The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is one of the more impressive sports tourers in the middle-weight segment, but was in need of a dire update. Bringing comprehensive changes to the model, the Japanese manufacturer unveiled the 2017 Ninja 650 at the 2016 Intermot Motorcycle Show in Cologne, Germany, while its naked sibling the ER-6n has been given a revamp and is now called the Z650 and is revealed in images. The public debut will happen in Milan next month.
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650
For the 2017 model year, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 has been redesigned and is now in-line with the new models from the manufacturer. The ZX-6R inspired styling makes the model appear sharper, while the paint scheme has been inspired from the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT). The full fairing is also now more aerodynamic, while the fuel tank and wheels also receive cosmetic updates. The Z650 too, is now part of Kawa's Z family and is inspired by the Sugomi design on the Z1000. The low slung headlight cluster, sharp lines and exposed frame certainly add to the street-fighter's appeal. The bike, overall, looks leaner as well over its predecessor.
Sharing the same underpinnings, the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Z650 get a new chassis underneath and swingarm, which have helped the middle-weight sports tourer to shed weight by a massive 19 kg. The reduction has also helped in making the models more fuel efficient by 6.8 per cent. You also get a three-level manually adjustable windscreen,all-digital LCD instrument cluster, while the offset monoshock has been replaced to a conventional unit. The bikes get 41mm telescopic front forks and four piston Nissin calipers.
2017 Kawasaki Z650
Kawasaki has revised the ergonomics of the 2017 Ninja 650 with the handlebar being slightly lower, but the seat height remains the same. As a result, the new model gets a more dedicated riding position over its outgoing model.
Talking about matters of the heart, the 649cc parallel twin motor continues to power the Ninja 650 and Z650, but gets longer header pipes, 36mm throttle bodies and new intake and exhaust cams. The changes have now made the engine Euro4 compliant, but has also seen power drop to 69bhp on the new model instead of 71bhp. That said, the reduction should hardly be an issue with the weight reduction providing an improved power-to-weight ratio.
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Rear Profile
A 6-speed gearbox continues to send power to the rear wheel, while a slipper clutch and ABS are offered as standard. The new Ninja 650 will be available in three colour options - lime green and ebony, metallic black, pearl white and candy burnt orange colours.
Now, both the Ninja 650 and Z650 are already popular models in India for Kawasaki, and the 2017 editions will be making here as well by mid-next year. With the plethora of upgrades, expect the models to see a price hike on both models, while the new Z900 (Z800 replacement) can also be expected later in the year.
