@No_Name Oh man! lol that would be a rough ride for a passenger. The FZ-07 has more butt room than the Z-650. The FZ also in my opinion has better hand holds for the passenger, but both very uncomfortable for something that long, but were both kinda old so (I'm 50,Pop's is 76) so maybe with 2-3 stops it would okay. video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g7l0qpiK1MfWkmg.html

@No_Name she wont..

Yea sorry about that, at time's it's a struggle to ensure the images reflect exactly what I'm talking about, without switching them every three seconds. Will definitely take note to try and make it a better in future though, appreciate the feedback!

Nice stuff, how are you finding your Z650 with more time riding? Any mods or accessories planned yet?

@@MotoJournoKris I have added a radiator guard and tank guard and that's been it so far. Been difficult finding frame sliders, they are always out of stock..I like my bike a lot, very smooth but not been able to break it in as fast as I wanted to, either been raining a lot or almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

nice, you can't go wrong with any of the japanese naked bikes i have MT-07 2019 and I love it, they have been refining and upgrading them for many years so they are all solid

same

Yeah tbf i think its a bit too much for a complete beginner, I ride a cbf125 and obviously its bc i have an A1 license here in Holland. My A2 bike will be the mt07 35kw so the mt07 full power will be my "3rd" bike. 75 bhp is brutal on the road especially for a complete beginner.

@@motormullie3404 tbf it honestly also completely depends on the body size and confidence of the rider. You can be a complete noob and be confident (with care) and trust yourself on a 650 parallel twin. They have pretty linear power unlike 4pots which just roar as soon as you let the revs get up to speed. On top of all that, if you are a bigger person, I'd rather get something that would carry my weight. I had been riding on a Ninja 300 the past half year or so and I am only 60-65kg, and the power is already boring me. Just be confident while still having a brain.

Was that like 40 years ago lol

I got the 2021 mt 07 as my first bike a month ago and I say it's a good first bike. Not so powerful that it's scarey or that it will get away from you. Still powerful enough that I feel like i will be happy with it for a couple years. I love the weight and the maneuverability of this bike. I have never rode any other bike though so this is just my opinion.

They did a great job updating the Z650, it looks a lot better with the new headlight and the fully blacked out engine, the earlier versions with the silver engines and the older style headlights didn't have quite the same streetfighter feel to the style.

@@MotoJournoKris what year is it updated?

@@darthkarroto2183 2020 was that update.

I'm the opposite hey. I like the z650s from 2020 and under since they had more of that classic style headlight

@No_Name the 2020 MT07 is pretty light; at 182kg it’s one of the lighter bikes around.

Or you could go 'real' classic styling (you said you like classic styling) and a real v-twin throb instead of a 270 crank parallel twin and go the SV650! ;-) ;-) (Yes, I know the SV is heavier, this is more a bit of banter. Although the Suzuki 645cc V-Twin is a very characterful engine with a reliability reputation many bikes could only dream of)

@@devilsadvocate2548very boring bike sv650

@Jaapst and you're completely entitled to that opinion. There are many people out there that like it too. I also see you must have missed the bit where I said it was a bit of banter.

Some people greatly prefer inline fours, others would only buy V-twins, which is mainly personal preference. But the MT-07 does have a very characterful engine.

Yep that Z650 you really feel the compact ergonomics on. It's amazing the difference the weight distribution and CoG can make between bikes.

Its funny because for me it was the exac opposite ahah ! Didnt like the feeling when I was seating, it would hurt me in between the middle thights !!

@@Andreadexxo Fit on the bike is such a personal thing, sometimes the contours of the seat or bodywork can be great for one rider, but terrible for others.

@@Andreadexxo I guess bikes are like shoes- they all fit differently ✌🏻😁

What size and weight are you?

Thanks, glad you liked it!

That seems to be a lot of people's dream combination and I can see why!

If yamaha updates the mt07 we could see something like that But it as been 6 years since an update.... :(

@@danielferreira5804 The screen is so behind as far as tech.

They are a great machine, even with a full license and years riding, it's still a bike that really impresses.

Of course its sound better but for everything else the z650 is the choice. I love the raw nature of MT07 but its suspension and brakes are just to meh to overlook especially since the cost the same

@@shuttzi9878 I have an Fz07 and have never had any issues with my suspension or braking. Get familiar with your bike and practice emergency braking. You don't just brake lol there is technique to braking etc. I will admit the rear brake pedal feels a bit soft to touch but that is an easy fix. All bikes are different. In terms of personality and aggressiveness fz07/mt07 wins. The street isnt a race track so idk wtf ish you trying to do to cause the suspension to not be adequate enough or brakes

@@BobbyDully__P Quite a few reviewers criticize the MT07 on its mushy suspension.

Yep it's a standout in the class!

Just the Aussie new rider restrictions, similar to the A2 system in Europe, but also with an overall capacity (and power to weight ratio) limit, with the limit being 660cc. Even cruisers well below the power to weight ratio don't meet LAMS requirements for that reason. It was a big step forward back when they launched as far as restricted models, as it didn't have a throttle stop that only let you open the throttle a quarter turn and barely felt restricted at all. Especially compared to something like the FZ6R which proceeded it (in restricted form).

I’m one of those people lol. I don’t know man, I’ve been riding sport bikes for 15 years. Been doing some cruiser riding the past few years as well. I work on motorcycles for a living so I get the opportunity to ride a wide variety of bikes. We took an FZ07 on trade a few weeks back and I got to ride it. I absolutely loved it lol. It’s such a light weight, fun to ride bike. I actually really enjoyed it. With that being said, the suspension felt really soft to me. I’m sure the bike is set up from the factory for a rider 140-160 pounds?? I would guess it’s somewhere in there. I’m 195-200 pounds. Depends on the day... I’m not sure what you weigh but I’m gonna assume that the people that think it’s too soft, are probably too heavy for the stock suspension. I don’t know. I could be way off. Just my theory. I would at some point like to add one of those bikes to my stable. It’s an AWESOME bike!! Get tons of smiles per gallon.

I agree...mt is not R bike.

Cheers!

I actually just had the MT as a tester for about four months as a long term review thanks to Yamaha, so sadly not a real owner, but I did get the owner's experience having the bike for that long. A few people have asked me that though, and I reckon it would be such a hard choice, it would probably come down to which I could get the better deal on when it came to shopping for them. That way I'd have some money left over for a few tasty mods, maybe some rider training or new gear, as I think I'd be 100% happy with either. That or upgrade my wife's Ninja 400 and get both!

Moto Journo Kris thank you! 👍😎

The MT-07 is definitely worthy of being a second machine, even if you've got something larger and more powerful!

The MT-07 is a great looking machine!

Sorry, to me the MT07 looks like a bunch of parts thrown in a pile. I like the looks of the Z's swingarm and the overall styling seems to flow better (including the side of the engine). Another great and thoughtful review, Kris.

@@dougfielding8215 are you talking about the crashpads on the side? Lmao

Starting on an MT-03 is a great idea, and they look insanely cool with the latest update. I am interested to see what Yamaha do with the MT-07 when it gets the next update, and whether it'll go more futuristic, and follow the MT-10 styling, or whether they'll try and keep it a bit more restrained.

Moto Journo Kris hopefully they do update the headlight assembly to properly fit in with the 03, 09 and 10!

My friend better cancel the mt03.

@@manosmanos4663 why? its a fine motorcycle.whats wrong with it?

Good idea. These aren't really beginner bikes like the author calls them. A larger, intelligent rider, maybe, but not ideal. They also have way more HP than he says.

Very nice! How are you finding the bike so far? Any mods done yet or already planned?

Planning to fit a aftermarket exhaust, a tail tidy and passenger peg delete. I hope to take it out this weekend.

@@WestOzMT Awesome, you going to go with one of the aftermarket options for exhaust through Yamaha, or looking further afield? They definitely sound better (than stock) with the Akro.

@@MotoJournoKris I'm not to sure exhaust systems seem to pretty pricey. I have seen a few videos of people fitting full systems from Amazon and Ali express costing a few hundred.

@@WestOzMT Yep that's an option, just have to worry about they fit, long term quality, etc. If I was keeping the bike long term I'd probably invest in a decent exhaust. Can mess around with something cheaper if that's not the case and see how it goes.

Yep, there's something to be said for going with something a bit different!

The challenge is always weighing them up and deciding what is most important to you. I think most riders would be very happy whichever way they chose.

That would be a great upgrade, the MT-07s even restricted offer a lot of performance, and a beautiful engine character, you'll love it.

vagelis koios and half the price..

@@mj_aussie_coaster_travels8310 Half the price against which bike?

A lot of this is near Pie in the Sky and Kangaroo Point, along the Old Pacific Highway, north of Sydney.

@@MotoJournoKris , cheers for replying mate ,that was my playground growing up in Berowra Heights , that old Highway was a fun ride , the Berowra waters to Galston gorge then home thru Hornsby heights and back of Asquith was my favourite ride

@@matthewblackwell1194 They are such fun roads through there, especially both sides of the ferry. Galston Gorge is a bit of a game of chance, so many people use it who shouldn't be trusted with a wheelbarrow let alone a car, a clear run is nice, but it can be a real nightmare too, I've gone through a few times on a bike and someone in a long vehicle has been stuck at a hairpin so no one can get through (except bikes).

They are both really solid choices, I think there's a fair bit of subjectivity between the two, as to what each rider prefers.

I'd have to say the MT-07, it's not as refined but I like the character.

@@MotoJournoKris thanks man!

Usually the bigger annoucements for next year bikes are shown in EICMA Show in Italy. That's where most brands showcase their upcoming bikes. So stay tuned for this years EICMA (it's scheduled to happen from 3rd to the 8th of November) to see whats coming in 2021

I hope the mt7 gets a redesign look

@@the.communist i am putting of buying a new bike until i see 2021 models. Got my self 250cc scooter that will do for this year. ^_^ cant wait. Z650 needs love 2, SV650 radiator....plain and simple ugly af.

It does look a bit limited at the moment on that front, especially the 'bar risers with that TFT display placement. I'm sure it's possible, but just how difficult is... is another thing entirely!

Hi did you do it eventually? If yes, is there much difference?

@@thomas15-12 I traded in the Z400 for the 2020 Ninja 650. Believe it or not I am quite comfortable with the Ninja's stock handlebars. Besides that, I like the fact I don't need to rev the engine to get moving from red lights and stop signs. And less shifting of gears as well.

Also these are not recommended for beginners. Get ya self a 250-300cc my first was a KTM duke 390 play it safe.

Great advice!

If you buy the LAMS version in Australia it's limited to 50, as it's the beginner version.

I'll have to see what I can line up this year!

The SV 650 is a bike I'm interested in. I'm around the same height as you but 90 kg. I'm sure they are all good and ai guess it comes down to what sort of engine configuration your after and budget. Don't want to regret buying one when I should bought the other. Thanks for replying.

@@gavinr1834 The SV stands out for being a V-twin, and is arguably best value in the category, I don't really think there's a wrong choice. I'd say most riders who end up wanting to upgrade from this class of bike, would regardless of which they picked. But personal fit on the bike definitely comes into it too.

Hard to beat going for a test ride when it comes to getting a decent feel for the bikes. Just sitting on them instore isn't bad for ergos, but a ride gives you a better idea about engine character, suspension, etc.

@@MotoJournoKris Problem is in Houston test rides on Japanese bikes are not available. I can’t test ride them. Hence I don’t know what to get. Feel stuck, frustrated. I can only test ride Harley and BMW. What would you do if in my predicament? They expect one to spend all that money with no test ride. P.S. I think one of the BMW dealers will allow a test ride on Triumph also. Again so no test ride on a Japanese bikes!

@@dry509 Yea that's tough, seems crazy that's the case. Any chance of finding them second hand somewhere to test ride, do they allow that or is it just a blanket rule even for second hand bikes? Both are great machines so I don't think you can really go wrong. Each have some advantages, and certainly different characters. Maybe Twisted Road might be an option? I've heard people mention hiring a bike from them.

@@MotoJournoKris Thanks. I found riders share but not cheap.

74,8 for the MT and 68 for the Z

What about at the wheel z650 could be 54hp @ the wheel. Maybe there both restricted and there is some power to weight limit at play as the Z is heavier it would be aloud a little more power and still be the same power/weight as the mt-07

Seating position, and the geometry is slightly different, so they do feel quite different ridden back to back.

@@MotoJournoKris which one do you think is more upright?

Definitely see if you can manage a test ride, they have very different feels and personalities, you may find one just clicks with your riding style.

It'll depend where you are, but Australian RRPs are currently: $12,749 ride-away for the MT-07 and $12,208 ride-away for the Z650, both 2022 models (so the newer MT-07 style). That's an RRP for the Z650 specific for Sydney too, it may vary by location, where the MT-07 price is the general Australian pricing.

They're a very cool machine, have you had a chance to sit on one and see how the fit is?

Thanks for watching!

Working on getting my hands on one again!

@@MotoJournoKris awesome , will it be a VS video?

They are quite a good match generally speaking, but the MT-07 did feel a bit larger and roomier to me, where the Z650 feels very compact and streetfighter themed in comparison, which is a bit of a personal preference as to which riders like. At your height the seat height should be fine on either. I wouldn't hesitate to spend a few hours on either bike, although the comfort seat on the Yamaha did help in that area. It'd be worth sitting on each and seeing if one feels more natural for you.

Not as far as I'm aware, there is a 2021 Ninja 650 which is the full power version though.

Both are great machines, but if you're thinking about picking up a ZX-10R on your fulls, the MT-07 might be a fun option so you've got two different style bikes in the garage. If you wanted a smaller capacity machine that could be turned into a track bike that you wouldn't mind binning as much, the Ninja 400 might be a better option there. Either are ideal for commuting. It might be worth checking out if there's a big difference if you're going for full comprehensive insurance between the two and want to keep that cost down with owning another bike in mind. The second bike will obviously cost you a bit more, however you're keeping commuting mileage off the ZX-10R, not wasting your tyres on all that day to day stuff, and that'll help resale. Good luck getting your Ls!!!

@@MotoJournoKris Thank you so much Kris for taking time and replying to my questions and for the tips! Obviously I will have to test ride the LAMS bikes before deciding on one but I do have few concerns about them. MT-07 - This one seemed perfect for my height but I hear they have swingarm corrosion issues, brakes lacking bite, clutch plate breaking, clunky gear shifts and front shocks being too soft putting the bike out of balance during high speed braking. Have you come across these as common issues ? Ninja400 - Haven't heard of any common issues with it, but personally for me as I am 6foot tall, the bike looks a bit low. Triumph Trident - Any thoughts about this one? I know it's too early to say, not sure if we have one in Australia yet, but seems to be a good contender for the MT-07. I also have an eye on the Street triple LAMS and was wondering about the maintenance costs with triumph bikes, I hear they are quite expensive in comparison. Thanks!

@@MisterG7 Happy to be of help! I think some of the complaints around the MT-07 stem from people expecting the kind of suspension/brakes you'd get on a $20k sportsbike, on something half the price, or taking one to the track with similar expectations. That could be partially because the engine is so good, people really use them to the limit. There's room for improvement because they are built to the budget, but that's true of every bike. I'm about 70kg plus gear, so I'm probably lucky in that I'm in the right region for the stock suspension, but I've always found it good, well past anything legal. But it's not like my Daytona with Ohlins, where it actually gets better the faster you ride. It's just a solid, all-round system designed to work for a very wide variety of riders. Some Yamaha models do have a clunkier gear shift, but that's just a characteristic, not a problem if you ask me. More specific issues, like with corrosion, the clutch, etc, it's always difficult to say. I haven't heard about them enough, even searching online, to think they are widespread, when you consider there's tens of thousands of these bikes around the world. Some spots of rust along the welds on the swingarm is something some people report, but easily fixed as well. Plus you never know if it's something caused by the rider, how/where they ride, their maintenance to the bike, etc, etc. There's some terrible advice out there on the net, and there's some great advice that can be equally catastrophic when done wrong, or by someone without the right skills, or attention to detail. Size could be an issue on the Ninja 400, although it is a fair bit roomier than the Z400 for comparison. The ZX-10R will probably feel more compact than the Ninja 400 though! I think the Trident is going to be very interesting, offering some stiff competition to the MT-07, especially depending on the new MT-07s price. Triumph were boasting very low servicing time/costs as well compared to most of the competition, so hourly rates being similar, it shouldn't be a big difference, or could even be better based on their claims. Hoping to get a chance to test the Trident in the new year! If you could get a Street Triple 660, that'd be a good option too, with a bump in specs over the Trident.

@@MotoJournoKris Thanks again Kris! Highly appreciate you taking time and patiently answering all the questions and concerns I had asked. You are right, if people are buying the MT-07 without thinking twice then it must be a good all rounder for sure, especially for people who can't upgrade for 3-4 years. Plus it has room for mods. Triumph Trident seems VFM when compared to the MT-07. I will have to ride them first and then decide what would be good on a longer run. Will wait for your review on the Trident as well! Cheers. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy 2021!

@@MisterG7 Thanks and happy new year to you too!

That Z1000 headlight is particularly mean looking, they definitely toned down the Z styling on the 650, as the Z1000 and Z800 tended to polarise people on the looks.

650s are generally considered the top end of the beginner segment in places like Australia and America, restricted versions like A2/LAMS are pretty undeniably beginner-centric. There's some decent reasons to pick a 650, and some poor reasons, like ego, with lots of nuance in between.

I ve heard it have 70 hp

270-degree crank in-line twins are commonly referred to as parallel twins. It depends how much of a purist you are I guess.

Yep the SV650 would be a great comparison point too, lining up more than two bikes for comparison gets very challenging though!

Wouldnt call it mature, just prettier

I guess it’s Golden Girls vs Breaking Bad. I know which I prefer.

Glad to hear you're OK! I do think they tune these 650s for way more torque and low to mid-range than top end. A Ninja 400 will do 115 mph (on the dash anyway), but I'd want to be on a ZX-6R going faster than that (or a ZX-10R) if I'm pushing past that. Something like a TMax will give the 650s a run for their money, I had great fun on one of those leaving surprised cruiser riders in my wake, wondering what was going on! Interestingly the ER-6 engine is very popular for speed attempts, although obviously they need a bit of work to get there.

Moto Journo Kris hahahahaha funny u mention a zx6r, because I now own one!! I got it after I got hit on the z650

Moto Journo Kris yeah people loved the Er-6 way more then they do these later gen 650’s. They had more top end for sure

Taller gearing as well

Thats why i gave up motorcycling, the thought of some stupid car crashing into me is not a risk am willing to take. and nowadays everybody txt and drives.

That's a good way of looking at it and aligns with my thoughts. The MT-07 has that bit more character, which can be a big advantage if you really dig it. The Z has some very nice advantages in some of the details in comparison.

If I can get my hands on one!

I'll see what I can do! It's been a while since I've tested the MVs.

The LAMS versions are restricted, full power over 70.

I felt like the MT-07 was slightly more roomy of the two.

I am 6'4" and I went on my buddys honda cb650r it is perfect for taller people

I had the MT-07 for a number of months for testing, and was getting about 4.5-5L per 100km, while testing the Z650 for the day it was similar, for spirited riding, so I would have said they are fairly similar in that regard.

Thank you sir. Appreciate much

If you're trying to wheelie, you'll wheelie. You can loop a CB250 but they were still the bike of choice when I did my pre-licence course. A little common sense and you'll have no issues with the MT-07. If you lack throttle control to such an extent you can't help but wheelie everywhere on an MT-07, you'll be dangerous on a bicycle and should stick to starting on a 50cc.

@@MotoJournoKris wheelies is one thing, I mentioned them because they tell about bike's power. What really concerns me, is loosing rear or getting high side in the turn, because newbie might not be able to control that power

@@user-mb4xy2cz3t thank you for mentioning this it was a concern of mine. How do you stop the front from coming up leaning forward over it?

@@joebotz1243 Yeah, you can try leaning forward, if it doesn't help - be less aggressive with the throttle

I'd probably recommend the MT-07 if you've spent that long on a 200 cc, you'll appreciate the extra power and they are a great fun machine. The Honda Hornet 250 is a much smaller upgrade in my opinion.

@@MotoJournoKris ок

It's really worth sitting on both and seeing if one feels better or more natural. The seat heights should be ideal for most riders of that height, then it's just the smaller differences where you may see some preference.

I don't think I ever said these are just for beginners. They're ideal for more experienced riders too, but being beginner friendly gets talked about a lot because so many new and prospective riders are interested in them, and they generally need the most guidance, compared to more experienced riders.

Sorry Chris that was a bit of a rant...But I have had so Many remarks about why am I Riding a Starter Bike It was your video comparison Z650 V Mt07 That persuaded me to get the Kawasaki

@@jefflambert8603 All good, I know what you mean. Currently we've just got a WR250R and Ninja 400 in the garage because I like the smaller bikes so much. I'm thinking of adding something smaller like a 150-200 cc to see how it compares to those options as far as viability too this year. It's crazy to think a 'mid-capacity' bike is now often 900 cc.

Cheers Chris ..& Fuel is getting so Expensive in UK 0ver £1.50 .a litre Thats where these Bikes are really Good ...you don't have to have a 125cc to get good MPG /MPL

@@jefflambert8603 Yep, it's been almost $2 a litre here for premium... I miss filling a 17 litre tank for under $20...

Yep definitely. 650 is going to be a bigger challenge getting started, so less forgiving and easier to get into trouble with the extra power. A little more forgiving if you get restricted versions, but still more challenging.

@@MotoJournoKris what is the restricted version

@@sander16v11 We get 'LAMS' versions here in Australia which for most of the 650s means power is about 50 hp, how it's worked out is more complicated but it's fairly similar to A2 motorcycles in Europe with a 35 kW limit. Obviously that has no impact on the weight of the bigger bike, etc.

@@MotoJournoKris we get 68 horses in US I believe.

@@sander16v11 Yep that's the full power version. We can get the Ninja 650 in the 67 hp version (or the 35kW like this one) but the Z650 only comes in restricted power for now.

I wouldn't have said bad. A little clunkier than some, in some situations, while in others you wouldn't notice it at all.

Better with ebc upgraded clutch just done mine stronger springs and plates made gearchange less clunky

I'm about 180cm, so in that region and found either suitable, but the MT-07 does feel a little bit more relaxed and open, where the Z650 is more compact and feels a little bit sportier for that overall ergo.

check out my channel, im 6'3 and i have the yamaha. Ride perfectly fine on it

There are generally roads north of Sydney from Cowan up past Kulnura.

@@MotoJournoKris thanks mate Iive in the campbelltown area and most times i ride with my mate to stanwell top

It's really worth checking one out in person, you probably won't be getting both feet flat, but you might still find it manageable, getting one foot down. Whether you've got long legs in proportion to your height can also play a large part.

@@MotoJournoKris Thanks

Me too 5’4 small and I did my exam on Mt07 and I liked it more better than Kawasaki Er6n. Yes, I was like a little balerina but anyway.. I pass my exam very well and I had big smile on my face when I saw that my exam bike is Yamaha MT07 because I love that bike, it’s for me like very good shoes ;)

@@chirkassify Absolutely, always go with the bike that feels right for you, great to hear you had a great experience doing your exam and passed!

@@MotoJournoKris oh, at exam when I saw 5 boys taking bikes and than was my turn and there was only MT07 left.. I smiled like a sunshine my niciest and earlier motoriding ever at 8 o’clock AM :D One day at motoschool I was together in duet driving in the city with one guy, after driving I was soooo high because I wasn’t slow and I all the time was near that guy, it was challenging, and after that driving I asked my instructor ‘today, that was small one?’ (I meant motorcycle) Guy started laugh and my instructor, women, started smile.. and said, no, it was big one, is it small for you, you wanna bigger? :D It was yamaha, I saw that, and after that I saw.. oh, it was MT07 :D

I wouldn't have said they stand out as bad. The SV650 brakes before they were upgraded were much easier to criticise there, and I reckon the forks would have needed a decent recalibration to handle much stronger brakes on that bike. It's no Brembo setup, but it's not priced like one either, overall.

Yep, I'm in Sydney. I had an 08 FZ6N for a few years, was a great bike, till someone reversed over it! The MT-09 is wicked if you're after more power, the triple is really something else.

Please consider using the space bar after a (,) comma and the (.) period. Thanks.

Always, if you can manage it.

It has a metal gas tank, however those panels you see are just plastic covers, unlike on the Z650, which is a traditional painted metal tank.

Being Kawasaki and Yamaha you're looking at two of the most reliable brands overall, but it's worth checking the specific model forums for long term issues people face and trying to gauge just how common they are, considering how many have been sold vs the number of complaints, or against recalls.

@@MotoJournoKris thanks my friend. Mt07 has rust problems even if you take care of the body and i'm in Canada i don't know if it's the best idea but it is a great bike.

@@MonsieurMotocyclette I've seen some people making an enormous fuss about rust issues, but I've seen many more people telling them they just need to ride more. Especially considering some very few people have big issues on heavily salted roads, while other people are talking about tiny dots of rust which should be covered by proper maintenance, which get conflated to be the same. Seems like a bit of a sky is falling issue when I've looked into it. But people have to make their own mind up, you look at most models and there's doomsayers saying fairly minor issues are the end of the world. It's the nature of the internet.

I thought the Z650 was a little faster turning/more nimble, but there wasn't much in it. Both are easy to U-turn on, but I probably didn't do enough on either to say whether one had a significantly tighter turning circle, or made U-turns feel easier or more confidence inspiring. With the upright seating positions they are easy to handle for that kind of manoeuver though.

Moto Journo Kris Thank you for your response.

If you like electronic stuff get the z650 mt 07 is pure motorcycle you get one power mode the twist grip lol plus mt is great for wheelies and awesome sound with akrapovic exaust

The 270s just have a little extra character to them, it does really stand out.

@@MotoJournoKris I agree. 180 just sound irritating to me, ahah

I'm 180 cm.

@@MotoJournoKris Thank you , I'm 180cm too, riding a small Yamaha ys125 :), feel ok on it, learned on MT07 and it wasn't too bad either. Is the Kawasaki z650 seating position much different ? I'M looking for something a bit smoother to ride than MT07 :) ?

@@PaulRetrofits They are fairly similar, the MT-07 felt a bit roomier to me. I'd say the Z650 wins on engine smoothness, the MT-07 being a 270-degree crank has a bit more character and is a little rougher around the edges at the expense of smoothness. The Z650 also has a more premium suspension setup, which is also smoother on the good roads, but not as forgiving when things get rough.

Honestly the MT-07 feels faster because of the grunty engine character, where the Z650 is a lot smoother, I don't know whether that actually is relevant to real world speed though.

I'm seeing MT-07 to be checked/adjusted every 42k, Z650 to be checked every 24k, unless they shortened that interval on the newer models.

@@MotoJournoKris yea I think so. Which of this 2 beauty's u should prefare?

@@billyhavoc1772 Hard choice to be honest, it'd probably come down to which I could get a better deal on when it came to buying!

In many markets you can get these restricted to 35kW making them a great alternative. Normally I'd recommend starting on a 250-400 cc, as I think it's more forgiving and you learn more, but some people want something bigger.