| Author | Message | ||
     Mike748 |
The engine and chassis described in our article dated July 15, 2005 concerning the new Kawasaki ER-6n will be coming to the U.S. market after all in the form of the Ninja 650R pictured above. Take a look at our earlier article for a description of the parallel-twin engine and chassis of the naked version known as the ER-6n (available in Europe only). As described in the ride review of the ER-6n, the 650R will take on Suzuki's SV650 with a modern, high-performance engine and responsive chassis intended to be easy to ride and fun for riders of all skill levels. We look forward to testing the 650R as soon as it is available from Kawasaki.   | ||
| Buell_boy_beau |
i think it looks awful. even looks a bit beema-ish. those twins have always performed poorly. tests will tell i spose. | ||
| Stou |
Did you see the size of the swingarm! It look like the one on my pocket bile!  | ||
| Starter |
Probably fabricated as well too. That swing arm looks crap. Can someone say cheap componentry | ||
| Kootenay |
Of course it has cheap componentry--that's how cost is kept down for the entry level market. It'll be profitable or gone in a year (think Honda 599). | ||
| Hattori_hanzo |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/143723.html?1125745394 Noticed the same thing! I woudln't mind seeing the next generation Blast configured like that. Maybe a 650ish V-Twin instead of a parallel...and nekked!  | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Basically its a revamp of the EX500 Ninja... To me a revamp of the Blast could be a 750 version of the XB engine in a low form of the XBSs. Use the cylinders from the Sporty883 with the crank of the XB9. It won't have the power of the current XB engine line, but will have more get up and go with ease of control that makes the Blast line such a good entry level bike. Make a steel stamped twinspar frame that has an opening for a side feed X1 style FI intake, and mount a Blast/X1 style tank on the frame. Your going after economy and not race rigidity for the frame work so the frame rails will be narrower. Go for the Sportster 883R twin disk front end for cross pollination cost cutting. Kind of like a FI M2 in 750cc form. | ||
| Fullpower |
if they built an aluminum framed stroker blast, maybe around 600 cc, and could keep the weight down to about 350 pounds wet i would buy one. | ||
| Pwnzor |
damn that bike looks like a lot of things, but a Ninja ain't one of em. As a previous Ninja owner, I am ashamed to even look at that monstrosity. Leave it to Tojo, steals an idea and slaps it under something hideous. pfffft | ||
| Brucelee |
I think it looks great and I assume will be quite cheap. Hey, I liked the 500 ninja. A blast to drive and cheap as dirt! | ||
| Stou |
I can't figure why they paint the frame and the forks red? With a frame and forks like that, all you want is to is to hide it... not show it! | ||
| Kowpow225 |
I don't mind the looks either...for an entry level ride. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I think it will be an excellent seller. The price will probably be about 6500 or less for a parallel twin, fuel injected, fully faired, light weight, "entry level" bike with sporting intentions, that makes roughly 72 HP at the wheels. Do the math. Not too bad eh? Look at how well the Suzuki SV series has been selling. Don't knock it because it isn't a Buell. Sure the suspension will be minimally adjustable, but the bike as a whole will fill a niche. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I'm a big fan of Kawi's. I'm with Brucelee. The EX500 was and still is (my wife's current ride...no jokes please) a great, bulletproof, easily maintained, fast ride. Cheap as dirt, and fun as anything. So if this new bike continues in that vein, then they have a winner on their hands. | ||
| L48shark |
I think it looks great. But, then again, I like Bimmers too, so you can't take my word for it.  Regarding the exhaust, Erik Buell to Kawi: "I TOLD YOU SO!!!"  | ||
| Enp83 |
You guys might want to look at where Yamaha put the exhaust on their new 2006 R6 sportbike too.... So it's not completely under the motor but I've heard (but can't confirm yet), that theres more muffler hidden inside the fairings. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/assets/products/mcy/500/06SPBK-34-031.jpg | ||
| Spatten1 |
If you look at Japanese fours, the engine is as low as possible, eliminating space for exhaust. Engines weigh more per square inch than mufflers, so it makes sense to make them the lowest component. I don't know why it is different for air cooled twins, but I'm sure Buell thought it through. The exhaust is also as low as possible, considering ground clearance. I'm sure some of you have noticed the flattened portion on the lower outside of many stock cans to increase ground clearance (look at the late 1980's GSXRs). | ||
| Spatten1 |
To clarify the above, obviously part of the exhaust will go under the engine on any 4 inline bike due to safety concerns, but it is not the largest part of the exhaust. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Also, the underseat exhausts are stylistically important, copying the classic and beautiful 916. I've heard there are engineering reasons, but I think it is likely more form over function. |
