Skip to main content

Kawasaki Ninja 650 Road Test Review In Images

 

Watch Video Review

 

 

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 BS6 has received little changes over its BS4 predecessor: a cleaner burning (but slightly less potent) motor, a new look and some fancy new features. So, how much of a difference have these little changes made? Read on to find out…

Obviously, Kawasaki has given the 650 a design makeover in this generation. The redone front fairing, headlights and screen have now given it the Ninja family look, making it remarkably similar in appearance to the mighty Ninja ZX-6R.

The new TFT screen is crisp and well laid out, and greatly adds to the perceived value of the Ninja. Gear position, speed and even RPM can be read at a glance, which isn’t always the case with fully digital units. The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to locate your parked bike, log your rides, and change certain settings on the bike using your mobile phone, but what you can’t do is receive on-screen navigation or control music playback.

The output difference between the current and the BS4 model of the Ninja 650 isn’t much. There is no change to the power figure, only a drop of 1.7Nm, to 64Nm, which is hardly a cause of concern for the new bike. And despite the changes made to the motor to make it run cleaner, the Ninja 650 as a whole has not gained a single kilo, still tipping the scales at 196kg.

The DOHC motor remains just as usable as before. Gentle roll-ons even slightly below 2000rpm see the engine dutifully pull you along without complaint, and the forward surge builds strongly and linearly all the way up to around 9000rpm, beyond which drive tapers off before hitting a soft limiter at 10,000rpm.

The new bass-ey exhaust note makes the Ninja sound almost like a single-cylinder at idle, but once you’re on the move and have it singing, you travel along cocooned in a bubble of rorty symphony that’s equal parts exhaust blare and induction roar. 

With its rearset footpegs and slightly low, angled bars, the 650 makes you lean forward just a touch, putting you in a sporty and intentful position, but it’s by no means uncomfortable. The rider’s seat is quite spacious and comfortable, with the cushioning hitting a sweet spot and keeping your butt pain-free even after long hours on-board.

 

Kawasaki has given the Ninja a soft touch in this BS6 generation and the bike now gets a very plush and pliant suspension setup. The aggressive looks belie the splendid ride quality, and the 650 isolates you well from road imperfections.

This hasn’t compromised on handling fun, though. The Ninja is a neutral-steering bike that’s agile enough to reward an experienced rider yet not so nervous that it would intimidate a newbie. Yes, mid-corner bumps can upset the bike a little, but a stiffer preload setting mitigates this issue to a great extent.

When braking hard, ABS kicks in far too early at the front -- and when it does, brake pressure is released excessively and for far too long, resulting in a brake lever that’s seemingly frozen solid, and some rather long braking distances. At the rear, on many occasions the wheel completely locked up before ABS decided to take any action. 

The Ninja’s newfound soft touch has grown it into a more agreeable and well-rounded motorcycle that will allow it to fulfil more roles and appeal to more riders than before. It definitely feels more upmarket too, thanks to the new design and lengthier features list, so there’s no problem justifying itRs 35,000 premium over the BS4 bike.



from ZigWheels https://ift.tt/35kdher
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TVS Tyres Launches Two New Range Of Tyres For Scooters

The two new range of tyres are called - Jumbo-XT and the Pancer-II. Exclusively made for scooters. The company claims that both provide excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. TVS Tyres has launched two new range of tyres for scooters - Jumbo-XT and the Pancer-II. Both will be available in 90/100 -10 sizes across the country. While the Jumbo-XT is priced at Rs 951, the Pancer-II costs Rs 987. The company claims the Jumbo-XT's bold and rugged block type pattern helps it in providing excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces. Its parallel groove design helps in draining water efficiently. The Pancer-II, on the other hand, features an aligned block type design with groove channels. This helps it in providing improved stability, while also providing good grip in wet and dry conditions. TVS tyres also claims that the Pacner-II helps in improving the overall mileage as well. We'll certainly put these claims to the test once the review units arrive.   Speaking on th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Honda HNess CB350 Variants Explained

  Watch Video Review   Honda has created quite the splash in the retro segment with the launch of its first classic motorcycle developed specifically for India , the Honda H’Ness CB350 . Like most of its portfolio, it is available in two variants. Here’s a detailed explanation of how different the features are in DLX and DLX Pro. Aesthetics: The Honda H’Ness CB350 DLX Pro variant gets a more premium, retro-looking dual-tone colour scheme on the fuel tank. This variant is available in three colours: Pearl Nightstar Black with Spear Silver Metallic, Athletic Blue Metallic with Virtuous White and Matte Steel Black Metallic with Matte Massive Grey Metallic. The matte black and grey colour variant comes with a beige seat cover whereas the other two colour variants get a black one. Of these three, the blue is our favourite as it echoes the nostalgic blue and white scheme of its forefather, the Honda CB350 from 1970. On the other hand, the base DLX variant comes only in si...
Post a Comment
Read more

BMW Motorrad Showcases Radical Electric Vision DC Roadster

The Vision DC Roadster takes the brands iconic 2-cylinder boxer engine design and gives it a rather interesting twist.  The design was inspired by the BMW R 32 developed by Max Friz in 1923. BMW has also designed a two-piece functional suit that looks like a casual jacket and black trousers. BMW Motorrad is no newcomer to electric vehicles. We’ve already seen the brands Vision Next 100 concept which gave a glimpse of the company’s future vision. Now though, BMW intends to change our outlook on electric two-wheelers which are more often than not perceived as boring. And they plan on doing so with the Vision DC Roadster, an all-electric bike that gives the word unconventional a whole new meaning. The design team started off by taking its iconic 2-cylinder boxer engine and giving it a rather interesting twist. The idea was to retain its protruding design but incorporate it in an electric motor. The challenge was its packaging. You see, in an IC engine, the size of the motor ...
Post a Comment
Read more