Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025 vs. Kawasaki Z650 2020

Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Overview - Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025 vs Kawasaki Z650 2020

Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025

Kawasaki Z650 2020

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Details

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025 compared to Kawasaki Z650 2020

Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025

Kawasaki Z650 2020

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	In line	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	70 mm	Bore	83 mm
Stroke	Stroke	58.6 mm	Stroke	60 mm
Engine power	Engine power	45.4 HP	Engine power	68.2 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	9,000 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,000 rpm
Torque	Torque	42.6 Nm	Torque	65.7 Nm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	11.3	Compression Ratio	10.8
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Throttle Bore	Throttle Bore	32 mm	Throttle Bore	36 mm
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath, Antihopping	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Ignition	Ignition	Digital	Ignition	Digital
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Chain
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	451 ccm	Displacement	649 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	41 mm	Diameter	41 mm
Travel	Travel	120 mm	Travel	125 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Travel	Travel	130 mm	Travel	130 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Preload

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular	Frame type	Tubular
Rake	Rake	63 degree	Rake	65.5 degree
Trail	Trail	92 mm	Trail	100 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Single disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	310 mm	Diameter	300 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Double piston

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	220 mm	Diameter	220 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	110 mm	Front tyre width	120 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	150 mm	Rear tyre width	160 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	60 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	1,995 mm	Length	2,055 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,375 mm	Wheelbase	1,410 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	785 mm	Seat Height	790 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	172 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	187.1 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	14 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	15 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A2	License compliancy	A

Equipment

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

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Z 500 SE 2025

The Kawasaki Z500 SE is an impressive naked bike that impresses with its powerful two-cylinder engine and sporty suspension. Although the seating position for taller riders and the limited electronic Advanced Rider Assistance Systems have been criticised, the Z500 offers a sporty and fun riding experience. The smooth transmission and soft clutch contribute significantly to the riding pleasure. Overall, the Z500 is an excellent bike for those looking for an agile naked bike that stands out in its class. Finally a bike that is lightweight but doesn't look cheap and puny. Really cool!

Engine appears sufficiently dimensioned and really grown-up

Playful handling

Pleasant ergonomics for smaller riders

Balanced and firm suspension

Smooth clutch

Good stability and precise feedback

Good power in all rev ranges

Buttery smooth clutch and gearstick

Uncomfortable seating position for taller riders

Annoying vibrations from 4000 rpm - audible plastic parts reduce the feeling of value

Brakes are less sporty than the engine - be careful on long and sporty passages

Conservative ABS that intervenes too early

Display difficult to adjust - you always have to take your hand off the handlebars to fiddle with the display

Tight suspension can be uncomfortable on longer journeys

No traction control

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.