[damasito]

OK Since I dont see nothing I will ask.

How is your 650R? Very basic question, I am just hopping to get somebody to answer me and tell me what they like (or not) about there bike. What model they have gen 1 or 2? Maintenance? annoyances? the good or the bad?

Thanks, this Ninja is for people that don't need 200 mph just like me, the other ninjas are nice also but this one is the middle of performance, looks and price. IMHO

Damasovi

 

[HDear]

650r

I really like mine. It has plenty of power, lots of torque, great gas mileage............The aftermarket is there now where as when i bought mine you couldnt find squat. I know there are alot of people out there that say go for the SV but i really like the 650r.

 

[Phenix_Rider]

Mine is (apparently) bone stock still with 28,000 miles on it. Just lower bars, grab rails, and race tech emulators. Soon I'll install the Ohlins rear shock and Power Commander. Nothing to make it stand out, which is exactly how I like it. Don't have to worry too much about being targeted for theft because it's not a supersport. I just can't get into the looks of the '09 and up. The gauges are horrible too.

It'll do 80 all day on the interstate (or anywhere else) but long highway stints hurt my Achilles, being 6'2". On one leg of my trip to Cedar Point this last weekend, I got 205.5 miles on one tank for 55.35 mpg. Worst I've run is about 47 mpg- which is still about 15-20 mpg better than the I4s I've ridden with. Where they have to refuel after 90-100 miles, I'm perfectly happy to go to 160+ miles when I'm playing, and frequently hit 190 miles on a tank commuting.

State and county roads are a blast- the tighter the better- and it really shines there. I've had saddlebags and a tent and sleeping bag on mine for an overnighter in WV (100+ miles away), and run down US219 as far as it goes then dropped off the bags and hit Deals Gap (700 miles), and just got back from Sandusky (330 miles). Of course, it's just as happy hauling me to work on back roads, or fooling around on the way home. Anything you ask, this bike begs to play. The only other bike I've ridden with all that capability is a Bandit 1250S.

Maintenance is no more than any japanese sportbike. Valve inspection/adjustment every 15,000 miles, oil and tires a bit more often. LOL Replace the brake pads and tires after a full season or more for something with better grip and feel. I don't want to hear any more shit about "Needing more power" after a month or two of riding. If you feel that way, you probably don't belong on a motorcycle.

I have an '07 (1st gen) which I MUCH prefer to the '09 (second gen). I've had the chance to ride an '09 ER-6n (same engine). It really didn't feel any better. The low RPM stutter isn't smoother, it simply feels like the ignition has been retarded. There's no noticeable power difference either. Stock brakes are slightly better, and the suspsension is better matched front to rear. The first gen suspension is very stiff up front, and soft out back. The '06-'08 transmission requires less effort- the '09 felt like it was shifting through molasses.

 

[hinesdeal102]

My 2 cents

Honestly I have not actually ridden the 650r but I will tell you what I know about it. It's not a supersport but on the street you will never tap into the full potential of one anyhow (alot people won't accept that and think they need a speed demon). For what you are looking for the ninja 650r will be good, from what I have read it is a very good all around bike. The engine is a parallel twin that will give you a very realistic and usable powerband that will do wonders on the street. I have sat on the 650r and I find that the bars and ergonomics are great with the exception of the peg positioning. I'm 6'4" and the bike feels a little too cramped for me (to be a comfortable street riding bike anyway). I personally think the SV650 fits me better, it doesn't feel as cramped and if you get the non faired version it has a similar feel as far as the bar height is concerned. The faired version feels more like a "sportbike" and while I personally think it is comfortable enough for a primary street bike but others may find it still to hunched over for a general purpose street bike. Performance is similar and really it all comes back down to you. Go sit on both (ride them if you can) and just get the one that you think fits you best. Oh yea the 650r's parallel twin only has one head whereas the SV has two, so just things like that should be taken into consideration if you plan on doing your own work. The 650r would be easier to work on because of the single head (for valve adjustments anyway). The SV's engine is a 90 degree v-twin and has perfect primary balance which reduces the size and blah blah blah...yea I'm rambling now but I hope some of this info may have helped you. Hell you might end up with something completely different anyway.

 

[damasito]

Thanks amigos it is very helpful.

True story, in october of 2007 I was ready with money on hand to buy my Ninja but I was just $200 dollars shy, and I could (or better jet) should have gone to the credit card for that money, but I had just married and we were pregnant and I said, NO I will return in December when I get my Xmast bonus and some other money... you know how it is life and my wife had a very bad pregnancy and our child was born 3 months before it was time, so forget about the money, 2 months in the ER (yes I am insure) but still that had a big impact on everything so I only saw the money fly by!!! and I said Adios dinero!

Any way, here 2 years latter I hopping I can make up time and buy this great bike, I would like it for going to work, (12 miles 2 round trips) and the day trips into California and around Northern Baja. I have a klr so you know I don't do 100 + mph rides, and I have a family so no need for speed but like it when I have to pass a semi.

Thanks for all the info so far and keep it coming

Damasito

 

[hinesdeal102]

@ Damasito

I'm sorry to hear about your complications you had with your family, I bet that was hard, but I'm glad it worked out. When you get your bike you will appreciate it and have fun with it I guarantee it. You can't really go wrong with any modern sport bike I think they all have their own character and ups and downs. Good luck with the bike and family.

 

[damasito]

amigo hinesdeal102 thanks, and yes it was a bit of a concern having a 2.2 lbs baby but now you can't see the fact she was that little (21 months latter) And I think you are also correct when you say "You can't really go wrong with any modern sport bike"

Damasovi

 

[dchartman]

I have an 06 ninja 650R and I absolutly love it. I also have a zx9r but I ride the 650 alot more. It is a very fun bike with pretty good power (mine is all stock with jardine exhaust and power commander) I'm about 5"10 180lbs and it feels great to me, my brother also has one (an 07) he is 6'3 about 260lbs and he loves his bike as well says its comfortable for him. These bike are awesome on curvy backroads and still good power for a straight line. I would recommend a 650 to anyone with some riding experience! I do think it has a little bit too much power for a beginner tho. I've had mine since last summer and have not had a single problem out of it. I get comlpiments on it all the time.

 

[dchartman]

I really like mine. It has plenty of power, lots of torque, great gas mileage............The aftermarket is there now where as when i bought mine you couldnt find squat. I know there are alot of people out there that say go for the SV but i really like the 650r.

Very nice 650 you have there! love what you did with the wheels, and seat cowl looks good on there. do you have sport bars on there?

 

[HDear]

650r

Very nice 650 you have there! love what you did with the wheels, and seat cowl looks good on there. do you have sport bars on there?

They are generic clipons i bought off Ebay. Here are a couple more pics. Finally got my custom brackets for the rearsets. Really cleans it up.

 

[drur]

Pics of a recent 1100 mile round trip to The Dragon over Labor Day weekend. I have also completed a Saddle Sore 1000 Iron Butt run (1000 + miles in less than 24 hours) on my 650r.

In my opinion, this has to be one of the best "bang for the buck" bikes out there!!

 

[zamolxes]

I have to agree this is a nice bike. I would never recommend it to someone who is close to 6 ft tall as I find it way to small. I bought one today (2009 green) for my gf (5.5 ft tall) and it is perfect for her. I have a FZ6 and today I took the 650r for a ride. Fun, very easy to drive but the handle bars are really bad in my opinion. As well, I like the feeling and the sound of the 2 cylinders but the missing horse powers compared to my FZ6 can be felt on the motor way. Considering I payed my FZ6 $800 more and the higher quality finishing touch is so visible compared to the 650R...

NONETHELESS it is a very FUN with an amazing sound bike.

 

[taekus]

I'm going to try and revive this thread a bit, I noticed HDear hasn't been active but I was really wondering how would I install the generic clip ons to my ninja 650r?

 

[bluspyder]

Buddy of mine used to endurance race 650r. And from what he was telling me is it can be done just a pain in the rear. A lot of bodywork trimming.

Ill try to find out some more info for ya.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[mrphotoman]

They are generic clipons i bought off Ebay. Here are a couple more pics. Finally got my custom brackets for the rearsets. Really cleans it up.

how much did you lower that bike? Front and rear? what is the seat height now?