it just seems so funny hearing a 650 being referred to as a middleweight. I remember when a 650 was a big bike. At 63 people automatically assume I ride cruisers, NOT. An agile bike to me is a safer bike, avoidance is your only protection on a motorcycle. My next bike purchase will be a Z650.
EY OH! Boss Bikes Club and my good friend N. This collaboration taught me a lot, thank you! I've never done a motorcycle review in the past and it is SO FUN! I am super fortunate to have worked with such wonderful people, with no pressure and tons of laughs. I felt completely free to form my own voice and there was never a dull moment! I truly hope this video will be helpful and I look forward to collaborations in the future!! I am 5'5" for reference. I found the bike to be a comfortable height. Best, Gear Up Get Out aka Liz :)
Many thanks for your comment. That's what we believe: reviews should let you know how it feels to ride a bike, not just its tech spec. We hope you subscribe and enjoy our other reviews too!
I really like the look of the z650, and i might go and see if i can get the LAMS approved version. I might have to look up a better suited exhaust pipe for this bike though.
Hits the nail on the head - that bike is sheep in wolf's clothing. needs an after-market pipe to make it sound anything like it looks! Nice review - great cameras!
Living and commuting in Manila, I love the quieter sound at low RPM. It lets me hear anything that might be going around me. Once on the Expressway the sound picks up nicely as the RPMs increase.
How is this compared to the Z900 in the city ? I'm curious about lane splitting on the Z900 compared to the 650, as well as fuel economy. Can you make a comparison video between those two bikes in real life situations ? City/ traffic riding, fuel economy, a bit of touring etc ? I would totally appreciate that !
Thanks for the compliment. We didn't notice that vibration. But then we've riden lots of bikes which are supposed to have a vibration and not felt them, then some which are supposed to be supersmooth, and felt vibrations! So...there's a little bit of luck in the actual example you buy. So please subscribe and enjoy our other reviews!
Just bought a new '17 the dealer had sitting in the showroom. It does have different levels of vibration at different speeds and rpm but I have yet to find any bike that is completely vibration free. Overall I haven't felt it to be annoying or overbearing in any way that would cause rider fatigue.
Hi Nathan. The Z650 is a lovely, light bike with no obvious flaws, and as such it's a great middle-weight 'first big bike'. Of course, it would make sense to get a good bit of mileage and experience on something like a 125cc bike first, so that gears, clutch, braking and general handing are very familiar to you before you do take on the considerable power this bike has. Happy and safe riding!
I wish I started on the 650 tbh, but I say this in hindsight. Buy a used 300cc off craigslist. No dealer tax or any of that crap. You'll ride it for about 3-12 months then you can sell it for about the same cost and buy a 650cc+.
This bike or MT07? I'm leaning towards this bike than the MT07 just because of the seat height I am short and on the beginner skill level. Any thoughts which one should I buy?
you're lucky that they're both great bikes...the MT07 is torquier in feel, and might be a bit more challenging, so perhaps the Z650 is the gentler start to a bigger bike.
Boss Bikes Club thank you for the speedy reply and the insight. Yeah I will check the Z650 again and thinking getting the 2017 model to save a lil bit of money. I know i can get better deal on used market but I like new and I have nobody with me to check a used motorcycle. Anyways thanks again and I'm excited to get the bike.
I think you are referring to it not being a big bike - and that's true. Of course, equally, it's just right for people who have slightly smaller frames themselves!
only those with ability to pick up a bike in fallen position may complain that particular bike is kinda small for them. not that hard but bigger dudes who are unable to pick 'em up do exist.
Not sure about all the emphasis on how this bike sounds. Smart riders will all wear earplugs and then it really doesn't make any difference in how it sounds. With this bike, it's the vibration that should concern you. I have a brand new one and the vibes are bothersome.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting! We've come to like quiet and loud bikes - it's part of what a bike is. But this one looks like it'll be loud, then plays a soft tune low down, followed by a good bit of noise higher up the revs...it's a bit Jekyll and Hyde, really. That's the point we were making :)
I 'm still in the break-in period and havn't had it over 60MPH. I'm already thinking of selling it if the vibes in the bars don't get better or I can't find a way to address them. So far Gel grips haven't helped. In the meantime, the buzzy, tingly viibes are putting my fingers to sleep after 40 miles.
You HOPE it will back off after break-in or you know it will? Hate to ride it another 1000 miles and find out it doesn't. Then its harder to sell and not worth as much. I love a LOT about it...but the vibrations in the bars are more than disappointing.
I'm 5'5" with a 28" inseam and this bike fits me better than anything else out there. It's very narrow enabling you to get your legs straight down. You should really test ride one to be sure. And it's VERY light.
No way .. check out this guy .. he is about 5-3 and rides this bike. check out this vid ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uHkob7iTLnk.html
This all sounds oddly familiar. I had a 78 z650 at 18 and it had 62bhp and was very light! But it sounded and looked and went much better than this IMHO :). But this still sounds pretty cool :)
Yep that's very true! The Kawasaki Z line have always been consistently great :). I have a 1975 Z1B Z900 and 1984 750 turbo ( the engine of which started out as a Z650 back when Kawasaki first started developing the 750 turbo engine ) and they to, are both fantastic engaging and charismatic bikes. I really don't think I've never met a Zed I didn't like :). And the B2 Z650, like the Z550, Z750, Z900, Z1000, Z1300, Z1R, GPZ 1100 and 750 turbo, was a 4 cylinder engine :).
Thanks for a really helpful and informative comment! One of the things about the current Z650, of course, is that the twin configuration does seem to have less character...and it's especially true against a long history of 4s...
