Kawasaki KLR® 650 Base vs Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Kawasaki KLR® 650 Basestacks up against the Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Kawasaki KLR® 650 Base | Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 | 1984 |
| Price | $6,999 | — |
| Engine | 652 cc | 655 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 63 hp |
| Weight | 187 kg | 197 kg |
| Seat height | 871 mm | 31 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 23.0 L | 3.4 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | Manual, 5 speed, Chain | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Double disc. daul disc twin piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Hydraulic Disc | Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Tires | 90/90 R21 / 130/80 R17 | — |
Kawasaki KLR® 650 Base vs Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk — which should you buy?
Picking between the Kawasaki KLR® 650 Base and the Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Kawasaki KLR® 650 Base brings its published horsepower in a 187 kg package, while the Honda CB 650 SC Nighthawk counters with 63 hp at 197 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: