Kawasaki’s Super-Approachable Retro Sport Bike Returns in Even More Stunning FashionGear PatrolSteve MazzucchiUpdatedTue, September 8, 2026 at 8:39 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleThe latest liveries of the rider-friendly Z650RS continue to hit all the right notes without breaking the bank.If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn moreYou know an entry-level (okay, entry-level adjacent) moto is something special when, at a glance, you can't help but think, "dang, wish that had been around when I got started."That's my exact response to Kawasaki's Z650RS, a retro sport dripping with approachability and style beyond its accessible price point.The 2027 Z650RS comes in three pitch-perfect paint schemes, with Metallic Ocean Blue leading the pack for me. - Credit: KawasakiThe feeling is even stronger with the 2027 edition, as Kawi's European site just revealed some colorways that totally pop.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs we wait for a US announcement (presumably coming in the next few weeks), let's take a closer look.Three kingsAs with the new Honda CB750 Hornet I wrote about earlier today, the Z650RS's updates lean more cosmetic than mechanical.However, with a bike whose appeal has always rested as much on how it looks as what it does, the new liveries do real work on a bike that already wears its Z1 heritage so well.Thanks to the 31.5-inch seat and 412-pound curb weight, just about anyone can bet on black. - Credit: KawasakiThe teardrop tank, round headlight and twin-shock silhouette all trace back to Kawasaki's iconic early-1970s roadsters, while the frame and running gear underneath are thoroughly modern. Power comes from the same parallel-twin engine shared with the Z650, a unit the brand says produces smooth, accessible performance suited to riders moving up from smaller displacement bikes as well as experienced riders who want a lighter, less demanding machine (than, say, the similarly styled Z900 RS) for everyday use. This red-accented Ebony treatment returns virtually unchanged from last year's model. - Credit: KawasakiTranslation for those who respond better to cold, hard facts: the 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled 649cc engine makes 67 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 48.5 lb-ft at 6,700 rpm. AdvertisementAdvertisementFor 2027, the paint schemes extend well beyond the solitary red-accented Ebony treatment the U.S. got last year.The size, power, style and price of the Z650RS make it tempting for beginners and more experienced riders alike. - Credit: KawasakiThat lovely (albeit inaccurately named) treatment does return, but it's joined by two alternatives that are arguably even more compelling.First up is Ebony/Metallic Spark Black, which might as well be called "None More Black" for all its well, blackness. (No shade, and no pun intended.)Also returning for 2027 are sneaky rider-friendly tech features, including an Assist & Slipper Clutch, 2-Mode KTRC (Kawasaki TRaction Control) and ABS. - Credit: KawasakiLess badass but more head-turning is Metallic Ocean Blue, which drapes the tank, tailpiece, fenders and side covers in a beautiful blue, accented with a gold stripe across the tank and tailpiece, plus gold-colored wheels.AdvertisementAdvertisementThrow in the fact that the new editions do not appear to be jumping in price over last year's model, and these things practically sell themselves.Availability and pricingThe 2027 Kawasaki Z650RS is rolling into European dealerships now at a starting price of £7,899.I expect a US announcement to follow and, assuming it also does not include a price hike, the starting price should be $8,999.2027 Kawasaki Z650RS Learn More About the Author:Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men's Health, Men's Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone's bike seat is at the proper height.AdvertisementAdvertisementWant to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.