A few days ago we reported to you when Kawasaki’s teaser website for the highly awaited er-6f or the Ninja 650R went live for India. This was reason enough for people like us to believe that the bike may witness its India debut anytime now. However, there are some devil’s advocates and critics (including us) who believe that the move is just a means to take the attention away from the recently launched (and fabulously priced) Hyosung bikes. The teaser site may have been put up only to divert the attention of those willing to put their money on the Korean metal, and make them pause and think for a bit, while the Kawasaki launch may still be some distance away.
However, a recent report the online arm of ACI, India’s leading auto magazine suggests that the launch of Kawasaki’s highly anticipated sports bike is indeed going to take place in a few weeks’ time. The Ninja 650R also known as the er-6f is an adroit machine which walks the tightrope of economy, performance and convenience with rare skill. The Ninja 650R is powered by a 649 cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin engine with digital fuel injection.
The Ninja 650R is indeed the right kind of bike for Indian conditions with ample power, great dynamics for the odd trackday, and great clearance for touring – a one size fit for most requirements. If Bajaj – Kawasaki could manage to price it well, the bike has the potential to sell in reasonably good numbers. A pricing equivalent to the Hyosung GT650R is what we would like to ideally have, but even if the Kwacker is priced slightly higher, the choice shouldn’t be very difficult to make.
Here’ a detailed specification sheet of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R or the er-6f, followed by an image gallery
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