2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650

What’s new in the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650?

Styling Changes:

1. Redesigned Headlights
2. Redesigned Fairing
3. Redesigned Tank
4. Redesigned Tail Lamp
5. Split Seats

Although the split seats are the clear visible change, the entire bike has been redesigned. The front twin headlamps mimic the aggressive shape of the headlamps of the Ninja ZX10R.

The full fairing with its pronounced slashes on the sides of the fairing and the multilayered detailing of the fuel tank are aesthetic touches concurrent to latest motorcycle designs.

The tank itself has increased in height by 20 mm, this has been done to visually concentrate the mass of the bike towards the front.

The simple looking LED Tail Light of the older Ninja 650R has been replaced by a new sportier design.

All in all, the 2012 Ninja 650 has been styled to give a sharper and sportier look.

Personally I still think that the 2012 Ninja 650 could have been more proportional. But then styling is purely a subjective matter.

New Features:

1. 3 way adjustable windscreen
2. New Design Speedometer Console

The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 has been given an adjustable windscreen which can be manually adjusted in 3 stages (total 60 mm). This should be a useful feature for long distance tourers to deflect the wind blast away.

The 2012 Ninja 650 also gets a redesigned instrument console with a good old analogue tachometer (the earlier one has a LCD display for the tacho). The LCD panel is also backlit with white light to make reading the info easy at night.

An Economical Riding Indicator (ECO) is included in the Ninja 650′s digital display. The indicator appears whenever the motorcycle is being operated in an economical fashion. This convenient feature can help the rider to maximize fuel efficiency.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Technical Specifications:

Engine

Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Parallel Twin
Displacement: 649 cc
Valve/Induction system: DOHC, 8 valves
Bore x stroke: (83.0 x 60.0) mm
Compression ratio: 10.8:1

Maximum power: 53 kW [72.1 PS] / 8,500 rpm
Maximum torque: 64 N.m [6.5 kgf.m] / 7,000 rpm

Fueling: Fuel injection [ø38 mm x 2 (Keihin)]
Ignition: Digital
Starting: Electric

Lubrication: Forced lubrication, semi-dry sump
Clutch: Wet multi-disc, manual
Transmission: 6-speed


Frame type: Perimeter, high-tensile steel
Rake/Trail: 25 Degree / 110 mm
Wheel travel, front: 125 mm
Wheel travel, rear: 130 mm

Tyre, front: 120/70 - R17
Tyre, rear: 160/60 - R17

Suspension, front: 41 mm telescopic fork
Suspension, rear: Offset laydown single-shock with adjustable preload Brakes

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

Brakes, rear: Single 220 mm petal disc
Caliper: Single-piston Dimensions

Dimensions (L x W x H): 2,100 mm x 770 mm x 1,180 mm
Ground Clearance: 130 mm
Wheelbase: 1,410 mm
Seat height: 805 mm

Fuel capacity: 16 litres
Kerb Mass: 209 kg (EX650E) / 211 kg (EX650F)

Changes to the Chassis:

1. New Perimeter type Twin tube frame
2. New Twin tube Swing arm
3. Increased front and rear suspension travel
4. Upgraded brake pads

The real change to the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is skin deep. Kawasaki seems to have worked on improving the handling of the Ninja 650. As a result the 2012 Ninja 650 gets a new Perimeter type frame fabricated out of twin tubes.

The swing arm also has a twin tube design which is shaped to complement the frame’s flex and rigidity characteristics.

Both the front and rear suspensions have been calibrated for revised damping. Also the suspension travel has been increased both at the front and rear for increased ride comfort.

Kawasaki also states that they have upgraded the brake pads on both the font and rear. With all the changes to the chassis, I am expecting the 2012 Ninja 650 to be a better handling package compared to its earlier version.



The "R" moniker have been dropped from the 2012 Ninja 650..!!:

Usually the "R" letter is reserved for models which are great to ride around the race track. Looks like Kawasaki has dropped the "R" from the Ninja 650 for its 2012 upgrade.

The 2011 Ninja 650R which I had ridden was far from being a track bike. Even with a new chassis and upgraded brakes which should improve the handling of the Ninja 650, I welcome Kawasaki’s move to drop the "R" branding from the 2012 Ninja 650..!! After all why should every bike need to be a track machine..??

But the big question is, when would the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 make it to Indian shores and would there be a price increase?

2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Photos [Courtesy Kawasaki USA]



2012 Kawasaki ER-6f Photos [Courtesy: Kawasaki UK]