2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Motorcycle reviews

I purchased this as the 2nd bike I've ever owned. I originally had a 1989 Kawasaki EX500 which was great for learning without burning a hole in my wallet. The 650R was everything the reviews and riders have placed it. Basically an all out perfect bike for the daily rider from beginner to advanced. I took this on a 220 mile ride the first summer and it didn't bother my back at all. I even had the sport handlebars installed. It also has plenty of low end toque for local cruising but enough on the highways as well. Show less

This bike is great! It's very beautiful as I have a black one. It rides steady! I bought this bike used from a dealership and am very happy with it! It is very flickable and easy to maintain. I am a woman, so this bike fits me comfortably. The seat is wide and has a lot of padding in the cushion. It's great for an upright or a race position. The shocks are great and there are very minimal bumpy rides on the freeways. I've ridden my bike 75+ mph and it keeps getting better! I love that it has a digital clock on it and digital readings. It has 6 gears and rides well. It is easy to place in neutral as neutral is very easy to find. The only thing that irritates me on my bike is the slight humming from my windshield. Overall this 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650R is a great ride and I'll be keeping my ride for many years to come. Show less

This, like I'm sure you have read a hundred times, is an excellent starter bike. It is my first bike and I have been riding it for about 11 months now. It is the Red 07 model, and as you can see with 8775 miles on it, I have been riding it a lot. When I first went to choose my first ever bike, I was seriously considering the Ninja 250r because I had never been on a bike before. But after my buddy bought the 500ex I couldn't resist stepping up to a larger bike, and I couldn't be happier. I am so glad that I did not get the 250!! The 650 is an excellent starter bike. It is quick but doesn't have enough raw power to lift the front tire without popping the clutch. It handles very nice, and it is responsive and steady at high speeds (I could get mine up to about 138mph). I was seriously considering getting a larger bike now that I have over 8000 miles riding experience but instead I bought new handle bars to give it a lower more agressive look and feel and it did the trick! No more new bike bug! It feels sooo different! The high touring handle bars were nice to learn on but the inexpensive low Drag Bars were a cinch to install and they completely change the ride!! I definitely recommend the Ninja 650 to beginners and experinced riders alike! It is a reliable, quick, fun, gas sipper (55 mpg avg.), that looks really good, and is easy on the wallet! I hope this review could help pursuade you to buy one of these wonderful machines, I know you won't regret it! Show less

My first bike was a ninja 250. I quickly outgrew it and wanted something with a little more punch. don't get me wrong, the 250 is an excellent beginner bike. So I upgraded to an '06 ninja 650. I bought the bike in early '07 so I saved a huge chunk on the price and got the colors I really wanted. The '07 colors are nice but nothing beats a two tone color scheme, especially black and red. The 650 is easier and obviously more fun to ride than the 250. I think it's especially great for any city rider. The comfortable seating position, power and turn radius make it great for getting around NYC, and it's a beast on the highway. The full fairing comes in handy during the winter. I do wish the fuel tank was a little bigger but that's a minor complaint. And style wise it's beautiful. I've gotten many compliments and second and third glances sitting at the light. Thank you, Kawasaki! Show less

I took my 07 650r out for the first spin today and does it ever handle, and perform like a charm. All the other reviews lead me to buy this bike for a beginner bike and it's worth every penny so far. Although I am 6&pos;4" I still found the bike very comfortable for my height and had enough room for my legs (with extra leg room). I have only did a max of 5000RPM because of the break in period but it still provides plenty of torque in the low rpm's. Can't wait to see it's full potential in all areas. Stay tuned for more in the future...' Show less

I have a 07 650r, so far it's great. I can't wait to get on it to see what it will really do. This is my third bike. I had an ex 500 which I picked up real cheap, it was a great bike but I beat the hell out of it. Before that I had a Vulcan which was cool for long hauls. I can't wait for good weather so I can put some miles on this bike! It looks great and so far has some good pick up. Show less

Bought the bike (black) new in April of 06 and rode it all summer. Awesome bike all around. Went on a few 500+ mile trips. Gives me a little monkey butt but I lived. This bike is a keeper and couldn't be happier with it. Show less

I decided to purchase this bike because of the rider position and I also liked the fairing and the overall look. I find myself looking for that extra gear when going in 6th at 80mph, maybe the bike is still rough from the break -in. I don't think there is anything wrong with this bike. Show less

I've only been riding for about 3 yrs and bought my 650 in June and haven't looked back. I had the opportunity to borrow an Aero 750 last year, nice bike, good to learn on but I couldn't lean into corners like the Ninja. If you're looking for a reliable,light, fun to ride bike, look no further. The fairing gives good wind protection, something to think about if you are looking at a crusier. Show less

The reviews were correct - after 8000 km on this bike I can say that it is a great buy. On the downside: Seat slants toward the tank (gets a little uncomfortable after the 1st hour) and front forks should be 43mm (gets a little jumpy on rough corners). On the upside: Easy to ride, corners great, good pick-up for a small bike, and it is just plain fun. This is my 6th bike but my first standard - nice switch from the cruiser thing - way easier to clean :) Show less