KAWASAKI Z650 RS vs HONDA CB500F

Pick your favourite below and cast your vote — counts update right away and no registration is required. Sharing your choice helps others who read this comparison.

Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.

Technical score (estimate)

Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.

Top on paper
KAWASAKI Z650 RS
100 pts
HONDA CB500F
0 pts

Usage fit (estimate)

Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.

City / commute

KAWASAKI Z650 RS
52.8 pts
Best fit here
HONDA CB500F
61.8 pts

Touring / long rides

Best fit here
KAWASAKI Z650 RS
74.9 pts
HONDA CB500F
34.5 pts

Sporty riding

Best fit here
KAWASAKI Z650 RS
93.8 pts
HONDA CB500F
19.8 pts

New rider friendly

KAWASAKI Z650 RS
31.5 pts
Best fit here
HONDA CB500F
74.7 pts

Seat height (cm)

Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.

  • KAWASAKI Z650 RS 82 cm Tallest seat here
  • HONDA CB500F 79 cm Lowest seat here

Spread in this comparison: about 3 cm.

Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).

Auto summary from specs

Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.

  • Power spans 47 hp (HONDA CB500F) up to 68 hp (KAWASAKI Z650 RS).
  • Torque spans 43 Nm (HONDA CB500F) up to 64 Nm (KAWASAKI Z650 RS).
  • Weight spans 187 kg (KAWASAKI Z650 RS) to 188 kg (HONDA CB500F).
  • Displacement spans 500 cc (HONDA CB500F) to 650 cc (KAWASAKI Z650 RS).
Specification KAWASAKI Z650 RS HONDA CB500F
Brand KAWASAKI HONDA
Model KAWASAKI Z650 RS HONDA CB500F
Engine size 650cc 500cc
Power 68hp 47hp
Torque 64nm. 43nm.
Cylinders / valves Twin cylinder, 8 valves Twin cylinder, 8 valves
Weight 187kg 188kg
Front brake Twin semi-floating 300 mm discs. Caliper: Dual-piston Dual 295mm discs with four-piston calipers; ABS
Rear brake 220 mm single disc. Caliper: Single-piston Single 240mm disc, ABS
Seat height (cm) 82cm 79cm
Front tyre 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) 120/70R-17 radial
Rear tyre 160/60ZR17M/C (69W) 160/60-17 radial
Cooling Liquid cooling Liquid cooling
Front suspension 41 mm telescopic fork 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork; 4.7-inch travel
Rear suspension Horizontal Back-link, adjustable preload Pro-Link single shock with nine-position spring-preload adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
Motorcycle type Naked Naked
Top speed 200km/h 185km/h
Fuel capacity / consumption 12 L – 5 L/100km 17 L – 4 L/100km
Service network
Service quality
Parts availability
Price $9599 $6799
Brand price lists View KAWASAKI price list View HONDA price list
Extra features

-Spoke-Style Cast Wheels

-Slipper Clutch

-Dual Throttle Valves

-SLIPPER ASSIST CLUTCH, LCD screen

Opinions

You need to vote for a model above before you can leave a short comment. Comments are published after editor approval.

No published opinions yet — you can be the first.

After you vote, you can add a brief opinion here (the form opens without reloading the page).

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS vs 2023 HONDA CB500F: Which One is Better for You?

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS and 2023 HONDA CB500F offer comparable performance in terms of engine capacity, but usage preferences and driving styles could influence the choice. Additionally, 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with its 68hp, stands out for users seeking speed and performance.

1. Cylinder Capacity and Performance

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS and 2023 HONDA CB500F are close in engine capacity. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with its 650cc, provides slightly better performance, while 2023 HONDA CB500F, with its 500cc, offers a more economical and balanced option.2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with its 650cc engine capacity, is ideal for users seeking high performance and acceleration. Experienced riders may prefer it for long-distance journeys.

2. Torque Power

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with its 64Nm torque, delivers powerful performance. A high torque value ensures superior acceleration and advantage on steep inclines. 2023 HONDA CB500F, with its 43Nm torque, offers a more balanced ride for city use. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS is ideal for users requiring rapid acceleration. Moderate torque power is suitable for both city use and short-distance trips.

3. Top Speed

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS (Naked) and 2023 HONDA CB500F (Naked) have very similar maximum speed values. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS offers a slight advantage with a top speed of 200 km/h. However, this difference might not be noticeable for most users.

4. Cooling System

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS features a Liquid-Cooled system, while 2023 HONDA CB500F offers a Liquid-Cooled system. Both models deliver equal performance in their cooling systems.

5. Design and Comfort

2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS and 2023 HONDA CB500F are close in weight, offering similar experiences for different usage scenarios. Additionally, 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with a seat height of 82cm, is more suitable for taller riders, offering greater comfort.2023 HONDA CB500F, with a seat height of 79cm, provides a more ergonomic ride for average-height riders.

Conclusion

2023 HONDA CB500F emerges as the winner of this comparison based on total points. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS and 2023 HONDA CB500F offer comparable performance in terms of engine capacity. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS, with higher torque, excels in rapid acceleration and steep climbs. 2023 KAWASAKI Z650 RS and 2023 HONDA CB500F offer very similar top speed values. Both models have similar cooling systems, offering comparable performance for long journeys. In conclusion, 2023 HONDA CB500F stands out in terms of technical specifications and overall performance. However, depending on your riding preferences and usage needs, both models offer unique advantages.

Build your comparison

Pick the first two bikes (required). Use Add 3rd bike for more models, then Add 4th bike if you need it. Choose from the list and press Compare.

Frequently asked questions

What is the top speed of KAWASAKI Z650 RS vs HONDA CB500F?

KAWASAKI Z650 RS is listed at 200 km/h vs 185 km/h for HONDA CB500F.

Which has more horsepower, KAWASAKI Z650 RS or HONDA CB500F?

KAWASAKI Z650 RS has 68 hp compared with 47 hp on the HONDA CB500F.

Which is better, KAWASAKI Z650 RS or HONDA CB500F?

It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.