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Kawasaki Just Casually Dropped This Stunning, Super-Approachable Retro Sport Bike

The latest edition of the brand’s affordable, classically styled middleweight moto has a few tech tricks up its sleeve.

Black Kawasaki motorcycle fuel tank with red stripe and red front wheel against a turquoise background.Kawasaki
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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Before I bought my first bike just under a decade ago, I was seriously considering a few bikes dating back to the 1970s that looked awesomely retro because they actually were retro.

I came to my senses when I realized that as a longtime New Yorker, I had neither the expertise nor the work space to handle the maintenance such a ride would require.

Black Kawasaki Z650 RS motorcycle with red rims parked indoors on a polished concrete floor.
I’d love to see the exhaust be a bit rounder and more classic, but otherwise the retro vibes are strong with this one.
Kawasaki

I ended up with a (lightly used) 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100 Black, and I couldn’t be happier. 

But if I were shopping today, I would definitely take a close look at Kawasaki’s new Z650RS ABS, which offers all the sweet retro styling you could want plus a bunch of modern touches that, especially for new riders, help ensure a safe, smooth ride.

Punchy power

Another thing I’ve learned with my 865cc bike is that you don’t need some huge engine to zip around town and tackle two-lane twisties with a huge smile on your face.

This bike can deliver on that front, especially for newer riders, thanks to its 649cc engine which delivers a claimed 67 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and max torque of 48.5 lb-ft at 6,700 rpm.

Man wearing a black star-patterned jacket and helmet riding a black Kawasaki motorcycle with red wheels on a city street.
Bike by Kawasaki, jacket by … Van Gogh?
Kawasaki

Those numbers won’t blow your hair back, but with this style of ride, the most joy you will likely find is going 50 miles per hour on a winding road as the leaves start to fall and hot apple cider awaits somewhere on the other end.

With an approachable 31.5-inch seat height and 412-pound curb weight, this bike offers suspension and brakes that should prove similarly beyond qualified to keep the ride comfortable and under control.

Man in black leather jacket and gloves sitting sideways on black Kawasaki motorcycle with red rims and matching helmet.
The new Z650RS ABS only comes in this colorway, but the red stripe on the tank complemented by the red rims is a pretty spectacular look. Bonus points to this guy for the matching helmet.
Kawasaki

The former boasts a 41mm telescopic fork with 4.9 inches of travel and a horizontal back-link with adjustable preload and 5.1 inches of travel.

The latter includes dual 300mm petal-style discs with two-piston calipers up front and a single 220mm petal-style disc in the rear, both featuring ABS.

Modern marvels

Though ABS is the only rider-friendly feature to sneak into the name of the bike, the Z650 RS ABS actually offers a bunch of others that make life easier, especially for newer riders, without disrupting that lovely retro aesthetic.

The first is an assist & slipper clutch, which essentially enables you to engage the clutch with a very light pull of the lever and also cuts down on rear-wheel chatter when downshifting. 

Person wearing a black and red helmet riding a black Kawasaki motorcycle with red rims on a road.
The different modes of traction control provide a safety net while also cutting you loose in the twisties if you desire.
Kawasaki

The second is Kawasaki TRaction Control (KTRC), with three different settings. Mode 1 provides a bit of assistance for aggressive sporty riding. Mode 2 brings a heavier hand that will enable you to handle tough road conditions more easily. 

The third setting, which more experienced riders will likely love, is simply being able to turn the traction control off.

Motorcycle dashboard with analog speedometer and tachometer, digital gear indicator, fuel gauge, and ignition switch.
This instrument panel offers a nice mix of classic and modern styling, plus just the right amount of data.
Kawasaki

I would be remiss not to mention this Z’s instrumentation, which beautifully blends classic and modern. 

The speedometer and tachometer appear as two classic gauges, nicely complementing other round retro touches, including the mirrors and innovative dual-chamber LED headlight.

Black Kawasaki motorcycle with red rims ridden by a person wearing a black leather jacket and helmet on a city street.
Though it can handle the highway, this bike feels just about perfect for ripping around urban environments — and looking damn good in the process.
Kawasaki

The twin data dials sandwich a multifunction LCD screen that provides additional info, including the economical riding indicator, which lets you know when you’re consuming fuel efficiently.

I can absolutely guarantee, no 1970s bike offers anything like that. 

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Kawasaki Z650 RS ABS is available now starting at $8,999.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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