New Kawasaki 650 twin

[new2BMW]

This looks like a fun little bike in line with the SV650 or my old Hawk GT. Someday I would like to have a little sportbike like this again.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/31august ... ja650r.htm

[leno]

Looks quite smart with the faring. The naked one we have is a little odd looking.

[dallara]

Wow, that's COOL !!!

IMHO, much, much better looking than the non-USA version with the weird instrument *binnacle*.

Hope it really can give the Suzuki SV-650 a run for its money, and that Kawasaki tames the parallel-twin vibes...




On another note, am I the only one who thinks this might actually give BMW's new 800cc parallel-twin fits in the marketplace?

I would almost be willing to bet that it will outrun and outgun Beemer's new parallel-twins (as I have been sure Suzuki's SV-650 will...).

Just my $0.02... YMMV.

Cheers!

Dallara

[Optimus Prime]

(in best Christopher Walken voice)
I've got a fever...
I've got a fever and it can only be cured by one thing...



MORE MOTORCYCLES

[alkaloid]

Problem is, they've named it a Ninja and because of that insurance will probably be outrageous. The one of many things nice about the SV650 I used to have is insurance was reasonable for a bike that was so much fun to ride.

[dallara]

Neat thing about the new Kwacker is it is *NOT* just a rehash of the old Ninja 500 twin... No, Sirree!

Nope... All new engine from the ground up.

Parallel-twin, dual overhead cams, eight valves, balancer shaft, and *ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION*!!!

(Which is pretty neat considering it is supposed to be more of a "economy" class, entry-level sled...)

649cc, 382 lbs. (170 kg.), revs to 10,500 rpm, and makes 72 HP... (doesn't the Suzuki SV650 make 68 HP?)

And *LOOK*... A real upper triple clamp, conventional handlebar mounting arrangement! Easy to swap bars so you can get the fit you want. Kudos, Kawasaki!

Nice fairing... All sorts of good things. I can't wait to see what the aftermarket comes up with for exhaust systems given the Ghezzi-Brian Furia-Buell type muffler location. Am I the only one who thinks this location for a street motorcycle's exhaust system makes far more sense than underseat exhausts?

Could be great fun, and as I mentioned previously, a very real thorn in the side of BMW's new (and bound to be far more pricey) 800cc parallel-twins.



Cheers!

Dallara

[Optimus Prime]

...
Nice fairing... All sorts of good things. I can't wait to see what the aftermarket comes up with for exhaust systems given the Ghezzi-Brian Furia-Buell type muffler location. Am I the only one who thinks this location for a street motorcycle's exhaust system makes far more sense than underseat exhausts?

Could be great fun, and as I mentioned previously, a very real thorn in the side of BMW's new (and bound to be far more pricey) 800cc parallel-twins.



Cheers!

Dallara

I can see that motorcycle having a very warm place in my garage. And yes, I do really like the under-engine exhaust.

[dallara]

Me too, Optimus...

I have been casually looking about for a good, used Kawasaki KLR-650 or Suzuki SV-650 to have as a "spare" bike... or one just for jetting around town when I have the Beemer all loaded up in its "touring" configuration... or as a bike to loan to friends who visit from out of town... or maybe, in the case of a 'Zook SV-650, an occasional "track-day" mount... etc....

But this new Kawa has me wondering... So much about it appears to be laid out so intelligently...

Light, narrow, minimal frame, not too much fairing, under-engine exhaust, conventional bar mounts, stiff swingarm, easy to reach rear shock, what appears to be decent mirrors, easy windshield for the aftermarket to make various options for, good power, fuel injection, nice rotors, and...

*NO LINKED OR SERVO-ASSISTED BRAKES* !!!

(just kidding... I couldn't resist... )

And I just *LOVE* sound of good parallel-twin...

Cheers!

Dallara

[Optimus Prime]

Me too, Optimus...

I have been casually looking about for a good, used Kawasaki KLR-650 or Suzuki SV-650 to have as a "spare" bike... or one just for jetting around town when I have the Beemer all loaded up in its "touring" configuration... or as a bike to loan to friends who visit from out of town... or maybe, in the case of a 'Zook SV-650, an occasional "track-day" mount... etc....

But this new Kawa has me wondering... So much about it appears to be laid out so intelligently...

Light, narrow, minimal frame, not too much fairing, under-engine exhaust, conventional bar mounts, stiff swingarm, easy to reach rear shock, what appears to be decent mirrors, easy windshield for the aftermarket to make various options for, good power, fuel injection, nice rotors, and...

That's exactly what I'm looking for as well

*NO LINKED OR SERVO-ASSISTED BRAKES* !!!

(just kidding... I couldn't resist... )

And I just *LOVE* sound of good parallel-twin...

Cheers!

Dallara

Actually, I'm pretty much right in line with you and Dave with the servo-linked debate. Our little blow-up was caused by lumping the ABS / Servo into one basket and by the time we really got into the thick of things there was too much pride and chest-thumping on both sides to do anybody any good. I'll own up to being just as much to blame in that thread as anybody.

[Guest]

As a second mount for running around town, the SV650 can't be beat. You can find a used one for $3k and the aftermarket is huge. Gets my vote as best commuter bike ever. Love my GS for the long haul, though...

[alkaloid]

Um, the previous was me. Got excited and forgot to log in.

[dallara]

Optimus wrote...

Actually, I'm pretty much right in line with you and Dave with the servo-linked debate. Our little blow-up was caused by lumping the ABS / Servo into one basket and by the time we really got into the thick of things there was too much pride and chest-thumping on both sides to do anybody any good. I'll own up to being just as much to blame in that thread as anybody.

Cool... I'll own up to my share of the blame, as well. We are all passionate, often headstrong, committed individuals... or we wouldn't be riding motorcycles in the first place. It's actually a *good* thing we all feel as strongly as we do, or this would be a very dull place, indeed.

That said, my primary disdain is most definitely with BMW's asinine insistence (IMHO only, of course... ) of using servo-assisted, linked brakes, but just for the record... I am not completely sold on ABS. At least not for experienced, skilled riders. But, let's not get into all that again!

And besides, this is a Kawasaki ER-650-R thread, right?

What a cool looking, and apparently well thought out, little bike...

(and hell, I'm old enough to have been riding back when a 650 was a *BIG* bike... )

Cheers!

Dallara

[riceburner]

I wish we were getting that bike... :(

[jimbo]

very impressive bike with features that a reasonable person could appreciate. hopefully it will come with a reasonable price tag as well, which will certainly affect the SV market share, and quite likely the bmw parallel twin sales figures.

i like the look, and the under engine exhaust has been something that i've appreciated since the first buell's came along.

one of the things that i didn't care for with the SV's was that you had to buy the naked version to get the tubular bars. I've been looking at used sv's for some time. i'll be looking forward to seeing the new ninja when it arrives stateside, sure wish they didn't call it a ninja though.

[Leno]

Perhaps we should send a picture to BMW with a note. 'Thats how you make a good looking bike'. Then you would sell loads just on looks alone, instead of losing sales because of looks.

[Pat]

Them thar Japanese!

Why won't anybody make a sexy looking Naked bike without the Ninja 'lean-forward' sitting position, sans the bulbous (albeit sculpted) gas tank? There are plenty of us middle-age fat guys who would like a bike they don't want to be accused of seeking a "second childhood" on.

That's kinda what I was looking for, and the only thing I found that appealed to me was the timeless styling found in the modern Bonneville. I woulda LOVED to have found something with a modern suspension, superior brakes, and sophisticated engine.

I was sent links to this bike during my search, but I'm over 50 fergodsakes. If I bought something like that, I may just as well put spinners on my Toyota Tacoma....

[RatBastard217]

Pat,

Here you go buddy! A choice of them too.

http://wheelskin.com/Merchant2/merchant ... er+hubcaps

[Pat]

hmmmm....
spinners, sagging over-size pants, baseball cap askew, and language littered with expla-deleteds. Think I should go spinners or 21" Dub's?

[yjleesvrr]

Spinners are the ugliest things I've seen attached to an automobile since curb feelers back in the 70's and early 80's.

[dallara]

Touching on several points...

Why won't anybody make a sexy looking Naked bike without the Ninja 'lean-forward' sitting position, sans the bulbous (albeit sculpted) gas tank?

Because they don't sell well enough...

There are plenty of us middle-age fat guys who would like a bike they don't want to be accused of seeking a "second childhood" on.

Hmmmm... Interesting comment. I would think anyone who rides motorcycles throughout their life and on into their "golden years" would not be seeking a "second childhood" but simply refusing to ever grow up. I know that's the case with me, anyway!

After all, growing old is not all it's cracked up to be, and age is all in your mind and outlook, right?

Besides, you gonna' tell me that doctors and lawyers that go out and buy a Harley Night Train and then blow about another $10K on all the *required* "lifestyle" leather duds and doo-rags aren't chasing a bit of that childhood, too?

That's kinda what I was looking for, and the only thing I found that appealed to me was the timeless styling found in the modern Bonneville.

So you are looking for a bike with styling from back in your childhood?

I woulda LOVED to have found something with a modern suspension, superior brakes, and sophisticated engine.

Well, it's a cinch you won't find anything like that in a Harley shop!

spinners, sagging over-size pants, baseball cap askew, and language littered with expla-deleteds. Think I should go spinners or 21" Dub's?

All answers to questions nobody ever asked...

Spinners are the ugliest things I've seen attached to an automobile since curb feelers back in the 70's and early 80's.

Truer words have never been spoken in all the ages of man!


Cheers!

Dallara