When they say that time will put everything in its place, for some reason mid-sized motorcycles always come to mind. The very concept of these motorcycles is interesting: they are significantly lighter and more compact than liter ones, and in terms of performance they are generally comparable, taking into account the weight. Plus, most often they are stuffed with the most modern electronics and technologies. In short, this is an excellent answer to those hypocrites who turn up their noses and say that less than a liter is for children, while implying liter necro-Japanese with rubber bands that have dried out from time to time.
In fact, 600-700 and even 800 cc models are excellent options for everyday and touring motorcycles. Lightweight, modern, compact, with a pleasant usable traction characteristic, excellent handling, and sometimes even with wind protection and a touring body kit. However, the body kit is a separate story, but today we’ll talk about naked bikes.
Manufacturers in the last few years seem to have really tried out this class, learning to make really excellent mid-sized naked bikes. Here is the Yamaha MT-07, formerly the FZ-07, and the Kawasaki Z650, and the permanent Suzuki SV650, plus such powerful entries into this territory as the Aprilia Tuono 660 and Triumph Trident 660. There was also a Harley Davidson Street Rod, but it’s gone, and even the Chinese are slowly getting into this cubic capacity, starting from the rather interesting Benelli TnT 600, and ending with various incomprehensible devilry based on a copied Kawasaki engine from the ER-6. Oh yes! Also the Honda CB650R, I almost forgot about it!
Why is this even happening? But the fact is that sales of sport bikes have dropped. The public has finally realized that the speeds for which sports are designed are, to put it mildly, difficult to achieve in the city, and driving (even ahead of the traffic) lying on the tank and not seeing anything in the mirrors is not a pleasure for everyone. The place of sub-liter sports in the mass consciousness is increasingly being occupied by naked bikes, sales of which are growing at an unprecedented pace (for example, from 2012 to 2022, sales increased by 160%). This class is usually favored by a chassis and engine that are common to sportbikes, plus an upright riding position and comfortable ergonomics. Plus - the price, which is significantly lower than hooded sportbikes and tourenduros.
Today we will dispense with false modesty and simply rank the motorcycles. The three of them compared them, each placing the models in places from first to sixth. We combine this data and get...
Winner: Triumph Trident 660 2022
Triumph Trident 660
Triumph Trident 660 2022 is the undisputed leader in comfort and ergonomics: controls, dashboard, excellent quality of finish. The excellent three-cylinder 660 cc engine is liked by literally everyone, even if it is somewhat inferior to the Yamaha. On the dyno chart, the Yamaha engine is the undisputed leader, but on the road its advantage is not so obvious. In addition, the Trident outperformed the Aprilia in terms of brakes and suspension, and thus rightfully took first place.
So, the motor. It’s average in terms of power, it works very smoothly and softly, it spins up easily to the main torque level and pulls very well at high speeds.
The ergonomics of the Triumph Trident 660 may not be perfect, but the riding position is neutral and comfortable for everyday city driving. When driving dynamically along serpentine roads, you feel the urge to sit closer to the steering wheel in order to more confidently load the front tire. The suspension is relatively stiff, but does not smooth out as well as that of the Tuono 660 and CBR650R.
Like the Aprilia, the Triumph Trident 660 exudes quality. Excellent finishing, lovely modern dashboard, and even the color options are very nice. If you try to describe the entire motorcycle in one word, then that word would be “smooth.” The engine is excellent both at low speeds around the city and in dynamic driving along serpentine roads, it runs smoothly, throttle response, and almost does not vibrate at any speed.
The Triumph Trident 660 is narrow in the saddle area, making it easy to reach the ground with your feet, making it ideal for beginners in this area. True, complete beginners should not start with any of these motorcycles; this is still a serious piece of equipment.
Triumph has been making triples for many years and the 660 is a great example of the importance of continuous improvement and what it can achieve. It is perfect - practically does not vibrate, even at high speeds, sounds great, produces excellent linear power. There are barely noticeable delays at small throttle openings, but it is very torquey at medium speeds and has absolutely no dips. At the top it runs out of steam before the Tuono, but still spins quite high and doesn't deflate too much.
It has excellent powerful brakes. At first I thought of writing that it was surprising to see reinforced lines, but to be honest, the rubber hoses on the other five models are more surprising. True, the information content is not ideal, but this is in contrast to the Brembo on the Aprilia. But if there is no contrast, it’s very good.
Two riding modes, Road and Rain, affect traction characteristics and traction control settings. Traction control, by the way, can be completely turned off, unlike ABS.
The chassis, equipped with an inverted fork, is composed and neutral. But the Trident isn't a Street Triple or a Daytona, it's a budget model that isn't very good on rough roads. However, of the six bikes, the Trident is the most composed, and in normal conditions it is absolutely stable, controllable and comfortable. For dynamic driving, as I said, I would like to slightly load the front wheel.
The design of the Triumph Trident 660 did not impress at first glance - it seems like a classic silhouette of a tank and headlights against the background of the features of a modern naked bike. It even seemed like some other headlight was suggesting itself, and then it dawned on me: this will turn out to be a Street Triple. Of the six, the Triumph LED light is the brightest and highest quality, even during the day. Its low beam is visible from more than a kilometer away.
So, first place goes to the Triumph Trident 660 2022. This is a comfortable, stylish and well-equipped motorcycle with an excellent three-cylinder engine. What also inspires respect is how well-developed Triumph motorcycles come out - the company never rushes to release new models, tests them thoroughly, and after release carefully monitors them for various glitches (which appear extremely rarely). Everything about the new Trident works as it should - as does most modern Triumph motorcycles.
It's not perfect, but it's more than worth the money, and it's also inexpensive to maintain. At this price, you can also afford heated grips, a quickshifter and a windshield. I would like to loosen up the fast compression smoothing a little, but otherwise the suspension is very good. At 6000rpm and 130km/h there is a subtle itch on the grips and it would be nice to have cruise control to give your wrists a break from that slight vibration. And this is probably where Trident’s shortcomings end.
First of all, the size of the Z650
This moto is small, narrow and light. Branded design weighing 15 kg. Thanks to this, the motorcycle weighs 187 kg with a fully filled tank and ready to ride. This is a really good result. In addition, the couch is at a height of 790 mm. With a height of 170 cm, there should be no problem reaching the ground with your feet on the floor. So full support and peace of mind. In addition, the steering wheel is narrow, but at the same time comfortable. The tank is very offset almost like 125 cc. This gives you stronger legs and better control of the car. Well, it's very compact. Unfortunately, with my height of 180 cm, I had the impression that the chaff was too close, but it might not be my bike. It is best to try on the motorcycle you are considering purchasing if possible.
Kawasaki Z650
Summary of six naked bikes
Well, Triumph is the undisputed leader in this comparison. But are its other participants so bad? No and no again! Even the underdog, the old Suzuki SV650, has a lot of fans for its engine. The new Honda CB650R will appeal to those who respect Honda, love in-line fours and are not too worried about the somewhat weak character of this engine. The baby Kawasaki Z650 will be greatly appreciated by short riders; there is nothing to say about the MT-07, it is a wildly popular motorcycle. And the fact that the Aprilia Tuono was higher in the chart is more a merit of Aprilia than a defect of Yamaha.
Well, you already know the rest (about Trident). This is wine.
Driving impressions
The Kawasaki Z650 is a motorcycle that rides very well. It's easy to feel, it's predictable, but at the same time I wouldn't call it boring. It has a claw, but you have to reach for it. In general, I got the impression that it was created in order to squeeze out in traffic jams. It combines good weight distribution, size, and the way it imparts force. The suspension worked great in the city, even in big potholes. The Zetka, however, does not have the characteristics of a driver's seat or a roadster. Definitely feels best in the city, on hard surfaces. Low and high speeds are not a problem. It should also be noted that at a speed of 120 km/h the air pressure is still not felt and this speed can be maintained longer. In addition, I installed the mirrors on this motorcycle without any problems and could see everything in them. But I would lower them when riding on dirt roads and trails.
Kawasaki Z650
Brakes in Kawasaki Z650
Here, unfortunately, ABS fails. It's not that it doesn't work, because it does. But he does it cruelly, nervously, strongly. I've had a few of these bikes under my butt and know it can be done better. While the system's performance is fine on asphalt, the problem becomes more difficult in hardened soil. It no longer paints on sand or gravel, so it's best to be careful or avoid forest and field trails. In this area, “the brake works nervously.” But also, it's easy to feel the system working and you don't have to struggle with the handle to stay still. On pavement, I had no stress when it came to slowing down effectively.
Kawasaki Z650
Kawasaki Z650 from the outside and a closer look...
... looks very good. There are several colors available, although the green frame on a white background is the most interesting in my opinion. Mot looks aggressive. This inspires respect. The engine is nicely exposed and the whole bike, despite the small amount of plastic, feels like a compact, homogeneous mass. The lamp and the design of the watch, although giving a different impression, are very effective at directing the air flow over the driver. The watch itself, in my opinion, is a plus. This was my first time dealing with them on this bike. Later in the Z900, and I liked them because they are cleverly disguised as a classic tachometer. To achieve this, the display has high contrast, looks great at night and you can see everything clearly in any conditions. All switches are well placed, correctly sized and intuitive. There are adjustable handles as standard and a fairly large under-seat storage area. Everything is made of good materials, although, of course, picky people will find something to “catch on to.”
Kawasaki Z650
What else?
First of all, this bike is excellent value for money. Indeed, for the money this is a great deal if you want a new motorcycle. It looks great, it's cool, and it's nice, with the stock exhaust. It can be optionally equipped with custom exhaust pipes for a more serious sound, but I'd rather spend that money on other accessories that this bike lacks. Apart from ABS, there are no assistance systems, no variable maps and unfortunately I don't know how to drive with a passenger on a longer route. But I have the impression that the passenger is not necessarily enough, everything will be fine on the route, although I quickly sense the temperature, however, I was not able to warm it up. I also liked the leg and how to shape the tank and air intakes.
Kawasaki Z650
More detailed information about this motorcycle can be found on the manufacturer's website. If you want to hear about your first driving experience, I invite you here. Below is a classic, more numbers and a video review.
| engine's type | Four-stroke, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine in parallel system |
| capacity | 649 cm3 |
| Maximum power | 68 hp at 8000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 65.7 Nm at 6500 rpm |
| total length | 2,055 mm |
| Overall Width | 775 mm |
| Overall height | 1.080 mm |
| Saddle height | 790 mm |
| Operating weight | 187 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 15 liters |
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Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- A strong, versatile bike at an affordable price. The cost on the secondary market starts from about 200 thousand rubles.
- Inexpensive service. The ability to repair and maintain the bike yourself - there is nothing overly complicated in its design.
- Power reserve up to 400 kilometers with quiet driving.
- Comfortable seating position, not too high seat height and modest weight.
Flaws
- On the highway, sometimes there is not enough engine power, especially if the motorcycle is heavily loaded.
- Secondary design of the third generation, and unattractive, according to many bikers, design of the first two.
- Demanding on the quality and purity of fuel, which is typical for most Kawasaki motorcycles.
Engine and gearbox in Kawasaki Z650
He's good for his power. Very linear. Don't feel any shortages or sudden surges in voltage. To achieve this, maximum values are available in the middle of the rev range, so you don't have to torture the engine to feel it. All thanks to two chokes, one of which controls the driver, and the other controls the computer. This power delivery also gives you greater confidence when driving. The motorcycle rides below and asks itself to change gear, the speedometer flickering happily. At the same time, we have excellent performance gearboxes and an anti-hop clutch that not only compensates for rear wheel skidding, but also keeps the system running. The handle is easier to press, the wheel does not rotate when it is reduced, it also reduces slipping during sudden acceleration. Overall everything works beautifully and smoothly. The whole or engine, clutch and clutch work great and are a big plus for this bike. Combustion is also compliant because during normal handling of the bike it was 4.65L/100km.
Kawasaki Z650
