New Z650RS - first thoughts?

Personally I'm not sure how I feel about it. The exhaust doesn't look very old-school and it being a twin 650 kind of throws me too. 

It does look nice overall, but for the price I was hoping for something a bit more together. As it is I get a sense that it's a cash-in. But I dunno, I like Firebirds more than Camaros. 

Thoughts?

There is a ghost like presence in the overall look to it but that resemblance kinda begins and ends in the tank and clocks, the rest is fairly vague to say the least and only in the green. I took a good look at the black and the silver and its even a bit more nondescript. Still nice overall bike though, more of a nod to its lineage than the previous z650.

I like it better than the Ninja twins, and I don't hate the Ninja twins.  I've never been a fan of big exposed radiators.  It makes it look like riding an air conditioner down the street.  Conventional forks, thankfully.  But the swingarm is a bit swoopy for my taste.  Could it be swapped with a straight one without changing any other parts or geometry?  Then I'd be more interested.  

I think the real problem is that if someone wants a old looking bike, they can get a decent running one for half the price of a retro bike, and if they are willing to do work, then they can get one dirt cheap.

And yes, green wins hands down over the other options.

The Green one looks good, I really like the gold wheels....

The Kawasaki 650 twin engine is significantly down on power compared to all the other bikes in the class.  I suppose it's still got "enough" HP for most guys that just like to ride around.  Likely similar power to my 750/4.  But still.  The Yamaha 700 is reputed to have a truly glorious engine, and there are others faster still.

 

If I kind of ignore what I would like to see Kawasaki do, and just look at it objectively, it’s not a bad bike. But with the history of the Z series in mind I just can’t help but think it’s a cash-in that misses the mark. 

I would have to see one in person and sit on it before forming an opinion, but I like the front brake MC far more than the 900.

The motor looks like a EX500 bottom end with a fancy downdraft cylinder head.

Its real sad to see that a Kawasaki motor is at the very bottom of the list in horsepower in its class!!!!!

Kawasaki used to pride itself on being at the top or near the top in the horsepower race in any size bike they made in the past 45 years.
 
Sounds like that bike is a real dog in its class compared to the Honda or Yamaha or that fancy Italian job!!!!

the hp thing is relative. I had a 2001 royal star tour deluxe. 850 pounds, 62 hp. This bike will be plenty peppy for me.But I am not buying one. I have my inline 82 650. If it breaks then maybe. I wish I had those fake spoke wheels on my bike.

Always loved that green so that for sure would be the one for me....... but the fact its a 2 cyl and way down in power kills the idea for me.

I wish they had used the inline 4 636 engine instead of the twin they choose.

Two too few cylinders!