QUICKSPIN I 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS
P114
Z650 to Z650RS
Pictured is the
Metallic Moondust
gray Z650RS.
There's also a
Candy Emerald
green one.
Instrumentation blends old with new.
At the heart of the Z650RS is the
same liquid-cooled DOHC eight-valve
649cc parallel-twin engine and steel
trellis frame you'll find in the naked
Z650, but styling, of course, and
ergonomics are very different. The RS
has a much more relaxed riding posi-
tion than the Z650. This was achieved
by positioning the RS's upper triple
clamps 0.8 inches higher and install-
ing flatter and wider handlebars that
are also two inches higher and 1.2
inches closer to the rider at the grips.
Footpeg positioning is different, too,
and the new stepped seat is nearly
a half-inch taller, which means more
legroom. Overall seat height is still low
enough at 31.5 inches.
Now the fun part—styling. Kawasaki
said it was going for "timeless good
looks with simple and modern design
touches." A great example of this is
the RS's 5.1-inch LED round headlight
with a thick headlight ring that gives it
that extra modern touch.
