Suzuki Gs500 vs Kawasaki Z650
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Suzuki Gs500
Kawasaki Z650
Horsepower (hp)
45 hp
68 hp
Torque (Nm)
44 Nm
64 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
185 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
185 kg
187 kg
Type
Naked
Naked
Horsepower
45 hp @ 9,000 rpm
68 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Torque
44 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
64 Nm @ 6,700 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h
185 km/h
Weight
185 kg (wet/curb weight)
187 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.8 L/100km or approximately 26 km/L
4.5 L/100km (approx. 22 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Suzuki Gs500
7.5/10
"The smartest, most sensible used motorcycle under two grand."
Pros
+Nearly indestructible engine
+Dirt-cheap running costs
+Forgiving but still teachable
Cons
−Suspension is genuinely soft
−Brakes feel dated
−Zero excitement factor
Kawasaki Z650
7.8/10
"A genuinely sorted middleweight that rewards riders who outgrew 400s."
Pros
+Torquey twin from low revs
+Lightweight and genuinely flickable
+Parts cheap and plentiful
Cons
−Rear shock deteriorates quickly
−Pillion comfort frankly terrible
−Wind protection essentially nonexistent