It could be said that the medium-sized motorcycle segment is the most hotly contested ever. The sweet spot between 600cc and 800cc has given rise to a wide selection of motorcycles over the years, all designed to meet the needs of a wide range of riders. Kawasaki has been active in this segment for almost two decades, since the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and, unsurprisingly, the platform has given rise to a large number of motorcycles.

Today, the Kawasaki 650 platform includes not only the Ninja, but also the Versys, Vulcan S, Z650 and Z650RS. That said, for the 2024 model year, Kawasaki has updated the Z650 and Z650RS, mainly with new colors and a traction control system on the Z650RS. Importantly, the Z650 has already received traction control for 2023, and now its retro-inspired sister is getting the safety feature for 2024.

Starting with the Z650RS, the neo-retro roadster retains its basic underpinnings and boasts a very premium configuration and finish, just like its premium sister, the Z900RS. For 2024, the Z650RS retains its tried and tested engine, a 649 cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected twin-cylinder engine. It continues to have the same 180-degree crankshaft configuration, with no signs from Kawasaki pointing to a switch to the ever-popular 270-degree, or crossplane, configuration any time soon.

The Z650RS features a lightweight steel trellis frame and a standard telescopic fork with no adjustments whatsoever. The rear shock absorber, however, has preload adjustment. In the cabin, the rider is treated to a retro double-dial instrument panel with a simple multifunction LCD screen in the center. It has a round LED headlight and cast aluminum wheels shaped to look like spoked wheels, just like its bigger sister the Z900RS. It shares the same electronics package as the modern-style Z650, with dual-channel ABS and KTRC for extra safety, offering two riding modes.

Speaking of the Z650, it also gets a slight update for 2024, but continues to incorporate the Sugomi styling first introduced on the Z1000 a decade ago. Its base is exactly the same as that of the Z650RS, so there’s no need to analyze it in detail. However, it’s worth noting that the Z650 gets a color TFT instrument panel with smartphone pairing compatibility via the Kawasaki Rideology app. The wheels are also different, as the Z650 uses the lightweight cast aluminum wheels found on the Ninja 650, adding to its athletic and sporty stance.

O conteúdo Kawasaki aims to dominate the mid-size category with the updated Z650 and Z650RS aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.