I have a 2011 Ninja 250R, and I rode the 650R at Kawasaki's Ticket to Ride event here in Minnesota yesterday. I hated it. It sits nothing like the 250, the heat off the engine felt as if it was going to melt my pants, and the seat is terribly uncomfortable. The Ninja 1000 is where it's at. That thing RIPS, and it's super comfortable. Unfortunately I can't afford a 650, or a 1000. :(
How's the friction zone on this bike? Granted they are Super Sport track bikes, but I've messed with an R6 clutch and that thing is either in our out, no friction zone to speak of. Makes starting from a stand still a pain in the ass. I would assume this is much friendlier to glide the clutch out on?
It's not too bad. I've had it for a week, and I haven't stalled it in traffic yet. I had my class about a week ago. So speaking as a person with very little experience, it's not bad at all. I bought this one, and an old yamaha cruiser for my gf. And the cruiser is a bit more difficult. They are the only two bikes I have to compare, but this bike is really smooth. I was regretting buying it(thinking I should have went with the 250) but I'm really glad I got this one.
i bought an 09 ninja 650. The only thing i'm disappointed in is top speed. You would think with more power you would be able to go faster than the 500, but you ONLY get more power in the low revs.. kind of strange... its not even 1mph faster than the 500
@erazman It's built for commuters and street fighting. If you want speed you will have to change the front and rear sprockets to squeeze out that speed you want out of it. Of course after you do that, it makes for a lousy streetfighter.
My first motorcycle was a 650 and I never so much as dropped a bike.
As long as you arent trying to buy a 600+ SS bike big deal. A 650R doesnt have enough guts to accidentally 12 o clock it and put you into a tree at 140 but it is quick enough to not get boring and be sold 3 months later.
Its more than just engine size. A 250 is actually worse for a starter bike than this thing, because it doesnt do much to teach throttle control. You have to wring a 250's neck to get any power out of it.
This bike has a fuel gauge. I wish they had put a gear position indicator in there. It's in the ECU already. They just had to add the software to read it and give it a spot to display. Not a big deal though but would cost them practically nothing to toss it into the digital display.
How's the display in direct sunlight? I saw one video that looked like it had a lot of glare and would be hard to see.
I'm picking one of these up in June in blue. I can't wait :)
NICE!!! I love the new instrument cluster! I had a 2006 (1st year of the 650R) and loved it. However, there were a few things about her that I didn't like. I thought that the original instruments & swingarm looked kinda chintzy, I hated the fairing buzz, and the lack of a fuel gauge was just dumb. Especially on a bike that could be used for light to mid-duty touring. It appears that Kawasaki fixed those problems. Seems that Kawi took a damn fine bike and made it almost perfect. Cheers!!!
I have a 2011 Ninja 250R, and I rode the 650R at Kawasaki's Ticket to Ride event here in Minnesota yesterday. I hated it. It sits nothing like the 250, the heat off the engine felt as if it was going to melt my pants, and the seat is terribly uncomfortable. The Ninja 1000 is where it's at. That thing RIPS, and it's super comfortable. Unfortunately I can't afford a 650, or a 1000. :(
vwagenjetta 7 months ago
Comment removed
EWOKHellKite 8 months ago
i kinda like the ol' fashion analog better.. :/ but love the bike!
7thfret 9 months ago
does it have a fuel gauge in it?
Devok07 1 year ago
@Devok07
yepperz
aesutton 1 year ago
Hi. I got one too, last week, they had reduced the price but I do not like vibrations in handle bar and mirror. Is it my bike or all of them do it.
dundalkmd 1 year ago
but yeah it would make more sense to change them the other way.. its not like we're all cruising around at 240 anyways
erazman 1 year ago
I have the 09 650R and I'm 5'10" and I'm flat footed with a 32" inseam.
Gil
GilLindsay 2 years ago
I'm 5'11 and 185. I'm on the balls of my feet, if that helps.
flintp51 2 years ago
How's the friction zone on this bike? Granted they are Super Sport track bikes, but I've messed with an R6 clutch and that thing is either in our out, no friction zone to speak of. Makes starting from a stand still a pain in the ass. I would assume this is much friendlier to glide the clutch out on?
Draper1 2 years ago
It's not too bad. I've had it for a week, and I haven't stalled it in traffic yet. I had my class about a week ago. So speaking as a person with very little experience, it's not bad at all. I bought this one, and an old yamaha cruiser for my gf. And the cruiser is a bit more difficult. They are the only two bikes I have to compare, but this bike is really smooth. I was regretting buying it(thinking I should have went with the 250) but I'm really glad I got this one.
flintp51 2 years ago
@Draper1 It's got an adjustable friction zone. This bike is delux. I''m glad I got this bike.
roninmd 1 year ago
i bought an 09 ninja 650. The only thing i'm disappointed in is top speed. You would think with more power you would be able to go faster than the 500, but you ONLY get more power in the low revs.. kind of strange... its not even 1mph faster than the 500
erazman 2 years ago
@erazman It's built for commuters and street fighting. If you want speed you will have to change the front and rear sprockets to squeeze out that speed you want out of it. Of course after you do that, it makes for a lousy streetfighter.
roninmd 1 year ago
@roninmd i wonder how much top speed you could squeeze out by changing the sprockets? it would be nice to feel 240km/hr
erazman 1 year ago
wow very easy to read
apricotsnms516 2 years ago
Yeah, this bike would be perfect for you. Its big enough and has plenty of juice for a first bike.
PunchPaws 2 years ago
do you like the digital dashboard or would you have preferred analog/traditional??
statusku0 2 years ago
The digital dash is cool, the only downside is that occasionally the glare of the sun makes it hard to read. Other than that I like it.
PunchPaws 2 years ago
@PunchPaws rofl a 650 for a first bike?? thats just askin' to get someone killed. try a 250 :D
ripetomatoes 1 year ago
My first motorcycle was a 650 and I never so much as dropped a bike.
As long as you arent trying to buy a 600+ SS bike big deal. A 650R doesnt have enough guts to accidentally 12 o clock it and put you into a tree at 140 but it is quick enough to not get boring and be sold 3 months later.
Its more than just engine size. A 250 is actually worse for a starter bike than this thing, because it doesnt do much to teach throttle control. You have to wring a 250's neck to get any power out of it.
MastaSquidge 7 months ago
I just got this same bike last week and I LOVE IT, lol. It is also my first bike and is perfect for me, I had 500 miles on it by the third day :D
savag333222111 2 years ago
this is my first bike...i feel spoiled getting a digital display......but I'm not complaining
camdogie 2 years ago
Nice man. Everythings going digital these days.
Is there a Fuel gage on it by chance?
Ninjarider09 2 years ago
This bike has a fuel gauge. I wish they had put a gear position indicator in there. It's in the ECU already. They just had to add the software to read it and give it a spot to display. Not a big deal though but would cost them practically nothing to toss it into the digital display.
How's the display in direct sunlight? I saw one video that looked like it had a lot of glare and would be hard to see.
I'm picking one of these up in June in blue. I can't wait :)
unL33T 2 years ago 2
You should have reved it up more
skcrams 2 years ago
2 miles on her. i bet by the end of summer there will be tons more on it.
belladellahotdog 2 years ago
NICE!!! I love the new instrument cluster! I had a 2006 (1st year of the 650R) and loved it. However, there were a few things about her that I didn't like. I thought that the original instruments & swingarm looked kinda chintzy, I hated the fairing buzz, and the lack of a fuel gauge was just dumb. Especially on a bike that could be used for light to mid-duty touring. It appears that Kawasaki fixed those problems. Seems that Kawi took a damn fine bike and made it almost perfect. Cheers!!!
ProwlerBass 3 years ago
Great bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cb7inspire 3 years ago