livelihood, Your loved ones are as unique as these machines are.
Great video is this a good option for a first Motorcycle? I'm 23yrs old and want to get into riding and I'm kinda looking towards Kawasaki I really like their Bikes.
Absolutely perfect for a first bike ,if your in the UK I think you need to be over 24 to do direct access otherwise you'll have to have it a2 license restricted good luck ....mark
Hello Mark, another great review, thumbs up. I just wonder how it would compare against Honda naked CB650R ? Did you had a chance to ride one ? i think there is only £300 price difference so people who are looking for 650-class bike will probably compare these two. Anyways Stay safe (especially now) and take care.
Hi Adam I've ridden reviewed a cb650 a couple of years ago the naked version ,more power being an inline 4 but I actually prefer the character of the z650 more ,I found the Honda a little bit clinical for want of a better saying All the best mark
Nice review thanks. Tempting, I am trading up from a CBR500R. Where I come from there is a premium as it is a new model. For the same price as the Ninja 650 I could get an base MT09. The SP is more pricy and Z900 a bit more again. I mostly ride around a city and head for the twisty roads during summer. Thoughts on tight cornering for the 650 vs 900 vs MT09? 650 vs 900 around town?
Hi flynz..ive reviewed the mt09 and it corners brilliantly ..really enjoyed it....so if thats the same price for you as a ninja 650 id go for that all the best mark
Hi Mark, thanks for the review. I am seriously considering one of these but just to clarify, that wasn't rust I saw on the yokes and one or two of the bolts? Just checking as I was pretty horrified at first, for a 2020 bike. Years ago I had a ZZR600 which I loved for the motor but a lot of the finishes got furry very quickly. How did you find the fit and finish?
Hi robin no Don't worry you are about the 100 th person to ask this .. Bournemouth Kawasaki put protective grease on all their demo bikes to stop rust Fit and finish was the usual Kawasaki excellence to my eyes ...I own a 2919 zx636 All the best mark
Thanks Looked back at all your videos and I think you never took out the W800. Would you consider reviewing it for us guys that have a soft spot for those retro classics? 🍻
Riding on the motorway: any noticeable difference between the Zs(650; 900) and the ninja650? (I know the 1000sx is the winner here, so I'm looking for the second best ;) ). Fantastic channel!
Hi pasqui,the z900 is more relaxed due to its bigger engine ,then the ninja 650 due to its fairing ,then the z650 but the z650 is still fine for cruising all great bikes but yes the new z1000sx is king !! All the best mark
@@markpulling12 Thanks fella Disappointed with you 45/50 questions. Kept getting 49 on my practice at home Did great on the hazard perception with 67 points ..
In over 20 minutes, the only criticism you could come up with was that there was a tiny, tiny bit of vibration in the footpegs at higher revs, but it's not bad at all. Here, let me help you out: The front brakes are good; so good that they cause the front end to dive under hard braking. Too bad the forks aren't adjustable. The seat is kind of low if you're six feet tall and your legs will tend to cramp up after a while. That's why Kawasaki offers a 30mm taller seat option and it's highly recommended if you are over 5'-10". With an extra inch of padding, it's more comfortable too. While this year's OEM Dunlops are better than last year's OEM Dunlops, they are still a little squirrelly on wet pavement. Dunlop cuts corners on their OEM tires to save money and you would be wise to replace them with the retail version (or another brand). Other than that, the Z650 is a great middleweight naked bike. It's not as nice as Triumph's Street Twin, but then it costs a lot less than the Street Twin.
Hi again aaron ...these are all good ...I'd say at the moment the z650 ...as I'm a Kawasaki fan ...watch this space as I'm reviewing the new mt07 today ! Cheers mark
Thanks Mark for another top of the line review👍 I am torn between SV650, MT07, CB500 and this beast as a returning rider. I know they can all come as A2 if I need some gentle return until my skills are up. I think this has more for the buck including the looks and on CB500 the A2 is permanent. I think the MT07 is more a hooligan bike of the bunch. What do you think?
@@markpulling12 I tried the MT07 today and it's a brilliant bike. Like it a lot. Easy yet great punch and a comfy ride too with the higher bar on the 2022 model. Next try is the Honda's.
I think of all the 650/700 offerings, I'd get an SV650 or XSR700, only there isn't a Suzuki or Yamaha dealer within 190 km. Only Kawasaki. There's something about this bike I don't really like. Does it lock you into one riding position? Great TFT, though. I wish it had fatter bars. I'll have to pop up to Chiang Rai's Kawasaki earlier today. You need to see a bike 'in person'. Excellent review.
Hi Mark, you were to choose between this kawa Z650 and yamaha mt 07, which one would you go for? And reasoning pls? Is it suitable for a pure beginner just after passing the licence being 40 years old and of a sensible mind? I just want it for commuting to work being a teacher and a bit of a weekend fun or trip. Thanks for you reply. Martin
Hi Martin both would be suitable for you as a beginner / sensible 40 year old . ...I have reviewed both they are both very similar ,but I'd go for the Kawasaki ,just because I prefer the feel of it's engine even though they are both twins ,and I just like the look more of the new 2020 z650 with it's nice tft screen. .good luck with your biking career :)
Which do you prefer between this 650 and the 400 version❓ 400 about 40 pounds lighter but 650 a higher top speed? Do you sacrifice much nimbleness with the 650 over the 400❓
Test rode one: Light, revvy, excellent gearbox, extremely light clutch. Handling, nimble, and maybe the best and clearest dash on the market. Also comfortable and supportive seat. So called vibeyness, moderate and fairly typical for a parallel twin. Build quality and fit and finish seemed A1. Overall a great, fun, well specced all rounder.
