Ninja 650 a novice bike?

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Chris8187 · Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:39 am

For some reason, I hate the way ducati's look in their red color. Just doesn't appeal to me at all.

#22 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:50 am

VermilionX wrote:
basically, if the riding position is not aggressive... to me, it's a standard w/ sport style fairings.

well, dont take this the wrong way, but what it is to you doesnt matter, what the companies declare it as and what class it falls into depermines what it is, not what we think.

JWF

Sev · #23 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:16 am

I try not to think, to much work.

Apitoxin · Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:44 am

Sevulturus wrote:I try not to think, to much work.

We found that about you a long time ago Sev.

Sev · #25 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:55 am

black mariah · Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:33 pm

JWF505 wrote: you heard? how about some #s my man, as for it being a good beginner bike, that all depends on if the person can handle the size, weight and power. You say it lacks the aggressive riding position as if thats a plus, the agressive hunched up style is umcomfortable and painful, why is that a plus?

JWF

From the July '06 Sport Rider budget bike comparison...

Honda 599: 82.8 HP
Kawasaki Ninja 650R: 64.8 HP
Suzuki SV650: 71.6 HP
Yamaha FZ6: 90.4 HP

The Ninja 650R was their pick out of this group. The less radical seating combined with a very smooth torque curve made it a very impressive package.

macktruckturner · Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:55 pm

There's a new 650R on the hill - so I approached the owner and we traded bikes for a ride down a local twisty road. It doesn't steer as quickly as the SV, but it does have a more naturally upright position. I won't say a more comfortable position - I am just as comfortable on the SV, however I do have to put forth some work to be more upright (I have the SV650S, not the naked). As far as power, the parallel twin has very smooth delivery - but then, IMO so does the V-twin. The SV has the edge I think, but I can't make a direct comparison as mine isn't quite stock (full exhaust, and pcIIIusb, etc). I felt a pretty big difference in braking, but again I think that is more a factor of what I'm used to. On the SV if I let the throttle go, I scrub speed quickly just from engine compression - the 650R isn't quite as dramatic in its compression braking.

Either can be learned on, and ridden by a novice provided appropriate responsibility. I'm not one of the followers of the "you'll die if you ride anything bigger than a GS500 for your first bike" school of thought. I definitely don't think anyone should buy a new bike as a first bike unless you have the disposable income to justify it. My SV was new, and the first bike I ever owned - but far from the first I'd ever ridden. Combine that with a year of combat pay, and I had the disposable income to buy the bike I wanted. If I deploy again, I'll buy a GSXR750 for the track when I get back.

jonbailey19808 · Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:04 pm

Yeah i read that review and all the reviewers picked the 650r Ninja as the fav but it was extremly close.

#29 Unread post by **bok** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:59 pm

i'd say it's a decent first bike but at the upper end of ones to look at.

the biggest drawback for this bike as a "first bike" is that since it is brand new, if you drop it and do some damage, it will be expensive to fix.

couple that with a lesser line up of aftermarket parts than for something like the SV that has been around for a while and it might be a dissapointing purchase.

Ninja Geoff · Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:20 pm

bok wrote:i'd say it's a decent first bike but at the upper end of ones to look at.

the biggest drawback for this bike as a "first bike" is that since it is brand new, if you drop it and do some damage, it will be expensive to fix.

couple that with a lesser line up of aftermarket parts than for something like the SV that has been around for a while and it might be a dissapointing purchase.

The 650R is getting there in terms of aftermarket. There's a lot of stff for the ER-6n that fit so making 650R stuff isn't TOO hard for companies. If i had the $$$ i'd get Arata full sys, PC3USB, swap out the front end with 636 parts (03 636 front end is a direct bolt on, just need MX bars on it. The z750 top triple tree clamp solves that) a 170 rear tire (mich pilot powers), K&N pods (DOES have to be a universal pod that fits, do direct bolt on yet), stainless brake lines, REALLY nice brake pads, under tail (have this already though), and maybe some flush mount rear blinkers to REALLY clean that "O Ring" end up.