The middleweight motorcycle segment, ranging from 600cc to 800cc, has become increasingly popular over the years. This segment offers a wide selection of motorcycles that cater to various riders’ needs. Kawasaki has been a key player in this segment for almost two decades, starting with the launch of the Kawasaki Ninja 650. Over the years, Kawasaki has expanded its 650 platform to include not only the Ninja but also the Versys, Vulcan S, Z650, and Z650RS models. For the 2024 model year, Kawasaki has updated the Z650 and Z650RS models with new color options and the addition of traction control.

Let’s start with the Z650RS, a neo-retro roadster that shares its underpinnings with the Z900RS. The Z650RS retains its tried and tested 649cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, parallel-twin engine. It features a lightweight steel trellis frame and a standard telescopic fork with no adjustability. The retro-inspired design includes a round LED headlight and cast aluminum wheels that mimic spoked wheels. The Z650RS now comes with a traction control system for added safety, similar to its Z650 sibling that received this feature in the previous model year.

In terms of pricing, the Z650RS is available in Ebony/Metallic Matte Carbon Gray with an MSRP of $9,599, which is around $1,000 more than the modern-style Z650.

The Z650, on the other hand, also receives a mild refresh for 2024 while keeping its Sugomi styling introduced in the Z1000 a decade ago. It shares the same underpinnings as the Z650RS. The Z650 now features a full-color TFT instrument cluster with smartphone pairing compatibility through the Kawasaki Rideology app. It also sports lightweight cast aluminum wheels, giving it a sporty and athletic look.

The Z650 comes in Metallic Matte Dark Gray/Metallic Spark Black for the standard version and Candy Persimmon Red/Ebony for the ABS variant. The prices are $8,149 and $8,649, respectively.