KawasaKi Z 650 RS

If it's possible to envision reuniting on familiar terrain, the Z650 RS delivers a slew of pleasant surprises as well as a unique personality. Despite having the same weight as the original Z, she appears to be even lighter. Furthermore, she is very intuitive in her handling of lower-cost materials and a higher-priced selle. The ergonomic differences do not end there.

The direction of the RS is more alive than before, thanks to its higher, larger, and slightly more advanced guidon on our test model. The less prompt bolsters and easy driving make it enjoyable from the first few meters. As though she were a long-lost friend, whose forefinger instinctively brings precision and rigor. Reincarnation is beneficial, especially in a well-established and far-from-exhaustive section of the cycle. It's difficult to find points of convergence with the Z standard, whether it's his driving behavior (again! ), or just his sonority, which remains identique and characteristic of this iconic lignée.

When speaking of Icon, the sensation of cruising on a Ducati Scrambler is never far away. We're not far from the Ducati's vehicle, whether it's a matter of driving position, a raised guidon, or a reservoir. The road touch is obviously very different, but one might argue that Kawasaki could have done just as well with a pair of rayonne jantes and mixed pneumatiques and still won the race...

The bi is in good shape.

A good engine is still a good engine, and this is the demonstration. Euro 5 has perfect control over gas leakage thanks to a precise and well-calibrated injection. With a response rate ranging from 2000 tr/min to 4000 tr/min and a mellowness to match, he comes across as loud, yes, vivacious, but that's a given, and one can't help but admire his calm demeanor and vigor. As soon as the speed reaches 5 000 tr/min, the bicylindre is paralleled by plaques protecting the platines' resting feet. To eliminate a large portion of them, simply do not tighten the chevilles and keep a light foot on the caoutchoucs. This is something we do out of habit. The Z650 RS is a sporty motorcycle.

Suspensions, on the other hand, have continued to accomplish their jobs effectively while exhibiting a somewhat paradoxical behavior. While their enfoncement on the underlying constraints is quick, they remain firm and well-restrained, combining comfort with excellent route adherence, with a mid-course transition period indicating that one is "on the hard." When approaching the zone where he gives his pic de couple (vers les 7), their agreement with the pneumatiques is sometimes strange, but one quickly gets the hang of it while being distracted by the other couple, this time the engine: he is capable of ripping primarily the rear roue on excessively fast accélérations on the angle.

Fine and deceptive cate.

The Z650 RS drives with finesse and precision. She refuses to let go of her athletic stance and demands to be touched. On the one hand, she encourages him to stay calm on the guidon, to let it live between his ribs, to lead him to the bassin, and most importantly, to have complete faith in his ability to keep the pave. Less on the second. Beginners are unlikely to ask too many questions; however, more experienced users may need to modify their reference point if they are used to tingling feelings, or change their pneumatics if they believe the Dunlop are to blame for the phenomenon. That is to say, once their work habits have been assimilated, the British gommes appear to be the most convincing.

One no longer needs to rely on the high quality of the frame, which allows for fluid angle changes, while continually appreciating the "fun" factor embodied by the RS. More exposed to the elements, more sensitive to wind, amplifies natural feelings while resuming a conduit to experiences forgotten on newer, more protective, more "design" models. She is a motorcycle with no other filters except the ABS. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about one of the motorcycle's best features: its brakes. By switching to regular disks (rather than pétales), the ride is more pleasant, smoother, and plush, while the Nissin pince à 4 pistons delivers a powerful punch without requiring the anti-blocking system. At the moment, it's well calibrated.