Cutting Edge Style, Leading Edge Practicality Some riders like a fully faired sportbike, some don’t. But nearly all riders agree Kawasaki’s Ninja® 650R is a great, fun-to-ride middleweight motorcycle. The ER-6n simply leaves a little more of that torquey, rev-happy 650 twin’s innovative inner beauty out where you can see it, revealing this soulful machine’s mechanical purity of purpose. The ER-6n gets a vestigial flyscreen around its headlight / instrument pod, but for the most part the fairing of this “naked” style bike has gone bye-bye. This one’s for riders who love the feel of being in the wind — a particularly good thing if you mostly ride where the weather’s hot. Otherwise, the ER-6n packs all the hardware and handling that’s made it and its Ninja 650R brother such media darlings. And did we mention deleting the fairing also brings the price down substantially?
The key to the ER-6n’s slender size is its compact liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC 8-valve 649cc parallel-twin engine, which permits the use of a narrow, lightweight frame. Its fuel injection settings grant the engine plenty of bottom-end torque and smooth low-mid rpm response. Its coolant is routed to the cylinder and head through the engine cases, reducing the number of hoses and simplifying the cooling system.
The clean, size-efficient engine delivers good fuel economy and also meets stringent emission regulations, thanks to its precise fuel-injection and a three-way catalyzer system.
The non-intimidating twin-cylinder appeals to riders with its excellent mid-range and plenty of character to thrill more advanced riders. This manageable powerplant offers superb roll-on response and enables the ER-6n to fluently slice through commuter traffic or carve canyons like a skilled surgeon.
The ER-6n shares its signature trellis frame, offset laydown rear shock, swingarm, suspension and chassis with the Ninja 650R. The chassis rigidity balance and suspension settings, and the rubber upper-rear engine and handlebar mounts offer vibration dampening and lighter handling qualities. The rider and passenger footpegs are also rubber coated for a further reduction in the amount of vibration transferred to the rider. A slim and low seat further enhances the ER-6n’s natural riding position and makes reaching the ground easy for even not-so-tall riders.
Part of the ER-6n’s distinctive character comes from sharp, muscular bodywork that gives it an aggressive, dynamic persona. The ER-6n’s bodywork accentuates the frame, rather than hiding it. The angular lines and simple design flows through the frame, rear suspension and swingarm creating an integrated line running from the steering head to the rear hub. Its tall fuel tank, raked-back radiator shrouds and sharp tail cowl further enhance the bike’s front-to-back compactness. The attention to detail is evident in the ER-6n’s high-quality paint finish.
The instrument cluster is uniquely stacked with a sharp design and easy layout from the analog speedometer to the multi-function LCD screen. The instrumentation features include a fuel gauge, bar-style digital tachometer, clock, odometer and dual trip meters. Besides the rubber coating on the footpegs, the passenger also benefits from the easy to reach aluminum grab rails — nothing like a relaxed passenger to allow the rider to fully enjoy the ER-6n’s friendly ergonomics and versatile cockpit.
Quite simply, this is a motorcycle that both novice and experienced riders can be at home on and equally comfortable employing its assets to the fullest, whether it be navigating urban environs or enjoying a weekend canyon run. In other words, this real world overachiever begs to demonstrate its versatility and everyday usefulness.
Authentic Kawasaki Accessories are available through Kawasaki dealers.
Features and Benefits:
Quick-Revving, 649cc Parallel-Twin Engine
- Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valve fuel-injected twin cylinder delivers smooth, responsive performance, especially in the low to medium rpm range
- Excellent mid-range power, exceptional roll-on response and impressive passing performance make even commuter traffic enjoyable
- Silky smooth engine vibes via a 180° crankshaft-driven balancer shaft, which in turn drives the water pump
- Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling
- Lightweight plug-mounted ignition coils deliver a hot spark and save space
- Wide radiator offers plenty of cooling efficiency
- Coolant routing travels directly to the engine cases, then on to the cylinder and head through internal passages, which keeps external plumbing to a minimum
- Fine-tuned shift lever position is easy to use
Digital Fuel Injection
- Fuel injection settings permit healthy bottom-end torque while letting the engine rev fast
- Sub-throttle valve equipped 38mm Keihin throttle bodies offer optimum performance and rideability
- Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI® system ECU for a precise throttle response, similar to a constant-velocity carburetor
- Auto-fast idle system simplifies starting and helps ensure the catalyzer reaches optimum temperature quickly
- The lightweight fuel pump is mounted inside the fuel tank.
Compact Engine Design
- Powerful twin-cylinder engine is the most compact in its category, which helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle and allows use of a slim, minimalist frame
- Triangular setup of the crankshaft and transmission shafts makes the engine short front-to-back
- Transmission input shaft, output shaft and change drum are contained in a "cassette"-style package that allows a compact layout and eases transmission maintenance chores
- Semi-dry sump design reduces engine height
- Plated, linerless aluminum cylinders with a narrow cylinder pitch keep the engine light and slim
Cleaner Emissions
- Efficient fuel injection and a three-way catalyzer inside the exhaust produce very low emissions, able to pass the stringent Euro-III emission regulations
- Utilizes a compact and light 300-cell catalyzer unit
- Under-engine muffler placement improves mass centralization and the bike's low center of gravity
- The exhaust pipe bend and under-engine muffler arrangement contribute to the ER-6n's attractive styling
