Honda CB 650 R versus Kawasaki Z 650

Honda CB 650 R

Naked

Kawasaki Z 650

Naked

At first glance, everything seems to be quite normal with the Honda CB 650 R Neo Sports Café, but that changes on closer inspection. Compared to the competition, the retro bike with the new in the name is more expensive, but also more powerful. Nicely done, honest The first round... weiter

Honda CB 650 R Neo Sports Café

Gallery

Is 48 hp enough? Differences between the 2020 model and its predecessor

The Kawasaki Z650 has been one of the best-selling motorcycles in Germany for years. For the 2020 model year, Kawasaki has given the mid-range naked bike a few updates. What these are and how the current model differs from its predecessor... weiter

Kawasaki Z650 - Test der A2-Version mit 48 PS

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2019 bis 2024~

Built von 2017 bis 2024~

RRP 9.200 €

RRP 7.645 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Processing
Achievement
Chassis

Pros:

Cons:

Extremely sharp motor design
Pillion operation

Cons:

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.450 mm
Length : 2.120 mm Height : 1.075 mm
Seat : 810 mm
Weight : 203 (max: 371 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.410 mm
Length : 2.055 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 187 kg

Engine

Motor design: Four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 46 mm
Hole: 67 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
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: 197 km/h
Performance: 95 HP at 12.000 U/Min
Torque: 63 NM bei 9.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 314 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:
Steel frame (steel)

Front suspension:
Showa USD fork 41mm (travel 108mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 128 mm)
Rear suspension:
Double swingarm

Tyres at the front: 120/70-17
Rear tyres: 180/55-17

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 brake with double piston calipers (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake with single-piston caliper (∅ 240 mm)

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 220 mm)

Conclusion

So what is the Honda CB 650 R Neo Sports Café? Chic, not cheap, entry-level (gives the A2 version with 48 hp) and otherwise a typical Naked Bike. A high-quality and surprise-free Honda, too - if it weren't for this rotary organ character that sets it apart from its competitors.
Do you like that? Then buy, otherwise not.

Our thanks for the test bike goes to Motofun in Kaltenkirchen.

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.