Kawasaki Z 650 RS versus Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Kawasaki Z 650 RS

Retro

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Retro

Test of the deadly chic two-cylinder retro bike from Kawasaki

With the new Z 650 RS, Kawasaki is expanding its "Modern Classic" segment this year with an inexpensive machine. The Z650RS is, so to speak, the little sister of the successful Z900RS and meets retro fans thanks to the look of the 70s... weiter

Kawasaki Z 650 RS im Test

Gallery

It's a motorcycle. Point.

The Royal Enfield stands in front of you and you relax at the sight. So that's what motorcycling used to look like? You want to somehow kick the tire and say something profound like: "Everything used to be better" or... weiter

Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2022 bis 2024~

Built von 2018 bis 2024~

RRP 8.345 €

RRP 7.090 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Optics & classical round instruments
Weight & Handling
good brakes at the front
comfortable sitting position
adjustable levers

Pros:

Simple and straight ahead
Stylish
Comfortable
Price

Cons:

small tank
some features not 100% retro

Cons:

ABS only

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.405 mm
Length : 2.065 mm Height : 1.115 mm
Seat : 820 mm
Weight : 187 kg

Wheelbase: 1.400 mm
Length : 2.122 mm Height : 1.165 mm
Seat : 804 mm
Weight : 202 (max: 402 ) kg

Engine

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

Motor design: 2-cylinder 4 stroke in-line engine 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 648 ccm
Cooling: Luft-Öl
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

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

Maximum speed: 170 km/h
Performance: 47 HP at 7.100 U/Min
Torque: 52 NM bei 5.150 U/Min

Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 340 km

Chassis

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)

Frame type:
Tubular steel frame with bolted beam (steel)

Tyres at the front: 100/90-18 MC 56H
Rear tyres: 130/70-18 MC 63H

Brakes

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)

Front brake
floating disc brake (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc brake (∅ 240 mm)

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.

A motorcycle. Easy

The Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor makes it easy to like. It's not Superbike, nor Adventure or Naked – it's just a motorcycle like it used to be when all these names didn't exist. She still has everything you need to ride a motorcycle.

It is difficult to determine a competition. Most retro bikes are simply too expensive in comparison. If you base yourself on the price of 6,519 euros, you will quickly end up with the bestsellers Kawasaki Z 650 or Yamaha MT-07. But whether they really take away customers? It's probably as usual: just try it out, if it fits, then it fits. Otherwise, it is not. No drama either.

The test bike was provided to us by the 2 Radhaus Stadie in Pinneberg.