Kawasaki Ninja 650R 2012




TECH SPECS

Engine

Engine Four - stroke, DDHC 8 Valve, Parallel Twin (BSIII)
Displacement 649 cc, Max Power 72.1 PS @ 8500 RPM, 64 NM Torque @ 7000 RPM
Bore X Stroke 83.0 x 60.0 mm
Compression Ratio 10.8 : 1
Fuel System Digital Fuel Injection, Keihin 38 mm Dual Throttle bodies
Fuel Type / Minimum Octane Rating Unleaded petrol / RON 91
Ignition TCBI with Electronic Advance

Transmission
No. of gears 6 - Speed
Final Drive Sealed O - Ring Chain
Cooling System Liquid Cooled

Chassis

Frame Type Perimeter, high-tensile steel
Rake / Trail 25 / 106 mm
Front Tyre Size 120 / 70-17 ZRI7M / C (58W)
Rear Tyre Size 160 / 60 - 17 ZRI7M / C (69W)
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel 41 mm Telescopic Fork / 120 mm
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel Single offset laydown Shock with 7 - step adjustable / 125 mm
Front Brakes Dual 300 mm Tripe Petal disc with two - piston calipers
Rear Brakes Single 220 mm Petal disc with single piston caliper

Dimensions

Wheelbase 1410 mm
Ground Clearance 130 mm
Fuel Capacity 16 Litres
Seat Height 805 mm
Kerb Weight 211 kg
Overall Dimensions L x W x H 2110 mm x 770 mm x 1180 mm

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My ownership thread to the 2012 Ninja 650 was a bit delayed, thanks to the gorgeous beauty i had between my legs. For the uninitiated, i was referring to the Ninja 650. Thought i'd start a new thread as the bike is all new and deserved a new thread.

Taking off from where i left off in my previous post under Thread "Ninja 650R - Ownership Thread" http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...tml#post869332 , i was a little apprehensive after the first ride back home with the rear tending to be rather slippery in the rains. And thanks to the Rain Gods, the incessant rains seemed to be never ending. I didnt take the bike out much. In the interim i did mug up most of what the manual said, which included a bit on running in the tyres for 160kms. Well i was cautious until the first 250kms to be honest. But thereafter the feedback and handling of the bike was in a league of her own.

I am still in the run in phase, which is in 2 parts, for the first 800kms rpm is restricted to 4000rpm. that co-relates to a speed of 90kmph on the road. I managed to finish that just before i took the bike on Sundays G2G ride. The next 800kms has a ceiling of 6000rpm. That gets you to 130kmph. The bike feels planted and stable as a wagon on rails at those speeds.

She has managed to attract a fair share of attention. Some not too bad and some unwanted. Though the "kitna milta hai" is a question i have had to answer a zillion times. And a couple of times i heard a tailing voice going "NNNiiiiiiinnnnnnnjjjjjjjjjaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" as i zoomed by bystanders.
Since the headlight stays on i get the usual "light chalu hai" line a lot. With all that out of the way a bit about the bike.

To start with an overview of the beauty



Side profile



Offset monoshock is a stand out. The colour is a metallic green, very different from the Ninja's of yore. Catches the light at all angles and gleams. Fit and finish is top notch.

What i truly love about the bike is its riding position and the ease with which it rides easily in the traffic as well as on the highway. Her looks need no introduction, she is an eyecatcher/ head turner.
She is nimble to maneuver inspite of her kerb weight of 211kgs. She can be buttered to ride smooth or lurch ahead when demanded. Usually it lurches a lot when my wife is riding pillion. That said, the pillion seat is very comfortable. My wife found it way better than the FZ16. Though i think she is more focused on grabbing me lest she falls off.

The rear 3/4 view





The tail lights look a bit plain jane, but are effective and clearly visible in the day. The rear tyre could have been a 180 section for added effect, though the stock 160 Dunlop is able to handle whatever i have thrown at it, without any embarassing moments. The saree guard is conspicuous by its absence. The 2 stepped seat adds to the visual drama - function follows form rather well here.
The underslung exhaust is neatly tucked away. I did manage to scrape bottom with the pillion rider astride when going over a speed breaker. I have been careful to slow down after that event, and not had the issue since. I can attribute it to the extensive travel of the shocks.
Another noteworthy point is the lack of a proper mudguard at the rear end tends to mess up the rear half of the bike big time when riding in the rains.

The front 1/4 view





Most of the visual drama is concentrated at the front quarter. Bulky with a nicely shaped/carved fuel tank. I need to rid the number plate from its perch for a more inconspicuous sticker on the front mudguard.
The radiator tends to have a lot of debris flying its way. A radiator guard should have come as standard with the bike, atleast in India where the roads have a lot of similarities with the surface of the moon. Will be looking at an aftermarket option soon.
The brakes on this bike and its predecessor has been extensively spoken about. I have had no issue at all with the brakes. Once you get a feel of the progressive nature of the brakes, they are very predictive and provide adequate bite to stop the bike within a jiffy.


Dials and Lights.

The dials are split into 2 parts, the upper housing an analogue tachometer, redlining at 11000RPM and the lower one is a MID displaying the speed, Trips(A & B), Instantaneous fuel consumption, Avg Fuel consumption, Dist to empty, Fuel gauge and and eco mode which lights up when driving in eco mode. The best economy i have achieved so far is 27.2kmpl on the highway.



Another feature is the hazard light switch commonly found on cars.



In the stark of the night this is probably what you will be looking at




To sum up, the Ninja is all that i wanted and much more.

Here is the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 sharing her abode with her beleaguered compatriot the FZ16 who seems to be fading into the background.



She is coming up for her first service, more on the experience at Probiking service centre soon.

To sum up, the Ninja is all that i wanted and much more.