2009 Kawasaki Ninja® 650R

Brakes

• Dual 300 mm front petal disc brakes with twin 27 mm piston front brake calipers and a single 220 mm rear petal disc deliver plenty of braking power
• New front brake master cylinder houses a new ball-joint and revised pivot location to deliver smoother actuation of its new 14 mm master cylinder piston

Cleaner Emissions

• Efficient fuel injection and a 3-way catalyzer inside the exhaust produce very low emissions, able to pass the stringent Euro-III emission regulations
• New 300-cell catalyzer is more compact and lighter than previous 200-cell unit
• Under-engine muffler placement improves mass centralization and the bike’s low center of gravity

Compact Engine Design

• Powerful twin-cylinder engine is the most compact in its category, which helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle and allows use of a slim, minimalist frame
• Triangular setup of the crankshaft and transmission shafts makes the engine short front-to-back
• Transmission input shaft, output shaft and change drum are contained in a “cassette”-style package that allows a compact layout and eases transmission maintenance chores
• Semi-dry sump design reduces engine height
• Plated, linerless aluminum cylinders with a narrow cylinder pitch keep the engine light and slim

Confidence Inspiring Ergonomics

• An ideal handlebar, seat and footpeg relationship results in a comfortable and natural riding position suiting a wide range of riders
• Frame narrowed just aft of the fuel tank enabled a slimmer seat, making the reach to the ground even easier
• The offset single-shock rear suspension layout with the battery located beside the shock instead of beneath it allows a lower seat height as well
• Low seat height and slim overall design make it easy to plant both feet firmly on the ground when stopped

Digital Fuel Injection

• Revised fuel injection settings boosts the engine’s bottom-end torque while letting it rev quicker
• Sub-throttle valve equipped 38 mm Keihin throttle bodies offer optimum performance and rideability
• Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI® system’s ECU for a precise throttle response, similar to a constant-velocity carburetor
• Auto-fast idle system simplifies starting and helps ensure that the catalyzer reaches optimum temperature quickly
• New, lightweight fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank.

Instruments / Controls

• New Moto GP-inspired multi-function instrumentation, which includes a new fuel gauge, digital speedometer, clock, odometer, dual trip meters and a bar-style digital tachometer
• The new layout allows the clock and trip meter to be viewed simultaneously
• Red backlighting for the LCD screen adDual Sport to the sporty image while the area around the instrument panel presents a clean, finished front cowl interior
• Redesigned handlebar holder and new curved shapes on the brake master cylinder reservoir and clutch lever contribute further to the Ninja 650R’s improved appearance

Lighter Handling Trellis Frame

• All-new frame which retains the key Ninja 650R elements — a slim, low, lightweight and compact design that is narrow at the knees and footpegs for rider comfort and control
• Featuring reduced rigidity, the strong, high-tensile steel trellis frame not only looks lightweight, but it is – rivaling that of aluminum frames
• Ideal frame stiffness balance achieved through extensive 3D analysis translates directly into superb handling
• The frame, rear suspension and swingarm designs flow together with an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub
• Short front-to-back dimensions of the engine allow for a long swingarm and a short wheelbase combination that contributes to the light and nimble handling
• Cleaner frame joint finishes improve overall quality of the bike

Mirrors

• Mirror design is a similar supersport-style to that on the new Ninja ZX™-6R
• Positioned 14 mm further out from the centerline, they also offer an improved rear view

More Rigid Swingarm

• Swingarm stiffened to balance the reduction of the frame’s rigidity – due primarily to the rubber engine mounts
• Swingarm now has a D-shaped cross-section
• The new swingarm and revised stabilizer design further contribute to the Ninja 650R’s higher-quality appearance
• Elegant 1-piece rider / passenger footpeg stays complement the new swingarm and stabilizer
• Revised chain adjuster design also contributes to the improved appearance

Quick-revving, 649cc Parallel-twin Engine

• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve fuel injected twin cylinder delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low to medium rpm range
• Excellent mid-range power, exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance make even commuter traffic enjoyable
• Silky smooth engine vibes via a 180° crankshaft driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
• Oil jets on the connecting rod big enDual Sport spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling
• Lightweight plug-mounted ignition coils deliver a hot spark and save space
• 40 mm wider radiator offers increased cooling efficiency
• Coolant routing travels directly to the engine cases, then follows internal passages to the cylinder and head to reduce external plumbing and simplify the entire cooling system
• Fine-tuned shift lever position is easier to use

Reduced Vibration

• Rubber mounts replace the rigid upper-rear engine mounts to reduce the amount of vibration transferred to the rider through the seat
• Handlebar is rubber-mounted to lessen vibration transmitted through the handle grips
• Rider and passenger footpegs are rubber coated to further reduce vibration

Sleek New Supersport Bodywork

• New dual headlight design features multi-reflector bulb hooDual Sport and the twin position lights – like its Ninja supersport brethren
• Rider comfort is improved via a lip at the top of the revised winDual Sportcreen, which helps deflect air away from the rider, along with a duct in the center of the cowling that creates an “air curtain” to reduce wind buffeting at higher speeDual Sport
• New, taller fuel tank – especially noticeable when viewed from the side –adDual Sport to the bike’s crouching appearance and allows fuel capacity to remain the same despite adding a fuel level sensor – for the new fuel gauge
• A flush-surface fuel cap and its sharp-edged motif give the new tank a distinctive new look
• Sharper, edged lines give the Ninja 650R a more aggressive, crouching supersport look, yet the bodywork still accentuates the frame
• Distinctive Ninja supersport design elements of the front cowling and the fairings, such as the judicious combination of colored and black panels enhance its sportier image and compact appearance
• New integrated front turn signals with clear lenses and orange bulbs
• Completing the bike’s aggressive sport appearance is a sharper tail cowling featuring a thin new LED taillight, revised rear turn signals, new license plate bulb housing and a slimmer rear mud flap
• An inner rear fender was added to help keep the underside of the sleek new tail cowl clean
• The turn signals also function as flashing hazard lights
• A new longer front fender keeps mud splashing to a minimum and its 2-tone design matches the Ninja 650R’s light, compact theme
• Storage options include 4 tie-down hooks for baggage or a spare helmet to be secured to the seat and a storage space under the seat with room for a U-lock or similar device

Suspension

• New front and rear suspension settings match the changes to the frame and swingarm for lighter, more rider-friendly handling
• New shape of the 41 mm fork lower enDual Sport around the axle shaft adDual Sport to the bike’s performance and enhances its high-quality image

Wheels

• Attractive 6-spoke supersport-style wheels augment the bike’s light look while reducing unsprung weight