Kawasaki Z650 S

Hi Everyone, I bought this as a new 2026 bike to add to my 2025 Full power Ninja 650 so I could could compare. The Z is an engine which is LAMS power restricted to 37kw and the Ninja is the 51kw version. The intake air tubes are very small in diameter internally, and I can feel the difference in how long it takes to reach the same speed from stop, but it very acceptable.

Presently the Z has 1,000km on the clock, and the Ninja 2,500km. I find the Kawasaki twin cylinder has quite a vibration at 4,000 RPM, but is smoother below that and above. It doesn't worry me at all, but noticeable compared to other bigger and small cc twins The Ninja has less vibrations now, than when at the same stage of running in, they were the same. I think for my long experience with new bikes, the motor will be a lot smoother at 4,000+ kilometres. I had a V Strom 650 that needed 6,000km to pass before a strong vibration at 4,500 RPM, before it went smooth. These engines will have a very long life.

The Z was an update on the old Z650, and while they look much the same, Kawasaki in my opinion has decided to point the Z towards a different Customer than the older bike. The Z650 of the past, was soft Naked bike that was run of the mill standard to appeal to everyone. I find the Z650S to be a lot firmer in the suspension which is for the better. The old bike would bottom out over potholes and ruts, where the Z650S just absorbs it all.

My riding weight is 90 - 95 kg, and I am a 5'11'' Male in my late 70's. I find this bike to be very similar when riding to my past Suzuki GSX8S. Such a comfortable bike with a lot of low down torque. Both are what I believe are better called a Street Fighter - a Naked form of the faired sport bike. It is very much a smaller version of the Z900, in fact. I had one too.

The seat is a bit higher than the old version and is very comfortable, but the seat fabric surface is like sand paper. It really grips. In comparison, my Ninja is very smooth to allow sliding sideways in corners, as you would expect from a "racetrack inspired" sports bike.

When it came to Insurance, with YOUI, it was classified as "Sports" rather than road, so attracted $150 more premium than the larger and much more powerful 8S. The Ninja was the same price as the Z650S. Being a popular LAMS bike, brought me into a higher risk bracket as they are more likely to be crashed it appears with this Company. NRMA quoted a similar price point.

To sum up, I think the new 2026 update made a bland bike into a far better bike for today. I'll add to this post when I do more time and miles.

Cheers, Bob.