Hi Alison, try loosening and then tightening the engine mount bolts to the exact torque specified in the manual.

Also be sure that your tires are properly inflated, check the pressure with the tires cold and then add or reduce pressure to the specified psi.

These tips work with my Mk.I Er but it is the only model in the range with the engine directly bolted to the frame so they may not work for you.

Alternatively you can always try gloves with gel padded palms and gel insoles inserts in your boots.

 

What gear were you in when this vibration happen?

 

Vibrations happen when I'm in 5th and 6th, anytime I'm over 70mph and upwards of 6500rpm. Done 1000 miles in past 5 weeks and it is not improving, and gets even worse when only half tank of gas. Dealer also said engine was "winding out" whatever that means, but that should not be happening at normal highway speeds. I an not a happy rider.

 

Our parallel twin with its specific firing order is a viby engine by nature.

I've ridden many different models of our bike and with every evolution the problem was reduced by making the bike less responsive and "alive" at the same time. Although I have no experience with the latest model, I would expect it to be even more improved when it comes to vibration suppression.

Since you have prior experience with earlier models, I guess that maybe something is wrong indeed.

If possible, go for a test ride with with another 2017 Ninja for comparison's sake.

 

I have about 260 Miles on my New 2017 Ninja 650R ABS and I have the same issue. It just started about a week (30 miles) ago.

Mine starts around 55 to 60 MPH and always in 5th / 6th gear. It vibrates so bad my hands went numb while I was on my first freeway ride. The fastest I have had this bike was on that freeway ride at 73 MPH.

When I first got the bike I did notice that the engine had a lot of noise (ticking & light thumbing). When I called two dealers they said the bike is just going through the break-in period and to call them back after the first 600 miles.

I took my son's CBR out to see the difference. No noise and no vibrations at all.

I have checked all the engine mounting bolts and they are all perfect. I am replacing the tires on Wednesday with some diablo III's so hopefully that fixes it. If not I don't know what else to do. I can't force them to crack open my engine, can I?

I do have the extended 5 year Warranty.

 

I have a new 2018 Ninja 650 with 200 miles on it. The bar vibrations are horrible and not something I'll get used to. They are not Harley type vibrations but high, buzzy, tingly vibrations that almost put my fingers to sleep after 40 miles. After 12 miles they start to get very annoying. I'm not an expert...but I have owned and ridden many bikes in my 21 years of riding and I know what motorcycles feel like. Unless I can find a remedy I'm afraid I'll have to sell the bike.

I tried putting Gel grips on, but to no avail. I think spending $100 on new, heavier bar ends might be worth trying...but I'm concerned about throwing more money at an unsolvable problem. I've done TONS of reading about this issue on-line and the hard thing to figure is why some people find this horrible and unlivable and others ask; "what vibrations?". Hard to believe so many people would be this far apart.

I wonder if there might be an inherent manufacturing problem that Kawasaki doesn't want to admit? I'm not sure how we'd go about ascertaining this either? I paid cash for a brand new bike, that is unridable. I'm embarrassed and depressed all at the same time. Should have bought the SV650 I guess.

 

And what does the manufacturer himself say about vibrations?
It seems to me that these are too rigid shock absorbers that do not absorb small irregularities on the road.

 

I've got 5k miles on my 2017 ninja 650. It's does vibrate but not nearly as bad as you describe. I find for some reason it varies though, some days it will be more viby than other days. I can feel it but I also know just by looking at the mirrors and the windshield vibrating. Why? No idea.

An inherent characteristic that a lot of reviews have commented on is vibrations between 4k-5k rpms and this is something that does happen on mine. By 6k the vibs are gone so I'm at a loss to understand why you would gets vibs at 6.5k. If you drop down a gear into 5th at 70 mph does it go away?

Aside from the checking all the nuts and bolts are tight I do think it's always a good idea look at the tyres especially balancing. Also find that when my chain is not well lubed or adjusted I get more vibs. Out of the box when my bike was delivered the chain was almost double the slackness that the manual called for!

Hopefully you get it sorted, do keep us posted

 

I bought a new Sportster (1977 XLCH) and the thing felt like a paint shaker between 2500-3500 RPM. My wife's eyes would go out of focus if she leaned against the sissybar. At 80+ mph it smoothed right out. I tried all the motor mount fixes and reset the timing and whatnot, bla bla bla.
After a bunch of crap and arguing the dealer finally tore it down and installed a new crankshaft, which fixed it. Years later I read how some were being incorrectly balanced at the AMF "harley" factory back then.
An out of balance crank can do all this. I doubt Kawasaki would let this happen. I hope you get it sorted, wish you best of luck!