Hi, I am usually on the KLX250 forum but I have a few questions about the Ninja 650. I currently own a 2006 klx250s and I am thinking about going to a Ninja 650 or Versys next year. It seems to me that they are more or less the same bike other than the handlebar height, fairing, and adjustable suspension. Is this accurate? Also, I just generally commute and dont spend much time cruising, but I would like a bit more power than the KLX. Have there been any common issues with these two bikes? What are peoples opinions about them, do you like them, hate them, somewhere in the middle? Reliability? Is the rider more upright on the Ninja than on the typical supersport type, I am 6' and like a more upright ride.Cost to insure, is the fairing removable to where the ninja looks more like the versys? Certain years to get or avoid? Any and all help is greatly appreciated

 

I have not ridden either of them. However, the looks of the versys is not my style although for your expectations, it may just be you! You can strip down the ninja 650 easily if you wanted but it may not look the part for you. Check out the parts fiche and you see what I mean. That would not look right either I think. Kawasaki Motorcycle Parts 2012 EX650ECF Ninja 650R COWLING LOWERS Diagram


But for short commutes and no cruises, I would look into the klr 650. I use my ninja 500 for my daily use, but it is no longer available if you are looking for a new bike. (just throwing the ninja 500 idea out there as well)

 

I have thought about the KLR but I question the issues with the engine/ gearbox..I have read about needing to do some type of fix on them for an idler..not sure, I just want something for commuting that isn't too heavy, or sluggish, and has an upright ride. I like the KLX but would like a bit more power. I have heard some good things about the 500, and I am most likely going to buy used, makes more sense to me.

 

I would choose the EX500 then used for under $2k for a commuter, non racing bike. Good all around street power/torque. Nothing to brag about in power, but a good ride.

 

Hi and welcome!

The forum is Kawasaki everything, by the way, not just KLX250s, even though that's what most of the posts are about lately.

The KLR650 doesn't have any issues with the gearbox that I've been able to find aside from being a five speed instead of a six. The idler thing you refer to is commonly called a "doohickey" (balance shaft drive chain tensioner lever) and while it's a weakness in the design it's far from universal. Some people put 50k on their KLRs and never have a problem with it. Even if you want to replace it and be certain it's not an expensive thing to do and once done it's good for the life of the bike. Most KLR fixes are like that, fix once - ride forever. It's true the KLR isn't the most powerful thing around but it will sit at 70Mph all day without much effort and there are truck loads of farkles (accessories) available for them.

 

How much would one expect to pay to do the doohickey fix?

 

THIS: Complete lever kit with torsion spring plus postage. Then do it yourself. There are dozens of walk throughs for the procedure, both text + pictures and video.

 

thanks, this will definetly make the KLR a possibility now, I wrote it off do to this issue.