The Ninja 650 is a comfortable sports bike, with high and rather open handlebars. Contrary to what its racing look might convey, it’s more of a sport tourer. Having the saddle in common with the Z, the riding position is very similar, you travel a little “recessed” but not uncomfortable, in a position not at all sacrificed despite what you might think. In terms of comfort, we place it halfway between the Z and the Versys. This is because, despite the front-loaded position and the slightly inclined torso, the front fairing and fairing help in longer journeys, with the chest and hands remaining covered by the air. Even if, like its sister, the bike vibrates a bit at high revs, the protection offered by the small plexi can be one more reason to prefer it over a naked.
As far as brakes, suspension and engine are concerned, the discussions we made yesterday for the Z 650 apply. The feeling is the same, so we refer you to the naked test for further discussion. In summary, the chassis is not that of a racing bike, but they are combined with this braking with good bite and the right engine to start having fun. Let’s go back to the tracion control for a moment as it is the novelty of my 2023. Also thanks to the excellent grip of the Bridgestone Battlax S22 with which our bike was equipped, on dry asphalt you really have to go and look for the functioning of the TC. Level two is very conservative and when it comes into operation it cuts the delivery in a rather invasive way. Level 1 is less stringent and sportier, whose intervention is much softer. In any case, it is possible to deactivate the traction control.
The Ninja 650’s ideal hunting ground is the road, not the track, and this is immediately clear as soon as you get on the saddle. With the Ninja 650 in a tight mix you will quickly forget about the low horsepower starting to smile under the helmet connecting one curve after another in perfect harmony. The involvement that only a faired motorcycle, with its semi-handlebars, can give is incomparable. In short, we are dealing with a sport tourer with a racing look, which looks good even in terms of comfort.
