Revised styling and striking appearance
The Z 650 S has been given a noticeably wider and more muscular front end. The water cooler is now framed with aluminum trim, giving it a more premium look. The new LED headlight with three elements is particularly eye-catching, with the lower segment serving as the high beam. Added to this are a newly designed, aggressive front cowl, an LED taillight, and LED turn signals. The sharply drawn, compact rear section continues the sporty line and underlines the claim to modern naked bike design.
“S” for sportier: New seating position and more comfort
The “S” in the model name stands for a sportier character. This is particularly evident in the seating position: a 30 mm wider fatbar handlebar and footrests positioned further forward ensure a more forward-leaning posture. The front seat has been raised by around 20 mm and fitted with thicker padding, which contributes to greater comfort and a more upright seating position. The seat is also wider overall, and the passenger cushion is 20 mm wider and 10 mm thicker. Various seat options, including a 20 mm lower ERGO-Fit option, are available as genuine accessories. Kawasaki has not yet released detailed information on seat height.
Chassis, electronics, and engine
The chassis of the Z 650 S remains essentially unchanged: the proven steel trellis frame is still used and weighs only 15 kg. This is intended to ensure agile handling. The braking system features two 300 mm brake discs at the front and a 220 mm disc at the rear. The ABS for the 2026 model is supplied by Continental.
According to current information, the 649 cm³ liquid-cooled parallel twin engine delivers 68 hp (50 kW) at 8,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 64 Nm at 6,700 rpm. Based on current information, no changes to the peak power output are expected. For greater everyday usability, the response in the lower and middle speed ranges has been optimized. An assist and slipper clutch is fitted as standard, which should make downshifting more comfortable and safer. A quickshifter for clutchless upshifting from 2,500 rpm is available as an option.
Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) is included as standard and can be adjusted or switched off completely. In addition, a patented fan is used on the radiator to direct hot air downwards, thereby increasing comfort in city traffic. An O2 sensor in the exhaust system is designed to further reduce emissions.
Modern equipment and connectivity
The cockpit is dominated by a 4.3-inch TFT display that automatically adjusts to lighting conditions and can be switched between different display modes. The rider can choose between a bar and a hexagon display for the tachometer. The background color automatically changes between white and black – or can be set manually.
The display can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Various vehicle information can be accessed via the Kawasaki Rideology app. Other features include LED lighting all round, a USB-C socket in the front area, and numerous accessories, including color-coordinated passenger covers and luggage options.
Three color options and price
When it launches in March 2026, the Z 650 S will be available in Germany in the colors “Ebony/Metallic Carbon Gray,” “Candy Lime Green/Metallic Carbon Gray,” and “Metallic Matte Graphene Steel Gray/Metallic Flat Spark Black.” The list price is €7,970 (approx. $8,450), which is around €100 (approx. $106) more than the previous model.
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