MotorDoctor.com

Kawasaki 2010 Ninja 650R

Fuel-injected Ninja twin-cylinder performance, a beautiful Euro-inspired chassis, and relaxed all-day comfort combine to form the sweet, do-it-all Ninja 650R. Sleek form meets superior function in the bike’s full fairing, and in the way its steel trellis frame integrates into its stylish swingarm via an innovative side-mounted shock. Carefully tuned suspension, triple disc brakes and a curb weight of just 450 pounds give this special motorcycle the sort of performance you expect from a Ninja sportbike.



SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Type	Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin
Displacement	649 cc
Bore & Stroke	83.0 x 60.0 mm
Compression Ratio	11.3:1
Cooling	Liquid
Fuel Injection	Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies
Ignition	Digital CDI
Transmission	6-Speed
Final Drive	O-Ring Chain
Frame	Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Rake/Trail	25°/4.2 in.
Front Tire Size	120/70-17
Rear Tire Size	160/60-17
Wheelbase	55.5 in.
Front Suspension / wheel travel	41mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 4.7 in.
Rear Suspension / wheel travel	Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload / 4.9 in.
Front Brake Type	Dual 300mm Petal Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
Rear Brake Type	Single 220mm petal disc with single piston caliper
Fuel Tank Capacity	4.1 gal.
Seat Height	31.1
Curb Weight	449.8 lbs.
Overall length	82.7 in.
Overall width	29.9 in.
Overall height	47.2 in.
Color	Candy Lime Green, Ebony, Metallic Island Blue
Warranty	12 months
Good Times™ Protection Plan	12, 24, 36 or 48 months

DETAIL AND FEATURES


• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve fuel injected twin cylinder delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low to medium rpm range
• Excellent mid-range power, exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance make even commuter traffic enjoyable
• Minimal vibration via a 180° crankshaft driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
• Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides 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
• Coolant routing travels directly to the engine cases, then follows internal passages to the cylinder and head for minimum external plumbing and a simplified cooling system

• Fuel injection settings boosts the engine’s bottom-end torque while letting it rev quicker
• Sub-throttle valve equipped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies offer optimum performance and rideability
• Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI® system’s ECU for a precise throttle response, similar to a constant-velocity carburetor
• Auto-fast idle system simplifies starting and helps ensure that the catalyzer reaches optimum temperature quickly
• Lightweight fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank


• Powerful twin-cylinder engine is the most compact in its category, which helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle and allows use of a slim, minimalist frame
• Triangular setup of the crankshaft and transmission shafts makes the engine short front-to-back
• Transmission input shaft, output shaft and change drum are contained in a “cassette”-style package that allows a compact layout and eases transmission maintenance chores
• Semi-dry sump design reduces engine height
• Plated, linerless aluminum cylinders with a narrow cylinder pitch keep the engine light and slim


• Efficient fuel injection and a three-way catalyzer inside the exhaust produce very low emissions, able to pass the stringent Euro-III emission regulations
• 300-cell catalyzer is compact and light
• Under-engine muffler placement for mass centralization and a low center of gravity


• Rubber upper rear engine mounts keep vibration low
• Handlebar is rubber-mounted to lessen vibration transmitted through the handle grips
• Rider and passenger footpegs are rubber coated to reduce vibration


• Slim, low, lightweight and compact design is narrow at the knees and footpegs for rider comfort and control
• The strong, high-tensile steel trellis frame not only looks lightweight, but it is — rivaling that of aluminum frames
• Ideal frame stiffness balance achieved through extensive 3D analysis translates directly into superb handling
• The frame, rear suspension and swingarm designs flow together with an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub
• Short front-to-back dimensions of the engine allow for a long swingarm and a short wheelbase combination that contributes to the light and nimble handling
• Clean frame joint finishes show off overall quality of the bike


• Swingarm is tuned to complement frame rigidity
• Swingarm has a D-shaped cross-section for strength and light weight
• Swingarm design further contributes to the Ninja 650R’s high-quality appearance
• Elegant one-piece rider/passenger footpeg stays complement the swingarm and stabilizer


• 41mm fork and preload-adjustable laydown shock are tuned for light, rider-friendly handling
• Fork lower ends around the axle shaft add to the bike’s performance and enhance its high-quality image


• An ideal handlebar, seat and footpeg relationship results in a comfortable and natural riding position suiting a wide range of riders
• Frame narrowed just aft of the fuel tank enables a slim seat, making the reach to the ground even easier
• The offset single-shock rear suspension layout with the battery located beside the shock instead of beneath it allows a lower seat height as well
• Low seat height and slim overall design make it easy to plant both feet firmly on the ground when stopped


• Dual 300mm front petal disc brakes with twin 27mm piston front brake calipers and a single 220mm rear petal disc deliver plenty of braking power
• Front brake master cylinder and 14mm piston for smooth actuation

Dual headlight design features multi-reflector bulb hoods and the twin position lights — like its Ninja supersport brethren
• A lip at the top of the windscreen deflects air away from the rider, along with a duct in the center of the cowling that creates an “air curtain” to reduce wind buffeting at higher speeds
• Tall fuel tank — especially noticeable when viewed from the side — adds to the bike’s crouching appearance
• A flush-surface fuel cap and its sharp-edged motif give the tank a distinctive look
• Sharp, edged lines give the Ninja 650R an aggressive, crouching supersport look, yet the bodywork still accentuates the frame
• Distinctive Ninja supersport design elements of the front cowling and the fairings, such as the judicious combination of colored and black panels enhance its sporty image and compact appearance
• Integrated front turn signals with clear lenses and amber bulbs
• Completing the bike’s aggressive sport appearance is a sharp tail cowling featuring a thin LED taillight
• Inner rear fender helps keep the underside of the sleek new tail cowl clean
• The turn signals also function as flashing hazard lights
• A long front fender keeps water splashing to a minimum and its two-tone design matches the Ninja 650R’s light, compact theme
• Storage options include four tie-down hooks for baggage or a spare helmet to be secured to the seat and a storage space under the seat with room for a U-lock or similar device

• Mirror design is a similar supersport-style to that on the new Ninja ZX™-6R

• Attractive six-spoke supersport-style wheels augment the bike’s light look and reduce unsprung weight


• MotoGP-inspired multi-function instrumentation includes a fuel gauge, digital speedometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters and a bar-style digital tachometer
• Clock and trip meter can be viewed simultaneously
• Red backlighting for the LCD screen adds to the sporty image while the area around the instrument panel presents a clean, finished front cowl interior
• Stylized handlebar clamps and curved shapes on the brake master cylinder reservoir and clutch lever contribute to the Ninja 650R’s high-quality appearance