Thank you. I long for reviews of bikes, that are just bikes. They don't have to be the most expensive, the fastest, the most complicated, but just a damned good bikes.

That 650 has a cassette style gear box! You can pull it out from the side of the engine without splitting the cases.

Because I’m an “old fart”, when I started riding almost all street bikes were naked/standard motorcycles, and you relied on the aftermarket to turn them into the “touring, racer, scrambler” you wanted it to be.  There’s nothing says you can’t do that same thing today 😉 !

Kawi did such a good job with this 650 engine, chassis, and controls. The handling is super sharp. Clutch/throttle smooth, the gearing is short so it really rips when u want to go fast.

Fantastic video.  I saw another video about the Ninja 650 at the Nurburgring.  It hit 135 mph and dude was passing sport cars like crazy in the turns.  Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the channel, but it was a great example of how cool a plain old road bike can be.

I’m 67. I ride a 2011 Speed Triple. No ABS, No TCS, nothing fancy. Just a naked beast that’s great to ride, puts a smile on your face every time you open the throttle and reminds you who’s boss every now and then. I don’t want to tour on it. I’m not interested in ‘group’ rides or track days. But I ride it every day, rain or shine and it always reminds me why I love bikes.

Well said, this bike, like the SV650, are bikes I always argue can do anything you need on the road; any more is just want. I have a garage full of bikes, and there is an SV650 in there, and more than one Ducati, but I have recently looked at this bike as a new do-it-all machine as the SV becomes more dedicated to the track. This class of bikes rock! 🙂

Hope Chris can get his hands on an Aprilia RS457 soon!

I rode one of theses bikes at the Weekend. I was so surprised how easy, fast and fun it was to ride. Great bike

It's youtube video's like these that make me want to get my motorcycle licence as well.

Nice Chris. I did my direct access in 2024 on a 6 year old Z650. That thing had been thrashed but was bulletproof. Proper. Was allowed to ride back from the test centre solo after I passed my Mod 2 and that ride on that little green Kawa will forever be etched into my memory.

The bike thats choose one by almost every riding schools here in Slovenia, Kawasaki Z650 😅😊.
Definitely a great starter package

I sold my Honda VTR1000 Firestorm for a Versys 650 in 2010 and I didn't miss the power for about 2.5 years.  Then I sold it and bought a Triumph Sprint ST1050.  The Versys was 90% of what I needed and I'm sure the Z650 would be the same.  But we're always looking for the next motorcycle because bikes are brilliant!

I always loved the 650 twin of kawasaki, it doesn't have character as Suzuki sv650 engine and less power then Ducati 676 engine, but the power delivery is smooth in every gear. And as always you can't go wrong with a kawi transmission. Nice review, mate❤

After riding my gsx-s750 through mountain roads and over the passes - pushing over frost heaves, dodging cracks, and leaning into curves while the its  being shaken and stirred, I look back at the thing and think - what a damned fine road machine.  For some reason it keeps surprising me.  And sometimes that's what a relatively modest well designed bike is, plain and simple - a fine road machine.

In this case, that 650 engine is becoming some sort of a global standard.  The Chinese seem to love to use it in every mid size machine they make. And how many does Kawasaki use it in.  A modest legend.  LOL

Always brilliant videos Chris 👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

I totally agree with the conclusion of the video. But some dyed in the wool hardcore bikers tend to dismiss the Z650 and the Z900, the best-selling bikes in their category as boring. Anything less than a KTM is not worthy for them. But sometimes people just want something reliable, dependable and affordable. Not much bling, just substance. Well done, Kawasaki!

I really like the look of these and like the twin set up

I've ridden the Vulcan 650 S and it's a solid engine.  I bet this thing is a blast to ride around.

But the 180 sound though, I couldn't