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Is the 650r the best all-around sport bike?

7K views 60 replies 28 participants last post by  VanHalen 
#1 ·
When you consider price, reliability, maneuverability, performance, city street vs. highway capabilities, and mileage, it is very hard to beat the overall package of a Ninja 650r. The Ninja 250 beats it in price and mileage, and maybe maneuverability, but falls far short in performance. I've been looking at other middle weights, but they are all more expensive plus there are reliability concerns with some. A step up in performance to the super sports gives you better performance, but it is basically performance that you cannot use...legally or practically, unless you go to the track, plus the initial cost is about double that of the Ninja 650r. If there is a better sport bike for the street, I haven't found it yet. It seems if you want improvement over the 650r in any area, it comes with compromises in some other areas. Your thoughts? Anyone ride a Tuono v4, Duc, r1, r6, crb1000, Ninja 1000, etc. or any of the other super sports that they recommend over the 650r for city and highway use.
 
#2 ·
sv650 is a pretty good trade off to the 650r

Personally, I like the bars at a height somewhere between them.... so I'd be swapping either one from factory. But the sv650 is smoother and a little more "refined". The 650r is just clunky, vibrates/buzzes, and depending on year doesn't look as good (IMO). Then again, they quit making SVs.
 
#7 ·
I see you have an '07...have you ridden a 2nd Gen. yet.. A lot of the 'clunky and buzzes' have disappeared..IMO anyway.

I was between an SV and the 650r..but I was sold by the riding position of the 650r.
 
#3 ·
This debate can go many directions, and the perfect all around sports bike is going to user specific.. for me the Ninja is great, but I will likely move on by the end of the year. This is my 2nd year on my 650, and I honestly would probably hang on to it longer... but the wife needs/wants an upgrade over her EX500, and it's a good excuse for me to move into something along the lines of an FZ6 or FZ1.

So yes I'd say it's a good all-around sports bike... but I wouldn't consider it the 'best.'
 
#4 ·
I have had a gs500 for first bike, then Honda shadow 750, then cbr rr 600, then recently a ninja zx10r and now have a 2012 er6n and absolutely love this bike!! It is by far the best one out of all these bikes all around. It's not as comfortable as the shadow and not nearly as fast as the zx10r but it's good enough to ride all day long and fast enough to ride with my buddies on their supersports and keep up just fine. Best bike I have owned. All day comfort and will do 0-60 only .3 seconds slower than a gixxer 750. Top end speed no where close but who needs to do over 230 on the street anyway. Hope this helps your decision.

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#5 ·
depends on what you consider a sport bike, but the ninja 650r sounds like a lawnmower, looks like a sport bike, and operates as a commuter bike...

i'd give the FZ6 a consideration for the best all around sport bike, its comfy, sounds like a sport bike (in-line4 motor) and has the same engine as an 03 R6, but tuned down for the street.
 
#6 ·
Thanks. I'm always looking for an excuse to buy a new bike and go through them pretty fast, but I can't find a reason to replace the 650r yet. My other 2 bikes complement it pretty well...a Vespa 300ie and a Zero S. The Vespa has great storage for shopping trips, and the Zero is very economical to ride (after the initial purchase), requires no warm-up, and at under 200 lbs it is extrememly maneuverable.
 
#9 ·
I've heard alot of the same comments made about the Street Triple but cost is a little more. I'd argue that my bike beats the 650 in all of the mentioned categories except maybe gas mileage (I get over 40 when commuting though). Mine is an 2005 636 streetfighter.

That said I'd take any of those 3 bikes.
 
#10 ·
Depends what you want .

But I disagree with "Ninja650" comment , the 650 is not a super sport bike , but it sure as hell can drag knee , , has decent power and acceleration .

Now I have a list somewere on my thread but i comes down to this :

Here is a direct copy from my other post

"Ok , 2 week update for the 650 :

for anyone wanting the sport bike feel , get the FZ6R from Yamaha , it is based on a detuned R6 engine so it sounds great , and it has tons of after market parts for it .

I love my bike but two things are driving me nuts :

-lack of after market support for the 2012 model like sport bars ..they are coming for taking their sweet time .

-The sound of a v-twin which is basically your 250 but a bit louder lol.

So if I could do it over I would get a Yamaha since they are awesome looking bikes and sound great , also the after market is there if you want to make it even better , like sport bars and exhaust .

Again no regrets and still have a blast on this thing , it is just my point of view .

In my opinion:

get the Yamaha FZ6R if you want :

A SS feel without the SS price and insurance cost .

-4 cylinder sound

-a slightly faster bike

-more fun in the long run .

-Higher revs (10k Kawa vs 13k Yamaha)

A snappy power band above 10k ( like a sport bike behaves)

Get the 650r if you want :

-more torque , power at low ends with a more gradual power increase .

-Cheaper insurance

-dependability and cheaper maitenance costs.

-Better gas millage (50 vs 42 of the Yamaha)

-better ability to put your feet down since the v-twin is narrower

-twin head lights and flush front turning signals .

-adjustable windscreen

So in the end it comes down to preference of the above things , the Kawazaki is also porpused built , were the Yamaha borrows parts from other bikes to make it , the Reviews also point that the Kawazaki is better built ..

So don't buy a :

Yamaha Fz6R if :

-you are concerned about insurance and gas costs .

-are offended by the ugly swing arm .

-are scared of snappy power bands

-are a brand new rider.
Kawazaki 650r if:

-Hate the twin piston sound

-want tons of after market support (at least not yet )

-Want a sport bike feel.

well this is all , I like the my bike , but A FZ6R pulled up next to me at the light riding two up with a girl , and he had it pretty nicely built , sport bars , exhaust , HID , and when he pulled off it sounded like a SS , enough to full anyone but a sport bike enthusiast .

I have to see how the bike feels once I put the sport bars on (whenever they make ones that fit ) exhaust and fender eliminator"
 
#11 ·
The FZ6 and 650r are in the same class. The FZ6R is an inline 4 that is the FZ6 but it was made in a different year and has about 20 more HP.
The 650r maintained a 392 dry weight and the FZ6/R varied from either 423lbs pre 2007 or 410lb after 2007.
The FZ6/R has a higher seat, even at the FZ6/R lowest setting, but it is only 2 inches I think, sometimes that matter though.
The motor is different since it likes the higher revs, I don't know that that makes it a better bike, you just move the power band.
I like the 09+ 650r looks better than my '08 and I do think the FZ6/R has a more sporty look.
They both have close to the same ergonomics, I looked at the degree of angles. The 09-11 650r looks to have a bit more relaxed by about 5-8 degree than the FZ6 and the R is actually closer to the 650r(more relaxed).
If you check specs online, the SV and the 650r are the same positioning. Not taking into consideration bar width.

Long post yes, I could have more :p I recently was looking so most of it was fresh. I was looking at those 3 bikes and decided on the 650r. It was a matter of the price and year alongside the brand.
I too think the 650r for the street is plenty, could give a sh*t about the sound. It is optimal for the street, long riding trips and the power is enough for me.
 
#12 ·
Sound is important for some people ...the stock 650 sounds i horrible , maybe with an exhaust it would be nicer ..we will see.
 
#13 ·
Best all around sport bike? I don't know. What I do know is that my '07 650R is fast enough to get me arrested. Even though I bought a beat-up one for $1500 I still get compliments on it from people who like bikes, but don't know a whole lot about them. And I've been averaging about 52 mpg. I have aftermarket exhaust on mine, and I like the way it sounds. At low rpm it could plausibly be mistaken for a Harley. At higher rpm, if you do the aural equivalent of squinting a bit, it could sound like a Ducati. Either way it will never be taken for a four cylinder supersport, but it sounds pretty nice anyway.

Now the down side:

Not nearly as fast as a 600 supersport. Ergos are reasonably comfortable, but the seat makes the backs of my thighs hurt on rides longer than about an hour and a half. Can lean pretty well, but not nearly as tossable in the twisties as the 250R I used to have.

My conclusion: Damn good bike for the price I paid, but there are probably better ones out there if I was prepared to spend more money.
 
#14 ·
The 650 is heavier than a 600 SS so that explains a bit why is not tossable , but once you ride it for a while it becomes and extension of your body like any bike , when at first I was afraid to move it around now I do it without thinking about it ..
 
#15 ·
The 650 was designed as the 6n and as a replacement for the 500. It's a good general all rounder with a bias towards commuting. It is not sports bike despite the fairing fitted to create the 6f before it was marketed in the States. That is also true of the SV650.

It is also true of the Triumph Street Triple which does everything that the er-6 does but much better, especially the R version. That was also designed as 'do everything' street bike of about the same size. You could argue that the performance and handling of the Triumph move it nearer to the sports bike category, but it's expensive while the 6f is a budget all rounder. It's a very good one for what it is, but don't get carried away with misplaced enthusiasm. The ZX6R, Daytona and Gixxer are sports bikes.

It can't be the best all round sports bike because it isn't a sports bike.

Rob
 
#17 ·
Yea, and some call it a standard do to the ergonomics.
I am glad they decided to walk the line though, as it has helped many meet half way.

NavyBob - Not nearly as fast as a 600 supersport. Ergos are reasonably comfortable, but the seat makes the backs of my thighs hurt on rides longer than about an hour and a half. Can lean pretty well, but not nearly as tossable in the twisties as the 250R I used to have.
Fast how? acceleration? 1/4 mile times list the 650r at ~12.3 and the ZX6R at 11.1, a big number in the drag world, 1 second...but in my pants I'm sure it'll feel the same.
You might just have an odd shape for the seat. Check out the Corbin seats, heard great things about them. I am only ~500 miles into riding and my trips have been from 30 min. to 3 hours, I personally never hurt or get bothered, we are all shaped a bit different though. I am also a bit younger at 24.
The 250r is lighter and more forward seating position, those 2 alone will help the feel. Not to mention tire choice.

The class of bikes are all nice solid bikes for riders who want power, a bit of sport feel, nice looks and not too strenuous on the body and pocket book(insurance). I also think it's too tough to compare them to anything outside their own class, they are meant for different things, hence the different set up.
I would love a SS one day I'm sure, I think I will always like to have a sport around though for just more relaxed trips or longer trips.
 
#19 ·
I also disagree that its a sport bike. It's not. But its super versatile.

Two thing people don't seem to be considering are touring, and passenger comfort, which despite denials otherwise are legitimate concerns for folks. As far as the ER6's class goes, it has the lowest passenger footpegs (IOW most passenger footroom + comfort), and is the only bike in its class (aside from I guess the GSF) with an available full on Corbin touring seat, back rest and all. Does it look dorky? Sure, but its not permanent, and goes a long way to keeping passengers comfy and making long trips enjoyable.

I mean, you can get adjustable fork legs from an old ZX6E + an adjustable rear shock, a Corbin seat, sport bars and rear sets all for prob $1500... throw on an exhaust, and then have a bike that will be at home on the slab, in the city, and on the track, for less than the cost of ONE other bike that is only at home in only one place. Everything else is more compromised. Striple is beautiful, sounds great, handles great, but can't really call it a tourer. SV650 is sportier, but sucks for passengers. FZ6R is more expensive, and despite having a 4 banger makes no more power than a 650... is just heavier + more expensive to run. Etc.

If you can put up with the 650's sound (Im not in love with it, but I don't mind it anymore), it's an awesome bike. I almost want to get another one, just so I can have one in full touring mode all the time, and the other as modern cafe racer. Maybe if the right deal comes up.
 
#24 ·
So if I put 650r type bars, a better seat for passengers and a higher wind screen on a ZX6R, it's now a sport-touring bike?
Or do I need to put the rear-sets forward more too?
I think people are using what they think of a motorcycle too much in classifying them, maybe I do too. So I am not saying who's right or wrong and I'm not attacking anyone.
Sport - Kawasaki.com
We see where Kawi puts it and yea the Versys I guess is another debatable one.
I think the class is defined as sport. Then leave the super-sport in theirs. They are race bikes just pulled back for the road.
Touring motorcycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I know it's wiki...but, just look. Then look at the Sport bike page. It has a Honda CB750 listed, by today's standards that would be a standard IMO.

This page lists the Monster 696 as a standard, I know we don't all think that though.
Types of motorcycles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No matter what, I really think it depends on who looks at what specs and uses that in their mind to classify it. There is plenty of MCs that walk the line too.
 
#27 ·
I am not defending it. I am just exploring the topic, lol. I know it's not comparable to a SS in looks and abilities.
I'd consider it a sporty bike. Ninja 1000 = sportbike ZX6R = supersport in my book.
lol, the Ninja 1000 is the same setup besides having a SS based motor, the ZX10 motor relaxed, as far as ergos go. From my understanding.
 
#30 ·
It isn't a sportbike? What's the 250R then? It's considered a sportbike - and many label it as such (Kawasaki labels both as sport). Just because the 650R has a more upright seating position and some good touring capabilities doesn't mean it isn't a sport bike. It's a sportbike tourer. Simple. It's not a supersport.

I agree the Ninja 1000 is a true sportbike and the Ninja ZX10 is a true supersport, but that doesn't make the 650 a full on tourer.
 
#31 ·
Traditionally it goes like this:
SuperSports=600cc
SuperBike=1000cc
Hyperbike=anything over
 
#33 ·
650r def not a supersport, not by a long shot. It will keep up with supersports in the twisties (tick for sport bike)
Upright ergos, luggage capable - tick for tourer.
Hence: sports tourer.
Definitely a fantastic all-rounder. But it's really horses for courses.


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#35 ·
I don't think the 650r is any better than most versions of the SV650, which is what i would get if I were in the hunt for that type of bike. Other standards that are overlooked are the FZ8 ( that thing is sweet...anyone rode one yet?) and the Z1000/ninja 1000. I would also recommend, for anyone short of $$ and looking to step up in power in the standard sport class, is the 03'-06 Z1000..I've had 2 and they are great all-rounders, cheap now and very exclusive-looking (people always compliment it and wonder what it is). With a pipe and a rather cheap RaceTech suspension massage, this thing handles good as anything.
 
#39 ·
I guess when compared to the naked version of the 650 (are they still making that these days?), then those bikes may be better. I don't see how the Z1000 or FZ8 is in the same category though. Maybe the Ducati 696 should also be in that category.

The fully faired Ninja 650 for 2012 is certainly stylish and very nice and there is no competition as far as the SV650 goes. The competition now is the FZ6R I believe and that's about it in that class, no?
 
#36 ·
Yes the 650 (all 3 of them) is a sport bike. I'm sorry to say but if you don't think it is you don't under stand the classification of motorcycles. The zx 6 and 10 are supersport that is the classifications of them. Now is it the best. I would still say that a 03 and up sv is still better.

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#40 ·
The 650 is a GOOD bike. Well cared for they will last decades, get great gas mileage and be loads of fun. Is it a ZX6-R? No. But a 650 is an excelent bike. In 90% + of situations on the street you can't stretch a 650 to its limits anyway. I like my ZX6'S looks wise a bit over the 650, but the 650 is a dammed sharp bike.

For that matter I seem to remember a forum member here awhile back that had refitted a 650 with the upper, headlights, ram air, mid farings lowers and possibly (but not sure) the tail section from a '05-'06 ZX6.

Honestly that would be my ideal bike because I get the looks of the 636 with the better riding position of the 650 and the much better fuel milage.

Then again its all to individual tastes. What's perfect to me may or may not be even ok to you.

Asking many riders the same question will net you many answers, and that doesn't mean any of them are wrong.

Here's wishing you many years and many miles of safe happy riding! :cheers:


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