New Kawasaki Retro Bike Teased, Likely To Be The Kawasaki Z650RS

Expect it to be priced between the Kawasaki Z650 and the Ninja 650

• The Kawasaki Z650RS is likely to share its mechanicals with the Z650.
• Apart from the Z900RS-derived neo-retro bodywork, the bike may also get a classic-looking twin-pod instrument cluster. 
• Expect the bike to be unveiled in the weeks ahead.

Kawasaki has released a teaser showing glimpses of its upcoming retro motorcycle. The teaser ends with the tagline “Retrovolution is coming”. We believe the bike could be the Kawasaki Z650RS and not any derivation of the Z900RS or the W800. That’s because the Z900RS recently received a Special Edition variant called ‘Yellow Ball’, complete with Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes. Even the W800 got a special edition Meguro K3 just last year in November. 

Introducing a retro motorcycle based on the successful 650cc platform makes sense as it is versatile enough to accommodate one. After all, Kawasaki already sells a faired bike (the Ninja 650) and a naked (the Z650) on the same platform. A retro motorcycle in this category would appeal to a broader audience, particularly if you feel the Z900RS is too expensive and/or too powerful. 

The Kawasaki Z650RS will likely get a similar design scheme as the Z900RS. The teaser partly reveals the instrument cluster, which could be a twin-pod semi-digital unit. The handlebars are upright, and the motorcycle’s rear view mirrors are similar to the circular ones in the Z900RS.

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The motorcycle is likely to carry the same 649cc parallel-twin engine (in the same state of tune) as the naked, which makes 68PS at 8000rpm and 64Nm at 6700rpm. But unlike the Z900RS, this one might just get the same underpinnings (telescopic front fork, rear monoshock, twin 300mm petal discs up front with axial calipers, and a 220mm petal disc at the rear with dual-channel ABS) as the Z650 to keep costs in check. 

Kawasaki could unveil the motorcycle in the weeks ahead, and it will likely be launched in India by the end of this year or early next year. We believe the motorcycle will sell well if Kawasaki prices it between the Z650 (Rs 6,24,000) and Ninja 650 (Rs 6,61,100). A Rs 6.35 lakh price tag seems fair for the upcoming Z650RS. It will go up against the Honda CB650R and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Images of the Kawasaki Z900RS used for representation.