Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Kawasaki Ninja 650R Video Review:
Scroll down for our comprehensive review of the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650R.
Fast Tube by Casper
Summary:
Engine Size: 649cc
Price (new): $8,199 CDN/$6,799 USD
Comparable bikes: Suzuki GS500, Suzuki SV650, Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Kawasaki Ninja 500R, , Yamaha FZ6R
Over 40 updates make the Ninja 650R a real competitor for 2009. Its smooth 649cc engine, dynamic and aggressive styling, and modern chassis make it a real treat to ride. For a new rider looking for a first bike with longevity, the Ninja 650R could be a great match!
Our Kawasaki Ninja 650R Review:
We’ve always been fans of Kawasaki, and when I say “we” I’m referring to the collective group of motorcycle junkies that power BeginnerMotorcycleReviews.com. It’s not often that “we” all agree on something (countless debates over which first bike is ideal come to mind), but after experiencing the Kawasaki Ninja 650R for ourselves we have all come to the same conclusion: this bike is a good one.
The Ninja 650R is good for a lot of things, and because of that we’re inclined to recommend it to new riders looking for something that’s economical, but with a larger emphasis on fun and excitement. After all, while a 650cc sport bike may not get the same fuel economy as a 250cc bike (such as the 650R’s little brother, the Ninja 250R), but it still gets great mileage and seems to be adept at doing something much better than a smaller bike: implanting large grins on our faces.
There’s no denying that a new rider will find a 250cc bike a thrill, but unfortunately that thrill will tame itself over time as the rider becomes accustomed to the power and handling characteristics of that bike. Since it’s such a small engine, those limitations are found quickly and that’s when the “hum-drum” syndrome takes hold. The 650R, however, packs enough punch from its 649cc engine that a new rider should be satisfied for a few years before wanting to trade up- assuming they get tired of it at all!
The Ninja 650R is a great handling machine; a smooth parallel-twin provides plenty of power (right around 65-70 horsepower) and more than enough torque (around 45ft-lbs) for city riding and highway touring. As well, the comfortable seating position enables the rider to enjoy the Ninja for long periods of time without worry about back or joint pain.
Enter a corner and the Ninja 650R feels balanced, and after a few corners for practice the rider will quickly find the Ninja 650R to be predictable and controllable- traits that a new rider should seek out and an experienced rider always appreciates.
Let us be clear: this 650cc bike is not faster than the Ninja ZX6R (Kawasaki’s 600cc super-sport), despite having 50 more cc’s. However, a quarter mile time of 12.1 seconds and a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds is hardly something to scoff at- all but the fastest supercars will be left in your dust.
Riders will enjoy the smooth-shifting 6 speed transmission, linear power delivery, and excellent riding dynamics. It may not sound like an F1 racer (like the 600cc super-sport bikes), but the v-twin has a great sound and combines with the rest of the bike to create a capable and well-mannered machine.
The Bottom Line:
As far as first bikes go this may be a bit much for some people, but spend some time riding it with caution and you will find yourself piloting a fast, good looking, capable motorcycle that you’ll enjoy for some time. Highly recommended.
Kawasaki Ninja 650R Update – April 23, 2009
When the weather is right, and a good friend decides to swap bikes with you for the last leg of your ride, you can really get a feel for a bike. In my case, it was the decision to swap my 2008 Suzuki SV650 (read my Suzuki SV650 review) for my friends 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650R. Both bikes are fairly comparable in their capabilities, performance levels, and even horsepower figures.
There are differences, however. As one commenter noted, the 650R is powered by a parallel-twin engine, whereas the SV650 is powered by a v-twin. As well, the 650R features a slightly more upright riding position, where the SV650 is a bit more sports-bike like in its riding position (but not terribly so). These differences, along with the aesthetics of the bikes, are small, but they are significant enough to warrant switching from one bike to another over.
We were in Banff, Alberta and decided to make the final leg of the ride home to Calgary, Alberta. At just over an hour it’s not exactly a marathon run, but with varied terrain (mountain roads, followed by foothills, followed by prairie) I knew that I’d be able to get a great feel for the bike (I wasn’t the person who reviewed the Ninja 650R in the original review).
Launching the Ninja is easy, just like my SV, and the acceleration is brisk. It may be just me, but my SV650 feels a touch quicker- it may be the Yoshi pipe and K&N filter, or it may just be a mental bias. Regardless, the Ninja takes off with a reassuring growl from its engine and plenty of thrust forward. Every time, no matter how quickly it ends, the acceleration of a bike like this puts a smile to my face.
Through the mountains I found the Ninja 650R to be very predictable. Within a matter of minutes I found myself leaning it over quite a bit, and like my SV650, the power band is linear enough that I was able to apply throttle during the turn without worrying about breaking traction. Motorcyclists live for the twisties, and this bike is about as much fun as I’ve ever had in them.
I stuck with 3rd and 4th gear, finally moving into 5th and 6th once we reached the highway. The highway, which is a long and relatively straight/flat drive, made up the last 30 minutes of our ride. On the highway the Ninja is slightly more comfortable, and I believe that to be entirely due to the riding position that’s just a touch more upright. In 5th and 6th gear I found the Ninja to have enough power to pass traffic that was moving at highway speed with ease.
When we finally reached our destination my friend and I swapped bikes. “It’s a nice bike,” he said in reference to my SV, “but I think I’ll keep my Ninja.”
It’s funny he said that, because the Kawasaki Ninja 650R is a great bike… but I think I’ll stick to my SV 
Related posts:
i LOVED this bike when I had it. i had a 2008 though but it was still a great bike really fast handled good. i kinda regret selling it but thats okay because i’m getting a r6!!
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I only gave this bike three stars because I felt that it should have had a bit more power to match its aggressive styling. I mean, this bike looks like it will do 200 mph if you wanted to, but when you really pin it after a while you’re kind of underwhelmed.
A quarter mile of 12.1 seconds is certainly nothing to scoff at, but with the super sports running under 11 seconds, is 12.1 really all that impressive?
I suppose that if you aren’t looking for a crazy race bike that the Ninja 650R may be a good choice. I definitely recommend it to new riders, but experienced ones may find it a bit lacking…
- Mike
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Peter Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Michael K.,
I think you missed the point of the Ninja 650R and this website. The 650R is a great beginner’s bike. Complaining that this bike doesn’t stack up against super sports is pretty off the mark. If you want a super sport, buy a super sport. This is like complaining that a Honda Civic is lame because it’s not as fast as a Porsche 911. Well, yeah…
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Dr.Bleed Reply:
April 17th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
As has been mentioned the point of the bike isn’t to accelerate at skin tearing speeds. Another thing to is yes it “only” runs a 12 flat, but its also going to run you about 3000 dollars less than those other 600′s that run in the 10′s.
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Jason Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
lol…So, the complaint is that this SPORT BIKE is not as fast as a SUPERSPORT BIKE????? If it was wouldn’t that make it a supersport bike and not just a sport bike??? You said it like kawi was misrepresenting the bike. It’s also about $4000 less than a supersport bike. I dont understand the complaint really and I think this bike is on top in comparison with the other sportbikes in the 600-650 class. From what I have read the bike was geared towards being well rounded (fast enough to be fun, comfortable to ride all day, ect…) and not to be a track bike. One example of this is the upright position of the handlebars and the taller windscreen when compared with the supersport bikes.
Ok….I’m done correcting you
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@ Martin: Be careful bud, an R6 is an entirely different machine. If you’ve never ridden one I recommend to start off with baby steps… one flick of the wrist and that bike will have you eating pavement if you aren’t careful.
@ Michael: This bike isn’t marketed towards people seeking to go 200 mph on their motorcycle. This bike is meant for riders that want something fast and fun in the city that is also comfortable and reliable on the highway.
I would say Kawasaki succeeded.
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Richard Freeman Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Sounds like the bike for me. Thanks!
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i really miss my 650R… i sold it and downgraded to a 250, mainly because i couldnt afford the gas for my 650.
WORST DECISION EVER. kawasaki makes sick rides, but the 650 is far better than any of the other models.
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Tomv Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Dude, seriously? No offense, but if you can’t afford the fuel for a motorcycle which gets anywhere from 40 to 60 MPG, maybe what you should really be thinking about is weather you can afford a recreational vehicle like a motorcycle. The fuel should be the last motorcycle related expense you should be worried about.
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Richard Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Yea like Insurance, but Progressive is only charging just under 100 a month for top of the line coverage
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The name was the first thing that caught my eye, and you’re definitely right, for a new rider it for sure was a perfect match!
I’m just going to go crazy on the style right now, even though most keep to pointing out the performance. It’s absolutely gorgeous! How can you pass this up? The thrill is not yet over, especially with the looks I get on this! I’ll add though, I’m not a racer so of course it would match my lifestyle. Now that I’ve on Kawasaki, I’m never going back.
My only negative on the overall rating was the price, because the amount I’m spending on gas and having to pay for this baby hasn’t been the greatest ride to be honest. But hey, you have to pay for excellence!
@cmartel – I took my baby steps, and this was definitely for me. Now away I go to show this beauty off on the roads!
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This is my favorite bike by far. I love that it is fast as hell but still handles great and uses a decent amount of gas. Usually I see a trade off between power and economy when I choose my next bike, but with the Ninja 650R I didn’t have to chose!
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Man, I don’t know what drugs these guys are all smoking but I hated this bloody bike! So-so acceleration compared to other middleweights, so-so handling, so-so fuel economy, and it’s expensive! Seriously, you could get a 3 or 4 year old used R6 or ZX6R that’s WAY faster, WAY better looking, and WAY more fun to ride!
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JTC Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I fink you are on the wrong page.
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Guy Reply:
February 27th, 2010 at 9:43 am
It’s ok, your just “That Guy.”
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Richard Reply:
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Yea but beginners dont need to be riding those bikes. And with a finance payment, gas, and insurance those bikes can be too expensive for some riders. I know that the insurance for an 06′ GSXR 600 is100 more
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If anyone bad mouths this bike they just dont know this bike like they should! Get back on it and realize it’s greatness, this bike is the bike to end all bikes. (fanatic – yes, in love with the bike – yes. Did I name it? Yes, Momo)
@Steadman I do believe it is you who might have smoked something to not appreciate the awesomeness.
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John Doe Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Hell yeah @ this entire post (especially the end) and LOL @ MOMO
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with the economy being in the dumps for the next few years and cash being king right now…….what would be a good OTD(out the door) offer to a stealership on a 2009 650r- $6,799 list. (forget sales tax as every State is different) would 15-20% off list be a fair offer. (I would give em all cash or let them make a little extra on financing some $$$)any thoughts? supply and demand theory rules as always.
with the way they overcharged last year on the KAW 2008 250r I am in no mood to feel to sorry for the dealers in this economic downturn. one motorcycle mag says 2009 sales are already down 20% and unemployment may go from 7% to 10% before things get better.
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Cameron Martel Reply:
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 pm
jmarr;
Keep in mind that a dealership still has a price on it. 20% may be a bit low and may be approaching their cost. Give them an offer at 20% under and see how they respond. Try to use their in house financing so they make some extra scratch off of the sale.
Please let us know how it goes
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I own the 2008 and thought the bike was absolutely amazing when i saw it, bought it, and road it for the first couple of months. Now im wishing i bought a zx6 or cbr600. Im not saying that i don’t love this bike i just wish i bought the bigger brother now im stuck with the payments and wishing i had more power. Think about it before you buy
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if i still had my 20-year old back and wrists i might be inclined to get a cbr-600 or a zx6. i use this bike for my 20-30 minute daily commute and i have gone on weekend trips in as much comfort as my buddies on cruisers and goldwings. the only other sportbike with this comfortable a riding position might be the honda interceptor…but it costs alot more than the 650R. if you want to do wheelies and go 200 mph, don’t get this bike. for me, it has plenty of punch and handles great.
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great bike but your article says it has a v-twin. It has a parallel twin. Big difference.
I love the bike.
You should know your facts before writing an article.
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Bought a 2007(still in crate) last fall, and have loved it ever since…
It mioght not have the power of an I-4, but you insurance company knows that as well. (700 a year for Full Coverage, they wanted 2200$ for the ZX6). I think it is perfect for urban riding- Rider position lets you flick the bike around in traffic, your wrists won’t hunt after the 1st 20min of repeated braking, and the torque pretty much allows you to be in whatever gear you want. If you want all out performance this is not the bike though- give it the beans and you will smile up to about 115, and then you will try to figure out where the invisible parachute came from… Will wheelie easy in 1st if you twist right about 5-6k rpm, 2nd requires clutch control, never tried in 3rd.. It will reach 140 on the speedo, but those last 20 mph seem to take forever. Overall, perfect balance of a bike. Cheap, easy to ride, still more fun than whats legal, and looks good to boot. Your wife said it was ok, go ahead and buy one!
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This is my 1st street Bike and I have about 1500 miles on it. It is very quick and you will have no problem keeping up with the pack on all 0-100 MPH riding. The power drops way off about that point. I may want a bid more power in the future but for now it is a great bike.
The other consideration is the comfort level; the super sport bikes are not comfortable if you are going crusing all day with your buddies.
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I have been riding for years and I am very happy with my Ninja 650R. I had a Suzuki SV650S and I loved it but the riding position was just killing me – maybe if I was 20 years younger. I sold it and bought the Ninja and I can ride all day. The SV had more grunt (but was geared higher) and handled a little sharper; but overall I really enjoy riding the Ninja. It is not not a rocket like GSX-R and R-6, but it is still very fast. You also have more low end so unless you are winding to redline you don’t notice that much of a difference. This is a great beginner bike if you are tall and strong enough to feel secure. My daughter can not touch the ground and it does not work for her. But this is a bike you will want to hold to, just like the SV650. It will always be a blast to ride – regardless of your skill level.
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see above.
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i have a 09 650r and it is my first bike its the s!@t its fast but also easy to ride mine will only do 130 toped out but like i said its my first bike so thats just great for me
I have no problems with mine i just hit the 800mile mark and it seems to have more power and the exaust also sounds louder now which is great i dont know what you people are talking about the gas mileage it really cant get much better for price 800 miles and only 4 fill ups at 5 dollars a fill up i say thats great as far as 4th 5th and 6th gear roll ons with traffic going the speed limit man it has more than enough power to pass wheelies are also easy 1st 2nd and 3rd gear all throttle baby no cluth with ease anyway its one of a kind i wouldnt compre it with sh@t go team green
09 ninja 650r
lime green
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Grumio Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I Lol’d.
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John Doe Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Rofl
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Got this bike (an 08′) after a car took out my 07′ 250R and have never regretted it. It was a bit pricey but I was stupid enough to walk in and not haggle. (^_^) I wanted it too bad!! Great handling, love the acceleration off the line, and gas is great. Just took her in for her 500 mile service and do mostly city driving to work with a few weekend trips out of town. My only complaint about this bike is that it should have come with better tires stock. The Bridgestones they put on it suck!! PLan to enjoy this sexy bike long into the future.
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see above
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I have owned this motorcycle for 3 years (mine is an ’06, black and silver). I would not recommend it as a beginner bike. I say this having riden for over 40 years.
The 250 Ninja is the right bike for a beginner. The 650R throws all of the twin 650cc’s hp and considerable torque into the low and mid-range and at any rational speed it will keep up with the fours. The fact that the power comes on so low in the rpms means that this bike can be dangerous for the novice, particularly on a slick surface. If you are new to motorcycling, buy the 250 (find a used one if you can) and ride it for a couple of years, keep the investment low, find out if you like to ride and if you want to move up, do so. The investment in the 250 will be low and you will find that the 250 will sell very fast and you will get a very good return (the resale on the 250 is among the best).
If you want to ride in the triple digits, the 650R isn’t for you. You might get an indicated 130, but the speedometer error is such that you will actually be going 120. For a little more money one can own a four that will take the rider into the higher triple digit (and in my opinion insane) speeds. However, if you are looking for a great bike to ride in everyday situations the 650R is tough to beat. This is a very rational, logical motorcycle. It is quick, handles very well, it is comfortable and I have riden it for long rides on the highway (600 miles at a stretch, 1.200 in a weekend). I ride with enthusiasm and so my fuel economy is not fantastic and cruising range is not spectacular (in the high 40mpg range, meaning I fill up at around 140-150 miles). My bike suffers from the farring buz at certain rpms (not a big deal in my book).
The fuel injected water cooled twin is a happy motor. It starts quickly and with no fuss. The motorcycle was made to use as real world transportation and it performs exceptionally well on the highway and thanks to all that torque it is very friendly in stop and go traffic and quick passing in the 60 to 80 mph range. The transmission was a bit notchy in the first 2,000 miles, but it has smoothed out to provide effortless and seamless shifting. The large underbelly muffler coupled to the in line twin gives the motor a distinctive and throaty tractor like sound. Some either love it or hate it, I am indifferent. The engine has a generous 11k red line and you will find that the engine runs out of steam a couple of grand before the red line and it seems most happy and full of power around the 6-7k range
The mirrors are just OK, even at the best setting I see my arms and elbows and I find I have to tuck them in a bit to get a full rear view. The seat is firmly padded and comfortable. The seating position in a bit cramped for my 33′ inseam, but I find the more relaxed riding position very comfortable for the long haul. In fact it is far more comfortable than either the crouched over position of the sport bike or the laid back sitting on your tail bone position of the cruisers. You can tuck in on this motorcycle and lay on the tank if you want to get out of the wind, but your elbows will become wings.
In sum, this motorcycle represents a lot of compromises in terms of price, ride, handling and performance, but compromise isn’t a bad thing if you are looking for a motorcyle that doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, but does everything as well as you need them done 90% of the time.
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I have European naked version of this bike ER-6n made in 2008. Though I am lacking all the wind protection, in general the package is the same. I have already covered 14,000 km with it and I have to admit that it is quite a decent ride. This is my first bike ever, yet I have ridden others before buying my own. I am not going to discuss how it looks just because mine looks nothing like Ninja 650R. So in general, it is fun to ride, it is fast (read – fast enough for city traffic and not a slow turtle on highways), it’s handling is awesome and cornering capability is at it’s best. Though I have sometimes feeling that it could get a use of more responsive brakes and better shock absorbers, I keep in mind that this bike was intended to be “as cheap as possible”. This is why Kawasaki made a very compact parallel twin, made use of a very simple fork and shock absorbers. And for brakes – nothing special. They just do what they are supposed to – break at all conditions. Though it is a very big difference on wet, if one has decided to have a ride during a rainy day – one needs to apply a far grater force on break lever and pedal to stop this machine. Although I doubt other bikes would perform considerably better at wet conditions, it keeps me wondering if breaking distance really should be so horribly long for such a small bike… From the other point of view, this bike is small, yet it is heavy. Despite Kawasaki ZX6 looks much wider, it is even lighter! Yes, ER-6n frame is made of steel, hence the weight.
I do not know where You all are from, but at may home place Kawasaki ER-6n was the cheapest 650cc bike of all. Considerably cheaper! Fuel consumption is very dependable on the speed and gear one is riding in. I have achieved the maximum speed 224 km/h on my bike. Without any fairing, it is quite a blow if You ask me. It should be different story for 650R.
So, should a beginner buy this bike? YES! Will it be enough in terms of power and acceleration? For the time being – YES! But, after some ten thousand miles are covered, will this bike still be all that one can dream about? Well, I seriously doubt that. There is nothing like a sound and feel of a 4 cylinder machine with a capacity of around one liter. But do not fool Yourself – when choosing bigger machine, the beautiful handling of 650R is gone for You…
Remember, whatever bike You are riding, ride safe and keep the rubber side down!
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I have a 2007 model 650R. Like Kevin said it’s a parallel twin, not a V-Twin, BIG difference.
I have got the bike bone stock with 5000 miles on it and rode it until 9000 miles before adding upgrades. At 9000 miles I removed the sub-throttle plates and the air-intake baffles, added a BMC F1 High performance air filter, Two Brothers exhaust, Juice Box fuel controller, dual HID headlights and a CompetitionWerks Fender eliminator.
A very noticeable difference in performance after the upgrades, with a greatly improved torque curve, making the power drop off occur nearly at redline instead of 1k or more before. The bike growls like nothing else on the road and gets compliments/comments on every ride that I do with new people.
This bike is fantastic! A perfect bike for a beginner and enough to keep normal sane seasoned riders smiling too.
The upgrades garnered around .3 seconds off my 0-60 and a dramatic seat of the pants dyno difference. Better night visibility is obvious but aiming the new bulbs was a bear because you can’t aim them independently, but I did manage.
I ride with with 1000cc and 600cc bikes all day and have no problems keeping up.. and i can go further because of the more comfortable seating position.
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All you guys out there talking about going over 100mph get a track bike and race legitamately. you are the reason why my insurance is so high. And for most of you 100+ hp is way too much to handle.
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Tomv Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
um….get a cruiser dude. these bikes are supposed to be agressive street riders for spirited riding… if you need to always do the speed limit and keep your insurance down, get a moped. Why ruin our fun.
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Mork Reply:
June 28th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
It’s perfectly fine to have loads of fun at below 100mph.
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Richard Reply:
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:44 am
You dont just buy one of these bikes for speed. I am getting a 09′ 650R and I just want it based on styling and comfort. Cruisers are just gay and Super Sport bikes are a bit expensive on the insurance side however that will be my next decision.
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New rider at 42 years old. Wanted to squeeze the last bit of cool out of my early 40s so I decided on a sport bike instead of a cruiser. Was afraid of the more powerful bikes because I heard all the horror stories of an errant twist of the wrist ending in disaster. Had all intentions of kicking this bike around the cul-de-sac and empty parking lots for a while but quickly abandoned that idea after 10 minutes of my first ride.
At 6’3′ 270lbs I wish the bike was a little larger but overall it handles very well and goes as fast as I need it to go and has enough punch to make it fun. Very able to keep up and pass at highway speeds and that’s at the 4000-6000 rpm range. Looks great!
Did a lot of research on the price and visited several dealerships playing one OTD price against the other. The price tumbled lower and lower throughout the day from a laughable $8330 to $7800 to $7212. Got home and checked one more website when I found a dealership going-out-of-business and got a sweetheart OTD price of $5812 (I had to walk my own paperwork through the DMV and wasn’t charged all those crate and processing fees or taxes and tags for my state by the going-out-of-business dealer. After putting down $412 ended up financing $5400. Taxes, tags and the DMV processing fee amounted to $502 (Much lees than the dealerships were charging to handle the processing for me). Add to that a Uhaul trailer to tow my bike home from VA to MD ($150) and my total cost for a brand new black 2009 Ninja 650r….$6464
Cons: Gas mileage leaves a bit to be desired but still a far cry from my Ford Expedition. The stock seat gets uncomfortable after an hour of riding and the light weight of the bike allows it to be blown about by a stiff wind or the blast of passing trucks. Getting a new seat from http://www.corbin.com. Told that will make a difference in comfort.
So far its been a great first bike. I have never felt like it could get away from me, though I ride cautiously and only kick up the speed when there is plenty of space to do so and even then still under 90 mph. Plenty fast for an older new rider like me. The bike still has lots of speed and power left but I’m just happy to be part of the brotherhood, with the wind whizzing by, all geared up on my sleek black bike.
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Tomv Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
its the upright riding position that has you being buffeted by wind and trucks, not the bikes weight, its about 100 pounds hevier than a ZX6R. tuck up a bit if you can and you will see a huge difference.
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there are people who just want to ride a motorcycle. they’re not beginners, they dont run quarter miles, they dont ride over 100mph, they cant tolerate the committed riding position, they like to ride more than 100 miles a day, dont want to ride cruiser or choppers, you get the idea.
What bikes are there for these people? Think about it. Honda does not make one. Yamahas makes a couple, good for them. Now Kawaski has a couple. Suzuki has one or two.
I see a trend. Less Harleys, less bikes more suited to the track, more bikes to ride just for fun.
I have ridden for 36 years, so my 650r is not ridden by a beginner, but by a rider who appreciates a bike that can do just about everything well.
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BigAl Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Ditto.
I’m 49 years old and 180 pounds. I’ve had a lot of bikes but have no more need of the liter class thrill. Nor do I need the Joe-racer wannabe knee-to-elbow neck cramping position on a street bike.
Just got a ’09 650R for $5300 OTD. Cheepest bike I’ve bought in 15 years. This is the best bike I’ve had for actually just using to get around and enjoy some recreational riding. I get quite a kick out of the strange sound of the parallel twin and the sweet torque curve. Very different than all the I4′s I’ve had. Still wheelies in 1st and 2nd.
BTW, full insurance $278/year.
I’ll be keeping this bike a long time.
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Hey Kevin, the author said that the sv650 had a v twin.
This was the first bike I have ever ridden. In the few hours that I was allowed to play with it I found it to have all the power and speed that my 17 yearold self will ever need. At the same time it looks good( seat could look a little better), sounds good and handles really well. Switching into second can be a bit of a suprise for you if you don’t expect the punch but it is rather easy to adapt to. Insurence is pretty affordable (about $650 to $700 a year) and I’m not going to complain about gas( huge improvement off of the ’98 windstar I would have to drive)
overall I found it to be wonderfull.
My only complaint is the retail price.
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I’ve been searching, looking, reviewing, reading, comparing all my options for my riding style and preference; My choices were——2009 Suzuki Ninja 650R——–2009 Suzuki GSX650F——–2009 Suzuki DL650 V-strom…
The most affordable bike for me was the Kawasaki 650R, but I like them all three of them…
My first choice before was the GSX650F, but too much weight.
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I’ll go for the 2009 KAWASAKI 650R, & still waiting for the year-end clearance. As of today, they want $6358.00 otd
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I went from a cruiser to a sport bike. Because my back and shoulders are not as young as they used to be I’m used to sitting straight, I purposely picked the 2009 Ninja 650R because of it’s upright seating and streamlined looks. I loved the bike from the moment I took off from the dealership. It’s light-weight and agile, and can keep up with more powerful bikes. The throttle and brakes are very responsive. The 650R handles beautifully in tight twists and turns. The design is sporty and different from any of the other sport bikes I travel with, which I like. It is a pleasure to ride, whether it’s a quick trip across town or a commute over to the next state.
One down side is the smaller tank capacity. I have to fuel up more often than the other sportbike riders. Another is at 390 lbs. it’s more work keeping the bike under control in windy conditions, in comparison to my heavier cruiser.
Overall, I give it two thumbs up. If you’re looking for something really agressive looking that eats up the track, this would not be your kind of bike. People with larger frames would find this bike a little small.
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I own a 2009 650R. I have had many bikes in the past 10 years and have concluded that smaller is better….But not too small. I use my bikes primarily to commute. On the occasion that I am able to ride long on a trip then my accessories for my bikes really add value. Out of all the bikes I sold I only regret selling my VERSYS (the perfect tool). I started to look for another recently and decided that my tricked out DRZ400S with all the bells would be used for similar purpose. However I missed the benefits of the 650 engine and decided that something for touring was appropriate. The 09 650r had the looks and feel of a sports tourer but 200+ pounds lighter. Laminar lip, Moto Werks lower peg kit, heated grips, Givi side cases and top box, two brothers exhaust (came with bike), and Avon Distanzia tires makes this one really cool and light weight tourer. The wind protection not like a FJR or ST is more then enough. I may be a bit more practical then most but I find the Ninja 650R to have all the essentials needed to be a super value and everyday bike. That means alot when there are so many outstanding motorcycles on the market.I am hoping to keep this for a long time. I own the red color which they discontinued so I like that even more.Ride Safe!!!
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I bought the first year model, the 2006, in black/silver. I traded my 2005 650 V-strom in on it and really loved it for cruising around town in and darting in and out of traffic. I averaged 50mpg combined realxed and sport riding. On the highway it got 55mpg. Very flickable bike, but no more-so than my V-Strom was. The V-Strom v-twin had more linear power than the Kaw.
The suspension on the V-Strom was better than the Ninja. You quickly find the front fork limitations during sport riding on the Ninja, since it is non-adjustable.The V-Strom was a softer ride – predictably so. the V-Strom has a lot more fork travel and adjustability. The seats on both models were all-day comfortable. A rarity for stock bikes.
Both have comfortable upright riding positions, but the V-Strom is a tall man’s ride. That didn’t bother me because I am 6’2″ and can flat foot any bike even on a center stand, which the Ninja 650R sadly lacks due to the under carriage muffler (I bought the center stand for the V-Strom and put it on myself. at least it was an option.). Once you have a center stand you grow to appreciate it, even at the cost of a tad bit more extra weight.
Once on the highway, even with a ZG touring screen, the Ninja was comfortable, but at highway speeds for 3 hour rides, and as tall as I am, it gave me sore shoulders and neck from constantly pulling myself against the oncoming wind. Looking at the 2009 redesign I believe that there would more wind protection from the new windscreen, but I believe that aftermarlet has to catch up and offer something even better still.
As far as torque and HP go, I think it’s plenty for anyone that enjoys the lightweight bike vs a heavier, higher HP bike. I could easily pop the front ends of both the Ninja and V-Strom off a standing or rolling start (hey, it’s fun to do sometimes). Best thing to do for the Ninja is to upgrade the forks, or at least put a set of progressive springs and heavier oil in it. A stiffer and more adjustable rear shock would make this a great bike to challenge your buddies on their R-6′s in the twisties. This bike will turn into a corner faster and with less pre-corner breaking than an R-6, so you’ll be on their ass or able to pass them in a corner, but then the sheer power of the R-6 will take you coming out. There’s a video on YouTube of a guy with a friggin’ Versys that was taking out racebikes on the corners. It was very entertaining.
I currently own an Interceptor, and I consider it to be the best of all worlds – comfort, speed, and agility. I get 45mpg on average and better on the highway. Insurance and maintenance are higher, but this bike is pure pleasure. This bike’s one choice in the the next step up when you get tired of your 650R, but still like a comfortable ride. The FZ-1 is another great choice, but for a new rider it has the capability of being too much bike for you to handle, and very quickly can turn on you.
By the way, I am by no means a noob. I am 48y/o and have been riding since I was 14. Would I recommend this bike for beginners? Of course. I had a blast on it when I owned it, so it’s not something you outgrow quickly, and you have a lot of fun with the Ninja.
The problems in choosing is what you want to settle for. For instance, suspension. Having owned an FZ-1 I would say that you would get more bang for your buck out of owning the FZ6R. A tad more expensive, but you get a lot more from the Yamaha. The bars are adjustable as well as the seat. Bike weights are comparable. The inline four is smoother, and has better passing power. The suspension is better, and so are the brakes. Style-wise? Hmmmm… I am not a fan of the ‘winking cat’s-eye low beams that are prevallent thses days. The Yamaha has a single, central low beam. Even my Interceptor has both cat-eye’s on at low beam, and hence is by far the best as far as visibilty, for both the rider and oncoming traffic.
It’s a hard choice, but whatever you do choose I am sure you’ll be smiling, and perhaps anticipating the next bike that makes you drool.
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I bought this bike for my wife and she LOVES it. It does everything she needs it to do and has a blast doing it. I personally have owned a variety of bikes and the 650r seems to fit its intended target range well. I would rather ride my KLR 650 but if I wan’t to do some higher speed sport type riding I’ll jump on the ninja when she’s not on it of course! Going from my klr to ninja requires alittle bit of adjustment each ride. The biggest difference is the Ninja has more of a lean steer feel where as on the klr you have mile wide bars to steer with. Even though the KLR gets less mpg, I can still go about 100 miles further than she can because of our tank sizes. Overall I’d say the Ninja 650r is agreat little bike!
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“i really miss my 650R… i sold it and downgraded to a 250, mainly because i couldnt afford the gas for my 650.”
No, you didn’t.
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Tomv Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
LMAO!!! read my reply! its on his post…
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WAKE UP ! ! !
The motorcycle industry has psychologically tapped directly into the male psyche and makes you feel like you have a small pee pee if your not on the biggest most ridiculously high performing piece of equipment on the planet!!!
DONT FALL FOR IT !
I have done the whole loop over 20 years of riding from a small 200 cc to a 500 cc to race bikes to cruisers… now im back to the 2009 650R and i am LOVING riding again. And in my opinion this is NOT a beginners bike. Get a ninja 250 please, take a year, practice, learn the basics, get your endorsement on it and national safety course. This Ninja 2009 650r is a bike (if your sane and normal) that will be the bike you love for a long long time.
Happy Trail
JR
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Tomv Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Well Said, I had a guy giving me the “you’re inferior” attitude once cause he had a ZX14R, I was like “Well at least I wasn’t stupid enough to pay 12 grand for a bike that literally has no place on public roads. the only way that thing is fun is on the track in the hands of a very skilled rider. On the road you’re just waiting for that monster to bite you.” He just shook his head while his buddies on 600′s and 1000′s laughed at him.
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come on guys, if youre going to go on about this bike at least get the details that matter to be factual, its not a v twin, its a parallel twin…someone pleases fix that stupid beggining summary…
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I love all the bad mouthing on performance of this great bike. Ive owned two ZX6Rs in the last few years and decided to go with the 650R this time because it was an 09 leftover and I got it brand new for $5500… While it doesn’t have the performance numbers of the 6Rs, you have to realize it is a derated-detuned bike from the factory. this was necessary to pass California emissions rules which is where they are initially imported to. the bike is being choked out by its own equipment. Please realize with a little tuning, a change of the exhaust and intake, and (yes they are available if you want them) Sport bike bars rather than the riser bars, then you will have a very capable trackable bike that will hold its own against most if not all the other super sport 6s. It WILL do wheelies, it WILL run 10s and yes it WILL carve the corners with ease… the only shortcoming I have found with this bike that is tough to change is the fuel injection. Carberated would have made for smoother power delivery, but with some practice, and proper tuning, this bike is a strong 600 series race-able bike…
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It is EXACTLY what it is MEANT to be…see above…
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This is my first road bike. I’m 49, my son is 16. It’s absolutely perfect for both of us. It’s the cheapest “sportbike” out there- I got my 2009 new in February of this year with two dirt bike trade-ins for $5000! My son is 6’5″, 240. I’m almost fifty. It suits both of our requirements perfectly. It will be all the bike I will ever need- I don’t need much more than the thrillatf 7000 rpm this bike gives me- and it’s safe enough for me to feel ok when my newbie son rides it. It’s got predictable handling, decent tires and suspension, darn good brakes, a lousy seat, and cool styling. For an entry level “sportbike” (it’s really a Standard) it’s really a well built, fun bike for 5 g’s. We both like it a lot. Should be in the family for at least a few summers.
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After reading all the reviews I have come to the conclusion that this bike will be the perfect starter bike for me. I initially was interested in the new 250′s cuz of the body kits and mpg but I read on another review that highway driving will kill those being as they only top out at around 100 they are pretty much red-lining on the interstate. Also I am 6’3″ and 210 pounds so that bike would not be the right choice for me.
So I thought about the 500, but the body kit just looks really gay. This bike looks fast and everyone says it is quick. Being my first bike I dont need to go 150+ or 0-60 in 3 seconds. Eventually I will upgrade to a supersport but for now this is the bike for me. And now that the bike is over a year old I am getting it brand new at 4999. And the insurance only runs at about 80 a month for top of the line coverage. And only 40 a month for basic. Cant beat that. I cant wait to have my bike!
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