Test Rode a ZX6R and 650R

menikmati · June 4th, 2012, 09:02 PM

On Saturday I got a chance to go to Kawasaki's Street Demo days and tried out the ZX6R and 650. Here are some of my thoughts regarding each bike.

ZX6R: Sweet jesus, so much power. The first thing I noticed was the riding position, it was a good 20 degrees forward compared to the 250 but I didn't find it uncomfortable at all when I remembered to keep light on the bars and to use my legs/abs. I felt like I was more like pouncing/crouching on the bike rather than just sitting on it. The power delivery was surprisingly smooth, they let us open them up on the freeway immediately once we left the parking lot. Although it doesn't weigh that much more than the 250, the ZX6R felt like it had to be "tipped in," which felt different from the 250 that I can "throw into" corners. The throttle response in conjunction with the smooth power delivery really blew my mind as I was previously nervous about doing accidental wheelies (although a fellow 250 rider DID lift up the front wheel on accident when dumping the clutch during my 650 test ride).

650: The first thing I noticed when mounting the bike was how squishy and comfortable it was. I loved how the engine sounds, even with only the stock exhaust. Although I didn't push the bike or go anywhere near redline, I could feel a noticeable amount of torque down in the rev range. I was also surprised at how more pronounced the engine braking is on the 650. The upright seating position was also comfortable and even slightly more upright in comparison to the 250. Overall I found the 650 to be a friendly and relatively easy bike to get used to and not fear.

Overall, I had a great time testing the bikes and they helped give me a little taste of what may be in the future for me. Although I loved the ZX6R for what it is, I don't think I can justify owning one (or any SS) in the near future. The 250 to me is the perfect commuter and along with its fun factor and cheap maintenance, the increased upkeep cost of a SS wouldn't be feasible in my situation. The biggest factor that will hold me from getting a SS is that I'm not mature enough for it. On the test ride I rode up to 95MPH while in 4th without trying/noticing and the bike felt like it just wanted to keep accelerating. If I were to own that ZX6R at this time, I'd get myself into a lot of trouble and get killed.

If I were to follow my penis, I would get the ZX6R. If I follow my brain, I would keep the 250 and most likely get the 650 in the future as an additional bike.

TL; DR version:

Yo dawg those bikes are fastarrrrrr than the 250.

Trailerboy531 · June 4th, 2012, 09:36 PM

Hahaha nice write up, especially the highly intellectual ending.

95 in 4th!?

Psh I was doing that in second on that bike! GO FASTER!

menikmati · June 4th, 2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

Hahaha nice write up, especially the highly intellectual ending.

95 in 4th!?

Psh I was doing that in second on that bike! GO FASTER!

It seemed like the tach was setup was "meh, happy-zone, WARP SPEEDDDDDDDDD" as the bike revved higher and higher.

Jiggles · June 4th, 2012, 10:07 PM

Thats a 650 not a 650R

Trailerboy531 · June 4th, 2012, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by menikmati

It seemed like the tach was setup was "meh, happy-zone, WARP SPEEDDDDDDDDD" as the bike revved higher and higher.

That's the best part! once it gets in to the green zone on the tach it's on! It has such a beautiful sound to it too

menikmati · June 4th, 2012, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Thats a 650 not a 650R

Noted, I am noobsauce.

rmorse · June 5th, 2012, 05:40 AM

I saw 650R, and thought you test drove an XR650R. I was like awwwww YEA!

cbdallas · June 5th, 2012, 06:39 AM

"The biggest factor that will hold me from getting a SS is that I'm not mature enough for it."

It's refreshing to see someone be honest with himself. Good job.

Toly · June 5th, 2012, 06:52 AM

It looks like you'll just end up buying a SS bike soon...

enjoy it!

sharky nrk · June 5th, 2012, 07:36 AM

I really think I like the middleweight standard/sport division of bikes for all arounders. I love my 6R but probably ride it 20% of the time and 80% of the time on the ninjette (and I have owned the 6R for several years before I got the 250). Its great to go out and rip on but I wouldn't daily the SS. 650 seems like best of both worlds for a single bike.

nycsteve · June 5th, 2012, 07:44 AM

Nice write up.

This seems to be exactly what I expected. I failed to go to the demo days so I've been looking for reviews on this site of the 2 being compared. You kind of confirmed what I thought.

Old Lemon · June 5th, 2012, 03:37 PM

I wanna do one of these demo days, but what happens if you drop their bike?

austexjg · June 5th, 2012, 04:15 PM

The '09+ ZX6R make about 108 hp as reported by the dyno charts - the ram air makes a little more at high speeds. The thing does accelerate like a rocket in the power band - can only imagine the speed of the '11+ ZX10R or '12 ZX14R.

ARc · June 5th, 2012, 04:27 PM

Great writeup. I only got to ride the ZX6R, and man, I didn't like it when I got off of it. Too much bike for me, because I never go to the track. I'm used to whaling on the 250 engine, so when I tried to do the same on the 600 the world started streaking. I was going triple digit speeds in 3rd gear when i finally slowed down enough to check.

Old Lemon · June 5th, 2012, 04:33 PM

Ok cool, thanks for the info

NDspd · June 5th, 2012, 06:54 PM

Great review man...I'm all for the in-line 4's...I rode the 650 once and I just didn't like the huge amount of vibration and cruiserness of it....that's just me anyways.

Vergil · June 16th, 2012, 10:06 PM

My dads one of the riding leaders for that, you probly rode with him.

Vergil · June 16th, 2012, 10:19 PM

My dad told me at least 3 bikes get wrecked in each town. And at least 1 person gets seriously injured. The biggest sign they get that someone needs to get off a ninja 1000 or the zx10 is when they turn the key to on, and ask why the bike isn't starting.

Miles_Prower · June 18th, 2012, 10:09 AM

I won't test ride the ZX-6R until I have quite a lot more miles put on my 250 but while I was getting a tune up I "sat" on the ZX-6R with my boots on (harder to touch the ground even on the 250). The first thing I noticed obviously was that I BARELY got my tippy toes down on either side. I think this would be ok once I got used to the extra weight, but I was so scared to accidentally tip their bike over. Then the next immediate thing I noticed was yes, the pouncing/crouching position. I felt like I was a jockey or something lol. I also noticed how short my arms are when they had to wrap around the sides of the tank to the bars.

All said and done though, it wasn't uncomfortable really.. I feel like my size was perfect once I had my feet up on the pegs. Now sitting at stops might be a challenge though..

June 4th, 2012, 09:02 PM	#1
menikmati crash 250, get supersport Name: Richard Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE (Sold 6/9/14), 2009 ZX-6R (Sold 6/25/14), Subaru BRZ Posts: A lot.	Test Rode a ZX6R and 650 On Saturday I got a chance to go to Kawasaki's Street Demo days and tried out the ZX6R and 650. Here are some of my thoughts regarding each bike. ZX6R: Sweet jesus, so much power. The first thing I noticed was the riding position, it was a good 20 degrees forward compared to the 250 but I didn't find it uncomfortable at all when I remembered to keep light on the bars and to use my legs/abs. I felt like I was more like pouncing/crouching on the bike rather than just sitting on it. The power delivery was surprisingly smooth, they let us open them up on the freeway immediately once we left the parking lot. Although it doesn't weigh that much more than the 250, the ZX6R felt like it had to be "tipped in," which felt different from the 250 that I can "throw into" corners. The throttle response in conjunction with the smooth power delivery really blew my mind as I was previously nervous about doing accidental wheelies (although a fellow 250 rider DID lift up the front wheel on accident when dumping the clutch during my 650 test ride). 650: The first thing I noticed when mounting the bike was how squishy and comfortable it was. I loved how the engine sounds, even with only the stock exhaust. Although I didn't push the bike or go anywhere near redline, I could feel a noticeable amount of torque down in the rev range. I was also surprised at how more pronounced the engine braking is on the 650. The upright seating position was also comfortable and even slightly more upright in comparison to the 250. Overall I found the 650 to be a friendly and relatively easy bike to get used to and not fear. Overall, I had a great time testing the bikes and they helped give me a little taste of what may be in the future for me. Although I loved the ZX6R for what it is, I don't think I can justify owning one (or any SS) in the near future. The 250 to me is the perfect commuter and along with its fun factor and cheap maintenance, the increased upkeep cost of a SS wouldn't be feasible in my situation. The biggest factor that will hold me from getting a SS is that I'm not mature enough for it. On the test ride I rode up to 95MPH while in 4th without trying/noticing and the bike felt like it just wanted to keep accelerating. If I were to own that ZX6R at this time, I'd get myself into a lot of trouble and get killed. If I were to follow my penis, I would get the ZX6R. If I follow my brain, I would keep the 250 and most likely get the 650 in the future as an additional bike. TL; DR version: Yo dawg those bikes are fastarrrrrr than the 250. Last futzed with by menikmati; June 4th, 2012 at 10:18 PM.

June 4th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#4
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Thats a 650 not a 650R __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

June 5th, 2012, 07:44 AM	#11
nycsteve Biker Name: Steve Location: Brooklyn, NY Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 723	Nice write up. This seems to be exactly what I expected. I failed to go to the demo days so I've been looking for reviews on this site of the 2 being compared. You kind of confirmed what I thought. __________________________________________________ S*** Happens! Design Stuff \| Tumblr James 1:2-4

June 5th, 2012, 04:15 PM	#13
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	The '09+ ZX6R make about 108 hp as reported by the dyno charts - the ram air makes a little more at high speeds. The thing does accelerate like a rocket in the power band - can only imagine the speed of the '11+ ZX10R or '12 ZX14R. __________________________________________________ Anyone can go fast in a straight line.... Once you go track, you never go back....

June 5th, 2012, 04:27 PM	#14
ARc Revolver Wario Name: Jeffrey Location: La Palma, CA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 198 Logo Dude	Great writeup. I only got to ride the ZX6R, and man, I didn't like it when I got off of it. Too much bike for me, because I never go to the track. I'm used to whaling on the 250 engine, so when I tried to do the same on the 600 the world started streaking. I was going triple digit speeds in 3rd gear when i finally slowed down enough to check. __________________________________________________

June 4th, 2012, 09:36 PM	#2
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	Hahaha nice write up, especially the highly intellectual ending. 95 in 4th!? Psh I was doing that in second on that bike! GO FASTER!

June 5th, 2012, 05:40 AM	#7
rmorse ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Silver Spring, MD Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawi Ninja 250R, 2013 Honda CRF450R, 2008 Honda CRF250R, 2001 Honda XR400 Posts: 301	I saw 650R, and thought you test drove an XR650R. I was like awwwww YEA!

June 5th, 2012, 06:39 AM	#8
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	"The biggest factor that will hold me from getting a SS is that I'm not mature enough for it." It's refreshing to see someone be honest with himself. Good job.

June 5th, 2012, 06:52 AM	#9
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	It looks like you'll just end up buying a SS bike soon... enjoy it!

June 5th, 2012, 07:36 AM	#10
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	I really think I like the middleweight standard/sport division of bikes for all arounders. I love my 6R but probably ride it 20% of the time and 80% of the time on the ninjette (and I have owned the 6R for several years before I got the 250). Its great to go out and rip on but I wouldn't daily the SS. 650 seems like best of both worlds for a single bike.

June 5th, 2012, 03:37 PM	#12
Old Lemon Lays er down Name: Michael Location: Maryland Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I wanna do one of these demo days, but what happens if you drop their bike?

June 5th, 2012, 04:33 PM	#15
Old Lemon Lays er down Name: Michael Location: Maryland Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Ok cool, thanks for the info

June 5th, 2012, 06:54 PM	#16
NDspd 1/4 English, 3/4 Kick Ass Name: Jeremy Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Triumph Speed Triple 955i, '05 Suzuki SV650S(retired), '11 Ninja 250R(sold) Posts: A lot.	Great review man...I'm all for the in-line 4's...I rode the 650 once and I just didn't like the huge amount of vibration and cruiserness of it....that's just me anyways.

June 16th, 2012, 10:06 PM	#17
Vergil Laser Quest Name: Austin Location: Ventura county Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Black Ninja 250r Posts: 245	My dads one of the riding leaders for that, you probly rode with him.

June 16th, 2012, 10:19 PM	#18
Vergil Laser Quest Name: Austin Location: Ventura county Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Black Ninja 250r Posts: 245	My dad told me at least 3 bikes get wrecked in each town. And at least 1 person gets seriously injured. The biggest sign they get that someone needs to get off a ninja 1000 or the zx10 is when they turn the key to on, and ask why the bike isn't starting.

June 18th, 2012, 10:09 AM	#19
Miles_Prower One Loyal Fox Name: Rahul Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R (RIP), 2011 ZX-6R Posts: 869	I won't test ride the ZX-6R until I have quite a lot more miles put on my 250 but while I was getting a tune up I "sat" on the ZX-6R with my boots on (harder to touch the ground even on the 250). The first thing I noticed obviously was that I BARELY got my tippy toes down on either side. I think this would be ok once I got used to the extra weight, but I was so scared to accidentally tip their bike over. Then the next immediate thing I noticed was yes, the pouncing/crouching position. I felt like I was a jockey or something lol. I also noticed how short my arms are when they had to wrap around the sides of the tank to the bars. All said and done though, it wasn't uncomfortable really.. I feel like my size was perfect once I had my feet up on the pegs. Now sitting at stops might be a challenge though..

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Just test-rode an FZ6	RJprod	Ride Reports	11	September 2nd, 2013 09:42 PM
Rode friends cbr600rr while friend rode my 250	Mowgli	General Motorcycling Discussion	18	March 9th, 2013 09:58 AM
Rode a 650r today	codestp202	General Motorcycling Discussion	83	June 23rd, 2012 08:15 AM
Test-rode a K1600GT today	Alex	The Ex-Ninjetters Lair	60	April 16th, 2012 08:45 PM
03/04/10 Test rode a BMW s1000rr	pedaltothemetal	Ride Reports	10	March 7th, 2010 10:09 PM