If you’re looking for a bike with more power and have a little room to stretch your budget, the Z650RS supernaked offers a 650cc two-cylinder, four-stroke DOHC engine and has a base sticker price of $10,199. Its retro styling is similar to that of the Z900RS, which is modeled after the 1970s Z1 900 and starts at more than $12,000. The engine in the Z650RS still delivers 48.5 pound-feet of torque (via Kawasaki) and the most affordable variant, the Z650 ABS, includes traction control, a back-link rear suspension, and anti-lock disc brakes at both wheels.
The large, round analog gauges complete the retro feel, and the Z650RS requires just a few basic maintenance tasks every 7,500 miles: oil and filter changes, a fresh air filter, and new spark plugs. Every 15,000 miles, the brake fluid should be changed and the valve clearances adjusted, and the chain should be lubed every 400 miles and adjusted every 600 miles. These basic tasks can be completed in less than a half hour, although some owners choose to leave the valve clearance check and adjustment to a professional mechanic.
