I now you have seen this before and untill you have had the chance to actually race the two you just never now. So here goes I was with a few friends on the weekend just passed and they have brand new 700s with rack extensions and two small 1 gallon fuel cans on the bike. I have my 650 with 28in Outlaws with absolutely no mods to the engine or bike what so ever except tires of course. My Kawi is a year old with 50 hours on it with no recent tune up so as for advantage for either bried there is none. If anything the extra weight of the Outlaws should compensate for the weight difference of the two bikes. We marked off a quarter mile of straight level land. Three of my friends have the new 700 and I raced all of them and we even switched bikes so there would be total autonomy. My Kawi had the slight advantage on the start but only inches and not by feet described by the magazines and by some on these threads. The Kawi seems faster due to the siffer suspension but the 700 is right there and doesn't give up much ground and that is only on the start. The bikes are so close its not even worth the battle. On the trails the 700 is deffinatly plush and the Kawi is exceptionly agile. Two different rides for two different riders at least that's how I see it. As for power and speed in stock form and weights being equal, no difference what so ever. Every bike has their advantage and it would be impossible to satisfy everyone.

Keep the sunny side up.

 

Do the race again with you stock 25 inch tires on and your friends wont even be able to see your tail light. I have 27 on my 650 and have noticed a drastic decrease in top end. So you can not claim that power and speed where in stock form, because they were not. Don't worry if the weights are equal or not that is just the nature of these two machines. You can't compensate for added weight in the 700 or more power in the 650, if you do that then you skew the results. Race like you got them from the dealer and then you'll be wistling a different tune.

 

I have also raced a 700 several times , stock vs stock there is no camparsion , just like the mags say , I walked away very easy but after about 65 he stayed the same distance behind me , have a good day !