Kawasaki Introduces New 2022 Z650RS Middleweight Retro Z Bike

Kawasaki’s Z900RS has been a major competitor in the modern-classic segment since it was introduced in 2018. Inspired by the legendary Kawasaki Z1, the Z900RS packs a punch with a liquid-cooled, 16-valve, 948cc inline-four. With 109 horsepower and 72 ft-lb of torque on tap though, the retro naked bike doesn’t exactly cater to newer riders. To draw a broader audience to Kawi’s “Retrovolution”, the brand looked to the past to move forward.

Between 1976-1983, Kawasaki’s Z650 played second fiddle to the Z900 Super Four. With an air-cooled, 8-valve, DOHC, 652cc, 64-horsepower inline-four at its core, however, the Z650 was no slouch. Now, instead of an inline-four Team Green’s 2022 Z650 will be even more beginner-friendly with a liquid-cooled, 649cc parallel-twin. Found in the firm’s Ninja 650 and Z650 platforms, the tried-and-true mill still pumps out a respectable 67 horsepower and 47 ft-lb of torque.

1976 Kawasaki Z650

2022 Kawasaki Z650RS

While Kawi opted for a parallel-twin with the Z650RS, the new middleweight naked stays true to the source material’s design while adding some modern touches. The 2022 model features all-around LED lighting but the classic configuration harks back to the original 650. The tank, side, panels, and tail section provide the iconic silhouette of a classic standard bike, but the sculpted bodywork also contemporizes the package.

Of course, it isn’t an RS if Team Green doesn’t offer a replica livery, and the Candy Emerald Green paint perfectly captures the Z650’s 1976 debut colorway. Conversely, Kawasaki’s Metallic Moondust Grey/Ebony and Metallic Spark Black paint schemes lean more toward the modern side of the modern-classic equation.

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Aside from the retro aesthetic, the Z650RS shares its high-tensile trellis frame, 41mm front end, and horizontally-linked rear shock with Ninja 650 and Z650. The same dual twin-piston front caliper mated to 300mm discs carries over to the RS while the two-channel ABS governs the front and rear binders.

At £7,549 (≈ $10,350 USD) for Metallic Spark Black and £7,699 (≈ $10,500 USD) for Candy Emerald Green and Metallic Moondust Gray/Ebony, the 2022 Z650RS is slated to hit European dealerships in November, 2021. While Kawasaki North America hasn’t released official information just yet, we will update pricing and availability once they are announced.

Kawasaki Introduces New 2022 Z650RS Middleweight Retro Z Bike
Source: Philippines Election