FEATURE - 2022 Kawasaki Z650 50th Anniversary
Kawasaki are paying tribute to the 50th Anniversary of their Z1 this year with the release of four celebratory models, finished in unique colours and adding special details. One of the four is the LAMS-legal Z650 50th Anniversary.
While the 50th Anniversary variant retains the Z650’s modern ‘Sugomi’ styling, it covers it in Firecracker Red paint. Also applied to this year’s Z900 50th Anniversary model, this colour is inspired by Kawasaki’s GPz1100 from the early 1980s – a model that marked the end of the original, air-cooled Z1’s lineage. Back then, the paint was accented with black and silver striping on the tank and tail and would also be applied to the GPZ900R in the ’80s.
In the case of the 2022 Z650 50th Anniversary model, the Firecracker Red is said to be specially blended to give a rich, deep finish. Accenting this are dark blue and silver stripes on the radiator shrouds, fuel tank and tail. The Z650’s 17-inch wheels also get the Firecracker Red treatment, along with slim silver pinstripes.
The blackout engine treatment is as per the regular Z650, but on the 50th Anniversary version, the frame is painted gloss black, instead of green or red.
Gold Kawasaki and ‘Z’ tank badges are standard, along with a ‘50th Anniversary 1972-2022’ decal on the radiator shrouds and subtle ‘Z 50th’ decal on the front mudguard.
The final piece of personalisation is a textured finish on the saddle, which is also applied to the larger Z900 50th Anniversary.
Mechanically, the Z650 50th Anniversary is unchanged from the standard Z650, which means the engine is a 649cc four-stroke parallel twin, producing 37.8kW at 8000rpm and 59.0Nm at 6500rpm to meet LAMS requirements. Tuned to maximise low- to mid-range torque, this liquid-cooled, DOHC engine is matched to a six-speed gearbox, via a wet, multi-plate clutch with slip/assist function and chain final drive.
The gloss black steel trellis frame is connected to a 41mm tele fork front end and monoshock back-link rear end. There’s adjustable pre-load at the rear, with listed travel of 125mm up front and 130mm at the back.
A pair of 300mm petal front brake discs with two-piston calipers and a 220mm rear petal disc with a single-piston caliper handle the braking, backed by ABS.
Instrumentation consists of a 4.3-inch colour TFT screen that offers a choice of black or white background options, as well as automatic screen brightness adjustment.
An economical riding indicator is standard, while inbuilt Bluetooth connectivity and ‘Rideology The App’ allows data, like riding logs, bike info and general settings, to be viewed on your smartphone, with phone notifications on the TFT screen.
The Z650 50th Anniversary has a LAMS-friendly 790mm seat height and wide, flat handlebar for relaxed, yet sporty ergonomics. Weight is 187kg and fuel capacity 17 litres.
Still available at time of writing, but only in limited numbers, the 2022 Z650 50th Anniversary is priced at approximately $12,500 ride away. Contact your Kawasaki dealer to confirm pricing and availability.
2022 Kawasaki Z650 50th Anniversary – basic specs
Engine: 649cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin
Power: 37.8kW at 8000rpm
Torque: 59.0Nm at 6500rpm
Clutch: Wet multi-plate w/slip-assist
Transmission: Six-speed, chain final drive
Frame: Steel trellis
Suspension: 41mm tele fork front w/125mm travel, horizontal back-link monoshock rear w/130mm travel
Brakes: Dual semi-floating 300mm disc Fr/Single 220mm disc Rr, 2-piston front caliper, single-piston rear caliper
Wheels: 17-inch alloy Fr/Rr
Tyres: 120/70ZR17M/C 58W front, 160/60ZR17M/C 69W rear
LxWxH: 2055mm x 765mm x 1065mm
Wheelbase: 1410mm
Seat Height: 790mm
Fuel Tank: 15lt
Wet Weight: 187kg
LAMS APPROVED: Yes