The Z650 was a genuine ground-up rethink rather than a facelift, and it remains one of the sweetest middleweight nakeds of its era. The 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin produces 68bhp and 65Nm of torque, retuned for stronger low and mid-range pull so it feels quick in the real world rather than just on paper, with an assist and slipper clutch making the lever feather-light in traffic.
The headline change was weight. A high-tensile steel trellis frame saved 10kg and the gullwing swingarm another 2.7kg, taking 17kg out of the bike it replaced. At 187kg with a 1,410mm wheelbase, it is remarkably agile, tipping into corners with no hesitation and holding a line beautifully, which makes it as happy on a twisty B-road as it is filtering through town.
Braking is progressive and confident from twin 300mm semi-floating petal discs with twin-piston calipers and a 220mm rear, with ABS as standard. Suspension is a 41mm telescopic fork and a preload-adjustable horizontal back-link shock.
The 790mm seat is low, narrow and easy to get both feet down on, and the sculpted tank gives good grip when cornering.
This Z650 features GPR exhaust, radiator guard, adjustable MZS levers, tinted screen, R&G crash bobbins and paddock stand bobbins, two keys, owners manual and service book with a partial service history.