Kawasaki launches 2017 Z650, Ninja 650 and Z900

Kawasaki launches 2017 Z650, Ninja 650 and Z900

Updates Versys 650 and Ninja 300 with new colour schemes

After their relatively nutty previouslaunches, Kawasaki is finally bringing their 2017 junta bikes to India. This past weekend, they invited the press over to Amby Valley City for a peek and short ride of the new bikes. The big news is at least three of the motorcycles are all-new, and in typical Kawasaki fashion, appear to offer great value. They’re all BS4-compliant, which means cleaner-running motors and, unfortunately, insane metal bits for saree guards and grab rails.

Z650

The Kawasaki ER-6n was the most affordable way to get into “big” motorcycles until recently. Sharing the sturdy parallel-twin motor and basic chassis with the Ninja 650, it got the job done with little drama. And that, perhaps, was one of its few cons — it’s a bit plain. The Z650 replaces the ER-6n, and is anything but plain.

“Sugomi” design finally filters down from the Z1000 to the 650, and it’s very rakish and sinister looking. There’s an all-new trellis frame ala the H2 on display, and a lighter “banana-style” swingarm. The console is an interesting digital unit, and a slipper/assist clutch is present. The rear suspension also moves to the centre of the motorcycle and acts via a linkage system, instead of being directly-mounted like it’s predecessor.

The big news is that the Z650 is almost 17kg lighter than the ER-6n. Combined with a lower-by-15mm seat height and a narrow seat toward the tank, the bike should be much more accessible to shorter riders, and more fun on the go. The flip-side is that heavier riders will find the accommodations — the new Z650 feels like a smaller bike. Almost KTM 390-small. Thankfully, ABS is now standard. At ₹5,19,000 ex-showroom, Delhi, the Z650 is still one of the best deals in motorcycling.

Z900

The Z800 was an excellent naked motorcycle, and a fine way to get into the inline-4 club. A liquid-smooth motor and solid value made it a popular choice. The Z900 replaces the Z800 and brings that all-new trellis frame and Sugomi design as on the 650.

Like the 650, a slipper/assist clutch is present. There’s an all-new console unit with a programmable shift light, lightweight aluminium swingarm and star-pattern lightweight wheels. The motor generates 125hp/100Nm which is significantly more than the 800, but again, the big news is the 20kg weight reduction. If there was one complaint about the Z800, it was that it was too heavy. No longer, with the 900 finally lighter than the Z1000 at 211kg. You get ABS, dual-300mm discs up front and 250mm at the rear, 41mm USD forks adjustable for preload and rebound, and a slightly offset rear linked shock.

Sadly, the killer pricing of the Z800 has bee left behind. The new Z900 will cost ₹9,00,000 ex-showroom, Delhi and is a CBU. This means that several states — including Maharastra — will charge 20% as taxes. Putting this on the road will cost about ₹11,00,000. Kawasaki is trying to soften the blow by including a bunch of accessories for free(tank bag, tank pad, crash bungs, seat cowl, engine protection, 12v DC socket), but at this price, the Z900 is open to a lot of competition for those who’re shopping around.

Ninja 650

The new Ninja 650 retains all the basic bits from the Z650 naked — same trellis frame, same motor, swingarm, console, cycle parts and suspension bits. It is a fully-faired motorcycle, and the plastics look far more aggressive this time round, aping the ZX-10R in some ways.

The weight loss is even more pronounced here, with 22kg being shed and bringing the weight of the bike to 193 kg. A shorter seat height and revised handle should make for a comfy sport-tourer. It’s available at ₹5,69,000, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Versys 650

We’re big fans of the Versys 650. We thing it’s a great, lightweight, practical upright “adventure” tourer that makes life easy in the city as well. For 2017, there are no significant updates, save for a nice, contemporary green colour scheme.

The motor remains the 68bhp/64Nm parallel-twin, updated for BS4 norms and you get a gear indicator now. The console is, unfortunately, the same dated item from the previous model. Suspension up front is the stellar Showa SFF adjustable unit — this simply makes the motorcycle. Other specs, including the ABS and brakes remain the same.

The 2017 Versys continues to be assembled in India and will retain the aggressive pricing. It’s available at ₹6,60,000 ex-showroom, Delhi.

Ninja 300

The 2017 Ninja 300 gets updates to it’s plastic bits — there’s a refreshed fairing and the colour scheme is in line with it’s larger sportbike stablemates. It remains essentially the same as the outgoing model in its motor — still 38bhp/27Nm, still an assist/slipper clutch but a slightly larger 140-section rear tyre (the old model made do with a 130). Brakes are also common with the old model — 290mm up front, 220 out back, and no ABS is available. It’s on sale at ₹3,64,000, ex-showroom, Delhi.