Kawasaki Ninja 650, the everyday sports car [ROAD TEST]

There are motorcycles that are born without compromises and others that have made compromise their strong point. This is the case with the new one Ninja 650. The two-wheeler made in Tokyo, in this new guise, has become a little smaller to meet the needs of those looking for sportiness, but as long as it can be used every day, even on the commute from home to work or home to university. For this reason we decided to put it to the test in a test that couldn't be more varied, including highways, city streets and mountain hairpin bends. We chose the mountains that frame Lake Lecco, letting the wind of an October morning be an additional factor in giving us an idea of ​​how this fairing behaved.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

Sporty look, but with a lot of agility

Analyzing the technical characteristics a little, the first things that strike you are the lightness and ease of handling, two fundamental aspects for the daily use of our two-wheeler. The Ninja 650 always appears fast and agile thanks to a record weight, the result of the work done on the file frame, now even slimmer and weighing only 15 kg.

If to this we add a low saddle (placed only 790 mm from the ground) the game is done. To sprint at traffic lights in metropolises, however, you need above all a ready engine.

Engine and performance:

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Fast twin-cylinder, but also suitable for beginners

The Japanese twin-cylinder does not disappoint expectations. We are talking about 649 cm3, DOHC, 8 valves, liquid cooled with good torque even at low rpm. The 68 HP of power are not a lot, but certainly proportionate to the size and performance (which we will see later) of the vehicle in question. To be picky, it lacks not so much power, but a little more nastiness in the delivery. Let's remember that it is one of the units most loved by trainers, who manage to make it a racing animal, as demonstrated by the category successes at the TT in recent years. The assist and slipper clutch uses a two-cam system (one power-assisted cam and one slipper cam) to provide two functions not commonly found on standard clutches. Another detail developed with the help of the racing department. Up to this point we have dealt with comfort. But Ninja is synonymous with sportsmanship. The sharp-lined fairing that closely resembles those of the supersport range ensures an attractive look for the 650. A light and narrow body encourages you to bend even in the tightest spaces.

Once the technical part was studied, the most pleasant part arrived. We put on appropriate clothing, fasten the helmet well and we are ready to go. Sensations? Excellent. The throttle is responsive enough to raise the engine speed quickly and immediately show a lively spirit. The power is always under control and even beginners can have fun. The dashboard is mixed and gives a lot of information, from speed to engine rpm, but also the gear we are engaging and complementary functions, such as ABS. To make the most of the "brain" of this Kawa it also suggests when to change gear with a practical orange indicator above the Gear item.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

You brake with one finger and never suffers in traffic

In the city, sudden accelerations alternate with rapid braking. Stopping the 650 is easy thanks to the braking system of a true super sports car, which features double 300 mm semi-floating petal discs and double piston callipers at the front. A single 220 mm petal disc brake with single-piston caliper is mounted at the rear. The 41 mm telescopic fork never sinks and the vehicle is always under control.

After leaving the city we venture onto the highway. The turbulence generated by cars and trucks doesn't scare us, nor does the wind. The impact with the air is just right and you just need to close yourself in to no longer feel any discomfort in your neck and shoulders. The almost 70 horsepower are enough to travel without any fear and never warm the driver's legs. The only small flaw, some vibration at full throttle, but that was to be expected from a twin-cylinder with such compact dimensions. Among the mountain curves the Ninja 650 feels at ease and invites you to draw sleek and fast trajectories, looking for the ropes to exit quickly and open the throttle. We won't be competing with superior models, but we will still have fun.

It should be noted that, despite its desire to be sporty in look, comfort is very good both for the rider, thanks to the particular high handlebar, which joins the two half-handlebars in a single element, but the passenger also has a completely comfortable riding position. 'nothing but sacrificed.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

It costs less than a maxi scooter, but it's a motorbike

The feeling with this Kawasaki is immediate and this is the thing that matters most. The aesthetics are there, the substance too and for 7.590 euros you can have a perfect first motorbike or an alternative to maxi scooters. Available in three colours, Krt Edition (Lime Green / Ebony), Pearl Storm (Gray / Ebony) and Candy Plasma Blue, the little Ninja can be enriched or customized with original accessories, from those dedicated to performance, such as the Akrapovic exhaust and the passenger seat cover to make it an even sportier single-seater, or in terms of tourism and comfort, such as the 12 volt socket, side bags or top case, radiator protection grille, touring windshield, or the saddle with 300 mm more padding .

If the standard 650 twin-cylinder is a little strangled by the elements necessary for Euro 4 approval, from the point of view of consumption it deserves a pass with flying colours. This Ninja consumes very little, we are talking about values ​​never lower than the threshold of 25 km/l in our test, a value that it manages to reach even at motorway speed, where we are used to detecting values ​​close to 20 km per liter, so it manages to be 20% more economical than many direct competitors.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Handling, chassis, build quality, sporty line
We do not like it:
The lack of some horsepower is not free from vibrations

Ninja 650: the Motorionline Report Card

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Photo shoot: Matteo Pozzi

Tester clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: Dainese Ergotour Gore-tex X-trafit
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex
Helmet: Scorpion Exo-3000 Air