Kawasaki boosted its Ninja 650's electronic chops with the addition of traction control. The rest is a generational carryover of all the goodies of the previous model year including its powerful parallel-twin engine, slipper clutch, and bodywork made more glorious by the KRT, race-livery version.
Introduced in 2006, the Ninja 650 with a more upright riding position offers a balance of sporty riding and comfort. It has versatility as a supersport sport-tourer in a popular mid-displacement class.
The sporty 649 cc parallel-twin engine has ample horsepower and torque. Add suspension that offers nimble and flickable handling, and it should make daily commutes, and touring over the weekend, effortless.
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650
- Aggressive ZX-10R-Derived Ninja Styling
- Color TFT Display
- Nimble Handling
- Assist and Slipper Clutch
- Traction Control
- Model: Ninja 650
- Engine:: 649 cc Parallel-Twin
- Power Output: 68 HP @ 8,000 RPM
- Torque: 47.2 LB-FT @ 6.750 RPM
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- MSRP: $7,999
- Fast And Powerful
- Now Includes Traction Control
- Good Balance Between Speed And Comfort
- Electronics Are Still Thin
- Boring Color Selection
- Small Bubblescreen
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Performance And Capability
The Ninja 650 produces 68 horsepower and 47.2 pound-feet of torque. These numbers come on at 8,000 rpm and 6,750 rpm respectively, so it's clearly a plant that likes to ride in the upper register to get the best out of the powerband. An 83 mm bore and 60 mm stroke give it a 649 cc total displacement with a middling 10.8-to-1 compression ratio that offers responsive performance and exciting mid-rage power.
Dual overhead cams time a quartet of poppets per cylinder. Since it is liquid-cooled, you can count on solid stamina, even under harsh conditions such as stop-n-go traffic in hot weather. Dual, 36 mm throttle bodies meter the induction with a computer-controlled second set of butterfly valves downstream of the rider-controlled ones. This smooths out transitions and prevents engine stumble due to an overenthusiastic throttle.
Power flows through a slipper-type clutch that delivers some anti-backtorque protection with a light clutch-lever pull weight that gives the old left hand a break. A six-speed transmixxer and chain-type final drive complete the drivetrain with a Ninja 650 top speed around the 131 mph mark.
For the rider's comfort, the Kawi Air Management System directs the cooling air downward from the radiator. By redirecting the air, the rider never feels the waste heat making the ride more comfortable.
As for electronics, the new (KTRC - 2 modes) Kawasaki traction control feature comes with two working modes. It has one for sportier riding, and one for more conservative riding plus an "Off" setting if you'd rather rely entirely on your own skills.
Engine & Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
Engine | Liquid-cooled, Parallel Twin, 4-stroke, DOHC, 8-valves |
Displacement | 649 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 83 mm x 60 mm |
Compression | 10.8:1 |
Power | 68 HP @ 8,000 RPM |
Torque | 47.2 LB-FT @ 6.750 RPM |
Fuel System | DFI® with dual 36mm Keihin throttle bodies |
Final Drive | Sealed chain |
Clutch | Assist & slipper |
Gearbox | 6-speed |
Design
The Ninja 650 is a proper supersport with all the wind tunnel-tested trappings in full effect. With angular styling, this Ninja is as aggressive as ever and positively drips with Kawi-ness which is particularly apparent at the front fairing.
The aggressive headlights carry dual LED projectors to part the night for excellent two-way visibility with the surrounding traffic. The front blinkers ride recessed in the edge of the engine cowl for the same reason the bubble screen is flush-mount. It reduces drag-inducing turbulence wherever possible.
It also looks like it's carrying lick-'em stick-'em mirrors with external fasteners for easy removal ahead of any potential racing you may want to do. I mean, it is a Ninja, and at the very least you'll see them on the line at your local drag strip.
The Ninja 650's sporty appearance and sharp styling don't come at the expense of ergonomics and a comfortable ride. There's just a little bit of rise in the handlebar risers, much more than with proper clip-ons, so you can push off a bit for comfort while retaining enough room to tuck in for speed. All the instrumentation comes bundled into the color TFT color instrumentation with smartphone connectivity that rides neatly ensconced in the inner fairing.
The four-gallon fuel tank narrows toward the rear where it meets a skinny saddle front and frame. This makes for a nice waist that makes it easier to deploy your lamborfeeties in the parking lot and at stops.
If you like to share the fun with a friend, you're in luck 'cause the Ninja 650 comes with a pillion pad with the usual flip-up footpegs that, like the mirrors, look set for easy removal. There's quite a bit of rise from the pilot's comfortable seat to the perch, and this makes for a nice cradle for your derrière when under heavy acceleration.
Kawasaki Ninja 650 Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 80.9 in |
Width | 29.1 in |
Height | 45.1 in |
Seat Height | 31.1 in |
Wheelbase | 55.5 in |
Ground Clearance | 5.1 in |
Fuel Capacity | 4.0 gal |
Curb Weight | 419 lb |
Chassis
High tensile-strength tubing makes up the all but completely hidden Trellis frame design on the Ninja 650. The members come engineered with varying wall-thickness figures to trim weight where possible while retaining strength where needed. As is typical anymore, the 649cc parallel-twin engine is a stressed member that completes the structure while displacing the downtube- and cradle-section framing.
Rake and trail measure at 24 degrees and 3.9 inches to place this Ninja firmly at the agile end of the handling spectrum. The front end floats on 41 mm tubes with fixed damping and preload values, while out back, a horizontal-link, coil-over rear shock takes care of business with adjustable preload as the only suspension tweak. Suspension travel is typical with 4.9 inches of travel ahead of a 5.1-inch stroke to give plenty of room to squat in the turns.
Sporty five-spoke wheel design rolls in a symmetrical 17-inch diameter and come shod in Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 rubber with a 120/70 ahead of a 160/60. Dual, 300 mm front discs roll with twin-pot calipers to haul down the front wheel, followed by a 220 mm disc with a petal-cut pattern on the discs to improve their heat-dissipation rates.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Frame | Trellis, high-tensile steel |
Front Suspension/ Travel | 41 mm hydraulic telescopic fork/4.9 in |
Rear Suspension/ Travel | Horizontal back-link with adjustable spring preload/5.1 in |
Rake | 24.0° |
Trail | 3.9 in |
Front Tire | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear Tire | 160/60 x 17 |
Front Brake | Dual 300 mm petal-type discs and 2-piston calipers |
Rear Brake | 220 mm petal-type disc and single-piston caliper |
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Price And Availability
The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 costs $7,999. That's for the Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Ebony model. If you prefer a lighter finish, the Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Matte Flat Raw Graystone/Ebony, you will have to cough up another couple of bills to get out the door. For you speed enthusiasts, the Kawasaki Racing Team version rocks the race livery for $8,199, or with ABS for $8,599.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Features | Traction Control, Assist & Slipper Clutch |
Warranty | 12-Month Limited Warranty |
Colors | |
└ 2020 | Metallic Spark Black, Pearl Blizzard White |
└ 2021 | Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Imperial Red (ABS only), Metallic Spark Black/Pearl Nightshade Teal (ABS only) |
└ 2022 | Metallic Matte Graphensteel Gray, Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Carbon Gray (KRT Edition: Lime Green/Ebony/Blizzard White) |
└ 2023 | Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Ebony, Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Matte Flat Raw Graystone/Ebony |
Price | |
└ 2020 | $7,399 (with ABS: $7,799) |
└ 2021 | $7,599 (with ABS: $7,999) |
└ 2022 | $7,899 (with ABS: $8,299) |
└ 2023 | $7,999, Premium Color: $8,199, KRT: $8,199, KRT w/ABS: $8,599 |
Competitors
The Ninja 650 finds itself in somewhat rare company. Ducati, BMW, and Triumph have nothing suitable. Closer to home, Honda's MY2023 CBR650R is in the right displacement neighborhood, but price-wise, it's a nonstarter at nearly $10,000 MSRP.
Suzuki is even worse with its larger stickered $11,699 GSX-R600 and smaller engine. Perhaps the closest would be Yamaha's YZF-R7 with its 689 cc engine and $9,199 tag, but for riders on a budget, the Ninja kinda hits a sweet spot in how much bang you get for your buck.
He Said
“This ain't no beginner's bike, but a good second bike after you've learned the ropes. Plus, its performance profile means it can be a destination model, not just a stepping-stone bike. The price seals the deal.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “The new styling on the 650 puts it more in line with the ZX-10R superbike and brings the look of the mid-displacement Ninja right into line with its high-performance stablemates. Power delivery is smooth in the low to mid-range and handling is agile and responsive. The 650 serves as a step-up trainer for riders with fiery-eyed peg-dragger aspirations, or you can just land here and have a fun ride without going bigger. Bigger isn't always better.”
FAQ
Q: How fast is a 650 cc Ninja?
From the factory, the top speed of a Kawasaki Ninja 650 is about 131 MPH. Zero-to-60 is in the neighborhood of 3.5 seconds with a 12-second quarter mile.
Q: What is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 horsepower?
The 649 cc parallel-twin engine produces 68 horsepower at 8,000 RPM and 47.2 pound-feet of torque at 6,750 RPM.
Q: Does Kawasaki Ninja 650 have ABS?
In the current generation of Ninja 650, the model came with or without ABS up until 2023. The 2023 base Ninja 650 doesn't have an ABS option, but the KRT Edition does.
Q: How much does a Ninja 650 cost?
MSRP on the base model Kawasaki Ninja 650 is $7,999 for the two-tone Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray and Ebony colorway. The premium colorway in Pearl Robotic White, Metallic Matte Flat Raw Graystone, and Ebony costs $8,199. MSRP on the KRT Edition in the Lime Green and Ebony team colors is $8,199 without ABS and $8,599 with ABS.