VOL. 53 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 13, 2016 P63
to-ride disposition and forgiving
nature courtesy of decent low-
end, which translates to easier pull
away from dead stop. The engine
is a proven performer, especially
where durability is concerned.
Kawasaki recently used the paral-
lel twin as a base to power the
manufacturer to the 2016 AMA
GNC1 Flat Track Championship,
which speaks volumes about the
potential of the bike's internals, as
well as its reliability.
Engineers focused their
attention on power delivery
to support everyday riding as
opposed to the type of top-end
performance rarely achieved on
the street. Twin 36mm throttle
bodies feed slim, downdraft-
styled intake ports that favor low
and midrange response with
relatively crisp throttle response
and acceleration as opposed to
top-end speed. The bike is em-
boldened by delivery of useable
torque at lower rpm's—which
gets to the rear wheel via final
chain drive.
The Z650's parallel twin has
a relatively torquey disposi-
tion (the torque rating of 48.5
lb-ft @ 6500 rpm exaggerated
by the bike's low weight—406
pounds (wet), which helps it
to get off the line with relative
ease. Surprisingly, despite the
small displacement, the bike can
be driven into a corner a gear
high and still provides enough
low-end to pull it through with-
out scrambling for gears. The
