Kawasaki's 650cc Twins Get Safer For 2023

Kawasaki has updated its popular 650cc twins, the Ninja 650 and the Z650, abroad. The 2023 Ninja 650 retails at GBP 7,649 (around Rs 7 lakh) and the 2023 Z650 costs GBP 7,399 (around Rs 6.77 lakh) for the base colour variants, making them just GBP 50 (around Rs 4,500) more than their respective predecessors. 

The Japanese bikemaker has equipped the two motorcycles with a three-level traction control with the ability to switch off as well. That said, they’re not lean-sensitive as the bikes do not have an IMU. Apart from this, the rest of the motorcycles’ mechanicals and features remain unchanged. Notable features include an all-LED lighting system, TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, dual-channel ABS, and a slip-assist clutch.

The bikes continue with the same 649cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled mill, churning out 68PS at 8000rpm and 64Nm at 6700rpm. The motor offers a claimed mileage of 22.22kmpl on both bikes. 

With the addition of the traction control system, the 650 twins should now offer even more value for money than before. We wish Kawasaki had also updated the bikes with turn-by-turn navigation. Hopefully they’re on the checklist for the next iteration. Sadly, the 2023 update is still due for the Kawasaki Z650RS.

• Check out Kawasaki Ninja 300 price
• Upcoming Kawasaki Bikes
• Upcoming Bike Launches In September

Expect Kawasaki to launch the 2023 model around November this year. At the moment, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 costs Rs 6,95,000, whereas the Z650 retails at Rs 6,43,000 (both ex-showroom Delhi). So, the 2023 iterations could command a premium of around Rs 15,000 over the current-gen bikes. The Ninja rivals the Honda CBR650R, and the Z650 goes up against the Triumph Trident 660 and the Honda CB650R.