With the International model debuting last year, Kawasaki India has introduced the 2024 Z650RS into the Indian portfolio. Given no major updates since the original launch in 2021 except for the 50th-anniversary variant in 2022, does 2024 have a difference?
Starting with the engine, the Z650RS is powered by a parallel-twin engine that produces 68bhp @ 8000rpm of peak power and a peak torque of 6.5kgm @ 6,700 rpm mated to a six-speed gearbox along with a slip and assist function.
In the matter of design, the bike remains true to retro styling with a modern blend. The LED headlight is round, a teardrop fuel tank and the side panels remain as they always did.
The Z650RS is stopped using a 272mm disc in the front and an 186mm disc in the rear which comes standard with dual-channel ABS. The wheels are 17 inches on both ends covered by Dunlop tyres. The bike also features a pre-load adjustable rear mono shock and a USD front fork measuring 41mm.
The instrument clusters remain unchanged featuring the dual speedo in between which is a small negative LCD panel that finishes the instrument cluster.
The Z650RS gets all LED lighting across the bike, a positive neutral finder and two-mode traction control called the KTRC system with one mode solely to aid traction in corners and the other to avoid excessive wheel spin in more wet conditions. However, this mode can be turned off.
It must be noted that the bike has not received any major changes remaining largely the same as before.
The bike does receive a new coat of paint in the Metallic matte carbon grey paint scheme and is currently available for an ex-showroom price of Rs. 6.99 lakhs.
