Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Technology, Features and Mileage

What’s the power source in the 2020 Kawasaki 650?

The engine is powerhouse of any bike and the Ninja 650 gets the same engine at heart from the previous iteration. Hence, the new Ninja makes the same amount of power but the peak torque has gone down from 65.7Nm to 64Nm. The peak torque is also achieved at a later rpm compared to the previous model. But this is a minor difference that will not translate to any noticeable difference in real-world performance. The engine is quite refined as and vibrations are kept well under check even on high RPMs. It is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox which feels a bit sticky at low RPMs. Working around the gears has a learning curve but it is not a deal-breaker.

The mid-range performance from the engine is quite a power-packed and it helps the bike make quick progress on open roads. Within the city, it provides ample low-end torque which is quite helpful in stop and go traffic conditions. Take the Ninja on a highway and you instantly know that the highway is where the engine belongs. Kawasaki has given it quite a lot of punch and hitting 100 kmph with the bike is quite an easy affair. The throttle response is quite sharp too and the bike lunges forward at a slight twist of the throttle. Overall, the Ninja 650 is a potent urban commuter as well as a highway cruiser. The addition of a slipper clutch makes it even more fun to ride and it makes the biker quite a beginner-friendly too.

The CBR 650 R offers a proper inline-four-cylinder motor, and hence puts down more power on the tarmac, thanks to the two extra cylinders. But as the Ninja 650 is the lightest bike here, it offers better dynamics. On the other hand, the CF Moto’s 650 GT’s motor a bit more relaxed than its competitors which is no surprise as its a Gran Tourismo bike.

How linear and confidence-inspiring is the acceleration from 0-100?

If the Ninja fails to impress you with its looks you would certainly be impressed with its acceleration. Even though Kawasaki has not done many updates to the engine, the bike offers brisk performance. The bike is capable of converting your every day ride into a rollercoaster ride within seconds.

Shooting up to triple-digit speeds is a breeze and the bike remains quite stable while doing such speeds. The brisk performance is aided by the lightweight of the bike, which stands at 193 kgs. The new Ninja 650 is 19 kgs lighter than the outgoing model.

The fastest bike in this comparison is undoubtedly the CBR 650R and it is not difficult to see the reason why. It offers the most powerful engine in the segment which is coupled with two extra cylinders. On the other hand, the CF Moto 650 GT is slower than its rivals but is not a slouch. The slower performance can be credited to its Grand Tourismo profile as it’s not trying to be the fastest bike here.

How grippy are the brakes?

Ninja 650 finally gets something that it never had before in terms of braking performance i.e. ABS. Kawasaki has made ABS as standard with the bike. The brakes offer excellent bite and feel quite progressive. It also provides a good amount of feel and feedback and the new Nissin calipers and brake pads make a world of a difference.

Overall, the Ninja 650 can drop an anchor at any speed without much fuss.

How impressive is the handling and how well does it complement rider comfort?

Kawasaki has worked a lot on the ride and handling of the new Ninja 650. It is the most nimble bike in this comparison and now gets the new trellis frame which is 8.5 kgs lighter than the previous one. In terms of the load shedding, it also gets lighter wheels which are 1.7  kgs lighter than the previous ones. Other miscellaneous. changes have made the bike lose another 5.8 kgs of weight. All this means that now there is no need to wrestle the bike in corners and you feel more confident while taking on corners.

The Dunlop tires also offer excellent grip and stay glued to the road. However, the suspension is tuned on the softer side which makes you realize that the bike comes with certain limitations. The ride quality is plush and footpegs set on the forward side. This makes spending long hours on the seat a breezy affair. The ride height is now lower and the bike provides a mix of comfort and performance in terms of its ride and handling.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is the lightest bike in its segment and it also feels so while taking on fast corners. The CBR 650R meanwhile offers a neutral riding stance which makes it a dedicated machine as well as a good daily driver. The CF Moto 650 offers the most comfortable ride and seating position in this comparison. 

How sharp-looking is the new Kawasaki Ninja 650 look?

In terms of looks, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 looks nothing like the outgoing model. The new bike gets sharper cuts and creases than the previous one. It now looks more aggressive as well as more imposing. Kawasaki has given it an all-new console that changes colour on the basis of how hard you are riding the bike. The wide handlebar has been replaced by sportier clip-ons which adds to the looks as well as handling of the bike. 

The overall design has been inspired by Kawasaki’s ZX 10 R which is a much more expensive bike. But the bike looks quite compact and there is a good chance you might mistake it for its younger sibling the, Ninja 350. Overall, the bike has lost a lot of bulk and now looks quite sporty.

Aesthetic Features

• Full Sporty cowl
• LED Headlamp
• Racing Muffler
• Windshield
• Digital Instrument Cluster

The CBR 650R looks quite subtle while the CF Motto 650 looks overdone and cluttered in terms of its design. The Ninja 650 is the best looking bike of the lot overall. While the other two bikes are not at all bad with the looks, the Ninja 650 is quite a head-turner.

What are the various safety and class-leading features available?

This time around, Kawasaki has provided many features which makes the bike safer. For starters. It finally gets a dual-channel ABS. It also gets a gear position indicator and multi-function LCD screen. The windshield now has three positions covering a total range of 60 mm. Coming to the headlight and the taillight, both now run only on LEDs.

Overall, the addition of small features make the bike a lot safer to ride than the previous one.

How does the competition stack up against this Kawasaki?

Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs Honda CBR 650R

Honda has gone all guns blazing in terms of performance in the 650 cc bike segment. The CBR 650R is hands down the fastest bike in the segment. It comes with a superb engine and Honda has given it 2 extra cylinders as well just to keep the rivals in check. In comparison, the Ninja 650 is a more nimble bike and get sharper looks. If price no constraint then the CBR 650R should be your choice but if you are on a budget, the Ninja 650 will make sure that you don’t miss the Honda.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs CFMoto 650 GT

As any bike enthusiast would know that CF Moto is a Chinese brand. But that should not restrain you from having a look at the bike as it offers a complete package. It is a sports-tourer which can really ferry around two people in the utmost comfort. Not only it offers a comfortable ride but also quick performance. In comparison to the Ninja 650, the CF Motto 650 is a better bike to undertake long-distance journeys. But in every other way, the Ninja 650 offers more for your money.

Does the 2020 Kawasaki Nina 650  live up to the Kawasaki legacy?

Kawasaki has updated the Ninja 650 in almost every way but has not done much in the engine department. Well, it is not a bad thing at all as what the Ninja 650 offers is value for money. It is a bike which can send some chills down your spine at a twist of a throttle and be your everyday ride companion at the same time. The bike is not what we would call the ultimate sport machine but it is a mixed bag of performance and comfort. This makes it quite versatile and considering the price it comes at, it should certainly be at the top of your buying list.