BMW S 1000 XR versus Kawasaki Z 650 RS
BMW S 1000 XR
Crossover
Kawasaki Z 650 RS
Retro
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2015 bis 2025~
Built von 2022 bis 2025~
RRP 19.480 €
RRP 7.995 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Silky smooth, powerful motor with performance in all situations
- Really good QuickShifter
- Very finely balanced machine
- Brakes extremely well and can be controlled
- every conceivable accessory available
- hissing and at the same time hoarse sound
Pros:
- Optics & classical round instruments
- Weight & Handling
- good brakes at the front
- comfortable sitting position
- adjustable levers
Cons:
- Vibrations at higher speeds
- The driver always has one foot in prison
- QuickShifter, heated grips and cruise control not standard
Cons:
- small tank
- some features not 100% retro
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.541 mm
Length : 2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 227 (max: 450 ) kg
Length : 2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 227 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.405 mm
Length : 2.065 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 187 kg
Length : 2.065 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 187 kg
Engine
Motor design: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Liquid-cooled four-stroke in-line two-cylinder 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 323 km
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 323 km
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 68 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 64 NM bei 6.700 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 357 km
Performance: 68 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 64 NM bei 6.700 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 357 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium) Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (Dynamic ESA) (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Dynamic "Electronic Suspension Adjustment", spring preload electronically adjustable, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (suspension travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium) Front suspension:
Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (Dynamic ESA) (travel 150 mm) Rear suspension:
Dynamic "Electronic Suspension Adjustment", spring preload electronically adjustable, rebound and compression damping electronically controlled (suspension travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 17
Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (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 brake, 4-piston fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc brake, 4-piston fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
Double disc Semi-floating 300 mm double brake discs. Double piston brake caliper (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc. Single piston brake caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Double disc Semi-floating 300 mm double brake discs. Double piston brake caliper (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc. Single piston brake caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Result
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The machine was made available to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Neumünster. If you really want to experience something, go there and dare to take a test drive. Every test driver is guaranteed not to forget them.
Conclusion - what sticks
The Kawasaki Z 650 RS actually drove straight into our hearts. Nice that Kawasaki now offers the retro theme in a 2-cylinder with manageable performance at a fair price. So even novice drivers and lighter pilots will like to approach the topic of retro. But this does not mean that the Z650RS is not for old hands - on the contrary! There will definitely be many experienced bikers out there who are only too happy to get off their 250+ kilo monster and get on this light and really nice bike to ride.The test bike was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau in St. Michaelisdonn. If you want to take a test drive or are interested in another Kawasaki (or Husqvarna), you should definitely consider a small trip to Dithmarschen. Beautiful country roads and a good coffee (!) await you.
