Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 vs. Yamaha R7 2021

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

Yamaha R7 2021

Yamaha R7 2021

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Overview - Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 vs Yamaha R7 2021

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 and the Yamaha R7 2021 are both popular supersport motorcycles that offer exciting performance and a sporty riding experience. While they have some similarities in terms of engine type, cylinder configuration, and advanced rider assistance systems, there are also notable differences in their specifications and features.

Starting with the engine and drive train, both motorcycles have an inline twin-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and DOHC technology. However, there are some differences in their bore, stroke, displacement, and power output. The Ninja 650 has a bore of 83 mm, stroke of 60 mm, displacement of 649 cc, and produces 68.2 HP of power and 65.7 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the R7 has a slightly smaller bore of 80 mm, longer stroke of 68.6 mm, displacement of 689 cc, and produces 73.4 HP of power and 67 Nm of torque. This indicates that the R7 has a higher power output and torque, which may result in better acceleration and top speed.

In terms of suspension, both motorcycles feature a swing arm rear suspension with a monoshock. However, the Ninja 650 has a telescopic fork front suspension with a diameter of 41 mm, while the R7 has an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with the same diameter. This suggests that the R7 may offer better front-end stability and improved handling.

Both motorcycles have a steel frame and similar rake angles, with the Ninja 650 having a rake of 65.5 degrees and the R7 having a slightly steeper rake of 66.3 degrees. This indicates that the R7 may have slightly sharper handling characteristics and better maneuverability.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

In terms of braking, both motorcycles have double disk front brakes. However, there is a difference in the technology used. The Ninja 650 has petal brakes, while the R7 has radial brakes. Radial brakes are generally known for providing better stopping power and more precise control, which may give the R7 an advantage in terms of braking performance.

Both motorcycles are equipped with advanced rider assistance systems, including ABS. This ensures enhanced safety during braking and helps prevent wheel lock-up.

In terms of dimensions and weights, the Ninja 650 has a front tire width of 120 mm, rear tire width of 160 mm, wheelbase of 1410 mm, and a kerb weight of 193 kg (with ABS). On the other hand, the R7 has a front tire width of 120 mm, rear tire width of 180 mm, wheelbase of 1395 mm, and a slightly lighter kerb weight of 188 kg (with ABS). These specifications suggest that the R7 may offer slightly better stability and agility due to its narrower rear tire and shorter wheelbase.

Yamaha R7 2021

Yamaha R7 2021

Both motorcycles have LED headlights, but the Ninja 650 also features LED daytime running lights and a TFT display, which provides a modern and premium feel. The R7, on the other hand, only has LED headlights.

In terms of strengths, the Ninja 650 is praised for being one of the last of its kind, offering a powerful two-cylinder engine, a comfortable seat suitable for touring, compact dimensions, a beginner-friendly seat height, a stable chassis, a TFT display with connectivity, and a sporty look. On the other hand, the R7 is commended for its high-torque CP2 engine, sporty riding position, suspension set-up, standard tires, and being a good entry-level trackday bike.

As for weaknesses, the Ninja 650 is criticized for being overall too dainty for tall riders, having a front brake pressure point, and limited suitability for touring with two people. The R7's only weakness mentioned is the absence of a quickshifter as standard, which would have been a nice addition.

In conclusion, while both the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 and the Yamaha R7 2021 are capable supersport motorcycles, they have distinct differences in terms of specifications and features. The R7 offers a more powerful engine, better front-end suspension, radial brakes, and a slightly lighter weight. On the other hand, the Ninja 650 provides a comfortable touring seat, a TFT display with connectivity, and a sporty look. Ultimately, the choice between these two motorcycles will depend on individual preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 compared to Yamaha R7 2021

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020
Yamaha R7 2021

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn lineEngine typeIn line
BoreBore83 mmBore80 mm
StrokeStroke60 mmStroke68.6 mm
Engine powerEngine power68.2 HPEngine power73.4 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power8,000 rpmRpm at Max. Power8,750 rpm
TorqueTorque65.7 NmTorque67 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque7,000 rpmRpm at Torque6,500 rpm
Compression RatioCompression Ratio10.8 Compression Ratio11.5
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bathClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath, Antihopping
IgnitionIgnitionDigitalIgnitionTransistor
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Transmission TypeTransmission TypeGearshiftTransmission TypeGearshift
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
Valves per cylinderValves per cylinder4Valves per cylinder4
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement649 ccmDisplacement689 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionTelescopic forkFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
DiameterDiameter41 mmDiameter41 mm

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel
RakeRake65.5 degreeRake66.3 degree

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonFour pistons
TechnologyTechnologyPetalTechnologyradial

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABSAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width160 mmRear tyre width180 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height60 %Rear tyre height55 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
WheelbaseWheelbase1,410 mmWheelbase1,395 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)193 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)188 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity15 lFuel Tank Capacity13 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentLED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT displayEquipmentLED-Headlights

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020

Save the sport tourer! With the Ninja 650, Kawasaki has created an exemplary representative of this class and (hopefully) solved the problem of the new generation. The stable chassis and the decent two-cylinder will delight beginners and advanced riders alike, even at a brisker pace. The front brake is a little too well intentioned, lacking a transparent pressure point despite basically good braking performance. Another plus is the TFT display, which we don't find in the competition at the moment, as well as the grown-up look, which is strongly oriented towards the larger Ninja models.

one of the last of its kind

powerful two-cylinder

comfortable seat suitable for touring

compact dimensions

beginner-friendly seat height

stable chassis

TFT display with connectivity

sporty look

Overall too dainty for tall riders

Front brake pressure point

Limited suitability for touring with two people

Yamaha R7 2021

Yamaha R7 2021

Despite the rather idiosyncratic combination of the sensible 73.4 hp mid-range power unit and the extremely aggressive, sporty look, the R7 is by no means a sheep in wolf's clothing. The performance, which is somewhere between the R3 and the R6, turned out to be much stronger in practice than the pure values on paper would suggest, and in terms of geometry, chassis, brakes and tyres, Yamaha's engineers have really done their homework. On top of that, the Yamaha R7 has all the qualities to have a lot of fun out-of-the-box on a compact race track like the Pannoniaring, for example, even without a big investment. But of course it feels better on the country road, and that's where it belongs in the first place, in our opinion. In view of the overall package, the purchase price is more than fairly priced - so it's not a problem that the quickshifter is not included and has to be purchased as an option.

high-torque CP2 engine

sporty riding position

suspension set-up

standard tyres

good entry-level trackday bike.

Quickshifter as standard would have been nice

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs Yamaha R7

There are a few key differences between a Kawasaki Ninja 650 2020 and a Yamaha R7 2021. There are the same number of bikes of both models available on the 1000PS.de marketplace, specifically 10. It takes less time to sell a Kawasaki Ninja 650 with 75 days compared to 161 days for a Yamaha R7. Since model year 2017 1000PS.de editors have written 20 reviews for the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and 9 reviews for the Yamaha R7 since model year 2021. The first review for the Kawasaki Ninja 650 was published on 10/4/2016 and now has more than 79,600 views. This compares to more than 92,800 views for the first review on Yamaha R7 published on 5/18/2021.

Price Kawasaki Ninja 650

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Yamaha R7

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Current average market prices

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