Changing Handle Bar Position Er-6F Ninja 650?

[TylerBKK]

JohnnyF you are absolutely right. The ER6 is not nearly as good of a bike as a CBR600RR. Not in terms of what I value as important in terms of a bike. But for a price of only around 250,000 Baht brand new and made in Thailand with service & parts locally available for it I was really considering buying one.

But if the handle bars can't be changed that is a deal breaker for me. Also, when I sat on one yesterday I wasn't really impressed with the feel or look of it overall for that amount of money. I know the bike has plenty of torque and power, but I didn't feel like just jumping on it and going for a ride. I actually feel more excited about getting on my own little CBR250 than I do than the ER6, despite it being bigger and more powerful.

As for buying a second hand Honda CBR600RR (or a GSXR) from Red Baron, honestly I wouldn't mind one if it was only about 3 years old, clean, and fully street legal with a green book and papers. But you are still looking at around 400,000 Baht for a used bike like that from Red Baron I believe.

If the price of a used CBR/GSXR was closer to that of a new ER6 though (250K-300K Baht) then I would seriously consider it.

As for the issue about what models Honda will start making locally or not in the next 5 years, I am not about to speculate.

[loserlazer]

handle bars are the major reason for me not to buy kawa er6n as they are tall like hell and i feel like riding a horse man on it.

i am sure changing the handlebars and installing some clip ons make the bike much more better in regards of handling and ergonomics.

man, if there will be nothing reasonable priced inline four coming soon to Thailand , i will buy one er6n as well - of course will change the bars.

[JonnyF]

JohnnyF you are absolutely right. The ER6 is not nearly as good of a bike as a CBR600RR. Not in terms of what I value as important in terms of a bike. But for a price of only around 250,000 Baht brand new and made in Thailand with service & parts locally available for it I was really considering buying one.

But if the handle bars can't be changed that is a deal breaker for me. Also, when I sat on one yesterday I wasn't really impressed with the feel or look of it overall for that amount of money. I know the bike has plenty of torque and power, but I didn't feel like just jumping on it and going for a ride. I actually feel more excited about getting on my own little CBR250 than I do than the ER6, despite it being bigger and more powerful.

As for buying a second hand Honda CBR600RR (or a GSXR) from Red Baron, honestly I wouldn't mind one if it was only about 3 years old, clean, and fully street legal with a green book and papers. But you are still looking at around 400,000 Baht for a used bike like that from Red Baron I believe.

If the price of a used CBR/GSXR was closer to that of a new ER6 though (250K-300K Baht) then I would seriously consider it.

As for the issue about what models Honda will start making locally or not in the next 5 years, I am not about to speculate.

You're looking at more like 5 years old if you want to spend 250k for a 600cc inline 4 supersport. I paid exactly that for a fully legal k5 gsxr in 2010. If you stretched to 300k you could probably get something like a 2008/9 model now for that price if you bought privately but it would take a bit of looking around. It's worth it though in my opinion, you really notice the quality of a Jap import versus the locally made stuff and personally I'd take a well maintained second hand Supersport over a brand new, locally made twin.

[BigBikeBKK]

Yeah- keep your eyes open and you can find some (relatively) good deals out there- got my Gixxer 1000 K5 for 350k Baht a couple years ago, fully legal and some great mods-

[karlos]

If I buy one I will definitely get the ER-6F with the fairings and wind screen and probably change the exhaust. But that's about it I think. The main reason for even wanting a bigger bike though if not for the top end, but the greater torque and acceleration you mentioned. The CBR250 has plenty of power for the city, but sometimes I feel a bit under powered on the highways. When an wheeler on Red Bull starts coming at you sideways it would be nice to have a bit more power to get out of the way. It's really having a bit of power left to move quickly without dropping gears when you are already crushing up around 120kmh. I think a bigger bike would give me that. As well as more power and acceleration off the line. Otherwise the CBR250 is a great bike for the price and for what it is.

any where upto the 180kmh mark and you'll be able to pull yourself out of most situations, after 180 it takes a little more effort and a longer road to hit the double ton, not that i would reccomend doing that..... 208kmh is as good as a stock 2012 Ninja 650 gets

[TylerBKK]

Yeah- keep your eyes open and you can find some (relatively) good deals out there- got my Gixxer 1000 K5 for 350k Baht a couple years ago, fully legal and some great mods-

Wow, beautiful bike. Nice grab. I'm hoping to pick something up for no more than 300K. But I'd be happy with a 650cc or 750cc bike as long as its no more than about 3 years old. Just saw a beautiful R1 being sold here on TV for 400K, but price too rich for my blood I'm afraid. Lovely bike though.

[TylerBKK]

JohnnyF you are absolutely right. The ER6 is not nearly as good of a bike as a CBR600RR. Not in terms of what I value as important in terms of a bike. But for a price of only around 250,000 Baht brand new and made in Thailand with service & parts locally available for it I was really considering buying one.

But if the handle bars can't be changed that is a deal breaker for me. Also, when I sat on one yesterday I wasn't really impressed with the feel or look of it overall for that amount of money. I know the bike has plenty of torque and power, but I didn't feel like just jumping on it and going for a ride. I actually feel more excited about getting on my own little CBR250 than I do than the ER6, despite it being bigger and more powerful.

As for buying a second hand Honda CBR600RR (or a GSXR) from Red Baron, honestly I wouldn't mind one if it was only about 3 years old, clean, and fully street legal with a green book and papers. But you are still looking at around 400,000 Baht for a used bike like that from Red Baron I believe.

If the price of a used CBR/GSXR was closer to that of a new ER6 though (250K-300K Baht) then I would seriously consider it.

As for the issue about what models Honda will start making locally or not in the next 5 years, I am not about to speculate.

You're looking at more like 5 years old if you want to spend 250k for a 600cc inline 4 supersport. I paid exactly that for a fully legal k5 gsxr in 2010. If you stretched to 300k you could probably get something like a 2008/9 model now for that price if you bought privately but it would take a bit of looking around. It's worth it though in my opinion, you really notice the quality of a Jap import versus the locally made stuff and personally I'd take a well maintained second hand Supersport over a brand new, locally made twin.

Thanks, as I mentioned I would be willing to stretch it to 300K and maybe 5 years if the bike is real clean, well kept, and low mileage. But I only see a few ever being sold on here or on CraigsL and Red Barons prices are very high in my opinion. Haven't actually seen anything that looks good at a "reasonable" price.

Post a snap of your GSXR if you don't mind. Would be nice to see.

[JonnyF]

Sure, bit crowded in the bike park today but managed to get one...

[TylerBKK]

Sure, bit crowded in the bike park today but managed to get one...

Beauty, thanks. What year and cc is?

[karlos]

600cc and looks like a 2004-2005 model but i could be wrong about the year...

Have you tried looking on Mocyc.com, plenty of big bikes for sale on there but with any online classifieds take care and thoroughly check the bike and paperwork

http://www.mocyc.com/store/alltopic.php?MM_submit=1&category=2

All in Thai but you'll beable to find the models you're looking for from the add's title and then translate via google or a friend

[loserlazer]

man, i noticed 2005 bikes cbr 600 and gsxr are around 150.000 - 170, 000 thb but no plate - which means 60,000 thb extra - and 250,000 - 260,000 thb for 2007,2008 racing 600 inline fours with green book, plate etc. Sometime in mocyc, i figure out 2004 model cbr or gsxr like 140,000 no plate so good deals there sometime.

But, i am am really cautious about it as Thais only sell their big bikes when they crash somewhere and then forced by their parents to sell their bikes. Besides, fake green books and registration is a major issue. What they told me even if your bike is registered now, authorities have right to cancel it if they can find an irregularity later!

And, most interesting of all, 1000 cbr and 600 cbr is around the same price!!!According to the big bike shop near my house, 600 racing inline fours are found less in Thailand then 1000 cc ones.

besides, Red Baron is really expensive.

[wana]

man, i noticed 2005 bikes cbr 600 and gsxr are around 150.000 - 170, 000 thb but no plate - which means 60,000 thb extra - and 250,000 - 260,000 thb for 2007,2008 racing 600 inline fours with green book, plate etc. Sometime in mocyc, i figure out 2004 model cbr or gsxr like 140,000 no plate so good deals there sometime.

But, i am am really cautious about it as Thais only sell their big bikes when they crash somewhere and then forced by their parents to sell their bikes. Besides, fake green books and registration is a major issue. What they told me even if your bike is registered now, authorities have right to cancel it if they can find an irregularity later!

And, most interesting of all, 1000 cbr and 600 cbr is around the same price!!!According to the big bike shop near my house, 600 racing inline fours are found less in Thailand then 1000 cc ones.

besides, Red Baron is really expensive.

say you do get lucky and find a bargain ,that appears not have been in any trouble + well maintained (like a unicorn )

are you even guaranteed a green book+ tax disc for 60k thesedays ?

[JonnyF]

Sure, bit crowded in the bike park today but managed to get one...

Beauty, thanks. What year and cc is?

Yep, Karlos is right it's a 2005 600. Imported in 2007 so 'officially' it's a 2007 model in the book but clearly it's a K5.

600's are quite rare here, not sure why as I think they're a nice size for Thailand but the Thai's seem to like the big litre bikes and above (Hayabusa's etc.)

[karlos]

Sure, bit crowded in the bike park today but managed to get one...

Beauty, thanks. What year and cc is?

Yep, Karlos is right it's a 2005 600. Imported in 2007 so 'officially' it's a 2007 model in the book but clearly it's a K5.

600's are quite rare here, not sure why as I think they're a nice size for Thailand but the Thai's seem to like the big litre bikes and above (Hayabusa's etc.)

I couldn't agree with you more, a 1000cc bike is great on a decent track but for me they are a little intimidating on the road. I preferred my 2005 ZX6R to my dad’s K4 limited GSXR1000 back home in the UK. It wasn't a matter of me not knowing his bike, i spent just as much time on his bike than mine and i just felt more settled on the smaller ZX6R with less ‘if,whats and maybes’ running through my head when pulling hard out of the UK’s twisty B roads. Here in Thailand i would snap up a 600cc superport bike if i had the money and one was in good condition. Seems Thai's place a bikes engine capacity higher than their own abilities hence the reason 600's are pretty rare here

[TylerBKK]

Many thanks. I'll have a look. Good tip.

[illy]

just checking thru this topic thought i would put my two cents[or satang] in as an owner of a Ninja 650R [here in phuket] AND a Honda CBR600RR[back in aust] and a previous owner of a GSX-R 1000 and 750.

i bought my Kawa Ninja 650-R three years ago and immediately hated the handle bar and riding position after owning the sportbikes as above. back then i got advise from Tony on this forum about the "rizoma bars" available from dirt shop BKK but never quite got around to buyng them. not sure if they still fit or are still made.??

the riding postion on the ninja 650R is truly awful and if you are comparing this bike to the CBR600RR well there is simply no comparison. the Kawa feels like a lumbering truck compared to the nimble and featherweight CBR600RR. the bikes are about as far apart as formula one car and a Vios.

even though the Kawa has a slightly bigger engine the feeling of power and performance on the honda make the Kawa feel like it is a 250 in comparison. Someone mentioned in here that the Kawa feels like "it could tow a trailer"...well to me it feels like the trailer is already hooked up!! it feels so slow and sluggish compared to a 'real sportsbike'

i stiil own my CBR600RR back in australia and get to ride it twice a year and its truly the best bike i have ever ridden. its so hard to come back to the Kawa here in Thailand but then again the Kawa ninja 650R is probably the best alternative here price wise and feature wise. but it sure is a hard adjustment to make after riding the honda for a month and coming back to ride the "kawa mack truck Ninja 650R"

in the end there is really no comparison but for the price difference its really an unfair comparison to start with.the Ninja 650R does what its supposed to do but once you start riding on a 'real' bike you would not like to go back to the Kawa, but you would at least have a Thai made, legal, and cheap bike i guess.

[TylerBKK]

Very good observations and comparison Illy, thanks. I think you just put the nail in the coffin and fully talked me out of buying any type of ER6. For better or for worse ill stick with my CBR250R until a reasonably priced option for some sort of 4 cylinder CBR600 or GSXR comes along. What's the point I decided in buying that Ninja just because it's new, legal, and it's cheap if it's not the bike I want.

[illy]

ouch, looks like i wont be popular with Kawa folks and dealers!!

BTW that thumbnail you put up of the CBR600RR further up in the posts is exactly my bike!!

[TylerBKK]

Don't feel bad. The cousin was pretty much sealed already.

Those black and colors on the CBR600RR I posted are stunning. I don't blame you for loving the bike. It is a beaut for sure. Post a snap if you have one. CyclePorn

[TylerBKK]

Ugh, my spelling is always so bad, but I think you can make out the meaning of my last post. iPhone is so intuitively wrong and can't edit post once I hit send. Sorry for all the errors.

[madjbs]

Well the Ninja 650 is not really a competitor to the CBR600RR, it is designed for more leisurely sport touring on a budget. You were just forced to buy a bike which was not right for you due to lack of other bikes. Some people who own the Ninja 650 would probably hate the CBR600RR too. At the end of the day you have to buy the type of bike which suits your riding style, or you are not going to like it no matter how good it is.

[karlos]

Very good observations and comparison Illy, thanks. I think you just put the nail in the coffin and fully talked me out of buying any type of ER6. For better or for worse ill stick with my CBR250R until a reasonably priced option for some sort of 4 cylinder CBR600 or GSXR comes along. What's the point I decided in buying that Ninja just because it's new, legal, and it's cheap if it's not the bike I want.

I hate to say it but you and i will be waiting a very long time.....

[karlos]

ouch, looks like i wont be popular with Kawa folks and dealers!!

BTW that thumbnail you put up of the CBR600RR further up in the posts is exactly my bike!!

Not at all, the dealers won't take notice and it's hardly going to affect their sales being that they have upto a 4 month waiting list for certain models of the 650 kwaker.

As for a comparison between the 650 and a 600 ss bike….. Hmmmmmm… I can also confirm that i too prefer my 2005 ZX636R (600cc sport bike of the year) but i would never make a comparison between a 650 cruiser and a full out, balls to the wall SS bike, any adrenalin junky would prefer the latter. Owning a 650 kwaker i have learnt to take it for what it is, a no frills sport tourer that's capable of provoking a grin from my mug now and then

Before purchasing the 2012 Ninja 650 i set my hopes low, not to expect too much from the 72bhp engine, basic brakes and suspension, maybe i'm happy with the bike because i set my expectations so low, or maybe i understand that it's never going to cause as many brown stains in my pants as the ZX6R used to. Either way i'm happy with it and it's going to plug the LONG gap before a sensibly priced 600 SS becomes available in Thailand.

[loserlazer]

Sorry it is not the topic but illy man you reflected just what i think about er6n and cbr600rr.

I drove both of them too so can understand what you think. I always prefer cbr600, anywhere, any condition as well.

but er6n is the most reasonable bike you can buy here for that price/performance - which i am sure this why you bought it.

Or you need to face the risk of ending up buying an abused and crashed and/or illegitimate second hand 600 inline four racing here with a possibility of spending a lot of time at the mechanics if you do not have a million baht to spare.

I will wait a year or two with cbr250 and if there will no reasonable inline four coming to Thailand or a very good second hand one from a friend or a very very reliable source sure will go with er6n.

But sure will change the handlebars.)

Edited March 29, 2012 by loserlazer

[karlos]

Sorry it is not the topic but illy man you reflected just what i think about er6n and cbr600rr.

I drove both of them too so can understand what you think. I always prefer cbr600, anywhere, any condition as well.

but er6n is the most reasonable bike you can buy here for that price/performance - which i am sure this why you bought it.

Or you need to face the risk of ending up buying a second hand 'crashed in Japan' or illegitimate 600 inline four racing here with a possibility of spending a lot of time at the mechanics if you do not have a million baht to spare.

I will wait two years with cbr250 and if there will no reasonable inline four coming to Thailand or a very good second hand one from a friend or a very very reliable source sure will go with er6n.

But sure will change the handlebars:lol:

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

nice touch at the end there 'But sure will change the handlebars ' to get back on topic, something i missed from my earlier post

I really want Honda to produce the CBR600F here but seeing as it's already in production, i highly doubt they would be inclined to move production to another country, let alone flood and riot prone Thailand. As for all the other SS bikes, they are also in production and i can't see any radically different 600cc bikes being produced by the big players any time soon.

The 250 CBR or Ninja are perfectly fine bikes, but if you do find yourself craving a little more ommphhh why not 'CHANGE THE HANDLE BARS' see what i did there? and buy a 650

[TylerBKK]

karlos - Sadly for just that little bit more oomph the 650 will give you it will also cost a lot more than a CBR250R. Yes, compared to a legal 600 SS import the ER6 seems cheap, but compared to a CBR250R which is much more of a sport bike it just doesn't seem worth the price at more than double the cost. Sad but true.

[illy]

ouch, looks like i wont be popular with Kawa folks and dealers!!

BTW that thumbnail you put up of the CBR600RR further up in the posts is exactly my bike!!

Not at all, the dealers won't take notice and it's hardly going to affect their sales being that they have upto a 4 month waiting list for certain models of the 650 kwaker.

As for a comparison between the 650 and a 600 ss bike….. Hmmmmmm… I can also confirm that i too prefer my 2005 ZX636R (600cc sport bike of the year) but i would never make a comparison between a 650 cruiser and a full out, balls to the wall SS bike, any adrenalin junky would prefer the latter. Owning a 650 kwaker i have learnt to take it for what it is, a no frills sport tourer that's capable of provoking a grin from my mug now and then

Before purchasing the 2012 Ninja 650 i set my hopes low, not to expect too much from the 72bhp engine, basic brakes and suspension, maybe i'm happy with the bike because i set my expectations so low, or maybe i understand that it's never going to cause as many brown stains in my pants as the ZX6R used to. Either way i'm happy with it and it's going to plug the LONG gap before a sensibly priced 600 SS becomes available in Thailand.

yes completely correct.. i DID buy the Kawa Ninja 650R simply because in Thailand there was not much option. i defintely DID NOT want a used or stolen grey import and the Honda 250 was not out at the time i purchased the bike and i dont think i could go back to owning a 250 after riding 1000cc/600cc sports bikes for years, so the Kawa was about the only choice

In Thailand [Phuket at least] the bike is perfectly adequate for riding where its just simply too dangerous and unpredictable to have the power and performance of a top range sports bike. then again back in "nanny state" Australia its not much use there either with all the speed cameras and cops everywhere. i dont especially ride super fast but just the handling, acceleration, and ease of riding the CBR600RR is just pure pleasure, the kawa just feels so heavy and lumbering , but as we all know the comparison is not a fair one and as stated above i DID buy a ninja 650R in the end so it says it all really ...and it HAS been trouble free but the build qaulity is pretty poor but its what you would expect for a bit above 200,000 baht.

and just to stay on topic does anyone know if those "Rizoma bars" are still available to fit the Ninja 650 R??

[illy]

Don't feel bad. The cousin was pretty much sealed already.

Those black and colors on the CBR600RR I posted are stunning. I don't blame you for loving the bike. It is a beaut for sure. Post a snap if you have one. CyclePorn

Honda CBR600RR with an 'Axio Tail pack' strapped to its ass!!

[TylerBKK]

Beautiful illy. Thanks for posting. 2011 or 2012 model?

By the way, what years is your ER6? As long as it is older than the new 2012 model there are Sports Bars available for it as Tony mentioned earlier in the post.

[TylerBKK]

Sports Bars:

http://www.motospecialties.com/store.asp?store=ninja650shop&level=category&type=09-11%20Ninja%20650R&type1=Handlebars&type2=Handlebars&category=Sport%20Bars