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I've been browsing various websites and I've noticed something

Honda CBR600 ~$11k msrp
Suzuki R600 ~$12k msrp
Kawasaki 650 Ninja ~$7500 msrp

Am I missing something? Why is it so much cheaper?

I'm operating under the assumption that the difference performance between these models is less than "Night and day."

Dystopian wrote:I've been browsing various websites and I've noticed something

Honda CBR600 ~$11k msrp
Suzuki R600 ~$12k msrp
Kawasaki 650 Ninja ~$7500 msrp

Am I missing something? Why is it so much cheaper?

I'm operating under the assumption that the difference performance between these models is less than "Night and day."

The Ninja is a twin with about 65-70 h.p.; the Honda and Suzuki are inline fours with well over 100 horsepower, and upgraded components (tires, forks, shocks, etc.) to handle all that power. Top speed on the Ninja might reach 115 m.p.h.; I've seen reports that the Suzuki will reach 165 m.p.h. "Night and day" covers it pretty well.

Isn't the Kawasaki made in India as well? The other two are still manufactured in Japan, IIRC.

Edit on Ninja 650 top speed. Around 125-130 with a lighter rider.

The Ninja 650R is basically a standard bike with a faring...not hi-spec, it's a commuter bike that's fun to ride...the other two bikes are nearly race spec bikes for the street...totally different animals...you want to compare a Kawasaki, check out the ZX-6R...or if you want to compare similar Honda & Suzuki (Yamaha too) to the 650R...

Honda CBF600
Suzuki SV650S, Gladius (no faring though), GSX650F
Yamaha FZ6R
Kawasaki ER-6n is the same bike without the faring

Later.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I just figured 600 crotch-rocket = the same.

Quality issues, perhaps? A handful of years ago I did a search for recalls on motorcycle parts, and the Kawasaki brand made quite a showing on that list. Suzuki and Honda, not so much.

listen to the engine on the Kawasaki 650 Ninja, it has that cheap sound, its a cheap made engine made in China, not all Japenese bikes are the same, even the same brand makes differerent engines somewhere else, like take Suzuki for an example, the GS500, DR650 have those cheap Chinese made engines at the same time the GSX750 is a top quality Japanese built engine, The best sounding engine to me is the Honda Interceptor, when I listen to that engine it gives me a hard on, but when I listen to the Kawasaki 650 or the Suzuki V Strom I hear the sound of generic junk. Listen to differnt bikes and listen for the sound of quality!
Thats one of the reasons i bought a Yamaha Tmax, when it was first started up I was amazed it sounded like quality, i was expecting that "putt-putt" scooter sound!

You must be right Marvin oh wise one! Hell I've only seen the GS500, DR650, Kawi 650s (both singles and twins), and DL650s go 150K or more... A mere 150K out of a fairly tuned small displacement motor subjected to a wide variety of rev ranges? Simply apalling!!!

Oh and your TMax (use it correctly would ya?) is like miniature golf. Fun for a while, but nothing compared to the real thing, now get back to putt-putt!

I never said just because it has a junky sounding cheap Chinese made engine that its not a good and reliable engine, I have seen SV650's going 100K miles even when those engines sound like loose nuts and bolts are rattling around inside the engine,,, I just don't like owning or riding those bikes with a junky sounding engine because its embarressing cause everybody will think my bike is junk only on the way the engine sounds. Everybody installs a loud exhaust to cover up the junky sounding engine,,, you know something??? i don't think I ever heard the way any Harley sounds with a normal factory exhaust