Kawasaki X Modenas 650 Motorcycles

Kawasaki X Modenas’s line-up of its stable of 650cc motorcycles is comprised of the following models: Z650, Ninja 650, Vulcan 650 and Versys 650. 

In this review, the focus is on the first 3 models mentioned, with the Versys coming later. All 3 motorcycles share the same powerplant inherited from the original 4-stroke, DOHC 649cc parallel twin engine ER-6N, the game changer machine that made buying/owning big capacity bikes affordable in Malaysia. 

Although it’s the same engine design, Kawasaki has updated the tuning to boost acceleration and torque, resulting in better performance as well as cleaner combustion when compared to the ER-6N's. To sum it up, the Z650, Ninja 650 and Vulcan 650 will behave differently despite having the same engine. 

Modenas Z650 Streetfighter

Being the naked sports of the trio, the Z650 Streetfighter is technically the quickest the moment you start the engine and rolls off in 1^st gear acceleration. This somewhat due to its lighter overall package as compared to its full fairing sibling, the Ninja 650. 

Tackling the bends and corners, riding from one place to the next even during mild traffic congestion, I find the Z650 to be a breeze and fun to ride. Its engine runs smoothly with pleasing exhaust note too. Braking is excellent too, supported by double front discs with a single disc in the rear. 

As with all naked sports, the Z650’s limitation lies with wind resistance when riding it in higher speeds above 176km/h. Below that, it’s perfect. Unlike the Year 2017 edition, the 2023 Model Year (as reviewed) has no reluctancy to reach faster speeds – you can ride smoothly from slower speeds to top while upshifting from the lower gears till 6^th! 

Fuel consumption is a respectable 320km range based on normal cruising mode of between 60km/h and 130km/h. Riding constantly above 170km/h will reduce the mileage distance by 100 kilometres! One precaution about the Range of available distance remaining in the Speedometer – it's off by 1.5-litre! 

Modenas Ninja 650 

Meet the full fairing sportsbike variant of the proven 650cc engine. Many of the handlings are like the Z650. The are several differences between the naked Z650 and the Ninja 650 in performance, though. Main difference is the comfortable seat used, followed by protection against wind resistance by the fairings, faster to hit its top speed of 225km/h and is narrower in overall width, enabling lane filtering to be done without risk of scrapping other vehicles.  

The Ninja 650 has a slight advantage in fuel consumption over the Z650, approximately 345km mileage distance from its 15-litre capacity tank, thanks to less drag and wind resistance. 

Everywhere else, you may read that the Ninja 650 is in the same class as the four cylinder Honda CBR650R. Well, I can tell you that’s not the case, in reality. Both are equally matched in overall fuel consumption but when it comes to performance, the Honda is far ahead, in acceleration and top speed. No contest. 

Modenas Vulcan 650 

The cruising variant of the 650cc engine, the Vulcan 650 is tuned for a comfort ride than outright speed. It is also less agile than the Z650 and Ninja 650 siblings. And a lower capacity fuel tank of just 14-litre over the 15 available from the other two variants. And featuring an LCD speedometer than the new TFT variant found in the two models. 

Since the Vulcan 650 is a cruiser, the rider’s footpegs are situated closer to the front than below the seat/behind the engine. No, the footpegs won’t scrape the tarmac if you are riding the Vulcan 650 in the proper way as it should be ridden. Scraping the road during cornering will take place if the rider is trying to ride it as a naked sport or a sportsbike. 

Lacking the agility of the two other variants do not slow the Vulcan 650 down. Its ability to accelerate is as great as its the 2 variants. But the less agile nature is due to its heavier curb weight. That 1-litre less fuel capacity does affect the Vulcan 650’s ability to travel further in-between top-ups as compared to its 2 sporty siblings.