BMW G 650 GS versus Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW G 650 GS

Adventure
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z 900 RS

Retro

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2011 bis 2016
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP
RRP 13.195 €
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Pros:
  • light and manoeuvrable
  • uncomplicated
  • favorable consumption
  • solid workmanship
  • enough space for passenger
Pros:
  • Successful design
  • Precise handling
  • Fragrant sound
Cons:
  • radiates little emotion
Cons:
  • Handles for the pillion passenger are missing

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.477 mm
Length :
2.165 mm
Seat :
780 mm
Weight :
192 kg
Wheelbase: 1.470 mm
Length :
2.100 mm Height : 1.150 mm
Seat :
835 mm
Weight :
215 kg

Engine

Motor type unknown 1 Cylinder
Displacement: 652 ccm
Hub: 83 mm
Hole: 100 mm
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 5
Motor design: Four-stroke in-line cylinder 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 948 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 73 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 170 km/h
Performance: 48 HP at 6.500 U/Min
Torque: 60 NM bei 5.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 14 Litre
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 111 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 99 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
320 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Bridges (steel)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (high-strength steel)
Front suspension:
41 mm upside-down fork (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link strut (travel 140 mm)
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)

Brakes

Rear brake
Disk
Front brake
Double disc brake ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc ( 250 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

A really successful bike which is really fun but above all looks really good. Now, of course, you can still find something to complain about. For example, among the more extreme retro fans, there may be those who miss the two-sided struts compared to the legendary Z1. Or find the LCD between the round instruments superfluous. The Most strikingly missing is the Z9000 RS compared to the Z1 but certainly the exhaust system with 4 silencers. But who ever wants this can fulfill this wish for about 3000€ at the company Hattech https://www.hattech.de/380-kawasaki/z900-rs-z900-rs-cafe. Otherwise, the motorcycle test crew agreed that the Z900 RS in Candytone Brown makes an even better figure than our test model in Sparkle Black which would be worth us the 300€ surcharge in any case. But that's a matter of taste, of course.

The test machine was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: from €11,695
  • Years built: 2018
  • Availability: from 2018
  • Colors: Candytone Brown / Candytone Orange, Metallic Matte Covert Khaki / Flat Ebony, Metallic Spark Black