I got my green mid-weight around two weeks or so back.. Here is my experience...
But first things first, a big thank you to [MENTION=5265]sachin[/MENTION] nair for his blog here on xbhp, it was his blog that convinced me about the Ninja
This whole thing started when I realised that my super reliable Karizma R just did not have the power to satisfy me any longer. Not that I have the skills to properly handle what it had, Karizma is still more capable than I am... Anyway in the market for a proper upgrade I really did not have money for anything costlier than the N 650 (not saying I had money for that, but ebay is a really good place to sell off spare body parts). If I had the money I would have gone for a naked or a supersports and boy would that have been a mistake!! But more on that later..
In the initial days I zeroed in on the RC 390, that time it seemed it would have super sports riding position and that, I thought would be a great new experience. I would have still toured on it as I would have on a Panigale if I had one. I just don't see a reason to look for practicality on a motorcycle... But the RC was and is continually being delayed and having left my motorcycle at home, here in Hyderabad I was motorcycle-less. D 390 was out of question as without a wind screen I would not have been able to tour around 130-140 and I would not add a windscreen to a naked, but mainly because my heart was taken by the RC... RC had its own issues, reliability (possibly from D 390 history) being one and tank range being the other. But it was in budget, would handle like a dream and carry me fast enough.. But that was not to be...
I wanted to go for the Street Triple but again wind blast was a minor issue but mainly it was expensive. Looking for options I came across Sachin's blog and decided on N650. Here are some pics, sorry for the quality though, not only do I suck as a photographer these are also cell phone images..
In the showroom..
Picked it off after office so office clothes
The ugly saree guard is of course gone now
BTW there was no waiting period, there was a motorcycle lying, I just transferred the money and picked it off.
Initial impressions:
Though restricted till 4000 rpm first thing I noticed was that the motorcycle doesn't pull that aggressively. This was mainly due its extremely linear power delivery. Having pulled the motorcycle till red line in most gears I still get this impression... there is no mad rush. Tucked in on one of the runs I was surprised I was doing 170, I never realised when I reached there and that it took so little time, efficient as this is, this also means the excitement factor is somewhat lacking.
Now don't get me wrong, the motorcycle is not slow. In fact it is frighteningly fast, its just that the power delivery to me leaves something to be desired. Its too linear..
But having ridden this, I now will never have a garage without it. True if I ever have extra money I will buy a super sports or most probably a naked, but only as a second motorcycle for short runs, having fun and looking uber cool. This motorcycle is just so efficient and powerful and fun on a highway that I can't imagine not having it with me anymore (and that is why a super sports as first big motorcycle would have been a mistake, I would have missed this gem while trying to maintain impossibly high revs on the super sport to get any kind of impressive power from it).
The pros and cons according to me:
Cons:
Linear power delivery - Hey I want to pull involuntary wheelies!!
No ABS - This is such a glaring omission, I would happily pay 30 or 50k extra for an ABS. This is such a basic requirement. This is such a glaring omission.
Windshield - What's up with guys at Kawa?? Go above 100 at tallest setting and the pillion has to tuck in behind you. Even if there is no pillion the wind blast is directed at your helmet.
That's it, the motorcycle is perfect otherwise. Sachin did complain about the headlights and the brake pads but I am yet to face any issue, that is probably because of limited amount of spirited or night riding..
Pros:
Linear power delivery and the amount of power - it is so easy to overtake even the fast cars, you can so easily exceed their speeds. And if you are not careful, before you realise you will be nearing 200.
Torque - or the way it is delivered, long trucks, irritating autowallas? No problem, just twist the throttle.
Riding posture and seat cushioning - It is so perfect for long rides, my world tour if it comes will not be aboard an adventure motorcycle, but on this beautiful machine.
Reliability - not from my personal experience but from Kawasaki's track record and internet forums
Looks - I was surprised by the sheer amount of eye balls this motorcycle grabs. I thought a layman will just discard this as another 'modified' bike at best, others will think it is like an R15 or an FZ. But almost at every signal I am asked about the price, top speed, whether this is a sports bike and inevitably the mileage. I am also given advice on how a car would have been better
. I think this has a lot to do with the new matte black paint scheme. I never liked the looks of the model from 2012 on wards until I laid my eyes on the 2014 paint scheme.. This is such a beautiful motorcycle that I often stand at a distance just to look at it.Anyway this is all for now, I hope I will have many meaningful tours on this motorcycle and an occasional crazy run.
Cheers!! Keep riding, have fun...
, CBR650F will be "manufactured" in India, according to Honda's official statement and it costs 5.4L for ABS variant in US right now!! So you do the math.
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