Kawasaki has been famous for its retro-designed motorcycles like the Z900RS, and the Americans have always loved them for the pleasure and fun it puts across the table. To make the retro motorcycle series more accessible, Kawasaki had brought out the Z650RS in 2021. The same motorcycle has been carried forward to 2022 as well. Available for sale at a base MSRP of $8,999, it is also one of the cheapest retro motorcycles on sale in the United States.
The 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS is essentially a Z650 underneath and comes with the same legendary 650cc parallel-twin motor, which is known for its unmatched reliability and excellent mid-range performance. Along with that, the 2022 Z650RS is also a fun-to-ride motorcycle that could lean into the corners pretty well. The comfort and fuel efficiency are top-notch too. The 2022 Z650RS is here to compete with the likes of the Yamaha XSR700, Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark, and the Royal Enfield Continental GT.
10 Comes With The Bulletproof Parallel-Twin Motor
The 650cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motor that does the duty in many motorcycles from the Kawasaki lineup is onboard the 2022 Z650RS as well. Putting out 67 hp and 47.2 lb-ft of torque, the 2022 Z650RS feels adequate for both the open freeways and for the winding roads. The motor sounds more pleasing than the Ninja 650 and the Z650, too.
The low-end and mid-range performance is what makes this parallel-twin a fan favorite. This motorcycle accelerates cleanly from as low as 2,000 rpm and hence overtaking vehicles in cities and highways is going to be a breeze. The smooth and crisp 6-speed gearbox with adequately short initial gearing and taller fifth and sixth gearing also adds to the riding experience.
9 Retro Design Language Looks Appealing From All Angles
Design is one area that Kawasaki has nailed. Coming with two color combinations, namely metallic moondust gray/ebony and candy emerald green, the 2022 Z650RS looks like it is taken straight from the 70s. The shortened front fender, neatly designed exhaust headers, and the beautiful round LED headlights adds to the character.
The golden pinstriping on the tank makes the Z650RS feel like a much more expensive motorcycle. When viewed from the sides, the wheels stand out due to the golden color Kawasaki has painted it (for the candy emerald green color). Apart from that, the silver accents, LED taillight and indicators, and reasonably wide 160 section tires also make the motorcycle more handsome.
8 Comfortable Ride Quality Is An Added Benefit
The Z650RS is mainly designed for having a good time around the back roads, and for such a motorcycle comfort is of high importance. Like the 2022 Z650, the 2022 Z650RS offers a pliant suspension setup, which is not too hard nor too soft. The front end is turned slightly to the softer side and that absorbs all the bumps and potholes on the road with excellence.
The rear suspension comes with an adjustable preload and is similar to the front-end setup. As a result, the rider and pillion are going to enjoy the supremely plush ride quality, irrespective of the speeds that they do. Even as the speeds rise, the suspension doesn't wallow, which is one of the major complaints about the Yamaha XSR700.
7 Handling And Road Manners Are Unlike Other Retro Motorcycles
One of the major gripes that the riders have with the motorcycles belonging to the retro segment is the unsophisticated suspension setup on offer, which is tuned mainly for comfort. However, that is not the case with the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS. It comes with the conventional telescopic forks with 4.9" of suspension travel for the front.
Even though the front end is tuned to the softer side, the motorcycle is adequately precise around the corners. It could lean in comfortably, hold on to the line well, and exit the corners without creating a fuss. The rear suspension is a horizontal back-link with an adjustable spring load and works well to enhance stability and cornering. The motorcycle is not highly affected by the crosswinds as well.
6 Doesn't Miss Out On Any Important Features
All the essential features that are needed for a retro motorcycle that costs close to $9,000 are onboard the Z650RS. Some of the engine management features like assist and slipper clutch, dual throttle valves, and economical riding indicator helps in creating a more efficient and comfortable riding experience.
Chassis management features like ABS and horizontal back-link rear suspension are offered too. The ABS is well calibrated and doesn't intrude too much while riding, unlike on the Continental GT. There is a small digital display embedded in between the analog dials and that displays gear position, odometer, temperature, fuel, and many more. It is bright and reasonably sharp too.
5 Heat Is Taken Care Of
Heating has never been a problem with this parallel-twin motor. Being in continuous production for quite some time, Kawasaki has managed to tweak and fine-tune this motor, which has resulted in something that has utmost reliability and very low heating.
This is a liquid-cooled motor, and hence the reasonably large radiator that is mounted up front helps extract the heat pretty well. The heat is not thrown to the legs of the rider, unlike the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark and the Triumph Street Twin. The radiator fan also works very silently, which is great for comfortable riding.
4 Braking Performance Is More Than Adequate For The Segment
Even though the braking performance of some of the yesteryear Kawasaki models was nothing to write home about, the same doesn't apply to the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS. The front end of this retro motorcycle comes with the dual 300 mm disc with 2-piston calipers and that contributes to excellent initial bit and top-notch feel and feedback from the brake lever.
The front braking progression is much better than the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT, both of which have lethargic braking progression. Even though the rear braking is not the best we have experienced, the single 220 mm disc brake does a good job of anchoring down the motorcycle. However, the initial bite isn't as good as the front setup. Both the front and rear get ABS as standard too.
3 Ergonomics Doesn't Have Anything To Complain About
The ergonomics of the 2022 Z650RS has nothing to complain about, and even the tallest of the riders would find the motorcycle very comfortable. The slightly forward set handlebar which is also raised, coupled with the rear set footpegs makes for a comfortable riding position. There is more than enough space for the legs too.
This allows the rider to adequately lean forward, which makes for a slightly sporty riding position. However, you could also sit straight and ride in a relaxed position as well. Even the pillion is also going to appreciate the not-so-high rear footpegs and the plush seats offered by Kawasaki for this retro motorcycle.
2 Excellent Build Quality And Reliability Of A Kawasaki
The 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS comes unchanged from the outgoing 2021 model, and hence the overall build quality remains identical too. Being a Kawasaki, all the switchgear and other touchpoints are much superior to most of the rivals like the 2022 Royal Enfield Continental GT and the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark. All the switches on the handlebar have a clicky feel to them, which is a good thing.
Apart from that, the panels, tank, footpegs, etc feel solidly put together and don't offer any sort of vibrations. Being a Kawasaki, coming with the parallel-twin motor, the motorcycle will also be supremely reliable. Many of the owners of the Z650 and Ninja 650 have reported having only done regular oil and filter changes till the 100,000-mile mark, and the same can be expected with the Z650RS as well.
1 Fuel Efficiency Is Better Than Most Of The Rivals
What makes the Kawasaki Z650RS one of the most compelling options of the segment is the outstanding fuel efficiency offered by this parallel-twin motor. If you ride sanely, this motorcycle could return close to 55 mpg of combined gas mileage, and that is higher than most of the rivals in the segment.
With a 3.12-gallon fuel tank, the Kawasaki Z650RS offers more than 170 miles of combined range as well. This makes it a reasonably good tourer of the segment. One other factor that makes the Z650RS stand out from the rivals is the economy riding indicator on offer, which is quite useful for churning out better mpg. Even if you ride the motorcycle like a maniac, it still returns respectable fuel mileage.