New Kawasaki Z650 and Z900 models set to debut officially during EICMA 2016 next month.
Earlier this week, Team Green debuted a sleuth of updated-for-2017 models during INTERMOT 2016 in Cologne, Germany. Thankfully, two more will debut next month during EICMA 2016 show in Milan, Italy – Kawasaki Z650 and Z900.
Images of the new Kawasaki Z650 and Z900 models were shown at INTERMOT 2016, but the bikes will only debut in Italy instead before production and sales begin. Here’s what you ought to know about the two.
2017 Kawasaki Z650
Having unveiled the fully faired Kawasaki ER-6f’s replacement in the form of the new Kawasaki Ninja 650, its naked sibling ER-6n sibling’s replacement comes in the form of the 2017 Kawasaki Z650.
The changes in the Ninja 650 are replicated here in the Z650 as well, namely the Euro 4-compliant 649cc parallel-twin paired with a new transmission primed with a assist slipper clutch feature.
The reworked twin-cylinder will focus more on fuel economy rather than performance, with Kawasaki promising it being capable of 66mpg (4.3 litres/100km). it will weigh in at a claimed 187kg whilst the seat height stands at 790mm as well.
More importantly, the Z650 also gains with the Bosch 9.1M ABS suite. Lastly, from the released image, we can see that the Z650 will also get a new and aggressive styling similar to Kawasaki’s other Z-series naked models.
The full model change for both the ER-6f and ER-6n entry-level models come at the right time as they’ve been around for quite a bit. On top of that is the fact that Kawasaki has shared the outgoing ER-6n model’s plans with Taiwanese firm Kymco in return for its past joint venture for the Kawasaki maxi-scooters.
2017 Kawasaki Z900
Next comes the new 2017 Kawasaki Z900 naked. The new naked underpins an all-new steel trellis chassis that houses a 948cc in-line four-cylinder powerplant that’s based off the Z1000 model’s 1,043cc in-line four-pot, offering 126hp.
The accompanying transmission will also feature an assist slipper clutch. Tasked with suspension duties are 41mm upside down front forks plus a horizontally mounted rear shock, with both offering adjustable rebound and preload settings.
Anchors come in the form of twin 300mm front discs grabbed by dual opposed four-piston calipers that’s supplemented with a Nissin ABS suite. This should halt this new naked’s claimed low 210kg weight figure easily whilst short riders will definitely welcome its equally low 794mm seat height.
