Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary launched, prices start from Rs 6.79 lakh

Forever Young! That’s the motto Kawasaki’s Z brand seems to be following these days. Among various motorcycles from the Z lineup 50th Anniversary edition that were unveiled last year, the Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary has now been launched at a starting price of Rs 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom), which is just Rs 7000 more than the standard Z650RS. The Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary is a limited edition model with only 20 units coming here, and it goes up against the Triumph Trident 660, and the Honda CB650R.

Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary — What’s new?

Save for the cosmetic changes, the Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Edition remains unchanged in terms of the mechanicals. The Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Edition receives a new dual-tone livery which pays tribute to the original Z1 motorcycle from back in the day. It gets this new Candy Diamond Brown paint scheme, along with cast wheels finished in a shade of gold, while the rest of the mechanical bits have been blacked out, much like the standard Z650RS. The seat of the Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Edition receives a new texture with contrast colour stitching.

Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Powertrain and Chassis

Since the 50th Anniversary Edition is identical to the standard Z650RS under the skin, it continues to be powered by the same 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that puts out 67.3bhp at 8000rpm and 64Nm of torque at 6700rpm. The Z650RS 50th Anniversary Edition is underpinned by the same steel trellis frame which hangs off of 41mm USD forks up front, and a horizontal back-link monoshock with preload adjustability at the rear. In terms of the braking setup, it receives dual-piston calipers mounted on 300mm semi-floating twin discs at the front, and a single-piston caliper mounted on a 220mm disc at the rear. An 800m seat height, coupled with the 192kg kerb weight and a ground clearance of 125mm should be ideal enough for city conditions and the occasional highway ride, but I suggest we wait for a proper road test, which we cannot wait for!

Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Features and Equipment

The standard Z650RS doesn’t boast of a lot of kit, but it gets enough to garner your interest. Same is the case with the Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary — it retains the same twin-dial instrument cluster, a multi-function LCD in the middle with a gear position indicator, followed by dual-channel ABS, and a slipper clutch.

Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary Price and Rivals

With prices starting from Rs 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom), the Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary commands a small premium of just Rs 7000 over the standard Z650RS (Rs 6.72 lakh, ex-showroom). Deliveries commence from March 2022, and only 20 units will be offered, so better hurry up! It goes up against the Triumph Trident 660 (Rs 7.45 lakh, ex-showroom), and the Honda CB650R (Rs 8.68 lakh, ex-showroom). This just calls for a review sometime soon, doesn’t it?