Kawasaki Z650RS vs Triumph Trident 660 - Competition check

Kawasaki recently launched the updated Z650RS in the country, its take on modern-retro motorcycles. The bike received a new traction control system as part of the update and with that there’s a Rs 7,000 hike in its ex-showroom price. That said, it still holds good value and here’s how it compares to the Triumph Trident 660, one of its chief competitors.

Design

The Z650RS is a gorgeous motorcycle and there is no doubt about it. With design cues inspired from the Z900RS, it looks properly modern-retro. Bits like the tear-drop shaped fuel tank, the round headlight and the slim tail-section give it that quintessential retro-look which we find quite appealing.

The Trident, on the other hand, has a few retro design elements blended in its design, be it in the shape of its headlight or the chunky fuel tank. That said, it's the more modern-looking motorcycle of the two and we like the bits like the low set headlight, the exposed subframe, the sleek tail section with the integrated LED tail light and the small tyre hugger.

The quality as well as fit and finish are good on both bikes.

Features

Both bikes are decently equipped when it comes to features. They’ve got all-LED lights, the safety of traction control and dual-channel ABS. Where the Trident steals a point over the Z650RS is in a more modern, TFT/LCD display that also has Bluetooth connectivity. It also gets two ride modes - Rain and Road.

Engine

Here’s where both the motorcycles are different as chalk and cheese. The Z650RS has a 649cc, parallel-twin engine that makes 68bhp at 8,000rpm and 64Nm at 6,700rpm. It has a nice spread of torque in the mid-range and is quite tractable as well. The top-end performance is good as well but it doesn’t sound very involving.

Speaking of sound, the Trident’s inline-triple engine is one of the sweetest out there. From the intake howl to the scream of the exhaust, it makes a unique (for the segment) sound. It is also the more powerful engine here, the 660cc mill producing 80bhp at 10,250rpm but the peak torque is the same at 64Nm, albeit at a lower 6250rpm.

Hardware

The Kawasaki employs a steel-trellis frame with telescopic fork and a monoshock. Braking duties are taken care of by twin 272mm discs at the front and a 186mm disc at the rear.

The Triumph, on the other hand has a tubular steel perimeter frame that’s suspended by a 41mm USD fork and a monoshock. The Trident also has bigger, 310mm discs at the front and a 255mm disc at the rear. Compared to the Z650RS, the Trident, on paper, has better hardware.

Price

The Kawasaki Z650RS received a minor price bump with the introduction of the 2024 bike but it still undercuts the Trident significantly with its Rs 6.99 lakh, ex-showroom, price tag. The Trident, with its Rs 8.12 lakh, ex-showroom, price costs over a lakh more which may be too steep for some to justify. While the Trident 660 has the more powerful engine and the longer features list, choosing between the two should come down to which bike appeals to you the most. Would you want the timeless appeal of the retro-themed Z650RS with an engine to match or the Trident with the modern and sporty demeanour?