kawasaki ninja 650R

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stephen85858585 · Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:18 am

does this bike really perform as well as is stated..with it being so compact and everythin. II just want a general idea of the true performance on this bike
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BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:31 am

One of our members, Geoff, rides one and will soon be relateing it's vitues to you, no doubt. As a bonus, he does'nt have his head up his azz or his brain addled by mass media and other warped influences, unlike some who you may encounter here, so his impressions and opinions actually mean something.

stephen85858585 · Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:47 am

alright I cant wait to hear from Geoff
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spinner · #4 Unread post by **spinner** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:28 am

he does'nt have his head up his azz or his brain addled by mass media and other warped influences

Sounds like a winner

Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:35 pm

Awwww thx buzz.

ANYWHO. Yes, it does perform very well for what it is. a 70 hp, two wheeled, noob friendly bike. I can't think of many other bikes i'd rather have in heavy traffic. It's liquid cooled (no over heating at a stand still for 30 mins) the narrow rear tire (160 mm) makes it snappy as all hell, and that and the short wheel base make it rather slow speed friendly. Also, at about 390 lbs dry, it's not that heavy at all (as a comparo, a Ninja ZX-6R is around 362 lbs dry, and it has an aluminum box frame, 650R has tubular steel).

And yes, pretty much all the praise is true. THOUGH, if i have the $$$ when it's time to replace the brake pads, i'm getting some better than OEM pads and stainless lines, just for some extra grab.

Also, with my 250 lb self on it, it WILL power wheelie in 1st gear, so it's not gutless (48 ft-lb of torque at 6k rpm

)

It does okay with long distance, though the seat makes your "O Ring" roll foward a bit, which does get uncomfortable after 100+ miles. It does fine with two up riding, though i don't know how long a passenger will feel comfortable back there.

I truly, truly wish there was a 1000cc version of this bike (SV650 and SV1000 anyone?) cause i'd most likely get it as a second bike, but i supose an Interceptor will have to do then (in a few years).

And yes, this is a very, VERY compact feeling bike. My only complaint with that, is that they made the mirrors compact too, as about all i can see is a nice shot of my elbows with them. Though, there is a guy on the 650R forums who made a mirror inverting kit, and says it makes the mirrors actuall work well! Check this out, i love it

PS - I can outdistance my friend on his 1994 YZF750R with my 650R, so the machine DOES have some serious performance capabilities (i can also ride the YZF better than my friend can, heh).

stephen85858585 · Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:41 am

alright well it sounds like it`ll be worth checking one out then
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asiantay · #7 Unread post by **asiantay** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:38 am

BuzZz wrote:One of our members, Geoff, rides one and will soon be relateing it's vitues to you, no doubt. As a bonus, he does'nt have his head up his azz or his brain addled by mass media and other warped influences, unlike some who you may encounter here, so his impressions and opinions actually mean something.

Do you have a certain "someone" in mind? I think iI might have a clue.

Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:34 pm

BTW, for anyone that's interested, I have a friend who is looking to sell his 650R - still has less than 1000 km on it so it's not through the break-in period just yet, bike is the silver/gold one, never been dropped and been kept in the garage. He got it in June but recently bought another bike & doesn't need 2. Anyone interested can PM me. Bike is in Edmonton.

jmillheiser · Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:21 pm

Geoff650R wrote:
Also, with my 250 lb self on it, it WILL power wheelie in 1st gear, so it's not gutless (48 ft-lb of torque at 6k rpm )

LOL my bandit wont power wheelie (well at least at this altitude), and I have a little over 10hp on you (of course your ninja weighs about 40lbs less). Sounds like that 650 is a torquey little bike.

Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:24 pm

jmillheiser wrote:
Geoff650R wrote:
Also, with my 250 lb self on it, it WILL power wheelie in 1st gear, so it's not gutless (48 ft-lb of torque at 6k rpm )

LOL my bandit wont power wheelie (well at least at this altitude), and I have a little over 10hp on you (of course your ninja weighs about 40lbs less). Sounds like that 650 is a torquey little bike.

It's almost impossible to bog the thing down in 1st or 2nd gear, and even then, once it hits 3k rpm it start to pick up. It's kinda barky at that rpm range, i can't wait to pipe it.