At its Texas dealer meeting, Kawasaki showed a 2009 Ninja 650R with many refinements designed to make it sportier and easier to ride.
Revised fuel injection for the liquid-cooled DOHC, 8-valve 649 cc parallel twin is intended to increase bottom-end torque and smooth out the low-to-mid rpm response, as well as allow it to rev more quickly. The engine is rubber mounted to reduce vibration through the seat.
A new steel trellis frame frame that’s less rigid is lighter and reduces width at the knees and footpegs, and the swingarm has been stiffened.
Bodywork has been updated and a new dual headlight is used, while a taller fuel tank adds more of a supersport look to the bike.
Instruments are MotoGP-inspired, the company says, and include a new fuel gauge, digital speedo, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, and a digital tach.
No word on Canadian pricing, but we’ll keep you up to date on developments.
best looking “practical” bike I’ve seen