Honda CB650R vs Kawasaki Z900
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Honda CB650R and Kawasaki Z900 are among the most cross-shopped naked bikes of 2026. They land within touching distance on price, so this comes down to character and fit. On paper the Kawasaki Z900 leads on power with 124 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Honda
Honda CB650R
Our pickKawasaki
Kawasaki Z900The verdict
The Kawasaki Z900 edges it overall at 8.3/10, but the Honda CB650R wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Honda CB650R
A2-legal, 94 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Kawasaki Z900
124 hp and 0.58 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Kawasaki Z900
Our 8.3/10 at $9,799, the most bike per dollar.
Honda CB650R
203 kg with an 810 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Kawasaki Z900
Our top score in this matchup at 8.3/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
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Honda CB650R vs Kawasaki Z900: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Honda CB650R or the Kawasaki Z900?
The Kawasaki Z900 makes the most power at 124 hp and 98.6 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Honda CB650R or the Kawasaki Z900?
The Honda CB650R is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $9,399.
Which is lighter, the Honda CB650R or the Kawasaki Z900?
The Honda CB650R is the lightest at 203 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Honda CB650R or the Kawasaki Z900?
For a new rider we'd point to the Honda CB650R: A2-legal, 94 hp and 203 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
