Hi Zimbly...

Nice and comprehensive first-impression review here. Glad to hear that the Ninja doesn't give you much of a chance to complain. Things like a muddy rear in rains, etc, aren't really issues at all

I'm really reassured hearing that the brakes are satisfactory. There was so much talk of the poor brakes on the 2011 version, and a whole lot of friends who own the earlier Ninja 650R, all have upgraded the pads and lines. So was pretty skeptical of how these would be. Good to hear that they've been behaving well.

As for after-market add-ons...get the frame sliders ASAP. They should logically be your 1st fitments, as you'll never forgive yourself if the bike unfortunately takes a topple, even at stand-still, and your fairings get damaged in the process. Am still waiting for my bike (have been waiting for 14 months now, but that's another story for another day), but have already procured the R&G sliders from PRS. If you plan on getting them from PRS, do that soon as I heard they're rapidly running out of stock!

Finally, a huge congratulations on this amazing motorcycle. One of the most sensible big bikes to buy in our country today!

.....Simba

Don't open throttle like you do on the Fiero...you will do a wheelie....be gentle with throttle .Change engine oil along with oil filter at first 250~350 kms, then at 1,000 Kms to flush out the initial debris that will accumulate during running in...This is important to keep the engine in good condition..later on change oil as per SVC. If you use Mineral change at 1,500~2,000 Kms, Semisynth at 2,500~3,500Kms, and Fully Synth 3,500 ~ 4,500 kms....Go for Fully Synth after consulting SVC Service Head. Do mandatory Servicing as recommended in Owner's manual.
Good Luck
Ride Safe

Hi guys,


Well I was wondering why am I not getting anymore email notifications for the threads I subscribed to !! Then came in here to check whats going on and why people are hibernating (which I was sure could not be the case :P ) Ahaa... and then to my pleasant surprise I saw this new thread ! Two thumbs up for this great initiative. I am hooked to it now.


First of all, a big hearty congratulations to Zimbly and bprags (and other owners if I missed out any) Wish you guys all the luck ahead..


As for an update from my side.. Still 2 months till I get back home and take delivery of my beast waiting eagerly in store!


In the meanwhile I have started preparing/shopping for a warm welcome for my N650.. Since I already have the basics of personal riding gear, here is the list dedicated to my N650:


Items already ordered (expected delivery next week):
1.) Oxford Sport Saddlebags
2.) Hein Gericke Dry bag 40L
3.) Oxford Tankpad- Arachnid
4.) Hein Gericke "Team 70" Bike cover
5.) Some lamination pouches (20X30cm)
6.) Rim stripes
7.) Oxford Screamer Disc lock

Considering a paddock stand and frame sliders but not till I reach home.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]82374[/ATTACH]

Rode her all the way from Mysore, I had to take a lengthy route due to the Cauvery issue. But the route was scenic and beautiful, the Ninja kept everyone on the road hooked on to her, she is such a beauty, from front most think it is a Fazer, but as soon as they see her from side on, boy, you should see their expressions. Maybe a 100 villagers told me the headlight is on, I kept nodding my head, whenever they informed me about it.

Route

Mysore -> KR Nagar -> Chennraypatna -> Kunigal -> Nelmangala -> BLR

Total distance around 250+ kms.

I will post more in the ownership thread.

The headlights are pathetic, need to correct the alignment. FE is promising 20+.

Congratulations sir ..
20+ is neat.
Do run through all the gears even in city and see what speeds it feels comfortable ..

N beware of the gc .. esp in blr roads :-)

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

She looks yummy

congrats.....

Hey Simba, thanks. As for the frame sliders, a lot of members on the forum have advised me against it. Thinking about it, it makes sense. The frame sliders are bolted on to the frame. Given that the roads are akin to the lunar surfaces in most parts of the country, a fall with or without frame sliders is definately going to scratch the fairing. But during that fall should the bike go through a crater, it is most probably going to dent/ bend the frame. Repairing that is definately going to be a lot more expensive.
On the other hand frame sliders would help at parking lots where our over enthu janta tend to...... for lack of a better word.... fondle these bikes. Still taking a call on whether or not to install them.




Hey psr the wheelie bit was amusing. @bprags : psr does have a point.
As for Oil change, they are using Mineral oil (10W40) and service manual recommended change is once every 12000kms. The service rep advised me that they would be doing it every 6000kms(or 6 months), which incidentally is the maintenance interval.



Hey Varun, thanks. Neat shopping list, just a query, laminating pouches - what do you intend to do with them. your next 2 months are going to be antagonizingly slow. All the best.




Hey bprags... nice ride!!! headlight alignment is definately needed. My low beam was almost like a high beam till i rectified it. Post rectification, its fine. Though i agree, better lights would help. Awaiting your ownership thread. Safe riding.

I am surprised about the 12K kms mentioned in your manual, the manual I received says 6000 kms only, I will post a pic of it tonight.

Hmmm... Interesting question. Well i am 6'2", would want to say well built, but the truth is that my build is, ahem..... healthy. When i picked up the FZ it was one of the more bulky bikes which offered oodles of class and handling was in another league altogether. I would have hated to have a bike with a diminutive size which would lend me the"bear on a bicycle in a circus" tag. Seat comfort and seat height was another factor that played a role in the decision. The N650 ticked all the boxes on this front and it had performance to boot. i particularly liked the riding position, which is fairly upright, with the option to lean and crouch as required. It offered me the best of both worlds, cruising comfortably, while letting me unleash the horses on demand.
Having ridden her for 1500kms on highways and in the city, one word to describe her - versatile. She is at ease in all the roles.
As for the quarter litres, i did consider the CBR 250. But then i am 34 and i would be keeping the bike for atleast 5 years. I would be running 40 by the time i get the next bike. So if i had bought the 650 at that stage then i may not have been able to enjoy it to its full potential. Does that make sense??? well not really, even i am not conviced with that answer. honestly i was trying to find a logical explanation as to why i jumped from the FZ to the 650, would the heart ruling the head be an apt explanation

Kawasaki, aka Bajaj have done a fabulous job with the pricing of this bike. Its VFM given its displacement, power, ridability and a 0-100 in 4.5secs. As for the tangible benefits of 400cc and 1.5l extra is the extra wide smile which seems to have become a permanent feature.

Hey Simba, thanks. As for the frame sliders, a lot of members on the forum have advised me against it. Thinking about it, it makes sense. The frame sliders are bolted on to the frame. Given that the roads are akin to the lunar surfaces in most parts of the country, a fall with or without frame sliders is definately going to scratch the fairing. But during that fall should the bike go through a crater, it is most probably going to dent/ bend the frame. Repairing that is definately going to be a lot more expensive.
On the other hand frame sliders would help at parking lots where our over enthu janta tend to...... for lack of a better word.... fondle these bikes. Still taking a call on whether or not to install them.

@bprags --Thats one of the reason why the Neenja Was Out of Contention for me last year ,No brand wars Pls :-)
Low ground clearance , and with Pillion Its even bad . Just Sits on the Speed breakers.
And Heating in the city is a lot lot more On the 2011 version.
Id like to see the 2012 version in flesh once.

Santa

Hey Varun, thanks. Neat shopping list, just a query, laminating pouches - what do you intend to do with them. your next 2 months are going to be antagonizingly slow. All the best.

@amar :- Nice report buddy. For me the biggest problem is when I shift back to my Fiero after riding the Ninja .