Re: Kawasaki Z650 or any bike above 600cc for daily commute??

Approved!

Yes, it would heat up. In a city like Mumbai, you can expect the cooling system to work at full blast almost all the time.

Yes, there will be a marked difference in terms of build up of speed. But that would diminish quickly inside a city because you can hardly use these bikes to even 50% of their potential.

It would be heavier than all your current bikes and would require getting used to.

Re: Kawasaki Z650 or any bike above 600cc for daily commute??

Thank you for your response. Guess I might have to re-think about it now.

Re: Kawasaki Z650 or any bike above 600cc for daily commute??

Superbikes are not meant for heavy traffic commuting.

1. Z650 will heat up a lot and also has low ground clearance.

2. It will definitely be a big step up in terms of power, comfort and refinement.

3. won’t be a problem due to being a naked bike and upright posture.

You won’t be able to use any of its power unless you take it on highways. Infact, it won’t feel like an upgrade at all inside city.

Re: Kawasaki Z650 or any bike above 600cc for daily commute??

[MENTION=12744]tripping_billie[/MENTION] Thanks for reporting the SPAM post.

I currently own the Duke 390 and have test ridden the newer Ninja 650 BS4 under the Rajasthan sun... which is pretty sweaty and hot.

Overall for commuting, I'm afraid I can't even recommend my own Duke, leave alone z650, but its definitely do-able on both bikes, nothing untoward as such. You take such bikes for commutes only because the weekends compensate the weekdays, let me be straight.
If that works for you, be my guest. Commuting punch will be there for sure, you'll be overtaking stuff in unitary second(s). You can't deny it'll be fun.

1. The Kawasaki twin engine is relatively easy to bear in terms of heat, but it exists. Keep revs a bit in the middle, keep 4th gear in the city, and you should do well, unless its 10 kmph bumper to bumper.
In 6th gear, minimum you can do safely is 45kmph or so, but its not recommended. Keeping it in 4th cog should help keep revs around 3-5 krpm, where it shouldn't heat much, combined with the windflow..

2. It will be a major step up overall in every rpm, but it won't be unmanageable or surprising, considering that even the bike is noticeably heavier. At least I, upping from Duke 390 wasn't much surprised anyhow, but the punch was there right from low rpm.
Here, words can't describe what you'll feel, but there won't be unintentional wheelies and youtube trending like stuff. But you'll do well and have fun.

3. It will be a bit tough, but not much of a challenge. Turning radius will be a bit big. Weight will show itself maximum at low speeds and a little while navigating traffic.


Ground clearance shouldn't be much of an issue with mumbai level speed breakers, but with time & experience, you sorta instantly recognise the one bump that should scrape, well before you cross it...
In that case, just go over it in slanting manner (left to right) and it won't scrape. No big deal.

Its a fun, generally a far more reliable bike than most bikes, although I recommend getting the Roadside Assistance package if you tour.


But keep in mind, all my observations are from the BS4 model. Due to lockdown, I've had no ride on any BS6 model at all..

Re: Kawasaki Z650 or any bike above 600cc for daily commute??

Here is something that could appeal to the mind rather than the heart.
Since it's lot of riding in peak city traffic, you will have other issues like safe parking, potholes, storage space for helmet, rain wear, occasional errands etc. This is in addition to heavier clutch, heating, terrible FE and high wear & tear. On top of all this, it won't be fun at all & tiring. Believe me that you will have your foot on the ground most of the time & it's a pain for everyone more so for your height. You will realistically be in 1-3rd gear and sometimes in 4th for a few hundred meters. So here is a suggestion.
Get a used gearless scooter for 30-40k for city usage from your bike budget. Top up the shortfall caused in the bike budget in 2-3 months or stretch your budget and get a big bike that you really like for your weekend trips. Who knows you may do more leisure riding and maybe eventually touring too. Why abuse a SBK & not even enjoy yourself. Essentially split your requirement into 2 parts & suddenly the solution seems more plausible.