Today’s neo-retro movement is split into two main subgenres. At one end, there are oil cooler-hiding, carburetor-emulating accurate recreations such as Triumph’s Bonneville series. Then there are the technologically advanced, modern naked bikes dressed in historical garb. These throwbacks are defined by many distinct combinations of form and function, yet others lean more to one side of the modern-classic split.
The 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS, on the other hand, prefers to meet riders in the middle of the neo-retro crossroads. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 649cc parallel-twin is modern, but the lack of technological rider aids harkens back to simpler times. Similarly, the gold-painted spoke-style cast wheelset, analog/LCD instrument cluster, and circular LED headlamp combine modern convenience with period-appropriate aesthetics.
When it comes to style, Kawasaki leans heavily on nostalgia. The RS is a carbon copy of its 1976 KZ650 forefather, with a traditionally styled fuel tank, an upswept tail section, and Candy Emerald Green paint. The 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS shares profound regard for motorcycling’s Golden Era, but it still needs to exist in the modern world, and there’s no better site for a stress test than Los Angeles, California.
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What Are Kawasaki Z650RS 2022 Characteristics?
The Ninja 650 sportbike, Versys 650 adventure-tourer, and Vulcan S cruiser have all been powered by Team Green’s lean but not so mean 649cc parallel twin. Across that spectrum, Kawasaki keeps the platform’s 83mm bore, 60mm stroke, and 10.8:1 compression rate, and the Z650RS doesn’t change the family recipe. That is not, however, a bad decision.
Despite its mundane label, the RS’s faithful sibling remains the royal treasure. Since its debut in 2006, Kawasaki has progressively refined the zippy powerplant, and the newest Z is the direct benefit of that maturation process. Torque peaks at 48.5 lb-ft (at 6,500 rpm), but a powerful low-to-mid-range and precise throttle response keep the ’70s-styled standard going strong.
The mirror twin enjoys bopping around town as well. The Z650RS smoothly navigates tight city circumstances thanks to its tractable powerband and user-friendly engine character. But that doesn’t mean the 650 twin isn’t eager to ramp up the pace. The RS enters attack mode with a single committed crack of the throttle. The noisy intake honk and rear-wheel squat of the classic roadster just add to the excitement of those sudden pulls.
The engine retains its playful personality whether you lug it down low or rev it to the heavens, and only relents when the tach needle approaches the 10,000-rpm redline. The smooth six-speed transmission and positive gear engagement make steep ascents even easier. Only a tiny buzz goes through the bars and pegs as you ascend through the gears. Engine vibration is transmitted mostly through the gas tank to the rider’s knees, but it is never of such magnitude to detract from the ride.
The tight confines of the Southland’s canyons, on the other hand, posed significant challenges to the wundermill’s supremacy. Although the Z650RS is equipped with an assist and slipper clutch, forceful downshifts caused the rear wheel to step out of line on occasion. Each occasion resulted in a rear-tire chirp that undermined the chassis’ stability immediately before tip-in, making forceful corner entries less than desirable, especially after lengthy straights.
As a result, I frequently maintained the Z650RS in one gear too high when entering low-speed corners and chugged my way out with the twin’s low-down torque. The 649cc powertrain exceeded my expectations throughout the urban sprawl, twisties, and interstate. The package surrounding Kawasaki’s versatile platform, on the other side, demonstrates that the RS prioritizes power over precision.
What Are Kawasaki Z650RS 2022 Weaknesses?
The first thing a rider will notice when nestling into the Z650RS’s 31.5-inch-high saddle is the bike’s substantial sag. Unfortunately, the suspension action does not strengthen throughout the stroke. I figured the Kawi’s middleweight frame would suit my long and lean dimensions. Instead, I regularly blasted through the 4.9-inch and 5.1-inch suspension travel of the undersprung 41mm fork and rear monoshock (respectively).
In town, the buoyant behavior smoothed off minor pavement irregularities, but sharp-edged potholes frequently stretched the horizontal back link-equipped shock to its limits. The sensitive dual two-piston Nissin calipers squeezing dual 300mm petal discs didn’t help matters. The fork frequently dived under typical braking pressure due to an abrupt initial bite. The non-adjustable fork dived through a large percentage of the available stroke even while touching the binders during low-speed maneuvers.
That lightly sprung suspension poses unique complications in the esses. The ambiguous signal not only impairs the rider’s ability to detect road irregularities. That feel makes assessing available grip a guessing game at lean. A bump frequently sends the bike pogoing, which can be especially annoying on California’s seismically changed canyon roads. The high-tensile trellis frame and gull-wing swingarm of the Kawasaki Z650RS still provide a soft yet stable ride, but with undersprung suspension at both ends, the Z650RS is all agility without accuracy.
What Kind Of Electronics Does Kawasaki Z650RS 2022 Use?
Bikes from yesteryear didn’t require the electrical gizmos that muddle today’s motorbike market, and it appears that the Z650RS doesn’t either. Aside from the optional Bosch 9.1M ABS system, Team Green’s latest throwback does not rely on electronic nannies to keep things in check. The RS despises all types of control—traction, wheelie, slide, and so on. To be honest, the vintage-styled bare would not gain from them in the long run.
Unless the rider is pinning the throttle at full lean or attempting dank nooners, the rider’s only control is over their right wrist. That simplicity is one of the Z650RS’s most liberating features. There are no traction parameters to configure. There are no multi-level engine braking systems to consider. Just sling a leg over and we’re off.
The ride itself is also very relaxing. The analog speedometer and tachometer provide familiarity, but the multi-function LCD display provides useful information such as gear position range, current usage, and coolant temperature. The RS’s amicable character is captured by a neutral, nearly upright riding position, and the low foot pegs provide more than ample leg room for riders under six feet. Although the cockpit is small, I wouldn’t describe it as tight. The Z650RS does not pamper the rider with modern luxuries, but it more than makes up for it with vintage charm.
What Are The 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS Specifications?
Here you can see the specifications of the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS.
| ENGINE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY | CHASSIS MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY |
|---|---|
| DUAL THROTTLE VALVES | HORIZONTAL BACK-LINK REAR SUSPENSION |
| ECONOMICAL RIDING INDICATOR | ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) |
| ASSIST & SLIPPER CLUTCH |
| PERFORMANCE | |
|---|---|
| Rear Brakes | Single 220mm disc, ABS |
| Front Brakes | Dual 300mm discs with two-piston calipers, ABS |
| Rear Tire | 160/60 ZR17 |
| Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel | Horizontal back-link with adjustable spring preload/5.1 in |
| Front Suspension / Wheel Travel | Telescopic fork/4.9 in |
| POWER | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 |
| Ignition | TCBI with electronic advance |
| Fuel System | DFI® with Keihin 36mm throttle bodies |
| Maximum Torque | 48.5 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm |
| Final Drive | Sealed chain |
| Bore x Stroke | 83.0 x 60.0mm |
| Transmission | 6-speed, return shift |
| Displacement | 649cc |
| Z650RS DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki Protection Plus™ (optional) | 12, 24, 36 or 48 months |
| Color Choices | Candy Emerald Green, Metallic Moondust Gray/Ebony |
| Warranty | 12 Month Limited Warranty |
| Frame Type | Trellis, high tensile steel |
| Rake/Trail | 24.0°/3.9 in |
| Curb Weight | 412.3 lb* |
| Overall Length | 81.3 in |
| Overall Height | 43.9 in |
| Overall Width | 31.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 55.3 in |
| Seat Height | 31.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.9 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.2 gal |
Final Thoughts
Based on Kawasaki’s Z650 model from 2017, the 2022 Z650RS remixes a winning formula for nostalgic newbies and vintage-skewing veterans. However, the ensuing makeover comprises more than just modified body panels. The trim-specific, era-inspired wheelset, bullet-shaped dial casings, and LED round headlight/oval taillight fill out the package but raise the price to $8,999.
The Z650RS not only finds a Goldilocks zone of current-classic looks, but it also strikes a balance between modern performance and yesteryear purity. Its straightforward electronics free the way for the snappy 649cc parallel-twin to steal the show, all while dazzling onlookers in Candy Emerald Green. Other competitors may rush to the extremes of the neo-retro spectrum, but the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS gladly occupies the space between the Golden Era and the current era.