Ninja 650R - Ownership Thread

[SKSy_Biker]

Congrats bikefreak!

I hope to see more updates here in the coming days coz this is one of the bikes (along with GT 650R) that I expect to change the Indian biking scene perception.

[kiranghag]

two deliveries at Bangalore

pics here...
Ninja 650R delivery begin across India | IAMABIKER

[nirvanaguy19]

Initial feedback

Took delivery of my Ninja on the 15th evening at Hyderabad. This is my first bike after a decade of driving cars (various car over this time including Nissan Altima, Mazda Miata (while in the*US) and Corolla since being in India). My last bike before my foray into 4 wheelers was a Suzuki Shogun.

Some initial feedback based on 5 days of ownership.

Very easy to drive. Even with my history or lack of I havent had much trouble getting used to it
Very good torque at the lower end (not pushing it past 4k rpm during the first 800 km per owner's manual)
Easy to maneuver even though the weight is 200+ kgs
Seat is very comfortable (both driver and pillion)

Some negatives:

Firing is not as great as I was expecting
It runs hot, on a long run I can feel the heat in my shins. I took a spin a couple of days back while wearing shorts and I could really feel that heat. This seems like a common issue based on reviews on the net. Need to get proper riding boots to counter this.

I am still getting the ropes of it but my initial feedback has been very positive, specially given this is my first foray back into 2 wheelers after such a long gap.

[RhythmRana99]

I got it from the showroom on 15th morning and parked it in my garage - rode only about 6 kms !
Have not taken it out after that for numerous reasons . . .
- Incessant rains
- Had 4 parties and 1 conference this weekend, so no time and constant hangover
- Excessive police checking of bikes all around thanks to the blasts! (no number on the bike). Although my number has come & I'll put it today.

Anyway, my inital impressions . . .
- Bike is very easy to ride. Fells like a pulsar with a lot more power
- Bike is heavier on paper than my preivous R1 & cbr 954s, but surprisingly it seems lighter and easier to handle. Probably because of low CG, low seat height & high torque ?
- Exhaust note is disappointing (as expected), slightly better at higher revs.
- Very good fit and finish except that of the upper ring of the rear shock.
- Does not grab as many eyeballs as my previous bikes, but I can live with that

More after I get to take it out.

you had R1 and you bought n650 why?

[Samarth 619]

I guess an ownership thread should have a list of members owning the bike. That's nowhere to be seen. Any special reason?

Anyways the owners which include bikefreak, nirvanaguy19, etc. Congratulations to all of you. And I tell you- its a great choice you made, which you will definitely realize better as you continue riding it...

Let the good times roll. Amen.

[lessgravity]

hmm the 650 owners seem to be the inactive kind, cmon post some

I'm looking to buy the bike soon, waiting to hear reviews and problems from the owners

[kiranghag]

hmm the 650 owners seem to be the inactive kind, cmon post some

I'm looking to buy the bike soon, waiting to hear reviews and problems from the owners

Soon? The bookings have been stopped at the moment. Might open after few more or all deliveries of first batch are done. So need to wait
As of now only 6 deliveries have been done if my count is correct. And not all are on the forum
Till then you can read plenty of reviews and videos from international forums and youtube.

[milancherian]

Where are our N650R owners?

[nirvanaguy19]

I am here . But i am too busy enjoying my new Ninja . Let me know if you have any specific queries. Just 1 week since owning it and I have clocked 350 kms. Planning a long road trip this weekend to get the bike ready for first service (1000 kms)

[bikefreak]

you had R1 and you bought n650 why?

My first big bike was a CBR 600. After this, I bought a CBR 954. This was sold off as I felt I was more comfortable with a 600, but I could not find any reasonably priced 600 in a good condition & landed up with another 954. After this I had the 07 R1 for about an year.

After 5 yrs with these crotch rockets I realised I have had my fill of insane acceleration, 250+ speeds, burnt thighs and fried b@lls !! I used to take these bikes to drop my daughter to school, to my office, market, banks etc, but they were just not practical for city riding - the high revving, aggressive posture and overheating issues. I needed a bike that would fulfil all these criteria and at the same time be legal and not very expensive to buy and maintain. The ninja ticked all the right boxes (other than its color ).
So u see, for me it was a no brainer !!

Before the ninja was launched, I did consider the CB1000, the FZ1 and the monster, all of which had considerably more power than the ninja. But of what use ?! Without a proper visor to duck behind, it is almost impossible (and dangerous) to take a bike over 160-180 !!!
So these options did not make sense, not to mention the Bajaj backup and price advantage with the Ninja.

now . . . . .
I'M LOVIN' IT !!

[satyenpoojary]

^and am jealous

So why did you not consider a Harley- - - - - Dont bother, I know the answer


*Waiting!

[ajith]

I am one of the "missed-the-first-bus" 650R hopefuls. Am really eager to know what upgrades folks are planning. Can one of the 650R owners start an "650R upgrades" thread?
From reading international threads here are a couple mods which are inexpensive immediate things to do.
a) Raise the forks in the triple tree by 10mm to sharpen steering to make it easier in the city and in the parking lots. The sites talk about 20mm which i thought was too much. Reduces the ground clearance a wee so be warned.
b) Set rear suspension sag to 30% to handle bad roads. I tend to ride MX style over bad roads and have gotten used to using my Kari's plush suspension to the fullest. My theory is that this will give me the best braking performance on dodgy surfaces.

Have some more ideas but am still researching. More on the other thread when/if it is started.

-Ajith

[raZer]

Those who booked around 20th June and later are not going to get their bikes before mid-week September. Of course bookings were stopped in Mumbai on the 28th.

Bikes are coming through in a trickle, less than two bikes per week are being delivered per showroom.

[kochumvk]

Any finance options available for 650R from bajaj? ot any other?

If yes , Whats the rate and down payment?

[lijok]

Any finance options available for 650R from bajaj? ot any other?

If yes , Whats the rate and down payment?

The Probiking center guys here told they arrange finances via HDFC. Let me see if I can find out the rates for you.