New 2021 Kawasaki Z650rs and Z900rs opinion and rant 

Great review, I love the humour and I don't take offense, keep it going. Now for my view? I recently bought the Z650rs in Nov 2021 (UK) and love it. Traded in my four year old 650 Versys which you might think would be similar as it seems to use the same engine (I've also owned the ER6 which gave birth to this motor). In truth the gearing, bike weight, balance, height and latest engine tweaks makes the Z a very different experience from either the ER6 or Versys. I did own the the original Z650 in 1978 and 20 or so bikes on (12 Kawasaki) and 44 years older I just felt at my advanced age the urge to get back to no frills basics and this bike is exactly what I needed, absolute out and out fun. Pacey enough to play with the big boys, nippy and nimble enough to make light of city traffic. However if I was still into big miles all weather all terrain touring, then I'd have waited and updated to the new Versys due out in 2020 as the Z seems incompatible with anything other than soft luggage and a 12ltr tank (22ltr on the Versys) means I have to plan a little more about where the next fill up will be. It is though quite economical and can give 70mpg (UK gallons) if ridden sympathetically, but what's the fun in that? Pity that what I think should be basics, like grab rails and a helmet lock are optional extras and extortionary priced at that so bear that in mind, also no rack or anything useful is available, at least so far. Givi for example when I contacted them said they don't have any plans (as yet) to produce anything for this model.

Forget the gap and concentrate in the awesome sound of the Z900RS! Give four cilinders a chance! :) (I really appreciate your comments)

I've never taken much notice of the 'gap' on my z900rs but now that you have pointed it out I agree that it could definitely be a bit lower. Maybe its because of the horizontal monoshock fitted. Have to disagree in the sound though. Even the stock 900rs exhaust sounds amazing! I do like the thump thump sound of a single cylinder too though 👌👍

I like your argument, I just don't agree with most of it. Most twin rear shocks deserve to be in a museum not fitted to a modern motorcycle. I like the clean open looks of mono shock rear ends. You are really arguing to produce 70s and 80s style bikes but things have moved on and unfortunately Euro 5 has wrecked the design of most motorcycle exhaust systems (the 650s looking particularly wrecked!) That ugly bike in my channel logo is a four cylinder bike, the noise that bike makes is like no other four cylinder bike. The Yamaha CP4 cross plain crank engine has an unconventional firing order that sounds even better louder.

I loved the look of the original z650 produced from 1976-83.

i thought i love the every detail of the z650rs and z900rs but now that you mentioned it, it really doea look weird now with those big gaps.. but still dreaming of getting either of the 2 in the future..

I thought it was just me.. but that rear wheel gap you mention on that new Z900RS is the reason why I ended up with picking the W800 lol

Thanks for your share

I think that green z650rs looks great. Reminds me of my old Zephyr and that was easily one of my favorite bikes I’ve ever owned. I think the z650rs size and power is about perfect for me. I currently own a Kawasaki W800 cafe, am I going to sell it for the z650rs? Perhaps in a few years when the price gap isn’t bad in the used market

That’s exactly what came to my mind the first time I saw the Z650 rs. “What the hell is this monstrosity “. I’m a returning rider after a 19 years break. I am on the market for a bike. I must say that your videos are rather helpful. Keep it up.

I like the Z650 RS in green a lot so I don't agree with you about the looks however I believe there's room for all our opinions.I would be interested to know what bike you do ride.Cheers pal.

Def inspired by the old days but has some modern to it. I think the reason for the high tail is because its based off the z900 which is pure sport bike. I wonder if someone makes a fender kit for it to make it more retro (local guy lowered his about 2" and made the gap not as noticable)

Great that you speak your mind. Personally I have no issue with the big gap at the rear of the Z900rs , but I know where you are coming from. Only change I would do is a front fender extension , a black unobtrusive one. Might even buy the 900 this week.

You are entitled to your opinion but in my view you are wrong 😁 The old bikes you mention with no gap look very old fashion Get with the new fashion Uncle 🤣

Hey, I am a big fan of your Instagram channel, you have quite a photographic talent. And I like your closing comment, too! Now, I agree W800 looks better which is why I bought one with my own money. I also tried the Z900RS and I have to say, it feels amazing. Forget nit picking, Z900RS just feels right, it’s such a nice place to be. And while I really enjoy the authenticity of W800, I can still see a Z900RS somewhere on the horizon, gap or no gap. Not a GS, mind you 😄 And yes, it’s the Blighty one that I want primarily because I am still planning one more getaway this year…

In my opinion Z650rs is not a bike kawasaki designers really love, Looks like its been designed by accountants making full use of parts already on the shelf,how about a rant on the yamaha xsr900 next ? I can see a retro rants theme developing hehe

it is not worthy of the Z title, and it is short 2 cylinders, nothing like as classy as the original Z650

I don't agree, I love the gap at the back!!! It is different and fresh! This guy likes Cruisers, so he is a little biased!

I agree with Uncle Longbeard's aesthetic opinions; he is right here and right on the Moto Guzzi V7 Special too.

I bet you would love the Honda CB1100ex. Air cooled, twin shocks, beautifully made and no bullshit and I even like the sound of it.

Thanks for some down to earth design criticism. That's why I like classic bikes. A designer should know the basics of proportions and lines and their relations to each other which create a harmonic result. Same goes for the combination of colors and materials.

I agree Z650RS is junk! The original 650 is 4 cylinder, then should have retained 4 cylinder, and lower the back frame to wheel as you described.☹

Good opinion, and a bit of education on retro vs modern. Still think the 900 is the DB though! And still seriously thinking of going back to an in-line 4 after my Royal Enfield adventure 🤔

I briefly had a z650 back in the day, and I was hopeful for a retro new bike. But… firstly, I don’t like the gap either, but I really don’t like the engine on the z650. The 900 engine plays to its retro heritage but a twin I the z650 😮 nope. And don’t get me started on that bizarre exhaust on the 650 🤦‍♂️

I have the same criticism on modern bikes i just don't get the huge gap and the cut of mudguard so you get covered in crap then they stick a stupid piece sticking out the back for the number plate its like they don't know when new regulations are coming out

I think you need to feel it, which edit you want to do more. I find it always is better to edit, when the mood is just right. Sometimes that requires the correct inspiration. As for bikes go, why not Honda CBX 1000 for touring? Just too old model? I mean, it's not 4 cylinder :P

I Wonder if a gonna trade my Tiger to 900 RS of the w 800 kawa.now a now..and crome fenders and the insurens are a big diffrent for me.

It all comes down to personal preference really. After all the design that were made the last decades and the mixing of different aestethics, some people will hold to original designs, some will like the mixing up, some will only like the modern ones. Personnaly my all time favorite bike is a Honda CB350 from 1970. True classic look, iconic design. However I really like that Z650rs too. I think the tail is just a bit too long, other than that it looks great imo. I thought the exhaust looked odd at first but now I really like it. I don't mind the plastic looking parts and overall I think it's a hit. I can understand why some people don't like it; now it's like everything else, it's just depends on how much you're willing to open up yourself to change and difference. I can be a purist about some things, but totally open about others: I'm for pineapple on pizza 😂🙃

Agree totally personnel.. opinion of course...I've had a lot of fours but I've had a few twins lately and singles and I find going back to a four I find them so buzzy.....regarding the gap minimalist rears end up covering you in dirt or rain water...all subjective ...atb

Witch bike has the lower seat height the w800 or the z650rs, thanks

your not blonde

I think the same as you

The future is now old man

The Gap is really ugly and another fact is that the 17 inch wheels are also very ugly.Retro needs 18" rear and 19" front and "oldfashioned"rear shocks to look good and ride even better, with modern technology and quality build in.

When Kawasaki launched the rs i quized them about why they did not put twin shocks on the bike (would have closed that gap up )...the answer was people of today require the handling that goes with a monoshock...they had tried honda cb 1300 twin shocks but it didnt work very well....no shit sherlock .!!!!!...if you look on youtube you can find an rs that has been twin shocked...thats how it should have been..look under k factory rs twin shocks

Longbeard....you are a silly man. Good Good!

Oh dear I can see some offence being taken but hey ho! it wouldn't do for us all to like the same. Personally I tend to agree though, the original z650 is one of my all time favourite bikes but the new one misses the mark and is neither truly retro nor modern but kind of the worst of both worlds. The 900rs is better but still doesn't quite hit the spot for me. Japanese manufacturers are definitely missing the point of why retros are selling in most cases imho. There is a reason why the RE Interceptor is selling so well and it looks like the new Meteor is heading the same way and it is because a majority of buyers who want a retro bike generally don't want all the electronic bells and whistles, they want the bike to be a relatively simple thing that doesn't require a 200 page instruction book on how to operate it. As for what video I think the overseas stuff would be good for a change but I really don't care either way.

Make some valid points. Great video 👍

Continental first

3 cylinders!!!!!!

I don't know who or when the motorcycle manufacturers decided to jack up the rear ends of motorcycles, but I totally agree. The 650RS could be retro if they got rid of the parts bin swing arm that comes directly from the other 650's in the lineup. The exhaust has already been criticized, saying they should have dual exhausts sweeping down the back of each side. I agree. Me personally, I think to lower the rear on the 650RS and to make it truly retro, it should have dual shocks on the back end. People can argue that a mono shock is better but they're fooling themselves. Ohlins and other companies still make gas charged dual socks for modern and older applications. The dual shock, when properly tuned in, holds the road better than a mono shock in the turns, as one shock will be compressed inside the turn while the other stretches and pushes to keep road contact at maximum. Tires back then also had a larger contact patch. The jacked-up rear comes from the racing world where it was easier to design the frame to cant the bike forward by jacking up the back end. Btw, you'd love one of the bikes I own - a 1986 Yamaha SRX600. SUPER SINGLE. KICK START ONLY. 👍 Simply beautiful. I did put an aftermarket exhaust on it and jet it.

France 🇫🇷. Hopefully you rode along a coastline 😁

When I was receiving all the pre-launch emails and sneak peeks, I was expecting essentially Kawasaki's version of an Interceptor. What we got was a Z650 with a round headlight. Their was definitely no "Retrovolution" as they were calling it. And one other thing, what the hell has happened to the W800? Has it been dropped from the range again? So glad I got mine earlier this year as it might be one of the last ones in the U.K.