Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review

niks_devil666 · 8th June 2011, 20:30

I had ridden this bike last year at Chakan . It has much better fit and finish as compared to a gt650. The bike revs freely and touching 160+ is a breeze. The bike is vibe free till 180's. At 190 also , the wind hardly bothers you. Exhaust note is a typical v-twin. More like phat-phat-phat. But then we can't expect the sweet inline-4 note from this can we

The only negative thing about the bike was it was not leaning into the corners very well. If you plan to do knee downs , then this might not be the bike. For everything else , its the best VFM 70bhp bike.
The pricing has made it one of the most desirable bikes in India right now.

Aragorn · 8th June 2011, 20:40

Team BHP at it again. 4 wheels or 2, Team BHP is the best!

What I like most about the official reviews is they seem to answer those questions that are somewhere in your head and you don't know unless you TD the vehicle yourself. It is almost as if they read the reader's brain before writing the review. Great start to the 2 wheeler section guys!

Just wish for one thing though, guess it might be a little difficult: Can you get hold of proper GPS based speedos and post official 0 - 60, 0 - 100 and other relevant roll-on times? That seems to be the only thing missing in T-BHP reviews.

Heartfelt thanks to the mods who take time out to write such wonderful reviews! Cheers.

sids911 · 8th June 2011, 20:43

Wonderful way to start off on "T-Bhp Official Motorcycle Review"

Now can we have some more of these reviews, including a Ninja 250R vs CBR 250R kind?

Anyone knows OTR Pune for the 650R?

niks_devil666 · 8th June 2011, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sids911

Anyone knows OTR Pune for the 650R?

It was 5 lac and some 2 hundred 61 rupees

iron · 8th June 2011, 21:03

Great review Imran.
A well Deserved 5 stars.

bikefreak · 8th June 2011, 21:41

Is anyone aware if the rear 160 can be swapped with a 180 ?
would the swingarm and hugger accomodate it ?
Would the handling improve with it ?

Would the probiking guys offer aftermarket cans ?
If I fit one on my own, would it affect the warranty ?
Which can would be best suited for this bike ?

Any option of a damper ? Or is it not needed ?

One more thing . . . how much would a good quality paint job cost and where can it be done ?!

Too many questions, hope someone has the right answers

Cheers

clevermax · 8th June 2011, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

The rear view mirrors are a letdown. My armored jacket blocked out nearly 50% of the view. At speeds between 90 - 100 kph, resonance does set in. The mirrors shake and the image gets badly blurred. Since most touring happens between 80-120 kph, this is a problem (more so at night). You might want to experiment with rear view extenders:
.

Moreover, there's a grammar mistake in the writing on the mirror: "Object in the mirror are closer than they appear"

manishasrani · 8th June 2011, 22:04

I hope 600s from other brands like honda , yamaha and suzuki are priced similarly (when launched).

Jaggu · 8th June 2011, 22:29

Superb stuff BB! Few years back i was waiting anxiously for such a sub liter bike to launch, then lost patience and interest and moved on. One look at this review and am back with a slightly raised eyebrow reading the review again and again. A dear friend wants to sell his zen and want to pick one up

All this means Bajaj has kickstarted a very good market. The sub 40 age group with some income to spare would definitely lap this one up!

Am voting 5 star!

BlackPearl · 9th June 2011, 00:50

Awesome review. This bike looks better than my 2009 650R due to black colour of the frame. I had always thought that black would look better than the silver frame on my bike. By the way, completed 10000 miles (16000 Km) on my bike in 10 months. I got pulled up by a cop day before yesterday for going at 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. I told the cop that my speedo was showing 90 and I have heard that the bike's speedo has some errors, so he should have clocked me somewhere around 85. But he showed me the printout and it was 90. So I think the speedo on this bike is quite accurate. The cop was very good and did not give me a speeding ticket. Instead he gave a $54 traffic violation ticket

.

gautamkhadse · 9th June 2011, 01:03

This bike is an absolute heart stealer at this price point . Like GTO pointed out the Hyosung management must be sweating in their pants, unless Hyosung plans a counter I don't think anyone's going to book a GT. Unless Bajaj lands in a soup like Honda , where the demand exceeds the supply (which I doubt , since this is an expensive bike- compared to an activa or a unicorn). I just wish the prices of petrol would go down so we could enjoy bikes like these . With the prices of fuel rocketing sky high I don't know if I would prefer biking or being in a car .

BlackPearl · 9th June 2011, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikefreak

Is anyone aware if the rear 160 can be swapped with a 180 ?
would the swingarm and hugger accomodate it ?
Would the handling improve with it ?

Would the probiking guys offer aftermarket cans ?
If I fit one on my own, would it affect the warranty ?
Which can would be best suited for this bike ?

Any option of a damper ? Or is it not needed ?

One more thing . . . how much would a good quality paint job cost and where can it be done ?!

Too many questions, hope someone has the right answers

Cheers

170 can be installed on the same rim, but they are expensive since they are not very common. There are mixed perceptions about 180, some say they can be done on the same rim, but it will bulge out and instead of giving you more grip at the corner it will reduce it. The better option is to go for zx6r rear end conversion. But I dont think it is worth it on a 70 bhp bike (the zx6 has almost 45 hp more). The handling is quite good with the 160 tires specially if you use michelin pilot power. The bridgestone battlax is crap.

CrAzY dRiVeR · 9th June 2011, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

• This is our first, official Motorcycle review. Thanks to Moderator Technocrat for his support.

Highly appreciate this fact. Infact, i find this review better than my usual sources for motorcycle reviews!

Hope this trend is continued for future motorcycle releases as well!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bblost

• This Ninja is actually creating a segment (not becoming part of one). It's fantastic that you can finally buy a fully-legal 600 (650 cc) motorcycle in India.

What about the Hyosung GT650R?

Its amazing how Bajaj has played the VFM card so smartly even against a cheaper (international prices) brand such as Hyosung!

Quote:

Originally Posted by clevermax

Moreover, there's a grammar mistake in the writing on the mirror: "Object in the mirror are closer than they appear"

Good observation there!

shrini78 · 9th June 2011, 04:37

Detailed review
Now i'm interested in what MODS can be done on the bike

I'm interested in knowing if I can take off the fairing, I'd prefer a naked looking bike

Rollin' Thunda · 9th June 2011, 06:34

BBlost, Stratos and GTO: Thanks for a great review.

BBlost: 6 hours and 200km on this great machine! I am as green as the Ninja with envy!

8th June 2011, 20:30	#76
niks_devil666 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 535 Thanked: 237 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review I had ridden this bike last year at Chakan . It has much better fit and finish as compared to a gt650. The bike revs freely and touching 160+ is a breeze. The bike is vibe free till 180's. At 190 also , the wind hardly bothers you. Exhaust note is a typical v-twin. More like phat-phat-phat. But then we can't expect the sweet inline-4 note from this can we The only negative thing about the bike was it was not leaning into the corners very well. If you plan to do knee downs , then this might not be the bike. For everything else , its the best VFM 70bhp bike. The pricing has made it one of the most desirable bikes in India right now.
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 20:40	#77
Aragorn BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 132 Thanked: 205 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Team BHP at it again. 4 wheels or 2, Team BHP is the best! What I like most about the official reviews is they seem to answer those questions that are somewhere in your head and you don't know unless you TD the vehicle yourself. It is almost as if they read the reader's brain before writing the review. Great start to the 2 wheeler section guys! Just wish for one thing though, guess it might be a little difficult: Can you get hold of proper GPS based speedos and post official 0 - 60, 0 - 100 and other relevant roll-on times? That seems to be the only thing missing in T-BHP reviews. Heartfelt thanks to the mods who take time out to write such wonderful reviews! Cheers.
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 20:43	#78
sids911 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 389 Thanked: 44 Times View My Garage	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Wonderful way to start off on "T-Bhp Official Motorcycle Review" Now can we have some more of these reviews, including a Ninja 250R vs CBR 250R kind? Anyone knows OTR Pune for the 650R?
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 21:03	#80
iron BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 260 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Great review Imran. A well Deserved 5 stars.
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 21:41	#81
bikefreak BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 276 Thanked: 67 Times View My Garage	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Is anyone aware if the rear 160 can be swapped with a 180 ? would the swingarm and hugger accomodate it ? Would the handling improve with it ? Would the probiking guys offer aftermarket cans ? If I fit one on my own, would it affect the warranty ? Which can would be best suited for this bike ? Any option of a damper ? Or is it not needed ? One more thing . . . how much would a good quality paint job cost and where can it be done ?! Too many questions, hope someone has the right answers Cheers
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 22:04	#83
manishasrani Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 4,665 Thanked: 7,024 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review I hope 600s from other brands like honda , yamaha and suzuki are priced similarly (when launched).
	() Thanks

8th June 2011, 22:29	#84
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,346 Thanked: 16,776 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Superb stuff BB! Few years back i was waiting anxiously for such a sub liter bike to launch, then lost patience and interest and moved on. One look at this review and am back with a slightly raised eyebrow reading the review again and again. A dear friend wants to sell his zen and want to pick one up All this means Bajaj has kickstarted a very good market. The sub 40 age group with some income to spare would definitely lap this one up! Am voting 5 star!
	() Thanks

9th June 2011, 00:50	#85
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,634 Thanked: 17,135 Times View My Garage	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Awesome review. This bike looks better than my 2009 650R due to black colour of the frame. I had always thought that black would look better than the silver frame on my bike. By the way, completed 10000 miles (16000 Km) on my bike in 10 months. I got pulled up by a cop day before yesterday for going at 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. I told the cop that my speedo was showing 90 and I have heard that the bike's speedo has some errors, so he should have clocked me somewhere around 85. But he showed me the printout and it was 90. So I think the speedo on this bike is quite accurate. The cop was very good and did not give me a speeding ticket. Instead he gave a $54 traffic violation ticket . Last edited by BlackPearl : 9th June 2011 at 01:04.
	() Thanks

9th June 2011, 01:03	#86
gautamkhadse BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: pune Posts: 343 Thanked: 311 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review This bike is an absolute heart stealer at this price point . Like GTO pointed out the Hyosung management must be sweating in their pants, unless Hyosung plans a counter I don't think anyone's going to book a GT. Unless Bajaj lands in a soup like Honda , where the demand exceeds the supply (which I doubt , since this is an expensive bike- compared to an activa or a unicorn). I just wish the prices of petrol would go down so we could enjoy bikes like these . With the prices of fuel rocketing sky high I don't know if I would prefer biking or being in a car .
	() Thanks

9th June 2011, 04:37	#89
shrini78 BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 258 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review Detailed review Now i'm interested in what MODS can be done on the bike I'm interested in knowing if I can take off the fairing, I'd prefer a naked looking bike
	() Thanks

9th June 2011, 06:34	#90
Rollin' Thunda BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: now Hyderabad Posts: 288 Thanked: 94 Times	Re: Kawasaki Ninja 650R : Test Ride & Review BBlost, Stratos and GTO: Thanks for a great review. BBlost: 6 hours and 200km on this great machine! I am as green as the Ninja with envy!
	() Thanks