Bajaj Auto has just now launched the Kawasaki Ninja 650R in India. The company unveiled the bigger Ninja to the media for the first time at its corporate office in Akurdi, Pune. The bike is available in lime green color only. The company has priced the Ninja 650R (Non-ABS) at Rs. 4.57 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) and Rs. 4.62 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). This will make the bigger Ninja cheaper than the Hyosung GT650R (its only rival) at an on-road price of under Rs. 5 lakhs. The company has positioned the Ninja 650R between the 1000 units per month selling 250cc bikes and 35 units per month selling 1000cc and above bikes. Bajaj expects to sell 35 units of the Ninja 650R every month and has plans to bring in higher capacity machines from Kawasaki’s international line up. The Ninja 650R is available for bookings for a sum of Rs. 50,000/-.
The Kawasaki Ninja 650R is powered by a 649cc, Parallel twin, 4-stroke, DDHC 8-Valve engine which complies with BSIII emission norms. This motor produces 72PS of power at 8500 RPM and 66Nm of torque at 7000 RPM. The liquid cooled engine uses digital fuel TCBI injection along with Keihin 38mm dual throttle bodies. The trellis frame is made of tensile steel and the bike sports an under-slung exhaust. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the Ninja 650R features 120/70/17 tyres upfront and 160/60/17 tyres at the rear. A wheel base of 1410 mm and a ground clearance of 145mm will ensure smooth riding. The 15.5 liter fuel tank will give the 650R better range, with the bike being tuned for 91 octane fuel. Weighing in at 204 kgs (kerb weight), the Ninja features Moto GP inspired digital instrumentation and needs servicing every 6000 kms. The bike looks stunning with its DRL (day time running lights) with the triple petal discs (dual 300mm at the front, single 220mm at the rear) ensuring a quick stop from the high speeds, this machine is capable of.
“We conceived Bajaj Probiking 6 years ago with the objective of making it the default destination for motorbike enthusiasts looking for looking for premium and performance bikes. The Ninja 650R is the next step in realizing that objective.” He added, “The Kawasaki Ninja 250R has been a success with 1500 of these speed machines sold to date. It is now joined by its larger sibling to rule the roads,” Mr. Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto, said.
| Engine | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, Parallel Twin Cylinder |
| Displacement (cm³) | 649 |
| Power (Ps) @rpm | 72.1 @ 8500 |
| Torque (Nm) @rpm | 66 @ 7000 |
| Fuel System | Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 2 (Keihin) |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3:1 |
| Valve/Induction System | DOHC, 8 valves |
| Frame Type | Diamond, high-tensile steel |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Offset laydown single-shock with adjustable preload |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 145 |
| Saddle Height (mm) | 790 |
| Overall length (mm) | 2100 |
| Overall width (mm) | 760 |
| Height (mm) | 1200 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 204 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1410 |
| Tyre Size- Front | 120/70 – 17 (Tubeless) |
| Tyre Size-Rear | 160/60 – 17 (Tubeless) |
| Fuel Tank (lts) | 15.5 |
| Brakes: Front (mm) | 300 mm dual semi-floating petal discs, dual piston |
| Brakes: Rear (mm) | 220 mm single petal disc, single piston |
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ziqnv8TnrE 540 375]