Kawasaki Z 650 RS versus Triumph Bonneville T100
Kawasaki Z 650 RS
Retro
Triumph Bonneville T100
Retro
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2022 bis 2024~
Built von 2005 bis 2024~
RRP 8.345 €
RRP 11.145 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Optics & classical round instruments
- Weight & Handling
- good brakes at the front
- comfortable sitting position
- adjustable levers
Pros:
- beautiful retro design
- Seat height also fits smaller people
- decent torque
- gorgeous twin sound
- easy to use
- dual analogue cockpit
Cons:
- small tank
- some features not 100% retro
Cons:
- for larger pilots a bit petite
Dimensions & Weight
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
Wheelbase: 1.450 mm Height : 1.100 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 228 (max: 441 ) kg
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 228 (max: 441 ) 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
Displacement: 649 ccm
Hub: 60 mm
Hole: 83 mm
Cooling: flüssigkeitsgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Row with lifting pin offset 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 900 ccm
Hub: 80 mm
Hole: 85 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 5
Displacement: 900 ccm
Hub: 80 mm
Hole: 85 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 5
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
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: 185 km/h
Performance: 65 HP at 7.400 U/Min
Torque: 80 NM bei 3.750 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 354 km
Performance: 65 HP at 7.400 U/Min
Torque: 80 NM bei 3.750 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 354 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)
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 Loop Frame (Steel) Front suspension:
Ø41 mm cartridge fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo struts (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-18
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Tubular Steel Loop Frame (Steel) Front suspension:
Ø41 mm cartridge fork (travel 120 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo struts (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-18
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
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)
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
Single disc, Brembo double piston floating caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Nissin double piston floating caliper (∅ 255 mm)
Single disc, Brembo double piston floating caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Nissin double piston floating caliper (∅ 255 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.
Conclusion - what sticks
The Triumph Bonneville T100 vintage 2021 is a harmonious bike through and through. The components around the magnificent 900 Twin are super coordinated. Nothing surprises or seems inappropriate. If you think the 900 cc engine offers too little power and therefore tends to 1200cc models from Triumph, you should definitely take a test drive. We find the small engine more casual and more suitable for retro bikes.The competition for the T100 comes mainly from within the company: the Street Twin and the Street Scrambler have the same engine and are similar in many ways. But they are not as classic as the T100, so if the retro style is important to you, this Bonnie is the right place for you. As an alternative, in our opinion, the Kawasaki W800, the Guzzi V7 and the Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor come into question.
We kindly received the test machine from Triumph Hamburg.
