26 Kawasaki Ninja 650R for India, Ride Review

Ride Review of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R..!!

Foreword: I am not someone who regularly rides the so called exotic “big bikes”.

This review therefore is basically from the point of view of an Indian “Biker Next Door”. Someone who has been so far limited to riding basically the so called “sporty” commuter bikes.

Couple of day’s back, just before the Kawasaki Ninja 650R was being launched in India; I received an invitation to ride the bike. Unfortunately I could not match my schedule with the ride experience that Bajaj was providing to a couple of prominent Indian auto related sites. However on the day of its official launch, I did get the opportunity to take a couple of laps on the Ninja 650R at the Test Track of Bajaj Auto at Chakan, Pune.

I’d like to thank MG_Biker from xBhp.Com for taking a couple of snaps (posted here) as I rode the bike around the track.

3 Coming Up Next: Kawasaki Ninja 650R Review..!!

Coming up soon.. Review of the Kawasaki "Green Goblin" Ninja 650R..!!

Ride review of the Kawasaki Ninja 650R by me.. coming up soon along with exclusive photos..!!

9 Kawasaki Ninja 650R launched in India [Price/Specifications/Details/Hi-Res Images]

Live from the Official Launch: Am posting this direct from the official launch, which is happening today at the Akurdi Plant of Bajaj Auto in Pune.

At Rs. 4.57 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom), the Ninja 650R is priced slightly lower than the Hyosung GT650R in India..!!

Exotic motorcycles which used to be stuff of childhood dreams are no longer dreams in India. Provided you have the moolah of course. The latest to join the bandwagon of Imported “drool maal” on motorized 2 wheels to land in India is the Kawasaki Ninja 650R.

Like the Ninja 250R, even the Ninja 650R has been brought to India in the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form and assembled by Bajaj Auto at its plant in Chakan, Pune.

Mr. Rajiv Bajaj (MD Bajaj Auto) at the Ninja 650R launch

Note: I also got the opportunity to TEST RIDE the Ninja 650R, the review of which will be coming up in the next post.

First things first..

Price of the Ninja 650R in India: Rs. 4.57 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi). Which means it should be less than Rs. 5 lakhs for most parts of India.

Color: You can have any color as long as it’s Lime Green..!!

Max. Power/Torque of the Ninja 650R in India:

• Maximum Power: 72 Ps @ 8500 rpm


• Maximum Torque: 66 Nm @ 7000 rpm

6 2011 Yamaha Fazer (New Colors + Kick Starter)

New 2011 colors for the 150 cc Yamaha Fazer..

There is no doubt that the new colors on the Yamaha Fazer look awesome.. apart from that there is not much to talk about. There is a new "kick lever" on these new Fazers though.

4 ABS on the Apache RTR 180 good for the Race Track (Says TVS)

TVS is trying to promote the ABS on its Apache RTR 180 as a feature which will make you go faster around corners as well..

TVS is trying to project its Apache RTR like Honda (safe / responsible), Pulsar (hooligan / irreverent) and Yamaha (born out of racing heritage)..

..all at the same time

TVS had launched ABS on its flagship Apache RTR 180 a couple of months back. Now a new promotional video from TVS, showcasing the benefits of its ABS (Antilock Braking System) has surfaced on the internet.

ABS is widely accepted as a safety feature, which is fitted on vehicles to prevent crashes due to accidental locking of wheels. So far I had a doubt whether ABS could assit in taking faster turns. In this new video, TVS is saying that ABS does help you go faster around corners.

TVS has even roped it two of its Dirt Bike racers, CS Santosh and K P Aravind to feature in the video. The video even explains/shows how to "switch off" the ABS so that stunts like burn outs, stoppies and wheelies are possible on the Apache RTR 180 ABS.

[Video Posted below..]