# Kawasaki Ninja 650R
**Kawasaki Ninja 650R** is a mid-size sport motorcycle sold by Kawasaki from 2006, the faired version of the ER-6 family, known in many markets as the ER-6f or EX-6[1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29) • [2](https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/kawasaki/er-6f/). It was built around a new 649 cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine and sold alongside the naked ER-6n, which shared the same powertrain and frame[1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29) • [3](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Names and codes | ER-6f (Ninja 650R), frame codes EX650A (2006) and later EX650C from 2009; naked sibling ER-6n with ER650 codes[1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29) • [4](https://bike-lineage.org/kawasaki/ninja400-650/ninja650r.html) |
| Production | ER-6 nameplate ran 2006 to 2016 in three model cycles (2006-2008, 2009-2011, 2012-2016); one source states production continued to 2017[1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29) • [2](https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/kawasaki/er-6f/) |
| Engine | 649 cc 4-stroke liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin, 83.0 x 60.0 mm bore and stroke, 11.3:1 compression, about 71 bhp[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf) • [3](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html) |
| Output | Maximum torque 48.5 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm; DFI fuel injection with Keihin 38 mm throttle bodies; 6-speed transmission, O-ring chain final drive[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf) |
| Chassis | Trellis frame, laid-down single rear shock, rake 25 degrees and trail 4.2 in, triple petal brake discs shared with the Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf) |
| Signature styling | Bullet-tipped muffler mounted below the engine, a layout that distinguished it from other Ninja models[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf) |
| Successors | Renamed Z650 (naked) and Ninja 650 (faired) for the 2017 generation[3](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html) |
## Engine and performance
The ER-6 family was launched in 2006 with a new 649 cc parallel-twin engine using a 180-degree crank, rated at about 71 bhp and positioned as A2-license friendly with a low new price[3](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html). The 2006 US specification sheet lists a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder parallel twin with 649 cc displacement, 83.0 x 60.0 mm bore and stroke, 11.3:1 compression ratio, digital fuel injection through two Keihin 38 mm throttle bodies, and a 6-speed transmission with O-ring chain final drive[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf).
Riders and reviewers emphasized usable midrange over outright speed. A first-ride review reported strong pulling from as low as 2,500 rpm, even in fifth gear, and a top speed of about 200 kph that could be reached by a rider on the road without difficulty[6](https://www.motoroids.com/reviews/kawasaki-ninja-650r-first-ride-review/) • [7](https://bikeindia.in/road-test-kawasaki-ninja-650r/). A later road test of the bike in India described it as an all-rounder in the premium segment[7](https://bikeindia.in/road-test-kawasaki-ninja-650r/).
## Design and chassis
The Ninja 650R looked unlike other Ninja models of its time because of its bullet-tipped muffler mounted below the engine, its stylish trellis frame, and a laid-down single rear shock that flowed into the frame lines[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf). It shared triple petal brake discs and 6-spoke wheels with the race-bred Ninja ZX-6R and [ZX-10R](https://www.edgepedia.org/kawasaki-ninja-zx-10r)[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf). Geometry was 25 degrees of rake with 4.2 in of trail[5](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf).
## Model history
The ER-6 line ran from 2006 to 2016 in three model cycles: 2006-2008, 2009-2011, and 2012-2016, each covering both the naked ER-6n and the faired ER-6f sold as the Ninja 650R[1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29). In Japan the faired model was badged ER-6f until 2010 and Ninja 650R from 2011[4](https://bike-lineage.org/kawasaki/ninja400-650/ninja650r.html). Autoevolution dates the debut to 2005 with public sales from 2006 and production to 2017, slightly wider than the 2006-2016 span given by the model encyclopedias[2](https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/kawasaki/er-6f/) • [1](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29).
The bike was also marketed in India, where Kawasaki launched it as a premium-segment offering[7](https://bikeindia.in/road-test-kawasaki-ninja-650r/) • [8](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superbikes-imports/102530-kawasaki-ninja-650r-test-ride-review.html).
## Successors
For the 2017 generation Kawasaki renamed the pair: the naked bike became the Z650 and the faired bike the Ninja 650, names that continued in production afterward[3](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html). The current Ninja 650 keeps the 649 cc parallel-twin with low- and mid-range torque in a light, compact chassis; the 2026 US model is priced from $7,599 non-ABS and $8,199 with ABS[9](https://www.kawasaki.com/En-US/motorcycle/ninja/sport/ninja-650). For 2027 Kawasaki announced a 37 mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork replacing the previous telescopic fork, intended to improve damping control, chassis stability at corner entry, and braking confidence[10](https://www.kawasaki.fr/fr_fr/news/2026/September/-volutions-de-la-Ninja-650-pour-2027.html).
## References
1. [Kawasaki ER-6 (Ninja 650R): review, history, specs, BikesWiki](https://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ER-6_%28Ninja_650R%29)
2. [Kawasaki ER-6f - All Models by Year, autoevolution](https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/kawasaki/er-6f/)
3. [Kawasaki ER-6n / ER-6f / Versys 650 - 30 Years On, Ross Rides](https://rossrides.com/ross-rides-30yr-er6.html)
4. [Ninja650R/ER-6n (EX650C/ER650C) -since 2009-, bike-lineage.org](https://bike-lineage.org/kawasaki/ninja400-650/ninja650r.html)
5. [Specifications EX650A6F, Kawasaki US spec sheet](https://www.geocities.ws/shathonz/EX650A6F-US.pdf)
6. [Kawasaki Ninja 650R first ride review, Motoroids](https://www.motoroids.com/reviews/kawasaki-ninja-650r-first-ride-review/)
7. [Road Test: Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Bike India](https://bikeindia.in/road-test-kawasaki-ninja-650r/)
8. [Kawasaki Ninja 650R: Test Ride & Review, Team-BHP](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superbikes-imports/102530-kawasaki-ninja-650r-test-ride-review.html)
9. [Kawasaki Ninja 650 motorcycle, Kawasaki.com](https://www.kawasaki.com/En-US/motorcycle/ninja/sport/ninja-650)
10. [Évolutions de la Ninja 650 pour 2027, Kawasaki France](https://www.kawasaki.fr/fr_fr/news/2026/September/-volutions-de-la-Ninja-650-pour-2027.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Motorcycles › Motorcycle manufacturers and marques › American and Asian manufacturers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license