2017 KAWASAKI NINJA® 650 ABS
A NEW SPORTY, COMFORTABLE, MIDSIZED MOTORCYCLE BUILT WITH NINJA ENGINEERING.
A lone sportbike is heard gliding through the turns of a two-lane mountain road. A casual Sunday, with the sun falling behind the peaks, and the light fading. Through one corner and onto the next, each mile bringing a new adventure. Carving out your own line, you daydream of the racetrack. The race may be on TV, but at home your couch is empty. Instead, you replay the race in your head as you roll into the next corner and out to a long straight. You blast past the local biker-hangout café. The parking lot is full, riders stand and talk in their full-race leathers. But you have no time for standing.
Your bike isn’t meant for a parking lot.
Riding through the canyons on the weekend or to work on Monday, introducing the new, easy-going sportbike, the Ninja® 650 motorcycle.
The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650:
NEW Stronger, lighter frame
NEW Rear suspension and redesigned gull-arm swingarm
UPDATED Parallel twin 650cc engine
NEW Sportbike cowling, headlight and design elements.
With improved styling resembling that of its bigger siblings, the stylish 2017 Ninja 650 features new components. Built for the street rider who wants the performance of the Ninja family, but with more street-focused ergonomics and control, the Ninja 650 is new with a twin-spar frame and the redesigned, race-proven 650cc parallel twin.
The mid-sized member in the Ninja lineup, the Ninja 650 is built to satisfy the needs of riders who want to step up from a Ninja® 300, but don’t want the high technology, cost and high performance of the Ninja® ZX™-6R.
The Ninja 650 is truly a member of the Ninja family, with a new front cowling that takes styling cues from the Ninja ZX™-10R motorcycle, but with comfortable ergonomics so riders can enjoy this ride for more miles. The Ninja 650 will also be available without ABS.
STYLE
Racing inspired fairing and bodywork style
NEW Sporty front cowling
NEW X-pattern LED taillight
NEW Trellis frame and centrally positioned rear shock
The Ninja 650’s new upper cowling fits with the Ninja family identity. The chin spoiler below the headlight emulates the design theme from the Ninja® ZX™-10R. Accompanying the new front cowling is a sharply redesigned headlight.
New mirrors contribute to the stylish look and enhance visibility. Further adding to the sporty look is a X-shaped LED taillight.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Modern, parallel-twin cylinder 649cc engine
Smooth and responsive performance with improved low-to-mid range for easy starts and stronger acceleration on the street
NEW Assist and slipper clutch for lighter clutch pull and reduced wheel hop during downshifts
NEW Short under-engine exhaust contributes to mass centralization and light handling
Kawasaki’s 650cc parallel twin has been a winner on the race track in the AMA PRO Flat Track series, and is also a proven street engine. Designed with a steady and smooth torque curve and progressive clutch, the power plant for the Ninja 650 is great for riders of all experience levels, making for a fun and easy ride for riders gaining experience and for those with thousands of miles under their belts.
The engine of the 2017 Ninja 650 features a new, slimmer intake and throttle body ports which allow for finer atomization of fuel and improved engine air-flow. These changes result in improved, smoother power down-low. Camshafts also now feature reduced overlap and less duration. The exhaust pipe length has also been shortened.
These changes result in an engine that’s smooth and progressive with better low-to-mid range power. The engine retains its smooth off-throttle power delivery, with a steady climb to max output. The torque curve is now smoother and more consistent to redline. Along with more performance and better emissions the 650cc engine also has improved fuel consumption.
A new assist and slipper clutch allows for a lighter clutch pull and reduces rear-wheel hop during downshifting. This is ideal for new riders learning and for those wanting a carefree ride.
CHASSIS
NEW lighter weight
NEW slimmer and lighter frame
NEW lighter and more stylish gull-arm design swingarm
NEW Horizontal back-link rear suspension for improved traction, response and ride comfort
An new high-tensile steel, trellis frame uses the engine as a stress-member, bringing engineering development from performance bikes like the Ninja H2™ to a lightweight, entry-level platform. Minimized bends cut down on stress-points in the frame and result in a lighter overall weight by nearly 40 pounds. The rear section of the frame is twin-tube, for added rigidity and improved carrying capacity.
The new gull-arm swingarm provides space for the central mounted exhaust, while creating a strong mount from the frame pivot point to axle. The new horizontal back-link suspension design features a linkage with progressive ratio, creating better suspension action and improves the rider’s feel of the road.
ERGONOMICS
NEW Upright riding position has been adjusted to be more relaxed yet sporty
NEW Slightly reduced seat height for lower center of gravity and stable foot placement
NEW Adjustable windscreen provides improved wind protection and facilitates highway riding/touring
NEW Digital display meter adds a gear position indicator and improved visibility
The Ninja 650 tows the line between racy sportbike and comfortable commuter. New top-mount clip-on handlebars further showcase its sportbike heritage, but the slightly higher positioning, combined with the new, lower seat height, allows the rider to sit upright with relaxed hand positioning. The grips are mounted slightly forward, to aid in the slightly aggressive stance, making the Ninja 650 a great motorcycle on the weekend canyon ride or on the Monday commute.
This year the Ninja 650 seat height has been lowered 15mm, for a more stable foot placement when stopped and lower center of gravity. This year features a newly designed adjustable windscreen for added wind protection.
WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES
NEW Nissin brake calipers for improved braking feel
NEW Brakes and 5-spoke wheels are lighter (3.96 pounds) contributing to light handling
Colors:
Ninja 650 -Metallic Spark Black
Ninja 650 -Pearl Blizzard White
Ninja 650 -Candy Burnt Orange
Ninja 650 -Lime Green/Ebony (KRT Edition)
MSRP:
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 – $7,399
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS – $7,799
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition – $7,999
Availability: AVA
For a full spec sheet on the 2017 Ninja 650 motorcycle, visit www.kawasaki.com.
ACCESSORIES
Kawasaki Genuine Accessories offers a wide variety of great add-ons to help customize your Ninja 650 into a unique machine built for your needs. Accessories include, but are not limited to a color-matched 30 Liter top case with back rest pad, tank bag, spoiler screen or sport screen, as well as power outlets and deluxe side covers. New for the 2017 Ninja 650 are accessories that include: frame slider set, helmet lock, knee pad set, radiator trim, color-matched seat cowl, tank pad, U-lock and U-lock bracket, etc.
A full range of Kawasaki Genuine Accessories are available at authorized Kawasaki dealers. Please visit your local Kawasaki dealership for more information.
ABOUT KAWASAKI
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and Jet Ski® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.
Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.