There's the Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-07 and maybe even the KTM 690 Duke. But I do like the Kawasaki aesthetics more than its rivals.
Z650 Competitors?
Coming from smaller segments of bikes what the Z650's segment offers opens a whole new world to me and in that comes a willingness to go from one brand to another, i'm not biased. As long as the boxes that matter to me can be checked off i'm all game.
With that being said, what bikes in the Z650's segment and surrounding segments are you comparing it to?
Feel free to be as detailed with this information as you wish, anything that can make us all better educated buyers is a win.
To start, i'm also looking at the FZ-07.
With that being said, what bikes in the Z650's segment and surrounding segments are you comparing it to?
Feel free to be as detailed with this information as you wish, anything that can make us all better educated buyers is a win.
To start, i'm also looking at the FZ-07.
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i agreeThere's the Suzuki SV650, Yamaha FZ-07 and maybe even the KTM 690 Duke. But I do like the Kawasaki aesthetics more than its rivals.
coming from a Ninja past, the Z650 has enough of that Ninja DNA going on here, just the right amount all while incorporating enough to stay relevant in its segment.
so far white is doing it for me:
A good comparison of the Z650 versus the FZ-07 and SV650. https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/group-tests/2017-middleweight-group-test
I've only had a test ride on the Z650, but I had already eliminated the competition without riding any of them. The KTM, too expensive and I wouldn't know where to find a dealer. Yamaha FZ7, too tall and I'm not a Yamaha fan. Their dealers habit of severely discounting their bikes, thus hurting resale makes me stay away. Been burnt twice. FZ7 suspension is way too mushy. The Suzuki. The seat. Slopes right down into the tank for a nut crushing riding position. The widest part of the seat, the part you should be sitting on, slopes upward, so you can push your ass back on it, but you can't really sit on it. No thanks. My test ride on the Z was great. I was familiar with it immediately.
I totally agree on the sitting position with the Suzuki SV650. I actually had that bike in mind until I sat on it. Even as a woman, it is not pleasant and I half had to sit on the fuel tank to reach the handlebars! The design felt just wrong.I've only had a test ride on the Z650, but I had already eliminated the competition without riding any of them. The KTM, too expensive and I wouldn't know where to find a dealer. Yamaha FZ7, too tall and I'm not a Yamaha fan. Their dealers habit of severely discounting their bikes, thus hurting resale makes me stay away. Been burnt twice. FZ7 suspension is way too mushy. The Suzuki. The seat. Slopes right down into the tank for a nut crushing riding position. The widest part of the seat, the part you should be sitting on, slopes upward, so you can push your ass back on it, but you can't really sit on it. No thanks. My test ride on the Z was great. I was familiar with it immediately.
I test-rode a FZ7 and a SV650 before buying the Z650. I couldn't argue with anyone choosing one of the others. For me it was a matter of just a better fit for me. Likely, I could have adapted to any of them but I have no regrets. All three have engines with well-balanced, usable horsepower and torque, plus at least adequate suspension and brakes.
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