I've been riding since 1964. I've owned many motorcycles, large and small. I once owned a 900cc bike which was the quickest machine I've ever owned. But I've had more fun on smaller machines. The smaller bikes are more flickable, more fun in the twisties, and just easier to handle. WIth the 900 I was always pushing the limit of my abilities and therefore in much more danger. I would chose the 650 for sure. My only complaint with the 650 would be the higher rpm at highway speeds, but that can be easily corrected with the chain final drive. Just a larger spocket in front and a smaller one in the rear and then I would be happy. I saw a Z650RS at a local dealer that was gray and black. That would be the one I;d want.
They do look similar but are two very different machines. I've been an avid rider for the better part of the last 45 years, and after test-riding both back to back I opted for the smaller machine.
I am seriously considering the z650. I owned sport bikes for most of my life, most kawasaki. My most recent bikes were the Ninja 400 and Ninja 1000. Both bikes were great, but to be honest I had more fun on my 400. There was so much power i didn’t use riding the 1000. It just wasn't as fun.
I don't need 100+ horsepower on a bike for anything. For my riding style the Z650RS has power to spare, and even though it's not a cruiser-style engine with heaps of torque down low, the low weight and the relatively large capacity of the engine mean that there's more than enough ooomph throughout the whole rev range, judging from riding videos I've watched. It easily outpaces traffic without having to drop down two gears and overrev it. I also value low weight and I feel safer manhandling my bike at low speeds and parking lots if it's light. No, it won't escape the cops, if that's your thing. Sure the bigger brother is even prettier no doubt.
Looked at the lil one because it was the only one in the showroom. I knew what I wanted and it was the retro inline 4 with gleaming headers. There's so much more too. Love my café.
Got an amazing good deal on a second hand Z900RS, even the color I had been searching for. Hands down my favorite motorcycle I've ever owned. I do need those gold wheels though...
At about 5:25 mark, that sure looks like a Moto Guzzi V7 pulling onto the road, not a Kawasaki at all. The leopard vest and tail thing - is that one of those "Furries"? Good video though.
There is no comparison. Anyone who's ridden the Z900RS would never consider the lil twin - unless they couldn't afford it. 43,000 mi on my Z900RS and loving it just as much as brand new. Vroom Vrooom.
@@Cocobrain26 I'm on my 4th set of bought tires (not counting the original Dunlaps). But I got shortened life out of the last set due to a nail. I would be going on that 4th set coming up soon anyway, say by 46,250. So it's reasonable wear.
@@aperlia6603I have been riding for 50 years and just bought a leftover 2022 Z650RS in this color. I still have my street glide for long trips but eventually I will sell it has it’s quite heavy for me in my older years. I love the look and feel of the 650, it reminds me of my 1978 KZ 750 which had 13 less horsepower. I’m even considering leaving the Harley home and riding my Z650RS on a 1700 mile ( round trip) road trip. I’ve had fast bikes like my 2008 FZ 1000, different bikes for different times in our lives.
I had the suzuki gsr600 4 cilinders and it was absolutely fantastic. Such a smooth and powerful engine!!! No vibrations or heat at all. The z650rs with a 4 it's my dream too!!
@@valentinafiorini5324I agree, they really dropped the ball making it a 2 cylinder. That said I still bought the Z650RS in the Candy Emerald Green. I had a 78 KZ750 2 cylinder and my cousins Honda 550 4 cylinder vibrated less at 75 mph. With the savings buying a 2022 leftover I don’t have to sell my Street Glide. Stay safe
I had the choice between a new 2023 Z650 RS for $9100 or a new 2022 Z900 RS 50th anniversary edition for $9675.......HELLO !! I bought the Z900 hands down.
Great video,but is everybody out there a Billy no mates,my wife bought me the 9OORS se last year because we found the 650 too under powered two up,and she likes to be on the back as much as possible, after all she did pay for it,and also I don't have to go and pay for the petrol, 😁😆
I lust after the 900 - I decided against the 650 within the first few seconds of this video when you hear the wimpy Twin. (Note- I currently ride a bmw650……but I can’t buy the z650rs when I know the 900 is calling me.)
Not sure what you folks pay for insurance but that put the Z900RS on the shelf nothing is worth more than $ 200 a month in the motorcycle market no thanks. I’ll take the 650.
I've been riding since 1964. I've owned many motorcycles, large and small. I once owned a 900cc bike which was the quickest machine I've ever owned. But I've had more fun on smaller machines. The smaller bikes are more flickable, more fun in the twisties, and just easier to handle. WIth the 900 I was always pushing the limit of my abilities and therefore in much more danger.
I would chose the 650 for sure. My only complaint with the 650 would be the higher rpm at highway speeds, but that can be easily corrected with the chain final drive. Just a larger spocket in front and a smaller one in the rear and then I would be happy. I saw a Z650RS at a local dealer that was gray and black. That would be the one I;d want.
They do look similar but are two very different machines. I've been an avid rider for the better part of the last 45 years, and after test-riding both back to back I opted for the smaller machine.
The new for 2024 candy red 650 looks absolutely gorgeous.
Good review 👍🏻
I am seriously considering the z650. I owned sport bikes for most of my life, most kawasaki. My most recent bikes were the Ninja 400 and Ninja 1000. Both bikes were great, but to be honest I had more fun on my 400. There was so much power i didn’t use riding the 1000. It just wasn't as fun.
Very nice review and comparison 👍👍👍 i also like z650rs more
I don't need 100+ horsepower on a bike for anything.
For my riding style the Z650RS has power to spare, and even though it's not a cruiser-style engine with heaps of torque down low, the low weight and the relatively large capacity of the engine mean that there's more than enough ooomph throughout the whole rev range, judging from riding videos I've watched.
It easily outpaces traffic without having to drop down two gears and overrev it.
I also value low weight and I feel safer manhandling my bike at low speeds and parking lots if it's light.
No, it won't escape the cops, if that's your thing.
Sure the bigger brother is even prettier no doubt.
I like to work on the smaller bike... and riding is fun.
Why the hell do you bike testers bang on about a quick shifter ON A RETRO BIKE? Just not needed or wanted.
I totally agree. Wouldn't want or need one on my 900. Had one on my MT09 and sold it.
Exactly, mate 👍
Agreed!
Porque estás motos no tienen nada de retro , su mecánica es actual . De retro solo tienen el diseño .
@@cascarification Thank god you clarified that for us, would have never known otherwise
By Using the Established Z650 as a
Basis for the RS they have made it an Affordable Middleweight Motorcycle
Looked at the lil one because it was the only one in the showroom. I knew what I wanted and it was the retro inline 4 with gleaming headers. There's so much more too. Love my café.
the 'lil' one is an inline-2...
Got an amazing good deal on a second hand Z900RS, even the color I had been searching for. Hands down my favorite motorcycle I've ever owned. I do need those gold wheels though...
I am looking at buying one tomorrow and is a 2018 with 12k miles. I am curious, what did you pay for yours and the mileage ?
@@calebniederhofer6529 bought last year, around 6700 mi. , $9k
At about 5:25 mark, that sure looks like a Moto Guzzi V7 pulling onto the road, not a Kawasaki at all.
The leopard vest and tail thing - is that one of those "Furries"?
Good video though.
There is no comparison. Anyone who's ridden the Z900RS would never consider the lil twin - unless they couldn't afford it. 43,000 mi on my Z900RS and loving it just as much as brand new. Vroom Vrooom.
Most fun bike I’ve owned in 40 years of riding and a dozen different bikes.
How many set of tire have you been through?
@@Cocobrain26 I'm on my 4th set of bought tires (not counting the original Dunlaps). But I got shortened life out of the last set due to a nail. I would be going on that 4th set coming up soon anyway, say by 46,250. So it's reasonable wear.
@@aperlia6603I have been riding for 50 years and just bought a leftover 2022 Z650RS in this color. I still have my street glide for long trips but eventually I will sell it has it’s quite heavy for me in my older years. I love the look and feel of the 650, it reminds me of my 1978 KZ 750 which had 13 less horsepower. I’m even considering leaving the Harley home and riding my Z650RS on a 1700 mile ( round trip) road trip. I’ve had fast bikes like my 2008 FZ 1000, different bikes for different times in our lives.
If only the 650 was also a four cylinder, it would be fantastic. As was the kz650. I'll still go the 948. But then I'm a Zephyr rider.
it would have Been too Expensive
& Heavier if they made it a Four Cylinder ..
The RS900 would make more sense
If you want a 4C
I had the suzuki gsr600 4 cilinders and it was absolutely fantastic. Such a smooth and powerful engine!!! No vibrations or heat at all. The z650rs with a 4 it's my dream too!!
@@valentinafiorini5324I agree, they really dropped the ball making it a 2 cylinder. That said I still bought the Z650RS in the Candy Emerald Green. I had a 78 KZ750 2 cylinder and my cousins Honda 550 4 cylinder vibrated less at 75 mph. With the savings buying a 2022 leftover I don’t have to sell my Street Glide. Stay safe
I had the choice between a new 2023 Z650 RS for $9100 or a new 2022 Z900 RS 50th anniversary edition for $9675.......HELLO !! I bought the Z900 hands down.
if only they give the 650 a proper looking exhaust.
Easy enough to Do for any owner
Size doesn't matter... LOL, did she tell you that ;-)
A tool for every job.
Some may want bigger but can't handle it anyway 😉
Great video,but is everybody out there a Billy no mates,my wife bought me the 9OORS se last year because we found the 650 too under powered two up,and she likes to be on the back as much as possible, after all she did pay for it,and also I don't have to go and pay for the petrol, 😁😆
I lust after the 900 - I decided against the 650 within the first few seconds of this video when you hear the wimpy Twin. (Note- I currently ride a bmw650……but I can’t buy the z650rs when I know the 900 is calling me.)
It's just me or there's no sound in the video
Not sure what you folks pay for insurance but that put the Z900RS on the shelf nothing is worth more than $ 200 a month in the motorcycle market no thanks. I’ll take the 650.
650 is great if it was higher, more leg room
Please make a review of the Benelli Leoncino 800 (Trail and regular versions) 🙏🏻
Yes, that bike looks awesome 👏🏽
Why don't you review it for us. We're talking Kawi here. Ok?
Bought a Z900 in Feb. Loved the big 4 banger so much, bought a Z900RS in May. Love 'em both. You can keep the inferior 650 made in Thailand.
Do you always manage to reach the full power and speed?
It's actually made in japan
You can’t beat torque and wrist snapping acceleration. 950cc all the way !!!!
4 cyllinder sound better....2 cyllinder best for agility...
5min24sec
These vids show inexperience and over caution.not how it works. Know your bike and ride it like you know how.
4000…yikes.
30 kg of iron has its price 😁
All nonsense….900 end of story….rode both bought the 900