The next big "Kawasaki" for India?

[satyenpoojary]

How come I missed this one. The poll has been closed. However I would put in my thoughts here. I am definitely NOT for either the 10R or the 6R given the choices as MG has put. I would readily opt for the ER-6F. More than enough power for ANY country. Easy cruising ability at 160kmph with pillion and luggage. Decent torquey twin. The F keeps the windblast away from your chest. Handling is supposed to be good. One of the most successfully running 600cc bikes around the world today, there must be a very good reason for that.

+1 That was what I was trying to vote for the ER6F is by far more practical than the ZX6R ... Heck launch both Bajaj if you are confused! They are two different segments and can come at two different price points too!

[strider]

Would love to see the ER-6N on Indian roads..
1) Ridable in bumper traffic
2) Cools faster in city rides
3) The best reason. one can take it to LEH..
..but as pointed out unless the 800 rule is relaxed, any 600s will remain only as wall-posters and in dreams of us all...

[TenHut]

+1 That was what I was trying to vote for the ER6F is by far more practical than the ZX6R ... Heck launch both Bajaj if you are confused! They are two different segments and can come at two different price points too!

Damn right ! It makes little sense to ask me If I would like to have just cheese or then just wine. They are two different things and some certainly would prefer to have both the options available to them. I personally would go for the 6R. But i shall not run contrary to the opinions that 650R or ER6F is more practical for daily use. But then I wouldnt know if Mr.Ranjith Indianwala would go for an even more practical bike (read : the 220s and 150s) than spend about 6 lakhs on a practical Ninja.

[shrinathrao]

my vote for the ER6F as the bike looks amazing and morever the riding position looks more comfortable for city conditions than the zx6r which has a agreesive seating arrangement

[GP_freak]

@strider - I think you forgot the fact that the baby Ninja is a 250 cc and it does come under 800cc segment. Lol

I think the best bet would be to bring in the ZX6R. All the official bikes available are litre class and above and there is a huge gap from 250 cc to 1000CC.

Technically the ZX6R should outsell the litreclass bikes for sure. If its going to be in the price range of 6Lakhs.( Hope its homologated and brought in as SKDs or CKDs)

Now Who is gonna bother about practicality.The SBKS are just show pieces and are still impractical on indian Roads.

[soulstation]

Versys all the way

[bluevolt]

I have not had a chance to test ride any of these bikes on the road, but did the next best thing - see all these machines in flesh and also sit on each one of them. I am a sucker for practical bikes, so a bike which has a comfortable riding position combined with above average looks takes my vote. I voted for the 650R earlier even before I saw the bike, and that remains unchanged.

Some pictures from the Camrod motors dealership in Manhattan, NY. They stock a lot of Kawasaki's, Yamaha's and the like. Sorry for the blurry camera, I forgot to take it off the high ISO mode after the night before.

Ninja 650R or ER-6F. The 2010 model has looks borrowed from the ZX6R and has a digital gauge replacing the analog meters of the previous models.






That's me checking out the 650R. There was a plastic cover on the gear side on the right calf area which I thought was a bother. Noticed the same thing on the ER-6n too. But absolutely fantastic riding postion, ideal for India, be it city or long distance!





The ZX6R. Just too aggressive riding position, unless you're a track day rider. Don't think you'd get anywhere further than a 100 kilometers without a sore back and wrists. Ditto for the ZX10R (no picture).



The ER-6N. I did not like the looks. At all. I have seen better Naked bikes, the Speed triple being a great example.



And our very own Ninja 250! Carb version, of course. The on road price there is USD 5,600 after insurance and sales tax. Insurance is a killer over there, costing upto half the price of the bike in some cases.



And one more. The Suzuki Gladius (I read somewhere Suzuki was planning to sell it) looks horrendous. The design is just too 'soft'. And these guys weren't selling any, I guess, going by the sale sign.

[tibby]

^ Nice real life pics there BV.

I wonder which among the ZX-6R & ER-6F/ER-6N is Kawasaki/ Bajaj planning to launch here, as per latest confirmed speculations around here.

[RanjithMN]

Ditto for the ZX10R (no picture).

Just a small help from my side!

[sauravalwaysurs]

isnt thr difference between zx6r & 650r? as i heard zx6r is monstrous power with "4 cylinders" where as 650r is "2 cylinder". & also in few reviews i read that zx6r is so monstrous that instant acceleration will lift its front tyre, so i think it need little more to hold such a monster. and that too on indian roads, dunno what will happen..
i think 650 r better suits indian conditions

[kar1zma]

Just a small help from my side!

ehemmm thats my bike!!!!
where did u get that pic

is this from the march ras tanura aaramco badminton tourenament

looks great though hehe

[Rockkyyy]

Please Bring on the Versys.

YouTube - Kawasaki Versys 2010

[bprags]

@Rockkyy:- That bike makes so much sense than the super bikes, perfect for indian roads. I just kawasaki gets it.

The bike looks smashing.

[harikeshpk]

Please Bring on the Versys.

YouTube - Kawasaki Versys 2010

liked your write up on the US tour in XBHP. what kawasaki plans next may also have some connection to ninja 250 so that atleast there is commonality of atleast some of the spare parts so that a full blown parallel inventory need not be maintained.

hope they bring in the versys.

[xinfii]

Certainly the ER-6F for me!