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I stopped by my local m/c shop to pick up some spark plugs today.  Sitting in the showroom was a Z650rs 50th anniversary model in forest green paint with yellow pin stripes, and gold rims.  Wow!  That is one nice looking bike!  The muffler is kind of wonky, but the rest of the machine checks off all of marks on my wish list.  Anyone on here purchased one yet?

50th anniversary model; how strange.  The first KZ650 bikes were built in late 1976 and were known as 1977 model year bikes.  Here's a picture of my KZ650-C1 that I bought in early 1977.   Ed

 

Saw one at Kawasaki dealership in Lansing, MI in early August.
 

Looks nice.  Too bad the engine is weak sauce.  No doubt, enough power for everyday needs, but since when is that a motivator?  

Saw one at the local Dealer a few weeks ago, I will admit it did catch my eye.  IF it had been red like the one I purchased in December of 1976, and IF it had been a 4 cylinder, I might have been tempted.  Lucky me I guess?
1977+50=2027?      Mike

wrote:

1977+50=2027?      Mike

Seams some Kawasaki owners have trouble with math. They are having a 50th anniversary for the 1973 Z1 this year. 

1973+50 = 2023?

Think Krazee1 is talking about Z650 (1977) guys not Z1 (1973) so as per thread title he's correct. 

Call it what you want......but it is only a "retro" styling done on a Versys 650.   ...and this bike has been around for a while, and it belongs on the Versys forum.        And yes, many, many people have purchased that bike over recent years.

Hugo, it was launched in 2017 here in the UK. Kawasaki borrowed my original b1 for the Birmingham NEC launch show so they could have both on the stand.
 

But I agree it's not a Z. Needs twin shocks, 4 cylinders and air cooled at the very least. 

I really like Kawasaki’s retro bikes. If they were exact clones, the company would have a hard time selling more  than a handful, and likely could not get them to pass modern safety, noise, and emissions requirements in most countries. The retro bikes have much better suspension, brakes, frames and all the rest. Aren’t those the very things that so many KZ owners modify? 
As tributes to the past, I think the company has done an excellent job. Each one of us would have done something different, which is why many owners of these tribute bikes begin modifying them on day two.

I was tempted to buy a 2022 Z650rs.
RS are my initials.
There is 22 years between my 1978 KZ650 and 2000 ZRX, so another 22 years would be a 2022 model.

The lack of twin shocks, and no adjustable suspension and being a twin engine turned me off.
The z900rs has adjustable suspension and a 4 cylinder that appeals to me.