Faults:

Some intermittent starting problems, which can be solved simply by cleaning the starter button switch or checking the battery, which may be worn out.

The front suspension is a bit stiff and can dip sharply under hard braking.

Drivers over 1.85 m (6'0") may find the driving position uncomfortable, with a forced knee angle.

Occasionally it can be difficult to find neutral or engage first gear, often related to the clutch safety system or the kickstand.

General Comments:

The Z650 RS retains the classic design from the 70s and 80s, while adding new accessories that bring it up to date.

Thus, by embracing a charmingly seventies aesthetic, Kawasaki has developed a range that is not only visually stunning but also dynamically impeccable.

In this case, the lines of the old KZ650 have been faithfully followed, a motorcycle I'm particularly fond of because my brother owned one, with a Kerker 4-into-1 exhaust. It caused quite a stir on the street many years ago, something unthinkable today, and it brings back very fond memories.

It features the tubular frame seen on the latest 650s, with a conventional fork and lightweight 17-inch multi-spoke wheels for excellent road handling. All lights use LED technology, which helps give it a modern touch, especially the otherwise classic headlight.

The exhaust is neatly tucked away beneath the engine, without the side outlets of the original 70s design, which enhances the beauty of the wheels and the overall look. Undoubtedly, a nice aesthetic touch.

Electronic aids have been reduced to a minimum… they're practically nonexistent! Aside from fuel injection and the mandatory ABS, there's nothing else: no traction control, no power mode selection, nothing like that. As for the instrument cluster, it features two analog gauges with a tachometer and speedometer, with a perfectly integrated digital display in between. Another excellent detail is the distillation that combines modern and traditional elements.

The work they've done on the 650cc twin-cylinder engine of this bike is impeccable. It has a distinctly classic roar, of course all controlled and legal, but powerful and beautiful.

Out on the open road, I noticed the rear end felt a bit soft, and the rear shock, perfectly integrated into the overall design, offers virtually no room for adjustment. However, the conventional fork (a good aesthetic choice not to use an inverted one) proved to be firm and perform well for a retro sport bike like this. Furthermore, the tire size strikes the perfect balance between agility and stability, with a 160 rear tire, which is what sport bikes used not so long ago, before the trend of "gigantism" took hold, where it seems a wider tire is always better.

Here, a very low weight (187 kilos declared in running order!) works very much in its favor, which, in addition to making it very, very manageable in driving, let's say, dynamic, allows you to move it at a standstill almost more easily than many scooters.

As for the brakes, they perform perfectly for a bike of this style, offering excellent modulation. This makes even slightly twisty sections of the road an absolutely enjoyable and fun ride, capable of easily reaching surprising speeds that would intimidate many a sportbike rider. You can carve through corners by precisely modulating the clutch, where each piston stroke seems to assist you. Then, on the exit, you can stretch through the gears with powerful yet perfectly controllable acceleration, savoring every meter you cover. However, with such exhilaration, you'll find yourself hitting the rev limiter before shifting up more than once. It's not a sportbike… but sometimes it feels like one.

The bike is very comfortable, with a good seat, footpegs low enough for comfortable riding (although you have to push really hard to scrape them), and handlebars high enough to avoid straining your wrists, shoulders, or anything else. Its fuel consumption is really low, and even riding very fast, with the aerodynamics that always weigh down any naked bike, we almost never exceeded 6 liters per 100 kilometers.

That's all I have to say about this great motorcycle; please excuse the length of the review. As a self-critique, I must say I've never been good at being concise.