Kawasaki’s new Z560RS looks like the right kind of retro

Kawasaki has been building the retro-flavored vertical sports machine known as the Z900RS for a few years now, and it comes with an impressive 109 horsepower and 72 lb-ft of torque. It’s extremely cool and fun, but it’s not really a novice rider package. It turns out that newbies often want an old-fashioned bike, but don’t want to deal with the headaches of carburetors and tired parts, but the 900 was just too hardcore for many of these riders. Enter the Z650RS, which is still retro styled, but equipped with the more maneuverable 67 horsepower and 47 lb-ft of 649cc parallel torque of the Ninja 650 and Z650.

Oh yeah, that’s the right place right there. Available in a gray colourway with green stripes or in gorgeous green with gold wheels, it’s easy to see that the Z650RS will be an instant classic. Honestly, if you’re not going for the gold wheels, you’re instantly wrong. It is one of the most beautiful motorcycles launched in the last decade. Tuck the backplate under the tail, screw in some chrome mirrors, and find yourself a nice terra-cotta-colored leather jacket and three-quarter length flake bass boat helmet, and you’ll look like you’ve stepped straight out of the box. the mid-1970s.

This is fitting, as this bike is clearly reminiscent of the original Kawasaki Z650 which debuted in 1976 in the same green on gold colourway. When you can not only use a retro bike, but also recall a previous design from the same company, you know you have a good shot.

To make matters worse, this bike doesn’t even roll like it did in the 1970s. It’s based on the same high-strength trellis frame and suspension as the Ninja 650 and Z650! You still have all the modethe maneuverability and conveniences of these mid-weight, zippered machines, including dual front rotor and ABS, and all the fuel injection tech you can squeeze a stick on. Horsepower is roughly the same as in the 1970s, but with better fuel economy.

Kawasaki has yet to announce this bike for the US market, as the company is launching nine new bikes (!!!!) by the end of November. However, coverage exploded when the UK marketing team discontinued the new materials about a week earlier. There is no news on exactly what the price will be when it gets here, but a brand new Ninja 650 will set you back $ 7,699, so calculate a little more 8 thousand. The Z900RS costs around $ 1,500 more than the Z900 it’s based on, so the retro look comes at a price. From what I see here, it’s probably worth it, however.