2020 Kawasaki Z650 | First Ride Review 

Hi Dan I was really hoping to hear more about how the Z650 compares to your CB650R - if you had to choose again, stock for stock, which one would be the best choice for you and why?

@@feelthaflo82 Hey, as tempting as it is, I don't want every video to become a comparison to my bike. I like to test ride other bikes and just talk about them and what makes them good and/or bad. That being said, I may well do a comparison video between the CB650R, MT07, Z650 and SV650. If I had to buy again today, I'd buy the same bike. As for why, I'd probably need to do a video about that. Watch this space. :) Thanks for watching! EBD

what if i forget??

@@blejan2655 Hmm! Maybe write it on a post it note and pop it on your head? Then when you check the mirror you'll remember! 😁

best answer ever

Thanks for sharing

Well put 👍😎.

Now this is the sort of comment on a bike I'd want to read every time. Thanks. I'll probably buy one when I can.

@@ellom8 I got one too, everything he said I agree with too. The torque on this bike with wide open throttle feels incredible. Forgiving if need be but can be enough to get your blood going. It looks awesome too everyone loves the way it looks when I'm at a light

@@Illness.og. do you think getting one used would be any good? The one I want has 20k kms already

Absolutely, great little bike. I feel people only get disappointed with it if they expect it to be something it's not. A cheap, simple yet fun bike.

Glad I could help!

Is that your new Z in your avatar photo? How are you liking it?

u got it?

@@Ryan-vg1ot funny story I did buy this bike back in August of 2020 however I am currently looking to switch to a cruiser so it is up for sale as of right now, 11 thousand amazing miles later

@@micalamorrison2162 ooh nice haha! Yeah im looking for a mt03 right now! So exited for it😊

Congrats. 👍

Appreciate it!

Good info, thanks!

Cheers mate, glad you like the pic! :D

@april rose Harvey Hi, no it’s fine, just tuck down when you’re really shifting. Up to 70 is not a problem. I tuck right down for anything above that.

@april rose Harvey also you can get bigger screens for them if you want

I'll try! Sometimes I'm in a rush and I do miss certain things. Thanks for the feedback and for watching. Take care. EBD.

Finally! I was starting to believe it was just me.

Check out RS version. It is the same bike just with classic design.

@@Jurica-mtb yes I saw it, just released. they did a splendid job, a shame that it's with a 180 deg crank but nice nonetheless. I wish they do the same with the Z400.

@@ripmax333 I'd like to check out the Vulcan.

Same 4 me.. had a er6n, have a Z900 now. Love both bikes

I’m from Australia too and am wondering if this would be a good first bike. Did you end up getting the z650?

The only reason I mentioned price is because it's £350 less than the CB650R in this country, which has far superior suspension, brakes and about 20bhp more. It's not a bad bike but in a sector with the MT07 and the SV650 (which is cheaper) I feel the Z650 might get overlooked.

@@Englishbikerdan Dan have you tried out a 3rd gen SV 650? Out of the 3 twin 650's (Mt-07, SV 650, and this) Which would you prefer?

@@BennyZ88 Not the new new one with upgraded brakes. It's on the cards though. 👍

@@Englishbikerdan Can't wait for that video! Next summer I'm upgrading from my cbr250r and I'm stuck between the new SV and the CB650R. I know the CB is a more premium bike but it's $2000 more expensive here in Canada so I'm not sure if it's worth paying that premium over the SV. Thanks for the reply! Cheers

@@BennyZ88 Yeah it's a big chunk of money extra for sure! Watchout for the SV650 vid soonish!

John Innes I was also considering the Suzuki SV 650 but this Kawasaki Z650 looks great and the tft is very nice. Here in SW France the SV 650 is a little cheaper than the Kawasaki and the Yamaha Mt 07. The Honda CB650R is a fair bit more expensive. The SV 650 is a little heavier and perhaps needs an update although a lot people still love the traditional styling of the SV. There are some rumours that a new Suzuki SV 650 parallel twin is in the design stage! Pity Dan has not yet reviewed the SV 650. I think he is too attached to his Honda!

I own the sv650x with OEM SV650 handlebars. I've had lessons in both the CB650R and z650. I by far prefer the sv650x. The z650 feels a little bit smaller & cramped. I'm 184cm. For some reason the grip on the z650 feels worse as well and a bit of a spongy suspension. The clutch on the z650 is phenomenal though. Just perfect. Engine sound is somewhat boring. Low speed maneuvers are great on this machine, except for the snatchy on-off throttle The CB650R is overall a great bike. It's just that the clutch is a little heavier and the powerband comes a little bit later in the RPM's. It feels very planted in corners and at the same time agile. The cb650r is a little more boring as in, you can't fully push the bike & feel extremely confident doing so. Although that online 4 exhaust note is very nice. Comfort is amazing. Low speed maneuvers are a little harder. The sv650x has a low down powerful pull, very nice engine sound even with OEM exhaust. Feels planted in corners and has that goldilock zone of street cornering comfort. Soft suspension in a good way and the powerband seems to pull all the way to 8500RPM. The sv650x is able to be pushed hard and you'll love it. It's just the right amount of power to become very confident with the bike & ride a little bit aggressive. Low speed maneuvers are a bit of a middle of the road between z650 & CB650R but the Low RPM assist works wonders for u turns and such.

Waikit Choi Thank you for your reply. Nice to read your honest comments regarding all three bikes. The SV 650 certainly takes a lot of beating. Lovely engine sound with the stock exhaust, good torque throughout the entire rev range at an affordable price. Ride Safe!

Spot on, sounds amazing when on the go, this never gets a mention in most of the reviews.

Thanks Stefan!

I've already done one, please check my video from last year. 👍

I think MT 07 is still better thant this 2020 Z650. It just has fancy features

Which one is best of the 3 ?

@@gsat3364 MT-07 has less features actually tho, like no slip and assist clutch that the Z650 and the CB650R have.

Good luck mate 👊👍

Did you get your license yet mate? Did my theory in April got my mod 2 done this Saturday, all on different cities along the way to beat the Covid queues haha!

@@vikmaynard8109 Well done, got my mod 1 in September.

@@leonhenry7165 best of luck Leon, I'm sure you'll smash it !

Hopefully ZH2 soon. 😁

Been riding for over 40 years, owned everything from 125's to 1100's. My 2017 Z650 is the most fun bike that I have owned. At 66 years old, I don't need a 700lb cruiser or a full liter sportbike. I stay off the main highways, have a lot of fun on secondary highways & backroads. Yes, the OEM tires suck, can't wait to put on a set of Pirellis.

Thanks, this is quite an old one now so well done for finding it! Some random trivia for you, I nearly quit YT when I recorded this vid.

@@Englishbikerdan I am very glad you didn’t. I often end up watching old videos without realising because I am interested in the bikes. I don’t buy new as I can’t afford them.

Thanks 👍

Not ridden the MT07 so can't compare but I am 6 ft and the Z650 is definitely cramped for me. I increased the seat height and that has helped but the bike is still pretty small for my height.

Same here, but now I have a Z900 😎

Yeah, it's a pocket rocket!

Thank you. I only have one Kawasaki dealer near me and even then it's an hour and a half away. They don't have any Z400's on demo. Sadly I'm limited to bikes the dealer has in stock on their demo fleet. If they get one in at some point I'll test it though.

EnglishBikerDan awesome, that’s all good man. I’ve watched a few reviews on the z400 but I prefer your videos as I trust you more than others. It’s good to see some videos near me as I live just outside Bournemouth so I know all those roads you were on. If you do get a chance to get on the ninja then that would be great but I do understand that it’s up to the dealer and what they have. Keep up the good reviews man and il see you on the next one. 👍🏻

@@Dan_B_Rides Thanks, I had a hell of a time getting a dealer to agree to let me film a ride. Most just flat out said no. Never had that with most motorcycle dealerships. Thankfully the folks at Bournemouth Kawasaki saw the value in what I do! Bournemouth is a nice part of the country and some lovely roads. Cheers!

EnglishBikerDan the guys at Bournemouth Kawasaki are great and helpful. I’ve been in a few times to look at bikes and they are so good. Keep up the good work mate and thanks for all the great content you create.

I still love it, lacks power after riding the CB1000R but it's still a really great bike. I can't see me parting with it anytime soon.

Bikes are fun!

@@Englishbikerdan And these really do pick up don’t they!? 😁👍

It's down to looks. If the Ninja 650 looks better to you get that. Everything else is almost exactly the same. Sit on both if you're not sure. I love my Z, but the looks are not for everyone. Dan comparing it to Marmite is spot on.

As an American this almost a different language 😆

@Calamity it's has a nice depth to the sound and is truly enjoyable when you open it up with the intakes. I had the ninja 400 before this one and it's sounds like a twin with testicular fortitude 👍 You could probably pay a lot more for a slight increase but it thrives nicely

I had a ninja 400 before it also...1 flip over the rear end of a car and enough scratches to right it off made stepping up to the torque both cheap and fun as hell

I tried but the dealer doesn't have any demo bikes. So it's not looking likely. 😔

@@Englishbikerdan yep true my man I forgot Kawasaki are running low on numbers at the mo, probably be a few months at least unless another dealer....

It keeps getting flagged for copyright. Not sure why so I'm waiting too!

@@Englishbikerdan ok, we will wait. I actually got one based on your review he he he

@@experienceph7703 Nice one! It's a great bike. I still really love mine. :)

Well you know what I ride. 😎

@@Englishbikerdan Haha ofcourse, its just you seem to enjoy the bike and we would have to call you KawiBikerDan 🤣

@@Yoo_yuz It was a fun ride for sure but most bikes are fun! I wish I could buy them all! :D

i would have bought a CBR650R if they were easier to unrestrict. honda made them pretty lame here in Australia unfortunately

I'll take a look! Cheers bro! 👍

MT 03 is a great small bike. You will like it for sure.

The CB650R has a more premium feel to it overall. Better suspension and brakes and around 25bhp extra too. That's not to say the Z650 isn't good, it's just hard to overlook the CB650R in my country when it's only £350 more expensive than the Z650!

@@Englishbikerdan cheers Dan! For the sake of 350 quid it's a bit of a no brainer then. Think I'll splash a bit extra for heated handgrips as well mind 😉

I'll see what I can do, not sure where there's a dealer around here...

Sadly not, I cannot get hold of one for review.

Yes, mine was this way from New!

2023 Z650 here, Oklahoma USA. Yep there is vibration across the board, I don’t mind it though. I had a 21 Kawasaki Ninja 400 went to this…I am enjoying it so far. I don’t think I will change the exhaust, I actually like the look and sound on it!

Yeah this bike is now at the bottom of the naked category sadly. It's still fun but hard to justify with all the fierce competition.

Don't underestimate the appeal of reliable, cheap yet fun transport. :)

@@Englishbikerdan definitely true, I just feel like most people that can afford this can also afford one of a number of bikes which are better. But yeah, different strokes for different folks.

The dealer doesn't have any Z900's for me to test sadly. 😭

Honestly, I think the Z650RS would be the one I chose.

Not really. Kawasaki have always been known for their induction roar. I've owned 5 Kawasaki's and it's good to see they still have the same acoustic characteristics.

Add fairings and lower grips and this is that video. Lol

I'm looking for upgrading my bike and I also I think Z1000 suitable for me...

@@cuccitiniooiglesias187 z1000its too much for me but if Kawasaki redesign the looks,ill go for it

@@saifulfikri1723 ok my dear friend...

@@saifulfikri1723 I'm think two options of upgrade my bike.so I think CB 1000R suitable for me or Z1000 R