KAWASAKI NINJA 650R

Power is a fabulous thing. If you have it, you can’t get enough of it. If you don’t, you want it that much more.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 isn’t the most powerful bike on the market. But when you’re talking pound-for-pound, the bike’s improved performance, all-new chassis, and bodywork make it one of the best mid-sized sports bikes around.

The 2012 Ninja 650 is a sleeker and more aggressively styled motorcycle than ever before. The all-new bodywork is more sharply defined and more like our race-winning supersport machines, with flowing lines and a tapered brow that blends nicely with the rest of the bike. From an aerodynamic standpoint, the Ninja 650 is as good as it gets. Add an adjustable, 3-position windscreen, a 20mm wider handlebar than the previous version, and a 2-piece seat assembly topped with foam that’s thicker than before, and you have the makings of a comfortable ride in every sense of the word. Complimenting the ergonomic improvements done on the Ninja 650 is an analog tachometer located above an LCD info-center showing speed, trip meters, fuel consumption, remaining range, etc., with a swath of info-lights to the right.

At the heart of the Ninja 650 is a highly advanced, 649cc liquid-cooled vertical twin engine that comes with a digital fuel injection system featuring 38mm throttle bodies and sub-throttle assemblies for optimum response and precise fueling. You won’t need to worry about the Ninja 650 disappointing you on the road because it has an engine that can produce substantial power with plenty of character – especially down low and in the mid-range.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 has always been known as an outstanding street bike that offers impressive top end performance, yet enough satisfying low- and mid-range oomph to allow novices to get acclimated with it. There’s no question as to how legit this bike is. The only question is whether you can handle owning one.

Find out more about the Kawasaki Ninja 650 after the jump.

Engine

• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve fuel-injected twin cylinder engine delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low
• to medium-rpm range
• Additional mid-range power for 2012, produces exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance, to help make even commuter traffic enjoyable
• Minimal vibration via a 180-degree crankshaft-driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
• Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the underside of the pistons to aid cooling
• Lightweight plug-mounted ignition coils deliver a hot spark and save space
• High-capacity radiator for increased cooling efficiency
• Engine coolant travels directly to the engine cases, then follows internal passages to the cylinder and head for minimum external plumbing and a simplified cooling system

Suspension

• Revised settings on the 41mm conventional fork and preload-adjustable laydown shock offer more travel for improved ride comfort and exceptional wheel control
• Fork lower ends around the axle shaft add to the bike’s performance and enhance its high-quality image

Instruments/Controls

• All-new multi-function instrumentation includes a fuel gauge, digital speedometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, economical riding (ECO) indicator, and an analog tachometer above the LCD info-pod
• Clock and trip meter can be viewed simultaneously
• Easy-to-read LCD screen offers riders quick, at-a-glance information on a variety of systems
• Ignition switch is now located at the top of the tank assembly, which gives a clearer view to the Ninja 650’s newly designed instruments

Specifications

Quotes