2017 Kawasaki Z650 Preview
Kawasaki tipped its cap at Intermot last month about its upcoming Z650 and Z900 nakeds. It was an odd strategy, releasing a couple of images and what looks to be an early draft of its EICMA press release. Well, now the Milan show is finally here and Kawasaki has officially confirmed the two models.
Of the two, the final Z650 announcement offered no changes from what was announced in Cologne. Some of that is no doubt due to the long-established success of the Ninja 650 (also updated for 2017) which shares its parallel-Twin engine. Used here on the new Z650, the 649cc engine claims peak outputs of 67.3 hp at 8,000 rpm and 48.5 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. The Z650 comes with an assist and slipper clutch to ease its way through its six-speed gearbox.
The Z650 also shares the new Ninja 650’s trellis frame. Claiming a weight of just 33 pounds, the high tensile steel trellis helps contribute to the Z650’s overall claimed curb weight of 412 pounds, or 13 pounds less than the new Ninja.
The suspension system consists of a 41mm telescopic fork and a horizontal back-link shock with adjustable preload. Dual 300mm front brake discs are paired to dual piston calipers while a single-piston caliper stops the 220mm rear disc. A Bosch 9.1M ABS is offered as standard.
There was one notable change from the Intermot announcement to the final EICMA presentation. The earlier press kit casually mentioned helmet lock would be offered for the Z650 as an accessory in the U.S. market, the only indication of whether the bike would be offered here. The new press kit makes no mention of the U.S. (or the optional helmet lock for that matter). Does this change suggest a change of heart for Kawasaki Motor Corp. U.S.A.? We’ll have to wait to find out.
2017 Kawasaki Z650 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 649cc |
| Bore and Stroke | 83.0 x 60.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.8:1 |
| Valve system | DOHC |
| Fuel system | DFI with 36mm Keihin throttle bodies |
| Ignition | TCBI with electronic advance |
| Starting | Electric |
| Lubrication | Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump |
| Maximum power | 67.3 hp at 8,000 rpm (claimed) |
| Maximum torque | 48.5 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm (claimed) |
| Transmission | 6-speed, return shift |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual |
| Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel |
| Front suspension | φ41 mm telescopic fork |
| Front wheel travel | 4.9 in. |
| Rear suspension | Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload |
| Rear wheel travel | 5.1 in. |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 Dunlop |
| Rear tire | 160/60 AR17 Dunlop Sportmax D214 |
| Front brakes | Dual semi-floating φ300mm petal discs with dual-piston caliper |
| Rear brakes | Single φ220 mm petal disc with single-piston caliper |
| Caster (rake) | 24.0º |
| Trail | 3.9 in. |
| Steering angle (left/right) | 35º / 35º |
| Overall length | 81.3 inches |
| Overall width | 30.5 inches |
| Overall height | 42.5 inches |
| Wheelbase | 55.5 inches |
| Ground clearance | 5.1 inches |
| Seat height | 30.9 inches |
| Curb mass | 412 pounds (claimed) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gallon |
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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I wish I had the money to afford this beauty! It was a great bike before but now it's just straight up perfect, the only downfall I could say about it is that fact that abs can't be turned off like the ktm rc390.
Personally I am failing to see a reason to buy this over the Yamaha FZ-07 unless its out of some type of brand loyalty.
The FZ-07 is lighter, has more HP and torque, and is cheaper.