KAWASAKI NINJA 650 (2017 - 2020) Review

2 hours max!

No failures so far.

Big standard it's fine, definitely worth some Givi luggage.

was super comfortable even on long rides

dont know that i would eve buy a kawi again bottom end of my motor blew out. bike was a 2018 with only 7000 miles never abused and very well taken car of always oil changed and matience on it

For the price not bad. Front fork internals upgrade and a quality rear shock. But then you might as well buy the 600 zxr

Revs well without being a screamer

Never misses a beat easy to maintain

Cheap as chips

More than some more expensive models

Have ridden for up to five hours with only a short toilet break between fuel stops without much discomfort

Other than the snatch during the initial throttle opening all is as I would wish, really starts shifting once the 5000 rpm. mark is passed but happy to toddle along at 4/500rpm.

No problem to date.

Serviced by local bike shop at a reasonable cost. not a main dealer.

Wind protection and versatility, frugal. Fitted fender extender, radiator guard, bobbins, chain guard, tail tidy (R&G) wasn't impressed by the original Dunlop tyres, now trying Bridgestone's, slight improvement.

Good everyday bike , urban and rural journeys taken in their stride. ridden for four hours with only a short toilet brake about half way, Suspension could be better and brakes just about right with ABS.

Opening from a shut throttle is bit of an off/on affair, typical injected twin problem. Very good economy with little or no vibration, can be ridden sensibly up to 5000rpm. and picks up it's skirt above 5000rpm.

Only covered 6000m. since new, no corrosion, no brake downs, no part failures. looks as new.

Had about five services

Best wind protection of any bike I've owned , screen set at the highest position. have fitted -Tail tidy , rear stand bobbins, tank pad, 12v. socket, fender extender. Mirrors are good again better than a lot of bikes, and for me the low seat height. Problem seeing the information on dials in bright sunlight especially if wearing sunglasses. no adjustment for dial brightness.

After 17,000 miles, I haven't found a situation yet where the bike is not comfortable. I have ridden a mix of motorways, A roads, B roads down to single track farm tracks I will often have 8 hours of saddle time a day and only stop for bathroom breaks. I find it a really comfy bike

I love that there is power available throughout the whole rev range, and there is plenty of engine braking available.

Only had 2 faults in last 17,000 - faulty battery replaced after 12,000 miles, and the O2 sensor had moisture in causing a management light to come on. Both were easy fixes at minimal cost

My annual running costs are relatively high only because I do a lot of miles! Service intervals are 3,700 miles with interim and 'major' service alternating

For a mid-price bike it had all features I needed. Stock tyres are poor though, and I have been running Road Pilot 4s which are much better. As I have small hands, I struggled with the stock levers, so I've changed for smaller levers which make riding much more comfortable. The stock exhaust is very quiet, so I've been running a Black Widdow which sounds how you would expect the bike to sound

Had rear preload increased . For most riders the suspension will suffice . Brakes are OK

Gutsy engine and pulls throughout the rev range . Thats why this bike is fun .

Kawasaki quality. enough said . Always top drawer

Goof fuel economy and like the fuel gauge . As the service is every 7.5K then annual costs will be cheap . In terms of value you get a lot of bike for 7K

Brakes are excellent. For the power of the bike these brakes are all you will need. The ABS has never cut in yet although it's nice to have. Ride quality is average, quite soft around British roads.

The engine sounds awful. Probably the quietest bike I've ever owned. It pulls reasonably well after 5000rpm and keeps going well up to the red line. I've never had a problem with jerkiness at low speed, it's very well fuelled. Just a really nice bike to potter around on. A good all-rounder. I Can't think of a better bike to start on or a returning previous biker.

No problems with reliability so far. Just covered a thousand miles.

Very economical bike. Average 62 miles per gallon.

Everything you need really.

Very jerky throttle, it needs warming up that's for sure. Ride is pretty firm but preload can be added at rear. This bike loves smooth twisty roads, but don't plan on going too far as your knees will ache. I'm 5ft 10 and even I think the position is cramped. It's far too low. Don't take a pillion more than 10 minutes, they will kill you. That seat couldn't support a field mouse.

Most disappointing part for me. Power is mostly at top which for most part is inaccessible. It's economical but no one buys a bike like this for that reason. Sounds rubbish even with a new can, looks like a sport bike, sounds like an old er5 (not good).

Nothing has broke in 2 years of ownership but the wheel paint chips easily, the screen is useless. I like the mirrors which easily fold in, handy to get into a garage.

Servicing is ok pretty standard among Japanese bikes. The bike is good value to buy if it suits your needs. Fuel is pretty good, I average about 60mpg.

Best part, good specifications, handy features; range, fuel level, abs, good quality plastics, gear indicator, slipper clutch.

Can ride it all day no problem. Only get a little tired on the knees. I'm 170cm / 5'7" tall. The bike is best on twisty B roads with good surfaces. It's not great over bumps. It's decent in town and not too wide so can filter with ease. Mirrors are on, can get a little bit of vibration. You can fold them in but they're a bit stiff.

Can be snatchy low down. Otherwise it has great torque throughout the range and on Twisties there's no need to keep changing gears, most of the time it's in 3rd and almost a twist and go!

Never had a problem. However, note thatI keep it garaged when not in use and I've only had it for 1 year and I've only done 3,500 miles on weekends.

Have only done the 600 miles service so far.

ABS, gear indicator, trip computer, fuel gauge and that's about it. No adjustments on the suspension unless you take the shock out to adjust the preload (it's impossible to get at.) Adjustable screen is decent if a bit of a faff to adjust. It has the basics covered. Nothing more.

Ride is just right. Light and flickable. Suspension not too firm not too soft for my weight. (93 kg)

Was waiting to be unimpressed when I read it was down on power compared to the last model but needn’t have worried. As mentioned not run in yet and even keeping revs below 7k it’s plenty quick enough with just enough character to not be boring.

Too soon to say but I’ve owned 2 Versys and an ER6N and had no issues with either and you’d assume as it’s not a totally new engine they’d have got that right by now.

Price £6400 new. Early non run-in mpg mid to high 50s. Insurance higher than I was expecting and might just be because Kawasaki decided to stick the word Ninja on the tank.

It’s a budget bike so not expecting lots. Shift light is useful. Dash is modern looking and includes an eco icon for when you’re feeling frugal plus a gear indicator.

Punchy and grunty only 67 bhp but it's enough.

Abs as standard not much else.

Overall the ride quality is very good. When pressing on the back does feel a bit soft, but then I’m still on setting 3 at the moment. The brakes are very progressive with bite. Not had to try them in angry yet though. I find this bike confidence inspiring and easy to flick around which I assume is down to the weight saving over the previous model.

Feels strong and starts to pull hard after 4000 rpm. There is a huge amount of engine braking. It takes a bit of getting used to as the bike will duck down if you accelerate and then ease off too much. It has made me concentrate on my throttling more than I thought it would. Just did the BikeSafe course and was told to keep in the appropriate rev range due to me normally changing up too quickly. After 50 minutes constantly up and down between 4000-6000 rpm, had tingles in my right hand. So obviously some vibrations which isn’t great. Didn’t notice it on the way home also at about 6000-7000 rpm on the motorway though.

Bike looks FanBloodyTastic in “Candy Burnt Orange” and I’ve not noticed any marks or markings after 1000 miles. I’ve purchased the seat cowl which looks great and really finishes the rear off. Only had lots of position comments. However, it does not come fully put together and has the worse instructions I’ve seen. Should take 10 minutes, but takes 45 minutes.

Massive value for money and so much better looking in my book than the previous ER-6F. Up to 500 miles & 4000 rpm = 72 mpg. Up to 1000 miles & 6000 rpm = 65 mpg. So cheap to run and takes about £11 to fill up. Insurance is relative, but I thought very reasonable.

The display is very easy to read and although stated as basic, I’m not sure what else you actually need or would use apart from saying you have it.

Overall the ride quality is very good. When pressing on the back does feel a bit soft, but then I’m still on setting 3 at the moment. The brakes are very progressive with bite. Not had to try them in angry yet though. I find this bike confidence inspiring and easy to flick around which I assume is down to the weight saving over the previous model.

Only at a maximum of 6000 rpm at the moment, but it feels very strong and really starts to pull after 4000 rpm. There is a huge amount of engine braking. It takes a bit of getting used to as the bike will duck down if you accelerate and then ease off too much. It has made me concentrate of my throttle which wasn’t great to start with. Been up to 7000 rpm on a couple of occasions and it really starts to pull nicely.

Overall the ride quality is very good. When pressing on the back does feel a bit soft, but then I’m still on setting 3 at the moment. The brakes are very progressive with bite. Not had to try them in angry yet though. I find this bike confidence inspiring and easy to flick around which I assume is doen to the weight saving over the previos model.

Massive value for money and so much better looking in my book than the previous ER-6F. I’ve purchased the seat cowl which looks fantastic. However, it does not come fully put together and has the worse instructions I’ve seen. Should take 10 minutes but takes 45 minutes. Up to 4000 rpm = 72 mpg. Now up to 6000 rpm = 65 mpg. So cheap to run and takes about £11 to fill up.

The display is very easy to read and although stated as basic, I’m not sure what else you actually need or would use apart from saying you have it.