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If you can share a few things about your ownership of the Kawasaki Z650, what would it be? The most liked or hated, share them with every one I am sure you won't be the only one. :wink2:
What to love or hate about the 2017+ Kawasaki Z650?
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The main dislike I have with the z650 is the vibrations at certain rpm's, especially in the handlebars. Its not harley crazy but the buzz is enough to annoy me and make my hand uncomfortable. I'm going to install the "touring" Oxford heated grips this weekend in hopes that the extra rubber dampens the buzz some... if its not enough maybe I'll put grip puppies on them too.
Love The PowerBand, Coming From A Ninja 300 Its A Greeeaattt Upgrade. Linear Pull In Acceleration All Across The PowerBand. The Looks Are Very Aesthetically Attractive, Easy To Handle And All That Stuff. The Vibration Is There As Stated Before, But To Me It's Not A Big Deal I Can Handle It And Doesn't Bother Me. The Hardest Thing Thus Far I've Disliked And Put Up With Is Finding The Accessories Required To Remove The "Bunny Ear" Mirrors And Install Bar End Mirrors (This Was Due To The Factory Installed Bar End Sliders That Made It Difficult) Other Than That It's A Realll Great Bike. Love It.. I'm Almost Done Breaking It In Too.!
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The main likes about the Z650 is the styling, colour combo, digital dash with all the necessary information, easy of ride and operation for a 1st bike and mid range punch.
The dislikes would be the handle bar being a bit narrow (not terrible since I've gotten used to it) . I wish there was a bit more top end power on the Z650. There isn't much power different between 80% throttle and full throttle in my opinion. Getting into neutral from 2nd gear isn't easy - I often go right back in 1st by accident. Also, the fuel economy isn't that great in my opinion. I've been averaging about 5.5L/100km. This is between spirited & city riding. I wish there was an outside temperature gauge but I'm just being picky at this price point. I wish there was an LED headlight bulb from the factory. Halogen is so 90s.
I have no complaints about the vibrations that everyone talks about.
Other than that, it's a good overall bike that met my expectations.
The dislikes would be the handle bar being a bit narrow (not terrible since I've gotten used to it) . I wish there was a bit more top end power on the Z650. There isn't much power different between 80% throttle and full throttle in my opinion. Getting into neutral from 2nd gear isn't easy - I often go right back in 1st by accident. Also, the fuel economy isn't that great in my opinion. I've been averaging about 5.5L/100km. This is between spirited & city riding. I wish there was an outside temperature gauge but I'm just being picky at this price point. I wish there was an LED headlight bulb from the factory. Halogen is so 90s.
I have no complaints about the vibrations that everyone talks about.
Other than that, it's a good overall bike that met my expectations.
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27 Posts
It's a great bike. Previously I've owned a Ninja 250 and a 300, and the Z650 is a massive upgrade. The midrange torque makes it super easy to ride around town. Handling is awesome. Styling looks great. I love the noise is makes.
The vibrations can be annoying but I can put up with them, that's the only downside I can think of.
The vibrations can be annoying but I can put up with them, that's the only downside I can think of.
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32 Posts
I've found that under 10 mph it will slide from 2nd into neutral more consistently. Any faster it seems to jump into 1st no matter how lightly you shift down.
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135 Posts
Why you want to go to neutral from 2nd? Normal riding you don't go to neutral from 2nd. Slowing down you go to 1st from 2nd gear. Then you stop in 1st gear with clutch in.
The gear is design so that when motorcycle is standing still, pulling the gear up will not let it pass to 2nd gear, it will only go to neutral. Then you switch off engine or go back to 1st if you are stopping at the traffic light.
To start your journey you go to 1st then when the bike is moving it will go to 2nd if you pull the gear smoothly up.
The gear is design so that when motorcycle is standing still, pulling the gear up will not let it pass to 2nd gear, it will only go to neutral. Then you switch off engine or go back to 1st if you are stopping at the traffic light.
To start your journey you go to 1st then when the bike is moving it will go to 2nd if you pull the gear smoothly up.
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32 Posts
I don't do it often. But if I'm approaching a red light I know it's going to be red for awhile I'll down shift to neutral from second just to sit at the light in neutral rather than coasting in first with the clutch in until I stop then shifting to neutral. Just eliminating a step and holding in the clutch less... I'm a newer rider, not sure if that's even a thing to do. Was replying to the other post.
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135 Posts
It is easier to go to 1st then stop, then to neutral.
Never go from 2nd to neutral while the motorcycle is moving. In principle your motorcycle must be in gear when moving. Pull the clutch for coasting. It safer that way.
Never go from 2nd to neutral while the motorcycle is moving. In principle your motorcycle must be in gear when moving. Pull the clutch for coasting. It safer that way.
So far I haven't felt any vibration that concerns me. I like the seat much better than the seat on the Z900 I just got rid of. Highway manners are better too and it handles better on poorly paved roads than the Z900. Not as powerful as the 900 of course, but there's more than enough.
I love the look and sound of this thing, especially with my 2 brothers exhaust. The power is all I need for my riding style, a lot better than my Ninja 300 I got rid of.
The one thing I really don't like is that the clutch doesn't fully disengage until the lever is pretty much on the bar. I ride with 2 fingers on the lever and this makes it real difficult to pull the lever all the way in with or without gloves on. I tried to adjust at the lever and at the clutch end but it didn't seem to make much difference.
The one thing I really don't like is that the clutch doesn't fully disengage until the lever is pretty much on the bar. I ride with 2 fingers on the lever and this makes it real difficult to pull the lever all the way in with or without gloves on. I tried to adjust at the lever and at the clutch end but it didn't seem to make much difference.
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My favorite thing about this bike is the seat height. I'm around 5'2 and can still flat foot at stop lights. I tried the FZ-07 and I had to tippy toe.
I had it out this weekend and it seemed to work a little better. What I'm noticing is that unless I move my fingers around and pull the lever tight to the bar it won't fully disengage the clutch, maybe 90% though.
I'll have to look into more adjustment once it's consistently warm out and I ride more.
I love the low gearing. Shifting frequently is something I really enjoy about motorcycling. I feel more connected to the road when I have a gear for every nuance of my ride. And the tranny shifts like butter. And the clutch is light and engages precisely and strongly. And the brakes haul the bike to a stop in an amazingly short distance (or so it seems, even without the help of ABS). What's not to love (except for the foot pegs being in the way when you flat-foot the bike)? And at 5' 4", I can flat-foot the bike (yay!).
I'd suggest your send a PM to Tremont, who is a member here. He knows his stuff and can probably diagnose that for you very quickly.
Adjusting the clutch on a Z650 should be a no-brainer. There is adjustability both at the lever end and at the clutch end. To remove freeplay (as you want to do), lengthen the cable sheathe with one or both adjusters. The principle is no different from adjusting the brake cable on a bicycle. Be thankful you don't own a motorcycle with a hydraulic clutch (e.g., Ducati Monster 696), for which no adjustment is possible.
I have no problem going from 2nd to neutral,Ive been riding many years and hardly ever if ever at all go to 1st gear stopping by the time you would (if you were to go to first) you would be going slow enough to shift into neutral to wait out a Red light. unless in a panic slow down. the Z-650 going from 2nd to neutral I understand to be designed that way and a great design.
I did adjust from both ends after swapping levers and it got better. Just not where I want. I will have to do some more adjusting next time I have it out.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
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