Kawasaki Z650 2020 vs. Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Overview - Kawasaki Z650 2020 vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

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Simple attachment thanks to magnetic snap-in closure. For safe luggage transport.

Details

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Z650 2020 compared to Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	V
Bore	Bore	83 mm	Bore	105 mm
Stroke	Stroke	60 mm	Stroke	72.3 mm
Engine power	Engine power	68.2 HP	Engine power	122 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	8,000 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	65.7 Nm	Torque	125 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	7,000 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	10.8	Compression Ratio	12
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Belt
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	DOHC	Valves	DOHC
Cooling	Cooling	liquid	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	649 ccm	Displacement	1,252 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	41 mm	Diameter	43 mm
Travel	Travel	125 mm	Travel	92 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Shock mount	Shock mount	Deflection	Shock mount	Deflection
Travel	Travel	130 mm	Travel	51 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular	Frame type	Tubular, Load-bearing engine
Rake	Rake	65.5 degree	Rake	60 degree
Trail	Trail	100 mm	Trail	148 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Single disk
Diameter	Diameter	300 mm	Diameter	320 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Four pistons
Shock mount	Shock mount	Semi-Schwimmsattel	Shock mount	Floating caliper
Technology	Technology	Petal	Technology	radial, Monoblock

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	220 mm	Diameter	260 mm
Piston	Piston	Single piston	Piston	Single piston
Shock mount	Shock mount	Floating caliper	Shock mount	Fixed caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Cruise control, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	160 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	160 mm	Rear tyre width	180 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	70 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	16 inch
Length	Length	2,055 mm	Length	2,265 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,410 mm	Wheelbase	1,520 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	790 mm	Seat Height	755 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	187.1 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	228 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	15 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	11.8 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Equipment

Equipment	Equipment	LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display	Equipment	Bluetooth, Connectivity, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Z650 2020

It's simply marvellous what Kawasaki has put together in a complete package with the new Z650. The technical components may not knock your socks off individually, but in combination they make for a pleasantly neutral motorbike that everyone will enjoy. No bitchy idiosyncrasies - simply a naked bike that works really well on winding country roads. Of course, the TFT display, which we don't find in the competition at the moment, is a plus, as is the grown-up look, which is strongly oriented towards the larger Z models. Only the pressure point of the front brake could have been more clearly defined - but you can't have everything in this price range.

powerful two-cylinder engine

aggressive intake noise

compact dimensions

low seat height

stable chassis

TFT display with connectivity

grown-up look

Front brake pressure point

probably uncomfortable for tall riders

Rideology Appn och not 100% sophisticated.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S RH1250S 2021

The Sportster S returns to the tradition of this model series - yes, it really used to be about sport! That's why the latest American creation, with its 122 hp and 125 Nm of torque, doesn't want to be a cruiser, but instead is almost classless in its pursuit of customers. What is on offer is a wonderful poser bike that is surprisingly easy to ride. The single-disc brake at the front works well and the fat 160 front tyre steers better than you would expect. Only the hard suspension makes the rider suffer on longer distances - which of course doesn't matter at all in front of the ice cream parlour. Electronics and safety are top-notch, which mitigates the tidy price for true fans.

Powerful, refined engine

brakes very good for a single-disc system

full electronics package with cornering ABS and lean angle-dependent traction control

Chassis really hard

turn-in behaviour somewhat unwilling due to wide front tyre