Kawasaki unveils the Z650 S and Z900 MY27 lineup: new colors, A2/70 kW versions, electronic upgrades, and Crazywheels.it's unfiltered analysis.
📌 IN BRIEF: What You Need to Know
Models Involved: Kawasaki Z650 S, Z900, Z900 70 kW (A2), and Z900 SE (Model Year 2027)
Z650 S: Evolution of the Z650 featuring a wider handlebar, larger intake shrouds, aluminum details, KTRC, optional quickshifter, and a 35 kW version for A2 license holders.
Z900 & SE: 948 cc inline-four engine, IMU platform, bi-directional quickshifter, cruise control, cornering management, and turn-by-turn navigation.
Z900 SE Chassis: Brembo front brake calipers and Öhlins rear monoshock.
Z650 S 2027 Colors: Ebony / Metallic Carbon Gray, Candy Persimmon Red / Metallic Carbon Gray, Pearl Blizzard White / Ebony / Candy Lime Green Type 3.
Z900 / 70 kW 2027 Colors: Ebony / Metallic Carbon Gray, Candy Persimmon Red / Metallic Carbon Gray, Pearl Blizzard White / Plasma Lime Green / Ebony.
Z900 SE 2027 Colors: Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray / Golden Blazed Green.
1. Z650 S: The Mid-Size Twin Raises the Bar
The Z650 S solidifies its strategic role in the mid-size segment, positioning itself one step above the standard Z650 through targeted interventions that don't revolutionize its core essence but improve visual impact and control.
Posture and Details: A wider handlebar arrives, providing much more confidence in tight turns, paired with redesigned shrouds and bodywork finished with aluminum details that elevate overall perceived quality.
Electronics and A2 License: It features KTRC traction control and an optional quickshifter, while the availability of the 35 kW version makes it accessible and appealing even to A2 license holders looking for a true naked bike.
2. Z900 MY27: The Best-Seller Formula Is Untouchable (But Updated)
When a motorcycle dominates large-displacement naked sales charts for over a decade, the categorical imperative is not to mess things up. Kawasaki knows this well and, for 2027, limits itself to refining an already rock-solid technical foundation.
The Four-Cylinder Engine: The heart remains the liquid-cooled 948 cc dual-overhead-cam unit. Full-bodied mid-range punch and top-end pull that never get boring: the classic engine that knows how to be docile in the city and mean when the road opens up.
Class-Leading Electronics: IMU inertial platform, bi-directional quickshifter, electronic cruise control, traction control, power modes, cornering management, and even turn-by-turn navigation managed via the Rideology app. It comes standard with everything needed for safe touring without getting tangled in overly complex menus.
3. Special Versions: Z900 SE and Performance Package
Those who want the ultimate setup without going the aftermarket route will find flagship versions back in the lineup:
Z900 SE: The squaring of the circle for the chassis, enhanced by Brembo front brake calipers and the refined Öhlins rear monoshock.
Performance Edition: For those who cannot resist the allure of carbon fiber, complete with the addition of an Akrapovič slip-on exhaust terminal.
70 kW Option: The restricted-power version for A2 licenses is confirmed, ensuring riders with limitations who already have their sights set on a bigger machine aren't left out.
🛑 CRAZYWHEELS.IT OPINION — The Unfiltered Point of View
Why does the Z family continue to perform so well?
Because Kawasaki doesn't chase sterile trends: it gives people what they want to buy. The Z650 S adds that extra touch of personality to an easy motorcycle that risked looking "seen one, seen 'em all," while the Z900 confirms itself as the ultimate all-around naked: comfortable enough to eat up miles, just mean enough when you twist the throttle wide open, and equipped with electronics that work for you without acting like a schoolteacher.
The new 2027 colors—especially the contrasts with pearl white or the matte tones of the SE—give it a targeted aesthetic refresh. If you're looking for a muscular, sincere motorcycle that doesn't need paper tests to prove its worth, you're playing it safe here.