Ninja 650R - Ownership Thread

[jd666]

The 2012 looks much more aggressive than the current model.. Makes it absolutely desirable!!

[ajithk]

Have deliveries in bangalore ground to a halt again?

[safetyfirst]

guys,I'm shocked in a way ,by rumours that bajaj has stopped taking orders for 650r and is now talking about 2012 model.before the existing model is truly launched they ruthlessly discontinue it and people talk about how good the 2012 model is how better it is than old model etc etc.in a way agreeing that the old (in name only and not old in the sense that it is not even a few months on the road) model had faults/shortcommings which needed to be rectified in getting a new model.the same people may have praised the old model to the sky when it was launched few months back.

spare a thought for the guys who blindly bought a bajaj ninja spending 5,00,000.00 of hard earned bucks. the question is what if bajaj decides to do it once again with 2012 so called excellent bike ment for india etc etc .once again Indians get fooled????

...........But in India anything is possible especially the impossible............

[Brat]

guys,I'm shocked in a way ,by rumours that bajaj has stopped taking orders for 650r and is now talking about 2012 model.before the existing model is truly launched they ruthlessly discontinue it and people talk about how good the 2012 model is how better it is than old model etc etc. in a way agreeing that the old (in name only and not old in the sense that it is not even a few months on the road) model had faults/shortcommings which needed to be rectified in getting a new model.the same people may have praised the old model to the sky when it was launched few months back.

spare a thought for the guys who blindly bought a bajaj ninja spending 5,00,000.00 of hard earned bucks. the question is what if bajaj decides to do it once again with 2012 so called excellent bike ment for india etc etc .once again Indians get fooled????

...........But in India anything is possible especially the impossible............

Anyone who says the 2011 Ninja 650R has any major faults or shortcomings need to get their facts straight. All these supposed rumors, if coming from Bajaj, wouldn't really mean much for someone who's done their homework before investing in a 5L Kwacker.

Till date, i am yet to see an N650R owner gripe or moan about their steed, atleast - none that I am aware of. Bajaj is just trying to sell bikes and they do it really well, they'd say anything to rope in an unwary potential buyer, if they have to smear a good old 2011 steed to polish off the upcoming 2012 model, then so be it. If the 2012 model is out, is it fair to expect them to continue supply of the 2011 model? The fact that they stopped taking orders happened way back during the overwhelming response that occurred during the release of 2011 N650R as well.

Meanwhile, the official word from Gareware is that they are trying to localize the GT650R by 2013, meaning the bike's going to be far much more economical to own and maintain compared to the 2011 model. This means i might be losing well over a 1.5L in resale value, right off the bat. This is very good news for a potential buyer though. Supposedly, this is the only official 650cc sport/tourer competition in the Indian market.
I think the 2011 N650R's position is way better than that.

Not to mention, this thread is filled with some really good ride and ownership reports. I honestly dont think anyone who bought the 2011 N650R got fooled. They were just lucky they got their hands on one.

[safetyfirst]

Anyone who says the 2011 Ninja 650R has any major faults or shortcomings need to get their facts straight. All these supposed rumors, if coming from Bajaj, wouldn't really mean much for someone who's done their homework before investing in a 5L Kwacker.

Till date, i am yet to see an N650R owner gripe or moan about their steed, atleast - none that I am aware of. Bajaj is just trying to sell bikes and they do it really well, they'd say anything to rope in an unwary potential buyer, if they have to smear a good old 2011 steed to polish off the upcoming 2012 model, then so be it. If the 2012 model is out, is it fair to expect them to continue supply of the 2011 model? The fact that they stopped taking orders happened way back during the overwhelming response that occurred during the release of 2011 N650R as well.

I did not say anywhere there are major faults in the bike.and.The rumors are not from bajaj source nor is bajaj trying to smear their own old model 2011.
what I ment was if Bajaj knew 2012 was on the way what was the hurry in launching old model in 2011 mid which has such a short shelf life?I dont know about you but I would (and most would)feel short changed if i bought a old model paying more than 5 lakhs and within a few months (3 months to be exact) the company stopped the model and new model is on the way.

The rumor is that a quite a few bikes of 2011 model were lying at Thailand Kawasaki unsold and was picked up by bajaj.Now after they are sold out Bajaj says no more bookings.was the bookings stopped due to overwhelming response to 2011 model?I doubt it really ...did Bajaj get so many bookings that they were unable to manufacture or import and release in the market???are there that many on Indian roads?are people waiting impatiently for booking?

But was bajaj itself not in the know about the launch of 2012 model when they started?...highly unlikely as the parternership with Kawasaki will definately discuss the quantity of bikes available for release in the near term before the agreement is signed.
But face the fact brother,...new model is far better in looks and most of the negative aspects/shortcommings (as felt by many) eg console,rear styling,split seat,overall looks etc are remedied.
If things change in a new model definately it means it needed to be changed in old model or else it would not have been changed.nobody changes features just for the sake of change unless there is a definate percieved need for a change.In that sense the customer has definately lost because Bajaj has launched a new bike ....sold a few ...and three months down the line stops....and new model is on the way.....
But again if the very few owners in India really feel that they are not even a wee bit bitter and are not at all bothered that they would have got the new model itself had Bajaj launched the 2012 model itself in the first place then ok.

[3kings]

hi guys, i have a 2011 650r. rode less than 1000km. im getting a mileage of 19-20km/liter. whats your mileage?
thanks for sharing

[kiranghag]

I did not say anywhere there are major faults in the bike.and.The rumors are not from bajaj source nor is bajaj trying to smear their own old model 2011.

dont get emotional new versions keep coming every year for all models and even new models keep pouring in. There are improvements in the new 650R, as there were in the current model over previous one.

The current one is great to ride (I have one FYI) and there are more cosmetic changes that would be missed, apart from the frame changes.

also know that new model will cost more than the current one, if given choice, there would be more people who would choose 2010 version over 2011. like difference between ZMA/ZMR?

[speedemon]

@ Brat, a very matured post and well thought out opinion! Very rare on this forum nowadays.

For other members like safetyfirst, I would humbly suggest buying and /or riding any on the machines on offer currently in the 600-700cc segment. I am sure that after riding either the GT650R or the N650R'11, most riders would have very little to complain about the exisiting bike or the launch of the 2012 model.

I got my 11'N650R just a couple of days back, and was a bit surprised by the launch of the '12. But the 11 model is a class act by itself, and I am quite sure that I wont be able to maximize the riding potential of this machine. The reason you don't see too many posts here on this forum could be because the N650R owners are happily enjoying their rides on this machine and couldn't care less about what's on offer on the 2012 right now. This is not to descredit the latest model, I'm sure its a great motorcycle too and would love to see more xbhp members own and ride one in the near future.

And before one speculates on what Bajaj's conspiracy theory is, I would ask him/her to appreciate the company's efforts in making this amazing machine available in India. Also Garware as well for the GT650R. In the overall scheme of things, besides their profit-making incentives, these companies also have the interest of Indian motorcyclists at heart.

Since this is an ownership thread, I'm surprised to see non-owners compare 2011 and 2012 models and post comments. Thread losing direction?

[kiranghag]

Since this is an ownership thread, I'm surprised to see non-owners compare 2011 and 2012 models and post comments. Thread losing direction?

agreed, mods please remove the irrelevant content or move it someplace else.

about N650R, I have managed to clock 1100KMs in a week and now ready for first service. Kept it humble during initial run in and after 700kms, just tried a short sprint of 150kmph, the engine pulls nicely but after 6000rpm it feels lugged, this is not cause of worrying as the service has not yet happened. will post the experience after service is done.

Also met Melroy on his GT650R at Pune on weekend. We exchanged and took a small spin around. there are major differences in both models and I didnt find GT650R's sitting very comfortable for my height (6ft). N650R sitting is much comfortable, being a tourer bike. the ninja's gearbox is much smooth and sleek than GT.

[safetyfirst]

agreed, mods please remove the irrelevant content or move it someplace else.

about N650R, I have managed to clock 1100KMs in a week and now ready for first service. Kept it humble during initial run in and after 700kms, just tried a short sprint of 150kmph, the engine pulls nicely but after 6000rpm it feels lugged, this is not cause of worrying as the service has not yet happened. will post the experience after service is done.

Also met Melroy on his GT650R at Pune on weekend. We exchanged and took a small spin around. there are major differences in both models and I didnt find GT650R's sitting very comfortable for my height (6ft). N650R sitting is much comfortable, being a tourer bike. the ninja's gearbox is much smooth and sleek than GT.

cool brother.maybe a few feathers got ruffled by my frank opinion.but you are entitled to your opinion.you are a owner of 650 and i congratulate you on that.and i plan to own one too.But by your post do you mean to say others are not at all allowed to post her or that only positive statements are only allowed?
Im sure people in this thread would like frank opinons to be posted and not empty praise and gloss over positive aspects and simply brush all negative under the carpet like it does not exist.

even though Im not owning a 650 now it is my intention to do so in near future.I wanted to have a look at ninja 650 and had visited probiking here but they refused to get a demo bike for looking leave alone test ride.They wanted me to book the bike without looking at it or test ride.So i went to Bangalore about 350 kms from my town to take a test ride but while the bike was on display test rides was not on offer.Here i would definately say I will put down my payment for the bike only after I ride it either at showroom or if I manage to borrow from a owner if possible.whatever any owner or magazine tells me about their opinion it will not be enough for me to decide unless and untill i ride and get convinced to buy it.
anyway enjoy your ride .hope we meet somewhere sometime and get a chance to interact personally.

[kiranghag]

this is ownership thread to discuss just that. Doesnt mean those who dont own cannot post.
Discussion about new model etc can dilute the quality of thread and hence that can be opened in another section.

None of the current owner was given test ride. But we got to see the bike in flesh.
I was also of the opinion of getting test ride first but made the decision based on reviews due to bajaj's stand.
Currently hyosung is only alternative and its a clear choice between a sports and tourer.
I had bet on kawasaki brand, straight stance and it was.nt wrong choice.this is not a perfect machine but i wouldn have been able to judge that in test ride of 1 km. I had never ridden a big machine like this before and i wouldn have been able to judge anything in the excitement

[safetyfirst]

the respected administrator has started this thread by saying-all discussion related to Ninja 650R can be done over here.

It does not have to be an owner itself but also an aspiring owner like me who would like to have a honest opinion from current owners .when the company has acted suspiciously in my opinion, it is places like this forum where we can get doubts cleared before we decide to purchase.
when ever a honest unpleasent statement (negative aspect of the bike/pre ownership experience/rumours/press information/grapewine talk/dealer attitude etc etc) is made regarding the bike the immediate action of the owners here who ask the moderator to interfere is like a mirror to the maturity of the contributors here.
do we at least agree to give our honest opinion and have a open discussion when a non owner asks ?Is that too much to ask for from the contributors or is it that everybody wants to read only the positive aspects here and have a good feeling over thier purchase decision however false the feeling may be?
I have honestly stated my experience when I went to probiking showroom (from where you guys have bought your bikes too) at two places 350 kms apart and that too being a existing customer of bajaj probiking for my 220.but where are the honest answers to my questions in this forum?asking the moderator to interfere is not an answer?or is it?

[kiranghag]

I would rather take further discussion in following thread

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/news/20315-2012-kawasaki-ninja-650-a.html

It does not have to be an owner itself but also an aspiring owner like me who would like to have a honest opinion from current owners

V

this is ownership thread to discuss just that. Doesnt mean those who dont own cannot post.

HTH

[Brat]

@ brat, a very matured post and well thought out opinion! Very rare on this forum nowadays.

thx.

since this is an ownership thread, i'm surprised to see non-owners compare 2011 and 2012 models and post comments. Thread losing direction?

if such were the case, there'd only be a handful of guys posting in the r1, busa and gixxer threads. I know i've compared those bikes as if i am going to buy it the very next day and much of my silly questions were answered with patience.

We all post wherever we want to, as long as long it is in good spirit and adds value. I honestly see nothing wrong in sharing thoughts as long as it is relative. Lets not discourage a fellow xbhpian from speaking his mind.

. .

[Samarth 619]

@ Safetyfirst: Did you go into details of the 2012 vs 2011 Ninja 650? While the 2011 model might "look" old and outdated compared to 2012, the reality is not that easy to understand.

The 2012 model is environmentally tuned. Means lesser performance or mileage. In this case, it is claimed mileage that takes a hit by over 3 kmpl (17 vs 20.8 kmpl).

Plus, the 2011 bike had a character- those all digi MotoGP-like speedos, single seat, double headlights with pilot lamps, etc. Plus the lesser weight. The 2012 model has lost the character, and has just become a normal sports bike, like Fz6, CBF, etc.

I have only 2 things to ask to safetyfirst: Did you book the 2011 bike? And second, do you feel cheated? If your answer is no, what's your concern with this?

I honestly dont think anyone who bought the 2011 N650R got fooled. They were just lucky they got their hands on one.

The above line by Brat concludes everything I want to say. Yes, they were lucky to get an exclusive & potent machine.

If anyone from Jaipur wants to get his 2011 Ninja 650R booking transferred, I've said it a zillion times now on Xbhp, transfer it to me.
But nobody is actually transferring it. That's how excellent yet under-stated this 2011 bike is. 0-60 kmph in 2.2 seconds. And yet such humble presence. I love this bike.