I rode for the 1st time a Z650 on my MOD2 last August to get my full motorbike licence and found it to be a great bike, the slipper/ assist clutch made changing gears easy and precise, the fuelling was good at low speed, the lightness of the bike at 187kg wet made it easy to use when changing direction and the seat height at 790mm was confidence inspiring. On getting my full licence I decided to get a Ninja 650 - same engine/clutch as I liked it so much, and wanted a sports bike look with an upright riding position suitable for town, commute and touring.
I threw a GIVI A4117 windscreen on this thing and it made a world of a difference with wind. Add some progrips to remove vibration and you're good to go. Solid bike.
MotoVenture _ thanks. I don’t like the looks of the z1000. Been dreaming of owning a z900 since I rode one in 2017. Too impractical for my only bike but if I can ever afford a second it will be a z900.
@@AGardenShed you have the exact same thoughts as me. Would love a Z900 as a second bike but far too impractical as an only bike with the 50 mile round trip motorway commute and types of trips I enjoy.
Nice review mate, must admit the ER6 was the only bike I've flat footed in many years :) Is it the same/similar riding position to the outgoing ER6? I like the styling much better, nice colour too. Have to agree on the servicing, no need for that these days with synthetic oils and stuff I don't think tbh
Paul Lee thanks. It’s lower than a post 2015 er6 by about 20mm. I’d say so but I’ve owned and ridden a lot of bikes since I had my er6f. I prefer the engine in the er6’s all though on paper their similar the er6 felt more gutsy than the z650. I also remember the seat being more comfy on my er6. I previously rode the z650 when I had my er6f and didn’t think it was better in anyway apart from styling. After about 150 miles on the er6 my knees started aching. I suppose it’s if you want naked or faired. Naked I’d give the cb650f a chance. That engine is amazing. As for faired I haven’t ridden the ninja 650 so hard to compare it to Honda. My er6 was definetly more comfy than my cbr. But the cbr was a better bike for sunny day blasts.
I own a 2019 Kawasaki Z650, I agree with the seat problem. During my rides, my crutch tends to get pushed against the tank, so I frequently have to adjust my gluts towards the back of of the seat; I'm 5'4" and 210 pounds. The engine braking is a little bit too much for my taste. Mileage wise, the bike's display says I average about 40.6 MPG. I've watched alot of motovloggers complain about excessive vibration above 5000 RPM, this doesn't bother until after 6500 RPM though.
Bought and sold a '18 Ninja 650 because the buzzy, tingly vibration through the bars was terrible and kept putting my hands to sleep. Have you experienced anything like this on the Z650? I loved everything else about the bike....too bad.
hawkrider88 I know what you mean. I haven’t experienced it on the z650. My cbr650f was a bugger for it. Easiest solution is put heavier bar weights in the end of the bars.
