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I was just looking at the Kawasaski site and it described the Ninja 650 as being for a novice as well as experianced.

From all i have read this surely can not be.

jonbailey19808 wrote:I was just looking at the Kawasaski site and it described the Ninja 650 as being for a novice as well as experianced.

From all i have read this surely can not be.

doesnt matter. You're not allowed to have it.

Now go ride that scooter.

it's true.

i heard the ninja 650R even puts out less power than the SV650.

so yeah, it's a good beginner bike.

but like the GS500F and EX500... it looks sporty but it doesn't have the aggressive riding position.

it would be way on the upper end of "first bike". not bad to look at though.

My friend is a "novice" rider - just got his license at the end of last season and he picked up the 650R this year. The seating is pretty comfy, standard, foot pegs in a good spot, similar to the 250 but (at least for me) was more comfortable than the 500 in terms of arm reach. It's a nice bike for sure!

So far, he's been okay with it - it seems to have more power & oomph of course than the 250 or 500. As BigChStrips said, it would prob be on the upper end of a starter bike. Like most any "starter" bikes in the 600/650 range, I'm sure it has enough power to get a beginner in trouble if he/she is not careful though.

Cycle Canada's latest issue has a write up on the 650R. Keep in mind though that this is a new Kawi introduced this year so there's no long term ownership feedback yet.

The difference between other 600's is that the Ninja 650R has a parallel twin instead of an inline-4. So only 2 cylinders.. it has a much more linear powerband, very smooth throttle delivery, and good handling characteristics.

This is a better bike to start on than the SV650. The seating position is very neutral and comfortable. It has about 66 hp. The SV650 has about 73hp for comparison.

Actualy i think i am in the clear again Holiday!

I did ride my scooter into work this morning! My little Zuma rocks!

Most of the way its all 25mph speed limit anyway.

My Kawi dealer didn't have a 650 to sit on.

The Ninja 650 is a sweet bike. As verm says it doesn't have the seating position that makes some bikes less pleasant to ride. Yet it will keep up with 99.999% of the riders (including most of the nutcases) on any road you care to ride.

And i have it on first hand experiance they're only a little slower than a 198x KZ1100 in a straight line.

Swap the bars out for a more agressive seating position. The twin makes the thing wonderful to run through twisties. The brakes are nice and wooden, perfect for a new rider. The handling is great without it being too great that when you roll your shoulders you lean the bike over. The power isn't THAT much more than the 500R and not THAT much less than the SV650.

The only things I want to really do to the bike (besides slip on and PC3USB) is upgrade to better brake pads and get SS brake lines. And maybe a new seat if one ever comes out.

VermilionX wrote:it's true.

i heard the ninja 650R even puts out less power than the SV650.

so yeah, it's a good beginner bike.

but like the GS500F and EX500... it looks sporty but it doesn't have the aggressive riding position.

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