2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

[Daffyd]

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]

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]

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]

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. :

[supraman_nz]

Any one know when they will be on showroom floor in nz?

[Leaf]

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]

P-Twin, V-Twin. I don't really know the diff it makes to riding

I don't think so either. I just like the sound.

Steve

[TomJ]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!! (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!! 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!!

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

[zeocen]

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!