I just bought the ‘24 Ninja 650 Black & Gray with ABS. I been riding for over 7 years and I’m coming from a Harley. I wouldn’t even consider this as a “beginner” bike what so ever. This bike is amazing for new and seasoned riders. I absolutely love it and it has more than enough power. I put a Yoshi exhaust on it and it sounds amazing. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
This was my first bike it was a 2016 though I still have it and I have taught three friends how to ride on it. What made it perfect is it’s tame enough for beginners but you have plenty of power. No need to change bikes after a month when you get bored. I have a 2023 mt10 not but still love riding the ninja 650 on long rides. It’s so comfortable.
The Kawasaki 650 platform is so awesome exactly for what you described,, Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻 and being apart of the Channel! Don't be a Stranger my friend.
I want this bike! METALLIC MATTE DARK GRAY/METALLIC SPARK BLACK/METALLIC FLAT SPARK BLACK is the one I want!!! Great to see a fellow north Texan given a review on the bike I want.
Ray, wanted to say "Thanks!" for making these videos. After looking at several bikes, we made the choice to get the Ninja 650 ABS, largely based on your ride video! Local dealers not keen to let riders take out sportbikes for test drive. We LOVE the Ninja 650! Huge thanks for what you do for the community!
I usually don't comment a lot but I have to say something. I just got this review recommended by RU-vid and I already love the review. I'm gonna watch a few others. I'm planning to get my motorcycle license here in germany next year and these reviews are gold. Already looking forward to next years reviews. They might help me decide on a starter. The only thing that's bothering me is you not wearing enough protective gear. I know these are short rides but anything can happen anytime. The people driving those metal cages won't have to many problems if something were to happen but you probably would. Please ride safe
You are Right on the Gear, I do have a airbag vest I wear , thank you for caring, Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻, Please Stay in Touch and let me know what you end up doing.
I own a 2023 Ninja 650 and let me tell you it’s a very good beginner bike to learn from. You could cruise for hours without any back problems and good gas mileage plus it’s Kawasaki, it’s very reliable. I would upgrade soon to a Zx-6R but 650 is definitely gonna be my city cruiser💚
Ive been riding for over 10 years and I cant understand why everything is considered a beginner bike unless its a liter bike. I think a 650 would be fun for an experienced rider.
Just got 2024 NINJA 650 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION and so excited, Can't wait to get a call: COME AND TAKE YOUR BABY 😂 Moving from 300 (I had for 5 years) and really happy to hear everything you said in video
Ive been considering a 650 for my first sport bike. I've been comparing it to other "beginner" bikes. This bike would do highway speed comfortably which is a major selling point for me plus insurance on this bike is CHEAP. I was going to get a zx6r to use for riding lessons and track days, but the insurance on it costs more than the monthly payments to buy the bike😂
Yep, the 600 sportbike class is higher to insure for some reason- especially for younger people. Thanks for being apart of the Channel 🙏🏻, let's talk again soon!!
Everything's subjective but Ninja 400 is more popular for a reason More bang for the buck plus sportier. Lots of people turn 400's into track bikes, nobody tracks these. 400 is lighter which = more fun throwing around and easier to maneuver (downside is if you're cruising down the highway at 90mph and there's a crosswind, the 400 will get blown around) Yes, all Kawasaki's should be green!
true. i bought my ninja 400 brand new last year and i could not possibly convince myself to spend thousands more for a way heavier bike with not much of a performance increase. Plus they didn’t have it in white. I love my ninja 400 and i won’t get another bike for one more riding season. Then i’m gonna just keep my N400 for putting around and maybe tracking. It’s $16/mo to insure and gets 50-70 mpg depending on how in ripping it. No reason to let that go👰🏽♂️
Nice video Ray, thank you. Hey, have you compared this bike to the Honda CBR 650r? I know the Honda is a 4 cylinder and a bit heavier but overall was wondering if you felt that one bike is more advantageous over the other.
I haven't compared them- Honda makes a AWESOME product, all of the manufacturers do now - really!! Thk you for your service sir🙌, Have a AWESOME weekend- Let's talk again soon 👍.
Passed msf course and have been thinking about the ninja 650 or the mt07 /r7. I have sat on one a 650 a month before and i liked how it felt. Havent test rode one but i think ill end up getting a new one. Ive watched some reviews and your video is puahing me to get one now! Thanks
Hey Ray, Love your channel! And Love your accent... I'm from up Northeast Pa. but I can tell you're from somewhere in the South. Don't know if you're as old as me but I been riding my Ninja 650 since 2018 and refuse to let it go..too good of a bike! I also bought a CBR650r a few months ago. I missed that smooth 4 cyl engine and sound. I been riding legally since 1987 but started on a dirt bike at 12.🦾
@bobar84c haven't rode a honda in a while, I'm filming on one today , the Kawasaki is super comfortable! I do know that!! Thanks for Watching and Commenting my friend 🙏🏻.
@@bobar84c..no comparison! the Ninja is waay more comfortable! Gets waay better gas mileage, and cheaper to insure. The CBR is a hair quicker, and has a higher top end ( 153 mph ) but I rarely do triple digits anymore... too old for that! 👴
Another great video! Very much agree the ergos, and lack of crazy horsepower make it a great beginner bike and daily rider. The one bugaboo for me is the suspension. On one hand it is another reason it's good for a new rider... nothing to mess up. I am a novice at suspension, but as someone who does like to get bike setup specific to my weight/riding style, that would be the one small issue for this bike. Keep banging these out. Will your dealer be getting the Aprilia RS457??? Would love to see your review on that one. Another entry in the ever-growing small cc weight class.
Everything on it can be sorted. I have the 2017 version, did extremely well on the G2 track all modded up. I'd say better tires, upgrade front and rear suspension, ecu flash, exhaust, air filter, velocity stacks are all you need for street, for track, clip ons, braided brake lines and rear sets also. The price with todays inflation is a little nuts though, I think I paid 5200 new for mine year old new stock.
I had a ninja 300 around 6 years ago, and I was considering the ninja 500 SE, since I have almoat 2 years of experience riding the bike would you recommend the 650 over the 500 SE? I'm 5'6
@@RayBowdenRides I’d love to go but I don’t have a bike yet. I’m hoping to get a ninja 500 in the next couple months. I fell in love with the 40th anniversary livery
The looks makes me want to get it. The engine (including sound) is what makes me hesitate and go for the Z900, but then again, i prefer fairings a bit more than a naked. Tough choice, and most likely the price difference is. what will make me get the 650. Being a beginner driver (never owned a bike so far) it might be a bit wiser to start on the 650. The value of it stays quite high, so get a new one, take care of it, ride for a year, save some money to add this once i sold the 650 and get the Z900 is the current plan
Start on the 650, when your ready for the Z900, you will appreciate it more, you can get another bike- but you only get one LIFE!! THANKS for Watching and Commenting my friend 🙏🏻, Please Stay in Touch!!
Just go straight for the 900 lol. Those 650’s are for girls, i bought a z900 as my first bike and it was never scary or dangerous. That inline 4 is very predictable and smooth you get used to it very easily..
@@Snotroggel453 I am in a serious doubt. As said earlier; the looks of the 650, the lower price compared with a new Z900, it does pushes me towards the 650. I had my lessons on a Z650 and I must admit that this engine ain’t that bad right. For sure I will eventually grow out of it but at that time I will have at least some initial experience with a more “forgiving” bike. I want a 900 but my guardian angel tells me to enjoy a 650 first :p
Ray to be real with the kawi 650 line up catches flack from fast boys and the highway pull types. The 1st time I rode one was a er6n then the ninja. Now I’ve rented the z650, verseys 650, 650rs, and Vulcan s. They all have surprised me in how good they truly are. They are more bike than many can ride full tilt. But easy to ride. I will be getting a Z/RS or a Vulcan S soon to replace my commuter Ninja I’ve had since 2007. I got it from y’all’s store way back when. 😂
The 650 looks really good , solid bike seems like, definitely seems less serious the zx4rr like you said, but overall seems like a great commuter street bike
Definitely less serious than the ZX4RR, It is a AWESOME 1st bike and Commuter bike for sure!! Grim thanks for Watching and Commenting brother 🙏🏻, Have a AWESOME 2024!! Talk again soon.
I would like to see Kawasaki500, Suzuki 125, and also up to 800. Aprillias are cool too. And not too interested in Vespas, that's my perdonal feedback. Also interested in Honda and Yamaha beginner bike offerings, but they were not mentioned
Just bought a 650 today as a first bike. I've only had a chance to ride it home but i'll tell you one thing... the bike got them giggles out of me when i twisted that throttle and it dont get much better than that.
Great review! I'm 56 and enjoy my Ninja 650 KRT. I have a Vstrom 650 but have found myself riding the Ninja more often. Saw your review on the Suzuki GSX 8R, and wondering if you'd think I would enjoy that one more than the Ninja?
You would pick up about 20hp if I'm not mistaken, that's noticeable!! And a quick shifter that is perfect 👌, try and find you a Suzuki demo day somewhere close to you! But yes I think you would absolutely love a 8R!!
@@RayBowdenRides Had a chance to test ride the 8R at my local dealer, was disappointed with the rough down-shifting. A day later, did a demo ride at MotoAmerica Road Atlanta where Suzuki set-up a 30 minute road course, and I was pumped at how smooth, powerful and easy this bike was to ride. Indeed enamored with the bike and now I'm considering letting go of my 2018 Vstrom 650 for the 8R (Vstrom being a bit top heavy + a bit of a challenging seat height being under 5'8").
Hi Ray, I was wondering for a couple of weeks i`m still struggling to decide what to buy as my first bike, i have the option between ninja 650 and zx-4rr, mostly will use it for work and some escapes like 2,3,4 hours rides. I`ve been study them for a while and see the potential in both of them...with the 650, with 600cc and 68 hp, very good consume as well. And the zx-4rr even with the 400cc but the 80hp and the other features that bikes offer on of them that it was verry nice the quick shifter, from your professional perspective, do you think it will be a "boring" bike? I want to buy it for a long time use, and to know how to master it. Thanks and I appreciate your content!
@Alckadum with your Age and what you can do with the 400rr I would say get it ! It's more money- but smiles for miles , none of the others will come close to that! It's a 400cc super bike just waiting to be unlocked and flashed , and you won't see it on every corner! Let me know what you end up doing! What state do you live in?
Is there a point where we can see him sitting on the bike in 3rd person? It’s so hard to find someone “Sitting” on the bike with being in “1st person” I’m so curious about the sitting position. Does it have a slight lean or is he sitting straight up and almost a 90 degree angle? Somebody post a link alerts I can see third person point of view
google ''motorcycle ergonomics'' and click the first site you come across. You'll love that ;) You can enter your height and inseam and pick bikes to see what the standard position would look like in factory settings.
New rider here Ray and I got this exact bike. It always feels like my bike is screaming at me at 17mph-22mph to shift from 2nd to 3rd. You seemed to get in the 40’s - 50’s with no problem. Why would that happen?
Hey Ray I like the power of the 650 krt. But I really like the keyless access of the krt 500. Trying to get my first bike. Can this feature be added to the 650 since the both have the tft screen ???
Hey man! I was about to get a 500SE but I was torn between that and the 650...and I think I'll go with the 650, because I believe it will last longer since it has more power, it got the tft screen like the 500 SE, and to be honest...I dont like the keyless feature, it gives me anxiety, if someone can copy the signal to steal it, the fact it drains battery because it is always looking for the "key", and if it run out of battery, you cant turn your bike on because it wont pick up the keyless key and, there is no place to insert the key in order to start it out...its like they added a way to facilitate the acess to the bike, but at the same time, created a possible issue that didnt exist, so I started to want the 500 se without the keyless but with the tft...and so I believe the 650 should me more than enough
@@RayBowdenRides thanks mate! My heart still wants the ninja 500 SE the first time I saw your vid and actually sitting on it. I just fear that people say that I will outgrow the bike soon
@@pookhub9290 I couldn't resist the 40th anniversary SE but they are impossible to find in Australia (gold is easier to find lol). In America it looks like you guys got heaps more than here
been looking into getting the black ninja 650, im a beginner, im a taller guy standing at about 6'3 and im curious is the non-abs bike a deal breaker? I just dont really feel the green color
@@RayBowdenRides The one you test drove is non abs?? I thought it was the Krt edition (lime green) ?? that's my thing I'd love abs, but I just don't care for the krt edition (the lime green color) so I just wanna make sure non abs isn't a dealbreaker
I just watched like 3 of your videos and I’m about to get my first bike ever but I’ve always been into dirt bikes atv’s in general but I can’t decide on the ninja 650 or the 1000 but those are my last 2 options plz help me decide
Geo , I grew up on dirtbikes too. Let me just say you can always buy a different bike- You can't buy another LIFE. Geo please Stay in Touch, I Want to hear what you come up with,👍 OK
@@RayBowdenRides I will, i definitely will be making the decision before the end of the month so I’ll get back with you but I’m sure leaning towards the 650 just bc I don’t care for too much speed I just want a 1 and only 1 bike that’s why it’s difficult for me to choose
I love your reviews, but I just wish you didn't have the camera aimed at you, which blocks most of the views. If you had your forward facing lower helmet POV cam, plus another cam behind you facing out back would be so amazing! Anyway, I didn't mean to come off as a jerk. I still always give your videos likes when I see them. 👍
I find i need to short shift abit into 2nd, after that i can quickshift thru the gears without the clutch as smooth as butter. I also find it fast enough to wear proper full safety gear.
@steelhaulingdc3604 of you feel really good about control and can restrict that throttle hand 1000! But if your worried at all - take 1 more step on a smaller bike. Let me know Steele what you do!
I’m getting my first bike Wednesday. I’m looking at the 2024 ninja 500 (451), should I consider this one instead of the smaller one? Will I get bored with the 500
The 500 SE is a bit more sporty, check it out! It's probably a better sport bike to learn on, and eventually track on. Comes with frame sliders. If you get bored with it, you probably need to practice more and ride harder, on a track I hope.
Yeahhh.... the 650 cbr is 82hp... vs this ninja 650 is 68hp... this does not compare even if it's 650 class... learning more on these bikes... now I'm lost cuz a gsx8r is 776cc and it's 81hp...I'm gonna say between the 3... the better buy if you think of the cbr... that's almost 10k... is gonna be the gsx8r cuz even though the hp output is almost equal on the gsx8r and the cbr... it's almost 10k as well... but the torque on the gsx8r is 58... cbr is 47... and this ninja 650 is also 47 in torque... but if you wanna save money then go with ninja 650... it's still under 8k... depending where you find good deals on bikes...
@@RayBowdenRides yessir… all these videos are very informative and well needed for someone that wants to start riding motorcycle and buy a good one they gonna like… and i’m in that process… originally started thinking about the venom 250… 😂😂😂🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️… cuz of price and reason why i needed it at first only to work and back… then after learning about the engines in less than a month and different kinds of bikes, i’ve learned so much from youtube videos and research… loving the generation we live in cuz the answers is in the palm of our hands… 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 and seeing videos from different people on these devices… good side gig after learning more and owning one… to teach others down the road… in my life before i pass… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Unfortunately I saw the 40th anniversary SE and there went the idea of the 650 literally (650 i couldn't get krt or an decent looking colour scheme here in Australia Victoria)
Thanks for Commenting James , I love the 40th Scheme myself, Thanks for being apart of the Channel and Commenting my friend 🙏🏻. Stay in Touch and have a great rest of your week!
Just picked a 500 up, 2nd bike technically, but my first was a used 2015 Honda CB500F. They're both very tame bikes, but I imagine the 500 being more friendly starting out over the 650. The one thing I would note, even with the SE model, if you're in a high wind zone, you might want to really tuck in. I'm 155lbs on this bike, it's very light at 378lbs, you'll feel it on highways, it didn't bother me as much till I passed some windmills. Outside of excessive speeds, you take this on the street or canyon carving and you'll fall in love. Get the SE, has the bigger windscreen, frame sliders, Rideology app, keyless system, etc. Wish it didn't have ABS, but a small nitpick. 55mpg breaking it in, I think 60mph is easy highway, 50 on city.
I owned one, even I wouldn't go that far 🤣 That beauty is heavyy compared to the other in the market. She gained 3kg just with the most recent E-CLUTCH model
Ok let me put my 2 cents in here. Im gonna say its not a beginner bike! I have been riding since 1977. I took classes 20 years ago and i think i can ride. My everyday bike is a 2005 vulcan 1700 classic. I also have a suzuki M109R. I have done tail of the dragon with a harley ultra classic at top speed and never ever went down since 1977. With that said, 3 months ago i bought a 2024 ninja 650, today 3/16/24 was my firat time taking it out. I left driveway and rode 1/4 mile down street to stop sign. As i started off and turned right the bike went out from under me and i slid on my ass about 8' and bike slid about 20' from me. There was NO warning, i had no time to react or recover, it went right out from under me in a thousant of a second. No idea what happened. Never expected it. No idea what happened. Not a beginner bike.
Dang, well maybe your right - I'm re thinking that then - hope you are OK my friend!! Let me know what happened after you have time to think about it- thank God your alive.
If you’re thinking of buying this OR the 400, please for the love of all that is holy LEAVE THE STOCK EXHAUST ON IT. These are the absolute worst sounding motorcycles when straight piped and EVERYONE seems to chop the exhaust off immediately as soon as they get it home. STOP INSTALLING AMAZON MUFFLERS ON PARALLEL TWINS (unless it’s the cool 270* ones like Yamaha and Aprilia use)
Roy your funny !! ,I've heard them too with pickup truck tips on them from the auto parts store and that is so True!! You made me laugh when I read for the love of God. Thanks for Watching and Commenting 🙏🏻 Roy - you made my day!!
If this is a beginner bike then what do you call ninja 300 /400/ 500?? 650 CC... That directly competes with Daytona, CBR 650R segment bikes. And those bikes are not for beginners & the same goes for Ninja 650.
@@RayBowdenRides yes you are correct. However, Kawasaki has introduced the Ninja 500. That we can consider a beginner bike because it gives riders a room for learning. Electronics aid is great no doubt however you cannot learn with these that much effectively. Throttle response, trail braking, cornering & many such skills can be learnt better when we as a rider understand how our bike behaves. Electronic aid such as traction control is simply putting bike at work & not the rider. He won't understand throttle response. That's what my opinion is. Our definition of a beginner bike might vary I think.
26k views and only 500+ likes? Drop a like you filthy animals. Awesome video Ray. Add a subscribe and like notice in your video mate most will do it when they see the reminder.
