The Kawasaki Ninja 650 Akrapovic Performance is the sharpest specification of Kawasaki’s middle weight sports tourer, a bike that has quietly become one of the most sensible ways to own something genuinely quick. This edition adds a full titanium exhaust system and the finishing touches that give it real presence, without changing the balanced character that makes the Ninja 650 so easy to live with.
The engine is a 649cc liquid cooled parallel twin producing 50.2kW, or 68PS, at 8,000rpm with 64Nm of torque arriving at 6,700rpm. Those figures tell the story: the peak is modest by superbike standards but it is reached at revs you actually use, and the torque plateau in the middle of the range means it surges forward from almost anywhere without a downshift. Drive is through a six speed gearbox. The Akrapovic titanium full system, homologated to Euro 5+, removes a meaningful amount of weight from the machine and gives the twin the deep, hard edged voice that the standard system keeps politely muted.
The chassis is built around real road confidence. A 41mm telescopic fork and a Horizontal Back link rear shock with adjustable preload keep the bike composed when the surface deteriorates mid corner, and dual semi floating 300mm petal discs with two piston calipers give firm, progressive braking. It runs 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear tyres, weighs 193kg at the kerb and carries a 1,410mm wheelbase, while the 790mm seat makes it far easier to manage at junctions than its sporting looks suggest. The 15 litre tank supports a proper day’s riding.
An assist and slipper clutch keeps the lever light through town and holds the rear composed under hard downshifts, and emissions of 107g of CO2 per kilometre keep the running costs as reasonable as the insurance group. The Performance edition finishes the bike with a single seat cover for a cleaner tail and a Kawasaki tag keyring. It suits the rider who wants sports bike attitude with the practicality to ride to work on Monday, and the exhaust makes it feel every bit as special as it looks. Come and see it at GT Motorcycles in Plymouth, serving Kawasaki riders throughout Devon and Cornwall, with finance available and test rides arranged to suit your diary.
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