Any thoughts on new Ninja 650

[Vawn]

Hey guys. I have posted in a while, so I thought I would see if you guys had any opinions on the new Ninja 650, or the ninja line as a whole Past and present!

I LOVE/ed my sv650. I am sadly selling it now, but When/if I move to California I am currently looking at getting the new Ninja 650.
Its pros for me, over the sv650 will be the windscreen, and side panels aka better wind protection. It really looks like a semi sportier version of the gs500F, with fuel injection and a bigger better engine instead. And I loved that bike.

Anyhoo I thought it would be nice to get some feedback on how Kawasaki's were/ran/reliability maybe even in comparison with Suzuki, considering both my bikes have been Suzuki's.

Thanks...

[ThisBitch]

I love my 650. I have ridden from Bosto to Manchester many times and the farings do provide a ton of wind protection if you tuck into them.

The down side of the windscreen is that it buzzes. Its easily fixable with some silicone. I swapped mine for a Zero Gravity and used a bead of silicone behind where it makes contact, that solved the problem.

Its also a bit more torquey feeling than the SV, but not by much, they are very similar.

I love mine though, its got over 10k in less than 2 years and I can't wait to rack up some more.

[Paul_E_D]

Well, it's a great bike that is near in performance to the SV, so you know what you're getting into. I like it better than the SV from a looks/farings standpoint, but I have to confess that the sv motor is just a little better in every way.

[KawiSmurf]

to everything Jackie said, and then some.

With the stock setup, you can run for miles. I've done some 500-700 miles weekends, and its been great. The handling is very good for spirited riding with the stock suspension, but its not adjustable (aside from rear pre-load).

I've had mine for over two and half years (over 13k miles), and I've made some changes. I bought the ZG DB Windscreen, LSL Low Superbike bars, full Muzzy exhaust, R&G frame sliders + fender eliminator, high-flow air filter, de-restricted the intake, Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas, etc. Basically, its a great platform bike to modify if your needs change. I use it for commuting and weekend backroads burning. It also makes a great track bike (and a great race bike; ask Scott Mullin).

You buy it, and you'll love it so much you'll be keeping it for a few years.

[ThisBitch]

Definitely get the big fat frame sliders. If you need a good reason to, I'll show you my farings that only have a small scuff from eating shit in T3.

[schleppy]

I went from an SV to a Versys (same engine as the 650), and I missed the feel/sound of the SV's v-twin. I'm not a huge parallel twin fan.

It's a good bike though.

[e30addict]

I love my 650. Can sit on it all day and it still boots. 6700 miles on it so far this season. The 09's and on don't have quite the same fairing buzz issues and have more vibration isolation.

[KawiSmurf]

The 09's and on don't have quite the same fairing buzz issues and have more vibration isolation.

They pretty much made everything rubber-mounted in '09. Even the pegs are now rubber coated. Must be nice for sport touring.

[richw]

I am eyeing the street fighter variant

[Cmorsch]

its a nice bike but the suspension sucks

[e30addict]

its a nice bike but the suspension sucks

BS - the suspension's perfect for what the bike is trying to be. The bike isn't a supersport, but it sure is more than capable in the right hands.

[ThisBitch]

its a nice bike but the suspension sucks

I'd say you're probably bigger than the average rider. As such, you'd probably find that you need aftermarket suspension for any bike you own. Once I got the preload on my set, it was perfect and I'm about 155lbs.

[gregp]

Once I got the preload on my set, it was perfect and I'm about 155lbs.

Just curious, JNM, how tall are you? My daughter has been bugging me to graduate from her Ninja 250, but I am hesitant to get her on a Supersport 600. I have read that the Ninja 650 has a relatively low seat height, but I was just looking for some real world advice. My daughter is maybe 5-4", or 5-5".
Thank You for your help!

[ThisBitch]

Just curious, JNM, how tall are you? My daughter has been bugging me to graduate from her Ninja 250, but I am hesitant to get her on a Supersport 600. I have read that the Ninja 650 has a relatively low seat height, but I was just looking for some real world advice. My daughter is maybe 5-4", or 5-5".
Thank You for your help!

I'm 5'8 and have relatively long legs, but I don't think she'd have a problem. I don't know if she would be able to flat-foot it, but its only about an inch or so taller than my 250. I would say the 650 is the best step up from a 250. Its very tame in the lower RPM's and easy to handle.

[KawiSmurf]

Just curious, JNM, how tall are you? My daughter has been bugging me to graduate from her Ninja 250, but I am hesitant to get her on a Supersport 600. I have read that the Ninja 650 has a relatively low seat height, but I was just looking for some real world advice. My daughter is maybe 5-4", or 5-5".
Thank You for your help!

I'm 5'8 and have relatively long legs, but I don't think she'd have a problem. I don't know if she would be able to flat-foot it, but its only about an inch or so taller than my 250. I would say the 650 is the best step up from a 250. Its very tame in the lower RPM's and easy to handle.

FYI, Kawi offers a lower-height seat for the 650R through their accessories catalog.
http://www.kawasaki.com/KawasakiNew/...CategoryID=162
It drops the seat height by over an inch, and makes it a bit narrower, too. I'd try and work it into the deal for the bike.

I was actually interested in the taller seat for a while (stock seat's just a bit low for me at 6').

[Vawn]

Thanks for all the great input guys! I have a lot to think about now.

My contenders are mainly:
'09 Ninja 650
'05 or newer SV650s
Versys
and/or V-Strom 650

Currently the Ninja and SV are winning because I also really want either a GSXR 600 or 750, or CBR 600. Its all soooo hard! I love the look and feel of the sport bike, but I want/need it as a commuter, and want to take it on 300+ mile single day trips! I love the idea of a good sport tourer.

I weigh 131 in normal street cloths. I will be looking at adding side hard cases and a tail compartment of sorts. That has been my dream for the last 3 years.

[DesmoTull]

Have you thought about a used BMW F800S or ST?

[Vawn]

Ooo... F800ST

[dankatz]

One other bike to think about if you like the GSXR, the GSX650F. It has the same torque band as a twin (amazingly!). Ignore the weight - all the owners that I have talked to don't feel it. It is a superb bike unless you are looking for a supersports. Good luck finding a bad review of that bike....all positive. Check out http://www.gsx650f.biz/ and http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi.../?&R=EPI-99365

[Chippertheripper]

I know I'm biased, but don't overlook a Buell xb. They are great street bikes and used ones can be had super cheap. Little to no maintenance, very intuitive handling, and torque for days. And they sound grizzly when you get em' breathing heavy.

[theothersean]

My wife had an 06 ninja and loved it , we traded it this year with over 13,000 miles on it . We would have kept it but decided to go more offroading and got a pair of klr650 ies



we kept the top box off of it for the new bike but I have the GIVI rack for it , comes with a plate for a givi monolock top box , you would have to get the box but the rack is for sale.
$100

it bolts on and off quickly to the 4 bolts under the seat where a passenger grab rail would go .
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade...view/4965/137/

I also have a zero gravity windscreen the sport touring model for sale if anyone is interested, it has a couple scratches on it, I don't have any actual pics of it but $30 if anyone wants it , I would like to avoid shipping if possible
http://www.zerogravity-racing.com/sp...sptbks/203.htm