Kawasaki motorcycle/scooter for sale in Twigg Cycles, Hagerstown, Maryland

2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 - First Ride Review

Kawasaki motorcycle/scooter for sale in Twigg Cycles, Hagerstown, Maryland

Easy on the Eyes

For a fully-faired sportbike, the Ninja 650 is easy on the eyes. It looks like its Ninja counterparts – like the 300 and the ZX-6 – showcasing a more aggressive, slender physique. Everything from the headlights to the cowl enhances its sporty appearance.

The Feel

One of the first things I noticed on this bike was the seat height: it’s 31.1 inches, which is 0.59 inches lower than the previous year's model. This is great for shorter folks, but Kawasaki says even taller ones can ride this bike if they pick up an ERGO-FIT Extended Reach seat, which adds an inch to the overall height.

It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts

I saved the best for last: this engine is hands down my favorite thing about the 2017 Ninja 650. The 649cc liquid cooled, parallel twin motor is what’s used in Kawasaki’s 650 American Flat Track bike, and it’s worth mentioning that both Kawasaki and rider Bryan Smith took home the No. 1 plate this past year.

Kawasaki motorcycle/scooter for sale in Twigg Cycles, Hagerstown, Maryland

The Bottom Line

If you’re a rider that's considering either a fully-faired or naked street bike, definitely put this one on your list to evaluate. It'd be a top contender mainly because you get a lot of bang for your buck. The 2017 Ninja 650 is only US $7,799 (ABS)—a $200 increase from the 2016 model. And if, for whatever reason, you don’t want the ABS version, you can pick one up for $7,399, which is $100 less than last year's model. What a steal!

Kawasaki's goal was to make the 2017 Ninja 650 an easy, yet fun bike to ride, so it can appeal to every kind of rider: the beginner and the more experienced. And although this bike appeals more to folks who like fully-faired sportbikes, it’s definitely one that could tempt even the most hardcore naked bike lovers.

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