Bajaj Kawasaki er-6f / Ninja 650R production begins, launch on 8th June?

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Only a few days back we told you that the launch of the highly awaited Bajaj Kawasaki er-6f / Ninja 650R is just around the corner. Now the online community is buzzing with activity about the news of Bajaj Auto having started the production of the bike at its Chakan plant. As expected, the bike maker is keeping mum over the topic, but news of the first locally assembled bike having been given to a couple of journos for a test ride has created some excitement. The Indian website of the Ninja 650 is already up, suggesting that the launch ideally shouldn’t be too far. The expected launch of the Ninja 650R is on the 8th June 2011 if some of the so called’ inside news’ is to be believed, with bookings starting simultaneously with the launch.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 will be brought to India in CKD form from Thailand, and it shouldn’t be a big pain for the company to price it competitively with the Hyosung GT650. Unless they want to market it as a ‘premium’ product and sell it at a logic defying price, as in case if the Ninja 250R that is. We have a feeling that K-B will not price it too high above the Korean Hyosung, as this time around people have options, and exorbitant pricing would equate to cutting their own toes.

We, however expect the Ninja to be priced slightly higher than the Hyosung. After all Kawasaki is a much better known brand than Hyosung, with proven reliability and well sorted cycle parts. We won’t be surprised if the Ninja sells at Rs 30-50K premium over the GT650R. I for one won’t mind paying that much extra for the green machine. Anything more, and I would stop and think for a moment though.
Here’s the detailed specs sheet of the Ninja 650

Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin

Displacement 649 cm³

Bore x stroke 83 x 60 mm

Compression ratio 11.3:1

Valve/Induction system DOHC, 8 valves

Fuel system Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 2 (Keihin)

Ignition Digital

Starting Electric

Transmission 6-speed, return

Frame type Diamond, high-tensile steel

Tyre, front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)

Tyre, rear 160/60ZR17M/C (69W)

Suspension, front 41 mm telescopic fork

Suspension, rear Offset laydown single-shock with adjustable preload

Brakes, front Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs. Dual piston

Brakes, rear Single 220 mm petal disc. Single-piston

Dimensions (L x W x H) 2,100 x 760 x 1,200 mm

Wheelbase 1,410 mm

Ground Clearance 145 mm

Seat height 790 mm

Fuel capacity 15.5 litres

Curb Mass 204 kg / 208 kg (ABS)

Maximum power 72.1 PS / 8,500 rpm

Maximum torque 66 Nm  / 7,000 rpm

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