BMW R nineT versus Kawasaki Z 650

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R nineT

Retro
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z 650

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2014 bis 2023
Built von 2017 bis 2025~
RRP 17.050 €
RRP 7.445 €
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Pros:
  • pretty to look at
  • purist
  • cool driving experience
  • Numerous customizing options
Pros:
Cons:
  • Price
  • nothing for giants
Cons:

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length :
2.220 mm Height : 1.265 mm
Seat :
803 mm until : 805 mm
Weight :
222 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.410 mm
Length :
2.055 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat :
790 mm
Weight :
187 kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 110 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 6.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
340 km
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 68 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 66 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
357 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Space tube, motor supporting (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-Down 45 mm (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel)
Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 125 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 220 mm)

Conclusion - what's stuck?

The R nineT is not only fun to drive, but also looks great! And it is probably this combination that makes the bike so desirable for motorcycle fans worldwide right from the start.
BMW describes it as follows: "Design your motorcycle, design your life." It also has a lot to do with lifestyle and so the nineT leaves hardly any customizer wishes unfulfilled in terms of diversity. It is the basis for deep individualizations, which sets the machine apart from the competition. In addition to the already diverse model and design variants, there are plenty of Customizing accessories, so everyone can make their own roadster dream come true. Even the on-board electronics are designed with numerous interfaces in such a way that changes do not represent a major hurdle.

Even if the NineT is purist in almost all respects, it does not do so in terms of price. Not at all when you make the most of the numerous possibilities for change to realize your own exclusive dream bike. But individuality always has your price. However, the success proves BMW right again in this case, because the BMW R NineT is so popular that one should expect extremely long delivery times.

Das Testmotorrad wurde uns freundlicher Weise von Motorrad Ruser zur Verfügung gestellt.









Price/Availability/
Colours/years of construction

  • Price: 15,350 Euro
  • Used: from 9,500 Euro
  • Years of construction: since 2014
  • Colour:Blackstorm metallic, Blackstorm metallic Vintage (+980 €), Marsrot/Cosmicblue (+1100 €), Pollux/Aluminium (+980 €)
  • Other model variants: Pure, Scrambler, Urban GS

The test motorcycle was kindly provided by Motorrad Ruser.

Conclusion - what gets stuck

The Kawasaki Z650 vintage 2020 is a simple but well-made motorcycle. This can be seen .B the conventional telefork or the lack of technical features, which are now standard from the upper middle class (Z900). But it is also a lot cheaper.
 
The Z650 is a rather small machine. Pilots from 1.85m may feel out of place, which is an individual thing. We recommend a seat test for larger drivers. For smaller riders, however, the Z650 is a feast and highly recommended. But two of them get a bit tight, but that's similar with competitor bikes. The passenger has no handles, only a holding strap. Ergo: It's enough to get to the Baggersee, but from Hamburg to Munich it's exhausting for two.
 
Overall, the new Z650 is a successful machine. The updates have done the motorcycle well, it looks fresher and rides fast and agile and conveys enormous driving fun. The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau in St. Michaelisdonn.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 7,000€
  • Used (3 years old): 5,000€
  • Availability: since 2017
  • Colours: white, black, black-green