I didn't like the Ninja 650 very much until this 2012 redesign. The subtle changes make a big difference for me, even down to things like the new gauge cluster that is better than both the analog and digital ones that came before. It seems like the perfect everyday sportbike and it's a good example of evolution in design and function. Good job Kawasaki for not just jumping to an all new bike! I think I like it even more than the Versys! Hope I can get one next year :)
Does it make sense to own both a 650 and 250? I have a 250 now and am looking to upgrade this spring. But don't want to give up the 250 unless I really have to. Any thoghts or words much appreciated.
@freespadersuggs not really. dont get the 650 unless your ready because you shouldnt need to be switching back and fourth between bikes because your uncomfortable with the 650 and ride the 250. id say if you have been riding for 2+ years on the 250 then switch, unless you are really good at riding then get the 650. 650's are heavier and have more powerful so make sure you comfortable riding it before you buy.
@freespadersuggs also if you just want a bike with good gas milage to get you there and back from places, 250 is the way to go. but if you ride for fun and do longer commutes, get 250. hope this helped
This bike looks pretty cool. Better than previous model. I would consider this for a DD. I want a z1000 for a commuter but the price on this is pretty good. Tather have the new ER6N but for some reason its not available in the u.s. this yr.
I test rode the 2012 ninja 650r and the 2012 kawasaki versys.... Night and day difference.
The ninja was pure crap bike, no life, no power...nothing... Versys had better suspension, comfort and lots of power everywhere even though its same engine as ninja... I guess versys engine is tuned for better response at lower rpm and overall better..
don't buy this junk....get a versys or even suzuki sv650, a yamaha fz8 or suzuki vstorm..
@KillTheBee4H0n3y versys 1000cc is not even out here yet in usa... I was talking about 2012 versys 650 vs 2012 nija 650... trust me when I said,,, this ninja is trash....better off with sv650, versys, yamaha fz8, or triumph street triple R
@jawaus65 - disagree... this model for '12 is much better than 2011! On another hand this cannot be compared to FZ8 because it is more of a competitor to FZ6R which is not that great of a competition anyway...
@jawaus65 If I could choose I would easily buy Ninja 650 / ER-6F.. suzuki sv650 is a ladiesbike here in Norway, V-Storm is a boring touringbike.. Yamaha fz8 is a good one, but very expensive compared to Ninja 650..
I don't like the looks, it's like a sport touring, with that big windshield and the handlebars way up there... not sporty enough, that should be the Ninja650F (F usually meaning it is the touring version of a sports bike)
I bought a new 650r in '07 as a first bike and i am still loving it,plenty of power down low where it is more usable and really comfortable on long rides. I dont think i could have bought a better first bike.
@nebulabob Try some other bikes at that price point, every single one I tried was better to me. Should have gone with the Bandit or honda CBF, Fazer was better, Gladius vibrates less, Vstrom and Versys a lot more comfortable etc. Got it in 2007 too, sold it few days ago to get a big scooter.
I like it. Its a new bike. I definitely want to own this one too just to commute around the city.But i'm a ridding crazy kinda guy i mean i ride a lot not crazy on the road, lol. I would own one if i have enough money for 2 bikes :)
@benvawdrey It's relevant when you're talking about a 650.
Most people looking to buy a 650 are riders seeking an upgrade from the dullness of a 250...or new riders looking for a good platform to start on. Most possible buyers of the ninja 650r, will sell this bike within 2 years of buying it for a better bike. Fact.
and at 7.5k...There are a LOT of gently used 600s on the market.(The 2009 CBR600RR i'm looking at has 6k miles and is only $7000)
@twistedkeys1 You are missing the point of this bike. It is designed for someone who doesn't want to be bent over a tank and be uncomfortable in 20 mins. It is built to be taken on longer trips and mainly for someone new to motorcycles. Think of it as a sports touring bike without the 700+lbs and a great starter bike.
@itsjustashow I see what you're saying but I'm talking about best bang for your buck. If you're not a new rider and are flexible about what you ride why not get something better for a lower price? I mean, I just got a $7500 paycheck, would I buy this, or an older R6 and a 1998 CR500? Plus you can skip the whole dealer crap.
@twistedkeys1 I completely agree with you for the best bang for the buck, you can find a lot of great deals out there on used bikes or even a new bike that is an older model. An R6 is going to be 10 times better then this bike on the track for sure and more fun on the street. The 650 has its place and it is great to see that beginner bikes are coming along. Just depends on what you want in a bike. Around town the 650 would be a lot of fun and comfortable for long rides, a cruiser-streetbike mix
This has been flagged as spam show
I didn't like the Ninja 650 very much until this 2012 redesign. The subtle changes make a big difference for me, even down to things like the new gauge cluster that is better than both the analog and digital ones that came before. It seems like the perfect everyday sportbike and it's a good example of evolution in design and function. Good job Kawasaki for not just jumping to an all new bike! I think I like it even more than the Versys! Hope I can get one next year :)
turbo311 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
turbo311 2 weeks ago
Does it make sense to own both a 650 and 250? I have a 250 now and am looking to upgrade this spring. But don't want to give up the 250 unless I really have to. Any thoghts or words much appreciated.
freespadersuggs 3 weeks ago
@freespadersuggs not really. dont get the 650 unless your ready because you shouldnt need to be switching back and fourth between bikes because your uncomfortable with the 650 and ride the 250. id say if you have been riding for 2+ years on the 250 then switch, unless you are really good at riding then get the 650. 650's are heavier and have more powerful so make sure you comfortable riding it before you buy.
xBABYxKICKERx 1 week ago
@freespadersuggs also if you just want a bike with good gas milage to get you there and back from places, 250 is the way to go. but if you ride for fun and do longer commutes, get 250. hope this helped
xBABYxKICKERx 1 week ago
@freespadersuggs Upgrade if you're getting bored with your 33 hp..
shox91 3 days ago
This bike looks pretty cool. Better than previous model. I would consider this for a DD. I want a z1000 for a commuter but the price on this is pretty good. Tather have the new ER6N but for some reason its not available in the u.s. this yr.
nismofury 1 month ago
I test rode the 2012 ninja 650r and the 2012 kawasaki versys.... Night and day difference.
The ninja was pure crap bike, no life, no power...nothing... Versys had better suspension, comfort and lots of power everywhere even though its same engine as ninja... I guess versys engine is tuned for better response at lower rpm and overall better..
don't buy this junk....get a versys or even suzuki sv650, a yamaha fz8 or suzuki vstorm..
jawaus65 1 month ago
@jawaus65 2012 Versys got bigger engine. It is 1 liter bike.
KillTheBee4H0n3y 2 weeks ago
@KillTheBee4H0n3y versys 1000cc is not even out here yet in usa... I was talking about 2012 versys 650 vs 2012 nija 650... trust me when I said,,, this ninja is trash....better off with sv650, versys, yamaha fz8, or triumph street triple R
jawaus65 2 weeks ago
@jawaus65 Opss. Sorry man. My bad.
Well.. Its kinda sad if it is true that the ninja performance is trash.
I really love the 2012 ninja650 shape than versys.
KillTheBee4H0n3y 2 weeks ago
@jawaus65 - disagree... this model for '12 is much better than 2011! On another hand this cannot be compared to FZ8 because it is more of a competitor to FZ6R which is not that great of a competition anyway...
jutub1980 2 weeks ago
@jawaus65 If I could choose I would easily buy Ninja 650 / ER-6F.. suzuki sv650 is a ladiesbike here in Norway, V-Storm is a boring touringbike.. Yamaha fz8 is a good one, but very expensive compared to Ninja 650..
shox91 3 days ago
I don't like the looks, it's like a sport touring, with that big windshield and the handlebars way up there... not sporty enough, that should be the Ninja650F (F usually meaning it is the touring version of a sports bike)
GuilhermeCosta1992 1 month ago
@GuilhermeCosta1992 Ehm, it is a sportstouring bike! Here in Norway this bike is called ER-6F.
shox91 3 days ago
@shox91 Then I was right, lol.
GuilhermeCosta1992 2 days ago
how come this thing is so ugly/touring ish all of a sudden
nick26695 1 month ago
7499$? God i wish it cost like that in Poland. Here is something about 9400$
qazdesign 1 month ago
wow you almost had an opinion in there... but held out! good job ! ಠ_ಠ
87sprintqf 1 month ago
I can hear the same buzz that annoyed the hell out of me on the 2007 model... never a parallel twin again.
dbauernf 1 month ago
@dbauernf wats wrong with parralel twins?
meda789 1 month ago
@meda789 Read the message you answered to, I wrote it right there.
dbauernf 1 month ago
I bought a new 650r in '07 as a first bike and i am still loving it,plenty of power down low where it is more usable and really comfortable on long rides. I dont think i could have bought a better first bike.
nebulabob 1 month ago
@nebulabob Try some other bikes at that price point, every single one I tried was better to me. Should have gone with the Bandit or honda CBF, Fazer was better, Gladius vibrates less, Vstrom and Versys a lot more comfortable etc. Got it in 2007 too, sold it few days ago to get a big scooter.
dbauernf 1 month ago
no bike makes more sense on the street than the ninja 650r
an50331 1 month ago 2
I like it. Its a new bike. I definitely want to own this one too just to commute around the city.But i'm a ridding crazy kinda guy i mean i ride a lot not crazy on the road, lol. I would own one if i have enough money for 2 bikes :)
korm0043 1 month ago
Nice paint!
THExKINGxKINGx 1 month ago
what a puss bucket
DUBEST101 1 month ago
I want one!
kawakocher 1 month ago
People who compare new bikes to second hand bikes in the same price range have obviously never owned a new vehicle.
benvawdrey 1 month ago
@benvawdrey It's relevant when you're talking about a 650.
Most people looking to buy a 650 are riders seeking an upgrade from the dullness of a 250...or new riders looking for a good platform to start on. Most possible buyers of the ninja 650r, will sell this bike within 2 years of buying it for a better bike. Fact.
and at 7.5k...There are a LOT of gently used 600s on the market.(The 2009 CBR600RR i'm looking at has 6k miles and is only $7000)
MikeW259 1 month ago
$7500 no thanks... i rather gets used z1000 or street triple....
GOBbluthagain 1 month ago
it's not worth buying a new bike. so much cheaper to get something barely used :)
fcarabat 1 month ago
"Great sportbike platform for only $7,499" I can buy a 2007 R6 for $5,500! Seriously guys, why would I ever buy a brand new bike?
twistedkeys1 1 month ago
@twistedkeys1 You are missing the point of this bike. It is designed for someone who doesn't want to be bent over a tank and be uncomfortable in 20 mins. It is built to be taken on longer trips and mainly for someone new to motorcycles. Think of it as a sports touring bike without the 700+lbs and a great starter bike.
itsjustashow 1 month ago
@itsjustashow I see what you're saying but I'm talking about best bang for your buck. If you're not a new rider and are flexible about what you ride why not get something better for a lower price? I mean, I just got a $7500 paycheck, would I buy this, or an older R6 and a 1998 CR500? Plus you can skip the whole dealer crap.
twistedkeys1 1 month ago
@twistedkeys1 I completely agree with you for the best bang for the buck, you can find a lot of great deals out there on used bikes or even a new bike that is an older model. An R6 is going to be 10 times better then this bike on the track for sure and more fun on the street. The 650 has its place and it is great to see that beginner bikes are coming along. Just depends on what you want in a bike. Around town the 650 would be a lot of fun and comfortable for long rides, a cruiser-streetbike mix
itsjustashow 1 month ago
yes
perryham 1 month ago
Nicceeee
dirtbikerzforlife1 1 month ago