2011-06-09T03:50:00.000-07:00

Introduction

The nimble Ninja® 650R deftly combines user-friendly power and excellent handling. The 650R offers serious low-end grunt boosted by digital fuel injection, light weight, and a beautiful chassis that will keep riders smiling from ear to ear whether they’re riding in the canyons or commuting on city streets. Its carefully tuned suspension complete with distinctive side-mounted shock, triple petal disc brakes and light weight make this bike a serious presence in the middle of the Ninja line.

Details & Features

Key Features • 649cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with digital fuel injection (DFI®) has excellent low
• and mid-range power
• Low 31.1-inch seat height offers an easy reach to the ground
• Triple petal-shaped disc brakes deliver plentiful braking power
• Strong, high-tensile steel frame is so lightweight it rivals similar aluminum frames
• Digital instruments offer an array of easy-to-read data
• A rubber engine mount and rubber-insulated handlebars reduce vibration felt by the rider, improving comfort and reducing fatigue on longer rides
• Aggressive Ninja styling matches its supersport siblings

Quick-revving, 649cc Parallel-twin Engine • Liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve fuel-injected twin cylinder delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low
• to medium-rpm range
• Excellent mid-range power, exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance make even commuter traffic enjoyable
• Minimal vibration via a 180-degree crankshaft-driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
• Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling
• Lightweight plug-mounted ignition coils deliver a hot spark and save space
• High-capacity radiator for increased cooling efficiency
• Coolant routing travels directly to the engine cases, then follows internal passages to the cylinder and head for minimum external plumbing and a simplified cooling system

Digital Fuel Injection • Fuel injection settings boost the engine’s bottom-end torque while letting it rev quicker
• Sub-throttle valve equipped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies offer optimum performance and rideability
• Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI system’s ECU for a precise throttle response, similar to a constant velocity carburetor
• Auto fast-idle system simplifies starting and helps ensure that the catalyzer reaches optimum temperature quickly
• Lightweight fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank

Compact Engine Design • Powerful twin-cylinder engine is the most compact in its category, which helps reduce the dimensions of the entire motorcycle and allows use of a slim, minimalist frame
• Triangular setup of the crankshaft and transmission shafts makes the engine short front-to-back
• Transmission input shaft, output shaft and change drum are contained in a “cassette”-style package that allows a compact layout and eases transmission maintenance chores
• Semi-dry sump design reduces engine height
• Plated, linerless aluminum cylinders with a narrow cylinder pitch keep the engine light and slim

Cleaner Emissions • Efficient fuel injection and a three-way catalyzer inside the exhaust produce very low emissions, able to pass stringent Euro-III emissions regulations
• 300-cell catalyzer is compact and light
• Under-engine muffler placement aids mass centralization and yields a low center of gravity

Vibration Control • Rubber upper-rear engine mounts keep vibration low
• Handlebar is rubber mounted to lessen vibration transmitted through the handle grips
• Rider and passenger footpegs are rubber coated to reduce vibration

Light-Handling Trellis Frame • Slim, low, lightweight and compact design is narrow at the knees and footpegs for rider comfort and control
• The strong, high-tensile steel trellis frame not only looks lightweight – it is, rivaling that of aluminum frames
• Ideal frame stiffness balance achieved through extensive 3D analysis translates directly into superb handling
• The frame, rear suspension and swingarm designs flow together with an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub
• Short front-to-back dimensions of the engine allow for a long swingarm and a short wheelbase combination that contributes to the light and nimble handling
• Clean frame joint finishes show off overall quality of the bike

Rigid Swingarm • Swingarm is tuned to complement frame rigidity
• Swingarm has a D-shaped cross section for strength and light weight
• Swingarm design further contributes to the Ninja 650R’s high-quality appearance
• Elegant one-piece rider/passenger footpeg stays complement the swingarm and stabilizer

Suspension • 41mm fork and preload-adjustable laydown shock are tuned for light, rider-friendly handling
• Fork lower ends around the axle shaft add to the bike’s performance and enhance its high-quality image

Confidence-inspiring Ergonomics • An ideal handlebar, seat and footpeg relationship results in a comfortable and natural riding position suiting a wide range of riders
• Frame narrowed just aft of the fuel tank enables a slim seat, making the reach to the ground even easier
• The offset single-shock rear suspension layout with the battery located beside the shock instead of beneath it allows a lower seat height as well
• Low seat height and slim overall design make it easy to plant both feet firmly on the ground when stopped

Brakes • Dual 300mm front petal-shaped disc brakes with twin 27mm piston front brake calipers and a single 220mm rear petal-shaped disc deliver plenty of braking power
• Front brake master cylinder features a 14mm piston for smooth actuation

Sleek Supersport Bodywork • Dual headlight design features multi-reflector bulb hoods and twin position lights – like its Ninja supersport brethren
• A lip at the top of the windscreen deflects air away from the rider, along with a duct in the center of the cowling that creates an “air curtain” to reduce wind buffeting at higher speeds
• Tall fuel tank – especially noticeable when viewed from the side – adds to the bike’s crouching appearance
• A flush-surface fuel cap and a sharp-edged motif give the tank a distinctive look
• Sharp, edged lines give the Ninja 650R an aggressive supersport look, yet the bodywork still accentuates the frame
• Distinctive Ninja supersport design elements of the front cowling and the fairings, such as the judicious combination of colored and black panels, enhance its sporty image and compact appearance
• Integrated front turn signals with clear lenses and amber bulbs
• Completing the bike’s aggressive sport appearance is a sharp tail cowling featuring a thin LED taillight
• Inner rear fender helps keep the underside of the sleek tail cowl clean
• The turn signals also function as flashing hazard lights
• A long front fender keeps water splashing to a minimum and its two-tone design matches the Ninja 650R’s light, compact theme
• Storage options include four tie-down hooks for baggage or a spare helmet to be secured to the seat and a storage space under the seat with room for a U-lock or similar device

Mirrors • Mirror design is a similar supersport style to that on the new Ninja ZX™-6R

Wheels • Attractive six-spoke supersport-style wheels augment the bike’s light look and reduce unsprung weight

Instruments/Controls • MotoGP-inspired multi-function instrumentation includes a fuel gauge, digital speedometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters and a bar-style digital tachometer
• Clock and trip meter can be viewed simultaneously
• Red backlighting for the LCD screen adds to the sporty image while the area around the instrument panel presents a clean, finished front cowl interior
• Stylized handlebar clamps and curved shapes on the brake master cylinder reservoir and clutch lever contribute to the Ninja 650R’s high-quality appearance

Specifications

Engine Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve, parallel twin

Displacement 649 cc

Bore x Stroke 83.0 x 60.0 mm

Compression Ratio 11.3:1

Cooling System Liquid

Fuel System Digital fuel injection with two 38mm Keihin throttle bodies

Ignition TCBI with electronic advance

Transmission 6-Speed

Final Drive O-Ring Chain

Frame Type Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Rake/Trail 25°/4.2 in.

Front Tire Size 120/70-17

Rear Tire Size 160/60-17

Wheelbase 55.5 in.

Front Suspension / wheel travel 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 4.7 in.

Rear Suspension / wheel travel Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload / 4.9 in.

Front Brakes Dual 300mm petal discs with two-piston calipers

Rear Brakes Single 220mm petal disc with single piston caliper

Fuel Capacity 4.1 gal.

Seat Height 31.1

Curb Weight 449.8 lbs.

Overall length 82.7 in.

Overall width 29.9 in.

Overall height 47.2 in.

Color Choices Candy Burnt Orange / Flat Super Black, Metallic Spark Black / Flat Super Black

Warranty 12 months

Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

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