Ok, first of all, I'm the pickiest person in the world. Just ask my wife. If my new car or truck has one noise, irritating <something>, it goes to the dealer. I accept nothing less than total satisfaction where my money is involved. It's the same way with motorcycles. Ask the Honda dealer who had to deal with me over a vibrating exhaust pipe and two water pumps (VTX1800C).
My riding background goes back to 1978 on a 1973 Honda CB350. Since that time, I've owned 2 Yamaha Maxim 550's, a Kawasaki 550LTD, a couple of Honda Shadows - a 2003 ACE edition being the latest, a 750 Suzuki Katana, a 1250 Suzuki Bandit S, the VTX1800C, a Kawasaki Nomad 1600, and now the 650R. I think there were a couple I missed, but I'm getting old....
I'll try to be totally objective here, but I'll tell you upfront that I am totally sold, impressed, and in love with this Ninja. I'll try to be very specific, and I'll even bring up a couple of minor issues that irritate me (I had to really reach for these).
$8,000 out-the-door on October 30th of last year for my 2011 Ninja - it's orange, and I still look in awe at the bike when it's sitting in the sunlight. While we could debate the price I got roped into all day long, it was the first 2011 on the floor, it was orange, and I sat on it - SOLD! Had to have it. I followed the factory break-in to the letter (also debatable - many opinions on this). So, here are my thoughts and comments.
Ergos: Upright seating (I'm 48, so this was important). It's very comfortable, period. The stock seat is a bit of a pain - inclined plane - slopes to the tank like a ski-slope, but the $150 AirHawk cushion has solved all of that. The AirHawk has also provided a benefit I didn't think of at the time, it raises my position so that my legs aren't quite as bent...a bit more relaxing.
Handling: Low-speed maneuvering is a dream (just having come from a Nomad, this isn't much of a statement, but you guys know what I mean). As an example, in pulling up to a stoplight, this is the easiest bike to handle I've ever been on. The bike simply knows where you want to go and what you want to do. The overall weight has a lot to do with it, as does the steering geometry. Awesome.
Engine: While not on par with a true sport due to the tuning, this bike offers surprising torque. The engine braking is also amazing in all gears. Vibration is almost non-existent at any RPM. While I'm not totally sure of just how long this inline twin engine will last, it impresses from the start. The chain technology we have today bears comment: These chains are great. I haven't adjusted it yet and don't foresee the need to. I also don't wheelie or race, so I'm certain that has a lot to do with it. I'm sold on chain drive, especially in today's riding world. Wipe that sucker down with a kerosene-soaked rag and then lube it up every 500 miles and you're good-to-go. I also love the fact that my first valve adjustment is far off in the future. This is truly a great engine, based on my relatively brief experience with it thus far.
The rest: The headlight is simply incredible. Forget the high-beam, the standard driving light is superior to anything I've ever encountered for width and depth. The tail light is extremely bright as well. This is very good work for a stock motorcycle in this price range. The exhaust - let's talk about the thing that people who look at the bike talk the most about. I love it. It's innovative, it sounds really good, and it's REALLY HARD TO BURN YOUR LEG ON. The whole bike looks like art in a picture, and it looks minimalist - like it's missing parts. The paint quality is superior as well, but color has a lot to do with that too.
The "little" things..... I don't like the fact that when I'm down to one bar on the gas gauge, I still have half a tank of gas left. That's kind of a pain. The stock seat problem was solved with the AirHawk, but what is it with stock seats on any bike these days? Do manufacturers think everyone on earth has evolved to the point that their keister is made of brick, the size of a fashion model's, and sloped up toward the back?
I'll post again at 5000 miles, but I'm certain this is going to be the bike I convert to long-distance touring capability. I'm headed to Cycle Gear today to order the Kawasaki brackets and trunk.
I really hope you all are enjoying these Ninjas as much as I am. I'm certain I got my money's worth
