 KZ650C | |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Production | 1977-1983 |
| Class | standard |
| Engine | 652 cc (39.8 cu in) inline four |
| Bore / stroke | 62 mm × 54 mm (2.4 in × 2.1 in) |
| Compression ratio | 9.5:1 |
| Top speed | 126 mph (203 km/h)[1] |
| Power | 64 hp (48 kW) @ 8,500 rpm (claimed)[1] |
| Ignition type | points, then CDI |
| Transmission | 5-speed, chain final drive |
| Frame type | double cradle frame |
| Suspension | Front:36 mm telescopic forks Rear: twin rear shocks |
| Brakes | Front: single or twin 275 mm (10.8 in) discs Rear: 180 mm (7.1 in) drum or disc |
| Wheelbase | 1,420 mm (55.9 in) |
| Weight | 465 lb (211 kg)1976-1977[2](dry) 493 lb (224 kg)1978-1981[1] (dry) 485 lb (220 kg) (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 16.8 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.4 US gal) |
The Kawasaki Z650 (known as KZ650 in North America) was produced as a 652 cc (39.8 cu in) standard motorcycle by Kawasaki from 1976 until 1983. It had a four-cylinder four-stroke, DOHC, air-cooled, wet sump engine positioned across the frame with two valves per cylinder and a five-speed gearbox. Designed as a middleweight version of the Kawasaki Z900, the similar-styling had "an attenuated version of the traditional Kawasaki tail fairing".[3] It competed in the market against the smaller SOHC Honda CB650. The Z650 was the epitome of the "Universal Japanese Motorcycle" (UJM).[1][4]
It press-debuted in late 1976 when six US-specification machines were air-shipped from the Akashi works to the UK distributor near London, prior to the London Motorcycle Show. The bikes were assembled and road-shipped to Edinburgh, Scotland, by Kawasaki UK's road race transporter, to be road-tested by 30 assembled European journalists.[5][3]
- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
bikerwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Kawasaki Z650 Road Test". Classic-Motorbike.net. December 1, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ a b Europe goes Kwackers. "John Thorpe rides the new Kawasaki Z650 at its world debut in Scotland". New Motorcycle Monthly, October 1976 No.12, pp.3-5 (IPC Magazines) Accessed 28 July 2019
- ^ Neilson, Cook, ed. (November 1976), "Kawasaki KZ650", Cycle, vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 29–36
- ^ UK World Premier of Kawasaki Z650. Kawasaki News, London Motorcycle Show edition 1976. Retrieved 29 December 2021