Kawasaki Introduces The New Z650

The Kawasaki Z650 motorcycle is designed to engage your senses: your sights with its raw and refined look; your touch with the chassis' feedback to the rider; and your hearing with the specially engineered tune of the exhaust and intake. The open cockpit design allows you to experience your surroundings, hear the sounds of the city or country road and feel the wind.

The 2017 Kawasaki Z650 overall Highlights:
Trellis frame
Linkage-rear suspension
Minimal, slim bodywork
Entry-level pricing



The stripped down body work, slim lines and exposed engine and suspension components resonate the bike's raw theme, where only the necessary parts remain. It's a purpose-built motorcycle with tight body work and a light curb weight. There's beauty in its simplicity. The 2017 Kawasaki Z650 is the performance bike made for everyday riding. While influences from the generations of KZ and Z models have made this Z650 what it is today, it's still very much its own model, a new-school performance motorcycle for the all-around rider. This motorcycle suits a range of motorcyclists, whether they're looking for a real performance motorcycle that's comfortable and capable of lightweight handling, or a smooth, lightweight streetfighter, that's fun and easy to ride.

 

Engine Highlights

Proven performance of the 650cc platform
Slim exhaust design
A punch of low-to-mid range power that matches the Z fun factor
A progressive torque curve

Kawasaki's 650cc parallel-twin engine design has been a proven performer on the track. The new 650cc found in the Z650 however, is purposely tuned for street motorcycles to give the motorcycle a more even and steady torque curve. The engine features a slim intake and throttle body ports, which allow for finer atomization of fuel and improved engine airflow. Camshafts have reduced overlap and less duration, allowing for better midrange power. The engine ultimately has a smooth offthrottle power delivery, with a steady climb to max output.

Chassis Highlights

Trellis Frame
Twin-spar rear subframe
Engine is structural member of frame
Horizontal back-linked rear suspension

The high-tensile steel trellis frame uses the engine as a stress member, bringing engineering development from performance bikes to a lightweight, entry-level platform. Minimized bends in the frame cut down on stress-points and result in a lighter chassis. The rear section of the frame is a twin-tube, carried from the backbone of the frame, for added rigidity and improved carrying capacity. Kawasaki engineers developed a new gull-arm swingarm with a pivot width similar to the wheel axle, creating a straight line from pivot point to axle, increasing leverage and strength of the rear suspension. Utilizing a horizontal back-linked rear shock with linkage makes for easy tuning, improved comfort and a progressive character.

Ergonomics

Streetfighter ergonomics
Low-seat height and seat shape that narrows in the front for comfort and ease of reach to the ground
Handlebars placed forward for an aggressive riding position

The naked bike ergonomics feature the best of both worlds, in terms of a comfortable and an aggressive stance. The seating position and foot placement is low and forward, but with upright handlebars which allow for comfortable riding. The handlebars also increase leverage for adept, precise handling. Much thought was placed into the positioning and angle of the handlebars and grips. The Z650 grips are placed for a natural position for the rider's wrist, aiding in comfort and control. The narrow handlebars increase confidence and ease of use when making slow-speed corners. The Z650 motorcycle features a comfortable passenger seat and comes standard with passenger pegs, for easy two-up riding.

Insturmentation

LCD display
Adjustable shift light
Digital tachometer

The instrumentation features an LCD display, a major plus for performance-conscious riders is the tachometer/shift light that flashes when reaching a user-selected rpm. The instrumentation also includes a digital sweeping LCD tachometer, and gear position indicator. Riders can pick their favorite rpm display from a selection. A carbon-fiber appearance panel wraps the complete look of the instrumentation, for a clean and tight package.

Wheels, Tires, and Brakes

The 5-spoke wheel design adds to the lightweight handling characteristics. The wheels are wrapped in Dunlop Sportmax D214 tires that are constructed with improved wet weather performance. ABS-equipped Z650 units are available, which utilize the Bosch 9.1M unit that has been calibrated to work on the lightweight chassis to assist braking.

Specs

Engine: 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 649cc
Bore:83.0 mm
Stroke: 60.0 mm
Compression Ratio:10.8:1
Fuel System: DFI® with Keihin 36mm Keihin throttle bodies
Ignition: TCBI with electronic advance
Transmission: 6-speed, return shift
Final Drive: Sealed chain
Front Suspension: Telescopic forkFront
Travel (in./cm.): 4.9 in
Rear Suspension: Horizontal back-link with adjustable preload, swingarm
Rear Travel (in./cm.): 5.1 in
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR17 Dunlop
Rear Tire: 160/60 AR17 Dunlop Sportmax D214
Front braking system: Dual 300mm petal-type rotors with four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear braking system: Single 220mm petal-style disc w/ABS
Frame Type: Tubular, diamond
Rake/trail: 24.0°/3.9 in
Overall Length: 81.3 in
Overall Width: 30.5 in
Overall Height: 42.5 in
Ground Clearance:5.1 in
Seat Height: 30.9 in
Wheelbase: 55.5 in
Curb Weight: 412.3 lb**
Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal

Colors

Z650 ABS - Pearl Flat Stardust White / Metallic Spark Black

Z650 ABS - Metallic Flat Spark Black / Metallic Spark Black

MSRP

2017 Kawasaki Z650 ABS $7,399