2020 KAWAS AKI NINJA 650
R I D E R E V I E W
P88
fine on it after a long day in the
saddle, the added seat padding
had something to do with that, as
well, he said. And speaking of the
seat, one of the many accessories
that Kawasaki offers for the Ninja
650 is a sleek looking seat cowl,
which gives it a more super-sport-
bike look. It can be had for around
a couple hundred bucks.
The small windscreen does an
excellent job keeping wind blast off
your torso, but that's about it. For
some, us included, this is plenty.
Kawasaki does offer an optional
tall screen, not sure if that would
really make much of a difference,
though.
Anyone considering the Ninja
650 will probably spend some time
commuting on it, and it's an excel-
lent bike for that. It has no problem
keeping up with the flow of traffic
on the freeways while turning a
sane 4500 to 5000 rpm. Accord-
ing to the Ninja's computer, 42-45
mpg seems to be the norm. Plus,
if you need more storage space—
and you will since it essentially has
none—Kawasaki offers a 30-liter
top case as an accessory for the
Ninja 650.
One of the reasons Kawasaki
can keep the price the same as
before was by keeping things sim-
ple in the suspension department.
No frills here. Yes, it would be nice
to have more adjustability and a
USD unit, but that would drive up
price. However, what Kawasaki
did fit it is quite good. The suspen-
sion soaks up chop well at city
speeds, and it doesn't really start
showing signs of deficiencies until
speeds begin to really ramp up,
especially on moderately bumpy
roads. Overall, Kawasaki did an
outstanding job coming up with a
suspension setting that we believe
The Ninja 650 is the
most fun on twisty
back roads.
