Kawasaki’s Ninja 650R (known as the ER-6f in Europe) is a compact, light-sports machine, with a relatively unusual parallel-twin engine layout. The parallel twin used to be a very common motorbike engine type, but fell out of favour in the 1990s, making way for inline-four-cylinder and V-twin engines, which make more power and are easier to balance effectively.
Kawasaki stuck with the parallel twin though, and with the 650R engine, it’s produced a winner. There’s as much technology and design as you’ll see on many sportsbike engines, with liquid-cooling, fuel injection and multi-valve heads, and the result is a pleasingly capable little motor. There’s ample low-down shove, with good midrange and decent peak power, all crisply delivered by the responsive fuel injection.
That engine performance is matched by a smart little chassis package. The steel tube frame has a rather exotic look, with an offset rear monoshock and color-coded paint. The brakes use ‘petal’ type discs, which save weight and improve cooling, but which are normally only seen on pure performance machines. Handling is light and nimble, and in the city, or on tight hilly backroads, the little 650 is as easy to ride as it is on your wallet.
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