BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Kawasaki Z 650 RS
BMW R 1150 GS Adventure
Adventure
Kawasaki Z 650 RS
Retro
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2005 bis 2005
Built von 2022 bis 2024~
RRP
RRP 8.345 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Comfort
- Processing
- Off-road capability
Pros:
- Optics & classical round instruments
- Weight & Handling
- good brakes at the front
- comfortable sitting position
- adjustable levers
Cons:
- High weight
Cons:
- small tank
- some features not 100% retro
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.501 mm
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.405 mm
Length : 2.065 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 187 kg
Length : 2.065 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 187 kg
Engine
Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Liquid-cooled four-stroke in-line two-cylinder 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 192 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Performance: 68 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 64 NM bei 6.700 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 357 km
Performance: 68 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 64 NM bei 6.700 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 357 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL
Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
Horizontal back-link gas pressure shock absorber with adjustable spring base (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc Semi-floating 300 mm double brake discs. Double piston brake caliper (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc. Single piston brake caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Double disc Semi-floating 300 mm double brake discs. Double piston brake caliper (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Single brake disc. Single piston brake caliper (∅ 220 mm)
Cheap never, well mostly
MW driving has never been a particularly cheap pleasure. Although many specimens are around 20 years old and have collected correspondingly many kilometers, these GS are still not a bargain. It must be at least 5,000 euros, top-maintained specimens like our test bike like to scratch at the five-digit. You can understand this: The BMW R 1150 GS, if you don't catch a rocked-out model, is an almost ideal companion for the very big tour.
If you can do without cornering and agility, the GS is the ideal travel moped, where the road can be three steps below perfect.
As I said, a buddy for the good and the bad days.
Conclusion - what sticks
The Kawasaki Z 650 RS actually drove straight into our hearts. Nice that Kawasaki now offers the retro theme in a 2-cylinder with manageable performance at a fair price. So even novice drivers and lighter pilots will like to approach the topic of retro. But this does not mean that the Z650RS is not for old hands - on the contrary! There will definitely be many experienced bikers out there who are only too happy to get off their 250+ kilo monster and get on this light and really nice bike to ride.The test bike was kindly provided by Heller & Soltau in St. Michaelisdonn. If you want to take a test drive or are interested in another Kawasaki (or Husqvarna), you should definitely consider a small trip to Dithmarschen. Beautiful country roads and a good coffee (!) await you.
