Kawasaki Ninja 650

Overview

One of those bikes that make perfect sense whether you’re new or experienced, practical or seeking performance, the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650. I first saw the bike and I instantly thought to myself, 'This is the bike that if you want to ride every day and you still want a little bit of a thrill on the weekends, this is the bike for you.' It’s a little on the aggressive side, silken enough to be vestigial for a sportbike actually worth living with. I’m guessing if you’re reading this you’re looking for something fun riding wise, but without completely dropping the bank or ripping your arm off from how much power you possess.

So let’s go a little deeper, picture ourselves, just having a coffee, sitting down, chatting about bikes. What I think of the 2024 Ninja 650 is as follows.

2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Price in India

So, what’s it going to cost? The ex-showroom version of the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is expected to be around ?7.12 lakh. Yeah, not pocket change there, but for what you’re getting, it’s not much. The Ninja 650 is what Kawasaki does…which is deliver a whole lot of value for your hard earned money and the Ninja 650 is no exception. It’s not the cheapest bike in the segment, and you’re not getting a bike that’s chuckaff or low grade as we say. You’re getting a premium feeling machine without selling a kidney.

You are paying for the name and the legacy but yes, it’s a Ninja. After you throw a leg over it and go for a ride, you’ll see why it’s every penny.

 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Specifications 2024

So now we have a question: what’s powering this beast? The 2024 Ninja 650 runs a 649cc parallel-twin engine that makes 67 PS at 8000 RPM and 64 Nm of torque at 6700 RPM. This gets enough grunt to keep things interesting without putting you into superbike territory, if you’re anything like me. It’s smooth, responsive and has enough got in the power to do both city commutes and those weekend rides when you simply want to feel the wind through your face.

• Engine: 649cc parallel twin
• Power: 67 PS at 8000 RPM
• Torque: 64 Nm at 6700 RPM
• Transmission: 6-speed

This engine? Pure fun. There’s not much that’ll rip your arms off, but there’s plenty enough power such that traffic weaving and highway pushes are indeed fun. With the Ninja 650, you get the control and power when you want it, with none of that feeling like you’re taming a wild beast.

 Kawasaki Ninja 650 2024 Top Speed

Let’s talk speed. **The Ninja is good for around 210 km/h. After all, are you really going to hit those speeds in Indian roads? Probably not. Having that power at your disposal though feels pretty damn good. You’ll spend most of your time between 80 and 120 km/h, and this bike is happiest there. That sweet spot on the Ninja 650 gives you all the thrills you’re going to want without making you break a sweat.

I've ridden comparable bikes on the highway and for reform, if you will, trust me, there is something comforting about having extra speed in reserve, even if you don't always deploy it. Having the power sure is a confidence booster on long rides knowing you’ve still got plenty of power if you do.

Mileage: What to Expect?

Of course, we’re being real when I say mileage matters, especially with fuel prices the way they are right now. 21-24 kmpl is what the Ninja 650 does, but as heavy as your right hand is. It's not the sort of fore Treasury miles you'd get from a commuter bike, but for a sportbike of this type, it's pretty good.

The mileage is excellent — more than enough to make this bike my daily rider for me. Not worrying about fuel costs is a lot of fun. On longer trips the Ninja 650 won’t guzzle gas like you would have thought a bike with this much performance would have in it.

 Ride and Handling: How It Feels

The good news is that this is where the Ninja 650 really shines. The suspension has been tuned to the correct combination of comfort and control. The front forks are 41mm telescopic and the rear suspension is horizontal back link. What does that mean for you? What it means is that this bike just manages to soak up the bumps and potholes while maintaining a planted feel in the corners. It’s not a stiff bike by any stretch of the imagination, but nor is it a lazy cruiser, it’s just a very well dialed in bike.

I’ve been on a lot of sportbikes, normally it’s all about performance at the cost of comfort. However, with the Ninja 650 you get both. It’s sporty, enough to be a good time, but won’t leave your back aching one hour later. It handles like a dream in the city and once you’re on the road it’s very livable. It’s stable, responsive, and just is plain fun to ride.

 The Looks: Sharp, but Not Over the Top

They know bikes here look fast while they’re standing still. And Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 has that aggressive, sharp styling we’ve come to expect. But look — dual LED headlights, a sleek fairing, and all the low, aggressive stance to make it look like it’s about to hit the track, even if you’re just heading to the grocery store.

For me, it’s just the right amount of attention grabbing, but not too attention grabbing. It‘s not screaming, but it does get attention. I’ve never had anyone not ask when they see me riding a Ninja, that bike is that kind of bike.

 Pros and Cons: The Honest Truth

Pros:
- Fun to drive and manageable performance for its slugging power ratio
- Rideable daily, with a bit of edge for the weekend.
- Premium build quality
- This is sleek aggressive design that will catch your eyes.

Cons:
- A pricier choice of some of its competitors in the segment
- For long commutes, mileage could be better
- Not a bike for extreme track performance

My Take: Is the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650 the Bike for You?

So, what’s my verdict? The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a solid sportbike if you’re looking for something you can ride every day without feeling like you’re wrestling with a monster. It has enough power to keep you entertained and it’s friendly enough to use as daily commuter. But it has that Ninja styling we all know and love.

This might not be your ride if you are looking for a hardcore track bike, or something even with extreme performance. Ninja 650 is all about balance—good for the daily grind; a blast on the weekends; not a track weapon.

With that being said, should you get a 2024 Ninja 650? If you’re someone who likes a touch of everything: stylish, competent and practical, then yes, this could be the bike for you. That’s just one of those bikes that gets a lot of things right without really trying in my book and that’s why it’s a winner for me.

My take on the 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is that. If you're in the market for a bike whose tail is fitted somewhere in its center of gravity, then it's got enough going for it. Ready to ride? I know I would be.