360 Degree Review of the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS (video review included)

The all new 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS is a blast from the past blending a nostalgic look with modern features which include an LCD instrument cluster, LED turn signals, LED headlight and a liquid cooled, DOHC, 649cc parallel-twin.  It's gold-painted, spoke-style cast wheelset, retro style black mirrors, and round headlight merge contemporary convenience with nostalgic cosmetics.

Kawasaki went heavy on the nostalgia with the Z650RS.  One will immediately notice its classically shaped gas tank, upswept tail, and retro paint scheme which makes it reminiscent of the 1976 KZ650. 

The Z650RS is a pleasure to ride. It fulfills its role as a great, inexpensive bike to ride around the town as well as a fun bike for riding on the back roads. 

When idling, the Z650RS does not emit an aggressive tone found in several other Kawasaki motorcycles, like the Versys 650, Ninja 650 and Vulcan S. In this case, Kawasaki chose to tone it down with its 180° crank-timing design. However at higher revs, the Z650RS engine emits a racier tone which is quite nice.

Its motor is extremely easy to manage and control, which is good for new riders while making excellent power overall for experienced riders.  When idling the Z650RS doesn't emit an aggressive tone yet when ridden into the higher revs, the RS has a much racier sound and is exceptionally smooth when it comes to both power delivery and vibration. Clutch pull is also easy on the fingers, and changing gears through its six speeds with your foot is a breeze. Gearing is well-spaced with ratios suited nicely to the 650’s power. Shifting is aided by an assist/slipper clutch that helps tame rear-wheel hopping, often resulting from sloppy downshifts/braking.

In terms of its brakes, the lightweight RS slows down in a hurry with its more than adequate Nissin triple disc braking system, including non-obtrusive Bosch 9.1M ABS. ABS is standard equipment on the RS and its front brake lever reach is adjustable, which is a nice touch from Kawasaki.

The RS has a 41mm non-adjustable KYB conventional-style fork which adds to its retro look.  However its rear suspension looks all modern with its half gull-wing swingarm and single-shock design. Like the Z650, the RS relies on a KYB horizontal back-link rear shock that offers adjustable preload and 5.1 inches of wheel travel. Overall, the RS’s suspension is quite good. The ride is exceptionally smooth over a wide range of surfaces and feels like it hugs the turns, but it can get a bit bouncy when speeds pick up on less smooth roads.  Kawasaki states that the RS’s suspension is set up from the factory for “light, natural response,”.

The Kawasaki Z650RS' instrument cluster blends a mix of retro with modernity by combining analogue with LED in a nice combination both appealing to the eye as well as in functionality.

Overall, the Z650RS is a pleasure to ride. It is everything you’d expect it to be—a very nice and relatively inexpensive around-towner and fun back-roads ripper, all in one tight package, and that’s precisely what Kawasaki had in mind when designing the RS.

(video credits: MOTOBOB)

2022 Kawasaki Z650RS / 50th Anniversary Specifications