Motorcycle for beginners (Kawasaki Ninja 650)?
I'm getting my A2 license in about 2 months and wanted to buy a motorbike straight away. I've saved up for a while and have about €7,000 available for the bike. I did a bit of looking around online and came across the Kawasaki Ninja 650, which I like both in terms of looks and price. (I haven't sat on it yet, so I don't know if it's suitable for everyday use, as I want to use it to work over the summer, etc.) My questions: 1. Do you know of a good alternative to this motorbike (in the price range around €7,000 / nothing petite as it's more robustly built)? 2. Is this motorbike (type: supersports bike) comfortable enough for everyday use as I am also somewhat more robustly built? Thanks in advance for your answers!
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The Ninja 650 is the further development of the ER-6F (or rather, Kawasaki itself advertises it as such—or more precisely, as a replacement for the EF-6F). It is A2-compliant (open 50 kW).
Therefore not entirely uncompromising on super sports cars -> see handlebars, for example.
http://cdn.dealerspike.com/imglib/v1/800×600/imglib/trimsdb/3585791-0-12246441.jpg
The handlebar is continuous, not dramatically bent. This could save you the trouble of converting it to a superbike handlebar if that would be too sporty for you.
Therefore, its classification leans more towards a sports bike than a supersports bike, but it's no sport tourer either. A pair of soft bags will have to suffice for luggage transport on the Ninja 650.
Whether a sports bike suits you or a machine with a different (upright) seating position suits you better -> only you can decide.
More upright seating, more luggage space -> Versys 650. The KLE 650 has a similar frame, the same engine, and a significantly more upright seating position. The current models also no longer have the face of the little hungry caterpillar.
So my tip: Go to Kawasaki and get on both bikes. How far is the nearest Kawasaki dealer from you? It was a deal breaker for me, as I would have had to drive over 80 km. A new dealer has since opened -> now I'm interested in a Versys (but I already ride a BMW).
I'll submit another test report: http://www.motorradonline.de/vergleichstest/vergleichstest-kawasaki-er-6n-gegen-versys.291901.html
I would also recommend the Honda Hornet. It's a great motorcycle for fun and also for the daily commute. They're also very inexpensive to buy and technically indestructible, so it's not that easy to repair.
It might also be better than a first vehicle, if something should happen you won't have wasted so much money.
The Suzuki would be an alternative, as it looks a bit better (a matter of opinion) and has a bit more compression at the bottom. At least, that's how I felt.
I think supersport bikes are also suitable for everyday use, but you really have to restrain yourself to keep within the speed limits. You have a very aggressive riding position, and the animal inside you just wants to accelerate and overtake everyone and everything. That's why I think a naked bike is better for beginners; the riding position makes it much more relaxed.
I'm currently riding a CBR1100XX… It's a killer bike… I recommend it to you after you get your license 🙂
Sorry, I forgot to write GLADIUS… I mean as an alternative – – >Suzuki GLADIUS <—
The name Gladius has been discontinued since last year. The car is now called the SV 650 again (as it should be).
But the thing isn't available with a fairing (yet?) and is therefore probably out of the questioner's selection.
annocrat
There are plenty of used ones, and whether it's naked or fully faired is a matter of opinion. It's up to you to find out.
This thing sounds reasonable. Since it's labeled a sports tourer, it will allow for a relatively upright and therefore comfortable riding position.
In my opinion, this thing is a bit of a rip-off, because Ninja actually stands for high performance in relation to engine capacity and describes purebred sharpeners.
Due to the relatively low power (50 kW open) it seems well suited to the new A2 conditions.
annocrat
I pay 6900€ with throttle
I'm also currently getting my A2 license and have reserved a 2017 MT 07… It has a lot of torque right out of the box and is probably more suitable for everyday use than a supersport bike (seating position, attachment of bags, etc.).
I only ride naked bikes myself and travel a lot. I sit upright, so even on longer rides, nothing is uncomfortable. You won't be able to avoid trying it out. Depending on your body size, you'll notice that it can be pretty uncomfortable on a sports bike like this. For me, lying with my chest on the tank makes sense during a race, but for someone who rides every day, it probably doesn't. It looks nice, but it's not really practical. Other people also say that super sports bikes have bad gearing for city use, but I don't know that myself.
Of course, riding a motorcycle also requires a certain amount of passion and a willingness to suffer.
Bikes like the Honda Hornet are good for everyday use, but a Ninja 650 evokes a bit more emotion. Maybe take a look at the Honda CBR 650 F. Manufacturers are all copying each other mercilessly.
If I have an A2, I would buy a Ninja 300 because I would later buy a ZX-10RR with the A. The Ninja costs around €4,000-5,000.
Greetings Leon
I would really recommend you the Honda cbr500r