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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: gs2sv on September 01, 2005, 08:07:37 AM

Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: gs2sv on September 01, 2005, 08:07:37 AM
sweet looking new 650 P-twin from kawasaki...
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/31august05_2006kawasaki_ninja650r.htm
(http://www.motorcycledaily.com/083105top_650.jpg)
(http://www.motorcycledaily.com/083105bottom_650.jpg)
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: BigTwin on September 01, 2005, 08:28:38 AM
Ah crap, I might have to switch to the dark side rather than getting an SV for my second bike when the time comes.

That actually looks pretty good, I really like the buell inspired exhaust and the plastics aren't to flashy.

Choices, Choices. Still probably getting an SV though.

-BigTwin-
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Jake D on September 01, 2005, 09:00:53 AM
Oh, snap!  I like it!  

What's it cost, I wonder.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: My Name Is Dave on September 01, 2005, 09:04:01 AM
SCHWING  :P

(http://www.filmwise.com/contests/contest_06/image_09a.jpg)
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Budrick320 on September 01, 2005, 09:18:31 AM
I love the exhaust, never seen anything like it. I was thinking after a couple of years to move up to fuel injected and this looks very nice. But with 3.00 a gallon gas, naaaaaa, Ill stick with my gs.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Susuki_Jah on September 01, 2005, 09:25:27 AM
reminds me alot of this bike. Looks like they liked the Buell's exhuast enough to copy the idea. looks really familiar kinda like this bike. the K-bike still looks good though. id hit it lol.

(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2004models/2004-Buell-FireboltXB12Rb.jpg)
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Jake D on September 01, 2005, 09:27:59 AM
I like the looks of the Buell a lot better, but the Kawasaki is probably cheaper and more reliable.  

It does smack of Buell though.  Not a bad idea, that.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: dgyver on September 01, 2005, 09:49:58 AM
That Kaw is a decent looking bike. Hate to see the price for aftermarket rearsets.

How close is the exhaust to the rear tire? No need for tire warmers.  ;)
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Roadstergal on September 01, 2005, 09:52:23 AM
WTF is up with the exhaust?

Edit - LOL, great minds think alike.  :P
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: oppy00 on September 01, 2005, 10:10:36 AM
Add one more to my wishlist.  Looks good, big broad handlebars, cool exhaust, if the price is close or under the SVS this could be aHUGE seller.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: synchro on September 01, 2005, 10:19:45 AM
my god that is hot!  was thinkin of a gsxr750 in a year or so....cant wait for next years demo days
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Alphamazing on September 01, 2005, 10:23:49 AM
That looks a LOT better than the ER-6n (http://www.motorcycledaily.com/071505top.jpg). That thing is damned ugly. However, one problem with this 650R I have is the Ninja badge. Insurance companies would love to tac on extra money for that, I bet. Looks very nice though. Reminds me of a mid-90s Gixxer or 600 Ninja. The exhaust is a nifty trick piece, but look at the muffler. Is it just me, or does that bear a striking resemblance to a car muffler? No centerstand, either. I really like the wheels and petal rotors, though. It'll be interesting to see how it fares against the SV650.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: gs2sv on September 01, 2005, 11:42:40 AM
nice to see another option coming our way, I would predict kawasaki to undercut the price of the sv by at least a bit. at least I hope so.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Alphamazing on September 01, 2005, 12:11:52 PM
Quote from: gs2svnice to see another option coming our way, I would predict kawasaki to undercut the price of the sv by at least a bit. at least I hope so.

People thought the same thing about the Honda 599. Boy were they wrong. This thing has full bodywork, too. That's quite a bit of $$$ right there.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: V8Pinto on September 01, 2005, 05:19:36 PM
Wow...  I'm....strangely interested...  

must.....


resist.....


Kawasaki.......

That bike is tight!
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: mjm on September 01, 2005, 05:52:19 PM
Picked up a copy of the British magazine Bike today.  They have information on the naked version of this bike - they liked it but thought it was incredibly ugly.

The version with the fairing looks good - the naked version looks very bad from the front.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Roadstergal on September 01, 2005, 05:58:18 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5No centerstand, either.

It's trying a little harder to pretend to be a real sportbike. ;)

I think that's the Euro version.  The American version will likely have bigger turn signals that stick out, and perhaps uglier mirrors.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Blazinjr on September 01, 2005, 06:46:04 PM
I like it.  Wheres the pictures from?

Nothing on the website.

I found this   old style (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/KawW650/)   Cool looking in an old school type of way.

and this can't read it (http://www.moto-station.com/article1233-kawasaki-er6-1eres-images-.html)

I can't seem to find anything else of importance.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: oppy00 on September 01, 2005, 07:33:21 PM
Blazinjr, the W 650 is a cool bike, IMO, but it didn't sell.  Well at least you can't find any used ones anywhere.  It was supposed to look like the old Truimph Bonneville.  The W 650 came out I think a year before Truimph re-released the Bonnie.  Still cool bike w/ vintage looks, but modern reliability.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: gs2sv on September 01, 2005, 08:30:01 PM
QuoteAlphaFire X5
People thought the same thing about the Honda 599. Boy were they wrong. This thing has full bodywork, too. That's quite a bit of $$$ right there.
I was really dissapointed with the price of the 599 also. That was a sweet looking bike, not that I would have bought one, but that was way overpriced. My understanding is that it was made in italy, which upped the cost. :(
kawasaki seems pretty serious about wanting a piece of the sv pie, so let's hope it's a good deal.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Narcissus on September 01, 2005, 08:37:22 PM
I gotta say I love it, its not too heavy on the fairings either, the exhaust is what really turns me on though.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: stingray on September 01, 2005, 08:38:08 PM
SV will still be the better platform to race on.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Narcissus on September 01, 2005, 09:15:24 PM
Heh yeah, SV650S is still my future hopeful.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: GSJames on September 01, 2005, 10:19:04 PM
What's with the exhaust pipe on the Buell?  Thing's doing a damn near 180 degree turn...
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Blazinjr on September 02, 2005, 04:23:08 AM
Quote from: gs2sv
QuoteAlphaFire X5
People thought the same thing about the Honda 599. Boy were they wrong. This thing has full bodywork, too. That's quite a bit of $$$ right there.
I was really dissapointed with the price of the 599 also. That was a sweet looking bike, not that I would have bought one, but that was way overpriced. My understanding is that it was made in italy, which upped the cost. :(
kawasaki seems pretty serious about wanting a piece of the sv pie, so let's hope it's a good deal.

It's pretty bad that Honda does away with the Nighthawk 750 and it is replaced with the 599 the charges a couple grand more.  Before I would buy a 599 for $7000 I would go ahead and buy a SV, Katana 600, or FZ6.  I even priced the insurance on all four bikes.  The 599 was more than the other 3 bikes.   ??????????
Title: What
Post by: The Buddha on September 02, 2005, 06:51:23 AM
Quote from: oppy00Blazinjr, the W 650 is a cool bike, IMO, but it didn't sell.  Well at least you can't find any used ones anywhere.  It was supposed to look like the old Truimph Bonneville.  The W 650 came out I think a year before Truimph re-released the Bonnie.  Still cool bike w/ vintage looks, but modern reliability.

W 650 - buy the real thng ... my XS 650 ...  :lol:  Oh yea Its sold. Never mind.
Now the Kwak Beats the SV IMHO ... cos its a parallel twin ... not 2 cam chain tensioners, not 2 valve covers not 2 head gaskets ... V twins just do not make sense IMHO. The carbs take a freaking act of congress to get out the mix setting on front and rear are so far off ... set them the same the damn thing runs like shaZam! ... just plain wrong. 1, P-2, I-4 ... Heck I-3's make sense. V-2 and V-4 not.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: scratch on September 02, 2005, 07:40:52 AM
I like it, but the only suspension adjustment is preload on the rear shock, just like our bikes.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Alphamazing on September 02, 2005, 10:04:48 AM
Another thing that makes it look odd is the under cowling. The matte color gives it an unpainted feeling, which kinda looks cheap, IMO.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: J-Double on September 02, 2005, 10:58:19 AM
Call me silly but I liked the ER-6n better. Not that I don't find this bike attractive.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Alphamazing on September 02, 2005, 11:13:00 AM
Quote from: J-DoubleCall me silly but I liked the ER-6n better. Not that I don't find this bike attractive.

:o  :? HOW? That thing is a design disaster! The floating panels that have the turn signals look completely out of place. The headlight and guage cluster looks more like an alien mask of some sort than a useable piece of hardware. The guage cluster also looks like it is the hat upon the lights. The tank looks like it was squashed downwards, producing that lip over the frame.

I'd go on, but I'd probably start to make even less sense.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: milo on September 03, 2005, 01:05:19 AM
That is HOT.

I'm two years in, I can start thinking about second bikes... let's see, the SV is cheap and great in lots of ways, but is butt-ugly and everyone has one. The 599 is naked and beautiful, but pricey and I don't really look forward to a 15,000 rpm I-4.

So now I can stick with this lovely 10,000 rpm P-twin engine design, and get more power, modern technology, etc? Genius -- where do I sign? Wait, just one question: can I rip off all that silly plastic and tack on a nice old-school round headlight? I only ride naked, and until Kawi starts to respect that they won't be between my legs.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Chris_B on September 03, 2005, 10:21:03 AM
Anybody seen teh Kawi Z1000?
(http://www.getyourrideon.com/images/bikes/03Z1000_Black.jpg)
this is what you want.
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Jared on September 04, 2005, 05:29:33 AM
I think I like the ER6n  alittle better too... Get rid of the headlight  setup and Yeah the turn signal panels are strange....

But I like it overall....

GsJames.... For your Buell Question...it's about tuned exhaust length...

To keep any kind of low end power you actually need a decent length of exhaust pipe....especially with a smaller engine like a GS500's....

Do a google search on Exhaust Gas Theory ...there's a few pages that will  exlain it  more detail (more than I feel like typing now anyway....)...
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: JoChan23 on September 04, 2005, 08:47:32 AM
is it me or does it look like those front turn signals may be photo shopped lol... just look, i know they may not be but still looks like it (refering to thos first 2 photos)

- Jordan
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: JoChan23 on September 04, 2005, 08:50:45 AM
oh ya and i HATE the ninja 250 inspired wheels..... so ugly

- Jordan
Title: new 2006 650 P-twin from kawasaki
Post by: Grainbelt on September 04, 2005, 06:32:28 PM
Wonder which one they get in Canada?

I'm not sure my GS will pass inspection when I move up there, and it'll almost be winter there anyway... Can anyone else tell I"m making excuses?

I've been thinking about a FI bike with a better fairing and a touch more torque down low. This could be the ticket, as long as its a couple thousand less than the ducati multistrada I've been lusting after. Not sold on the muffler though.

I think my second bike list is down to this Kaw, YZF600R, Multistrada, and F650GS.  Strange blend, I know.