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Hitcher
24th September 2008, 16:24
Here's the lowdown on the next evolution of another extremely competent mid-sized bike.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/23september08_kawasaki2009_650r.htm

The Pastor
24th September 2008, 16:29
Woah that looks shit hot

CookMySock
24th September 2008, 16:59
It does look nice. Why do they go with the parallel twin though? They sound frumpy compared to a vee-twin.. That would be my only real grump.

Steve

NZsarge
24th September 2008, 17:13
Mmm..... yes... nice...

Qkchk
24th September 2008, 17:31
It just screams ER6n!

svr
24th September 2008, 17:40
Maybe I'm missing something here - Isn't just an even softer version of this years bike? A couple of rubber mounts and Euro III compliance - what it needed was proper suspension and brakes, another 100cc & 15hp! (same as the sv).

marioc
25th September 2008, 07:44
Looks much nicer thats for sure

Jekkyl
25th September 2008, 14:50
Been looking for a replacement for my Hyo250 and was looking at either the SV or ER650f. This 2009 has sold me on the Ninja, short of a test ride changing my mind anyways!

On a side note anyone know why Canada get a full fairing SV and no one else seems to? I personally think it looks a million times better with full fairings.

Hitcher
25th September 2008, 15:18
Been looking for a replacement for my Hyo250 and was looking at either the SV or ER650f. This 2009 has sold me on the Ninja, short of a test ride changing my mind anyways!

The Suzuki GSX650F is well worth a look. Slightly pricier is the Triumph Street Triple.

There is a delicious choice of highly competent mid-range bikes around at the moment, to a point where they are "ends in themselves" rather than "stepping stones"...

slofox
25th September 2008, 15:30
It does look nice. Why do they go with the parallel twin though? They sound frumpy compared to a vee-twin.. That would be my only real grump.

Steve

You said it for me DB..........

zeocen
25th September 2008, 15:57
Guess I'm the minority then, I liked the current ER6F's, I was bitterly dissapointed to see it look like just another generic sports bike as I was hoping to trade in for the '09 model. :(

If you ask me the looks veer a lot to the SV650s style now, or closer to Kawasaki's 'supersport' range, which it most definitely is not. It's a real world bike that is very, very competent in many aspects, not just sports .. kinda irks me that this is the direction they are going with it :/

The ER6N, however, looks sextastic.. but the Versys is looking more and more tempting for me now!

PS. I like ptwins :P litre bike vtwins are nice but I didn't get any feel for the SV650 twin power :P (don't hate me)

Jekkyl
25th September 2008, 15:59
The Suzuki GSX650F is well worth a look. Slightly pricier is the Triumph Street Triple.

There is a delicious choice of highly competent mid-range bikes around at the moment, to a point where they are "ends in themselves" rather than "stepping stones"...

Not really into naked's and I really was hoping to find a fully faired V-twin(haven't ridden a parallel) but all I can find is the GT650 Hyo. SV650S with lower fairings(Canada model) looks great but not available here and haven't looked into how easy/much to do the lower fairings. Unsure of what other options are out there!

short-circuit
25th September 2008, 16:30
Not really into naked's and I really was hoping to find a fully faired V-twin(haven't ridden a parallel) but all I can find is the GT650 Hyo. SV650S with lower fairings(Canada model) looks great but not available here and haven't looked into how easy/much to do the lower fairings. Unsure of what other options are out there!


675 Daytona if you don't wanna see all her bits.

Daffyd
25th September 2008, 17:11
So they've dropped the ER6f model name completely.

Hitcher
25th September 2008, 17:22
So they've dropped the ER6f model name completely.

Was it only ever a New Zealand market thing?

Daffyd
25th September 2008, 17:32
Could well have been, although the other two - ER6n and Versys - use their names internationally. All three have basically the same running gear AFAIK.

svr
25th September 2008, 17:49
It does look nice. Why do they go with the parallel twin though? They sound frumpy compared to a vee-twin.. That would be my only real grump.

Steve

They're cheaper to build.
Thought it was dead but seem to be making a comeback - the Rotax 800 motor in several new BMW models is pretty much the perfect road motor, apparantly (Just needs aprilia to build a bike around it....)

pete376403
25th September 2008, 17:55
Better than just cheaper - more compact (mass centralisation is the buzz phrase now)
They could put a 270 degree crank into it and it would sound as vee-twinny as you could want (a la Yamaha TDM/TRX)

Wonder if the motor would fit in a KLR frame?

Sparrowhawk
25th September 2008, 18:26
P-Twin, V-Twin. I don't really know the diff it makes to riding, but I think this might be my next bike when I finally get my full. :2thumbsup:

supraman_nz
27th September 2008, 08:32
Any one know when they will be on showroom floor in nz?

Leaf
27th September 2008, 17:40
The guys at Mt Eden said Dec or Jan when i asked, but they didn't sound particularly definite so i wouldn't take that as gospel.

CookMySock
27th September 2008, 18:35
P-Twin, V-Twin. I don't really know the diff it makes to ridingI don't think so either. I just like the sound.

Steve

TomJ
27th September 2008, 23:26
Have ridden current 650 and like style, power and comfort. I am rather taken with 09 bike particularly the better dash layout and data. The old bike dual dials are a bit past it now. Any strong views either way...

Bob
25th October 2008, 01:52
Think a little clarification needed here.

The Ninja 650R name is the one used in the US of A (probably as "Ninja" is what the merkins associate with sportsbikes - the GPZ500S was called the "Ninja 500" out there). The rest of us use the ER6f/n nomenclature.

As for "why a parallel twin"? Three reasons;

1. Yes, they are cheap to build
2. It allowed them to build a short, but narrow frame
3. Kawasaki do not have an association with v-twins, aside from the cruiser range (and their lawmover range!), so they wanted to go with a configuration they are associated with. And their parallel association goes back a long, long way.

Visually, I wonder if the change is to make it more "family" looking for the Ninja 'brand' for the US? I like the current look of the ER-6f (I did buy one after all!), but the new look makes it look more "sport" than "sport-tourer".

Slyer
26th October 2008, 23:41
I am rather taken with 09 bike particularly the better dash layout and data. The old bike dual dials are a bit past it now.
Do you have photos of the new look? I can't find any.

zeocen
27th October 2008, 00:05
The new dash is awful in my personal opinion. I agree with Bob, it's looking more like a sports bike than a midrange sport-tour. The "MotoGP style" dash just sealed keeping my current one for years to come, I can't stand digital rev counters and it doesn't suit what the bike is for at all, the ER6N on the other hand has a very stylish and suitable dash (sadly with digital rev counter), it makes it feel more like a naked street mini-muscle if you will, especially in the white. IMO for 2009 the ER6N outshines the ER6F.

A couple of test rides have been documented now, most notably are the rubber mounted clamps for bars, rubber foot pegs and slightly higher tank, but it has a bit more bit down low and is extremely smoother than the 06 - 08 counterparts.

It's a shame the sportified they F version though, but I think I'm the minority on that part, a lot of people seem to like the look of it being more supersport-esq.

Below, ER6F and ER6N dashes.

Slyer
27th October 2008, 00:09
Hey thanks for that.
Yeah, it's not looking as good to me either, will have to see what it's like in person and how good it looks animated.

Hillbilly
16th November 2008, 00:45
So they've dropped the ER6f model name completely.

Well - no! The Ninja 650R is the US designation for this model. They've also got a ZZ-R600 too except California which still has the GPX-500R. Have a look at this which is probably what we'll get:

LilSel
19th November 2008, 20:59
I was checking out the 08 650R. I think after seeing the pics for the 09 650R... I will try find out if they are coming!!
Albeit I have only sat on one thus far, it did feel comfortable (only a little tall, but that can be fixed). Going to jack up a test ride soon I think & also find out about trade-in value of my zzr so when they do get here, I can finally get a new bike!! Chomping at the bit is kinda where i'm at now!!

The last pic is an 08, the other two are the 09's... I wasnt entirely sold on the 08 styling (a bit rounded)... But I think I am on the 09!! Especially as it appears to be in colours that I actually like as well!! :D:D (it does matter!!) & A few more months wont hurt if it means I can get what I really want & it be 'perfect' in colour/stlye etc!! :D:D From what I understand, the 09's will cost a little more due to the way the dollar is etc... A few months till they arrive means time to save that bit extra tho!! :niceone:

I will just have to go back to having naughty dreams about my new bike for now! :msn-wink:

zeocen
21st November 2008, 11:18
It's not just the dollar, they added things that quite frankly should have been left out from a "budget" bike, which hiked the price up.. to about $13,590 I've heard.
It's a superior bike to the other models, smoother, new instrument panel, new EFI and new fairings but I don't think it quite comes to being 3k more in my personal view.

Really wish they would make a) An updated ZZR600 model, not just a rehashed 2002 ZX6R and b) Bring it over HERE.

Sel, if I were you, I would go for the '09 6N, now that's a real looker! ;) They also make an inch lower seat too by the way, so no problems on the shorty front!

zeocen
21st November 2008, 11:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eor3acZRUM

For your consideration~

Slyer
21st November 2008, 13:00
3k more? Are you serious?

onabimble
13th December 2008, 14:05
That looks the mutts nuts. I've had R1's GSXR 1000s, Millie R's and i still think that look sweet.

When are they out? Id like a ride.

Slyer
28th February 2009, 17:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCObvbCCETU
You simply must watch in HD, she's posted a bunch of other videos as well.
Well, I'm sold as soon as I have money and a full license.
I wants a blue one. :D

zeocen
28th February 2009, 20:57
That dash is fucking _awful_
$13,295 for some rubber mounts, new looks that fall into the generic sport bike category and loses all of it's uniqueness and topped off with that atrocious dash.

Kawasaki has, imo, lost the plot.

Slyer
28th February 2009, 21:10
I'm indifferent about the dash, but overall the bike looks much nicer.
I wonder if you can take those panels off the sides of the back to attach the same grab handles as the ER6-N.

zeocen
28th February 2009, 22:17
Or! You could just get the 2009 ER6N!
Now that is a great looking bike! :D Price is still hefty though :/

Slyer
28th February 2009, 22:45
Tempting!
http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/ER-6n#/gallery
It seems people are very divided on the looks of the ER6N, I think it looks great too.

samgab
28th February 2009, 22:46
Guess I'm the minority then, I liked the current ER6F's, I was bitterly dissapointed to see it look like just another generic sports bike as I was hoping to trade in for the '09 model. :(

If you ask me the looks veer a lot to the SV650s style now, or closer to Kawasaki's 'supersport' range, which it most definitely is not. It's a real world bike that is very, very competent in many aspects, not just sports .. kinda irks me that this is the direction they are going with it :/

The ER6N, however, looks sextastic.. but the Versys is looking more and more tempting for me now!

PS. I like ptwins :P litre bike vtwins are nice but I didn't get any feel for the SV650 twin power :P (don't hate me)

Your Hornet's way nicer than any of thems anyway ;)

samgab
1st March 2009, 01:05
3k more? Are you serious?

Yeah, it's a big, and very offputting price jump for the 2009 models.
Big price jump for both the ER-6N and the ER-6F.
Pity, cos the price point was one of the most attractive features about them both, IMHO. The price jump puts the new price too close to other, better bikes, some of which have already been mentioned above.

Slyer
1st March 2009, 21:59
Some very nice high quality bike porn here:
http://www.bikewalls.com/motorcycles/Kawasaki_wallpapers/Sports/ER-6F.html
http://www.bikewalls.com/motorcycles/Kawasaki_wallpapers/Naked/ER-6N.html

Bonez
2nd March 2009, 16:36
It does look nice. Why do they go with the parallel twin though?
SteveTons of reasons. One camchain for a start.

YLWDUC
3rd March 2009, 17:29
The price jump puts the new price too close to other, better bikes, some of which have already been mentioned above.

Although the other Jap bikes are going up also. The Er-6's will still come in well cheaper than any of the similar honda's (eg the Hornet), but I reckon Suzuki's GSX650F and SV650 will outprice it. And I can't see anyone going with the 'Gladius' if it's still got the factory exhaust on it.

Slyer
3rd March 2009, 17:49
Do you know if the Gladius is replacing the naked SV650?

Review of a bunch of nakeds including the Gladius and ER6N here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKVEzLJroLA&feature=channel_page

Renegade
3rd March 2009, 23:44
i think both the bikes look great in their new skin for 2009.

I struggle to enjoy the sound of a P-twin, and there isnt much competition in this mid class bike because the SV650 is boring to look at, the Hyo gt650 is just like the SV650, GSX650f is a little bland and dated styling.

for the price of a new er6f you could pick up an 2005 triumph sprint :drool:

YLWDUC
4th March 2009, 17:30
No idea about the Gladius/SV650 in NZ, but my guess is that Suzuki will draw as much blood out of the stone as possible before switching to the Gladius. I reckon it will at least replace the naked SV, but I hope they make some improvements before swapping out the faired version.