Honda vs Kawasaki | Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs Honda CBR650R | Visordown.com

[@adnrider]

Great comparison. That's interesting to watch. How the Ninja 650 compares with the Honda CBR500R?

[@JimmySlacksack]

the Ninja would blow the 500R away!

[@GEN084]

Fr no comparison.. I own the 2018cbr650.. ninja650 will get blown out the water.. CBR650F it’s the closest bike to getting a super sport with out actually having the low end power band rpm torque.. it power is more in high rpm around 8-11rpm.

[@moier3345]

I started on a CB500F (same engine as the CBR500R) and it was a lovely bike. I loved it! Sometimes you had to wait for "a good stretch of straight road" before overtaking a car on a mountain road because it didn't have the oomph. 650s don't have that problem, there is just that little bit more power on tab when you want it...perfect size for me personally

[@Stratocasterhead51]

@@GEN084 Agreed. Ninja probably gets a slight jump off the line with more power down low (honda needs to be high in rev range for the power) but in all fairness 68 vs 95hp can only ever end one way. Ninja is 15 kg lighter tho... Probably a little more nimble in the corners. I think for a first bike the ninja is definetely the better option. With the restrictor at 47hp, the extra weight and lack of low down torque probably make the honda very boring for A2 use. Ninja offers alot of its performance even in A2. Derestricted: take the Honda if buying in UK.

[@Tobeon2]

Ninja 650 is far superior (!?) to CBR500 in all category including handling. (I am currently riding 2017 Ninja 650, but had a chance to ride CBR500R not too long ago). However, unless you do a lot of highway, CBR500R is a very practical and probably one of the best bang for the buck bikes.

[@marcos1669]

I actually own the Ninja and a friend of mine owns the CBR As you have said, the CBR is more sporty, the brakes and suspension are noticeable better than the Ninja ones (not that the Nina ones are bad), the Ninja a sports-tourer where as I would qualify the CBR as a semi-R bike, it maybe doesn´t reach the suspension or brake quality of a supersport, but it tries to reach them. Handling wise, the Ninja handles more like a midweigth naked, after all is little more than a faired Z650, being quite agile and fun on very curvy roads, while the CBR is more of a sport stable bike, more oriented towards high speed corners. Regarding comfort, the uprigth position on the Ninja is clearly better for daily use, the CBR has a more comfortable position than a regular R, I would say is kind of in the middle between the Ninja and an R bike. Now to the bad part, the seat is quite hard on both, is worse on the Ninja than the CBR (typical Kawasaki), I would strongly recommend to find someone that can put some gel inside it to make it more comfortable. The fuel consumption is obviosly better on the Ninja, I am doing about 4,4 l/100, while my friend does 5,5 l/100 while doing the same roads at the same time. One thing I really like about the CBR is the sound, the howl as you say it, in fact I think it sounds better in real life than in the video, I love to go into a tunnel and when is empty go trough the first two or three gears, it´s kind of adictive. The Ninja has just a "meeh" sound, although I quite like the low end grunt (from 3k o 4k RPM). One curious thing is that taking in mind the mirrors the Ninja 650 is sligthly wider, I am saying this for people that live in Europe where you can filter, the Ninja 650 is a little bit harder to filter (not too much) Dasboard in the Ninja 650 is nicer, but the Kawasaki APP is quite buggy and you have to have the phone connected in order to record your trips, while the Honda app works really well and you don´t need to have the phone connected all the time. Another fun fact, while the CBR headlights are quite decent, the Ninja 650 headligths are reaally good. I would resume it as that the Ninja is the "sensible" choince, it has good fuel economy, is a little bit cheaper, is more comfortable (except for the seat), so is better as a daily, the CBR is more of a sporty bike, it can certainly be a daily (is not an R) but is more comfortable cruising in the highway or doing high speed corners than in the city, it also gets a little bit hotter.

[@Tobeon2]

I just ordered a comfy seat for my 2017 Ninja 650. I had a 6.5 hr ride (5.5 hr of 'on a bike time' out of 6.5 hr of total time) recently. After 3.5 hrs of riding even with two 10 min break time, my butts were so sore that I had to rest every 15 mins.. 😞🤪😜😳.. Lol.. I cannot wait to try this comfy seat!!

[@BhuvanTeja98]

The Honda CBR650R has smartphone connectivity? Does the 500R have the feature too?

[@zenden6564]

excellent practical comparison details - thanks.

[@sleeper.simulant7327]

This version of the CBR650R is a sport tourer technically, position is more upright like a VFR then any of the RR’s.

[@marcos1669]

@@BhuvanTeja98 If you are asking phone connectivity for things like message alerts or things like that, no, but it has phone connectivity for things like checking your last trips or antitheft alarm

[@iamricardomarques]

Love the looks of the Honda, love the engine of the Honda, love the sound of the Honda... I could be here for days describing why the CBR650R is my favorite bike at the moment. 🏍

[@ryanoliver9131]

The Honda cbr650r does seem like an amazing bike. My only issue is the price at least where I live. It’s almost as much as a zx6r. I think Honda makes good bikes and cars but sometimes they cost just a little to much imo. As far as the ninja 650 no introduction is needed that bike is tried and true it has plenty of power to have a lot of fun not to mention cheaper insurance and pretty bulletproof. Brand new the cbr 650r is 9g I bought a leftover 2019 street triple r for $9,500

[@iamricardomarques]

Ryan Oliver I guess with time you might be able to make that money back because of Honda’s reliability. Either way, each of the bikes you mentioned serve a different purpose in my opinion. So I guess it’s a call you need to make considering price, reliability and it’s purpose. All of them are great options in their own way, so pick your poison and have fun, that’s the most important thing! 🙂

[@ryanoliver9131]

Ricardo Marques you right! I wasn’t trying to make it sound like the cbr is a bad bike I hope it didn’t come across that way. I also love to ride my Harley night rod which is stupid expensive. People tell me all the time it was a dumb purchase but it’s what I liked. Stay safe and enjoy that cbr!

[@iamricardomarques]

Ryan Oliver that’s cool. The specs vs price comparison is just numbers for me, as long as you have fun or/and be proud of your bike, that’s all that matters. I would like to try a Harley at some point once I get a little more experienced. Enjoy it man, stay safe!

[@B4reDown]

Love mine. My beginner bike. Just hit 1,000 miles on it in a month and a half and I gotta say it’s been life changing

[@stevesmith6236]

The ever increasing volume of the background music is super annoying! Tone it down please!

[@varuzhanbasmajyan2265]

My heart says "Buy the CBR"... but my head says "The Ninja!!!!" :)

[@final-destination]

Better buy honda, it has better sound quality. But the ninja has very bad exhaust sound you will never feel you are riding a bike if you buy ninja 650

[@karangoraksh6859]

Honda is better inline 4 cylinder engine is unbeatable

[@jonahharris708]

@@final-destination that explanation is almost as bad as your grammar

[@ravencasilang5773]

And your budget says scooter haha

[@natusMCMII]

Had to make the same decision as you and I've gone for the CBR...was the right choice, I recommend it

[@williamnewkirk6316]

Your review confirms my decision to go with the Ninja. Returning to riding after 15 years, I am looking for a sporty bike that I can tour and commute on. 450 comfortable miles last weekend affirmed the bike's capabilities. And it looks fantastic in Glacier white, too.

[@sportmuaythaiv1045]

I was weaned on BSA 650 FireBird, and the new Ninja 650 feels like a refined version. Similar curb weight, more nimble handling ( something that Japanese bikes usually cannot do better), better brakes and power. With YSS suspensions, The Ninja simply go around local track much better than my 650 Firebird.

[@luiz576]

Did you buy It? What are your impressions now? Would you choose a Z900 instead?

[@vishisdead5762]

How did you go king?

[@moier3345]

Thank guys! I'm a bit torn between these two and after watching lots of videos I think the Ninja is better suited to me. I am not the world's most experienced rider and I couldn't ride either of them to their limits but I do like to give it a go on mountain roads (I live very close to the Pyrenees) from time to time... My main goal right now is to find a bike that is able to "walk the walk" if I want to and also travel a bit carrying luggage. I've tried the naked version of the CBR and I actually don't like the noise from that 4 cylinder engine and the engine characteristics in general. So, I'm looking forward to trying the Ninja after the lockdown here ends and see if it suits me as well as I hope it does. I own a Honda Rebel 500 and a Yamaha XSR700 right now and I like 2 cylinder engines for their grunt down low (just more usable power on the small windy roads I typically ride on) and the more sociable soundtrack (lots of small villages up here in the mountains, I don't wanna piss the locals off or they'll put up radars everywhere). If the new Ninja with that slipper clutch turns out a little bit smoother and less stress-inducing than my XSR, then I think I'm sold. As far as I know they sell it with a touring pack that includes side panniers and a higher windshield. Sounds like a great idea to me personally... Thank you again for the cool video and the food for thought!

[@Whos-That-Guy]

When I rode the XSR I actually thought it would make a decent naked tourer. I thought it was better than my fz6r at touring. Imo I think the tracer or verseys would be better suited than the ninja for your needs.

[@spooner9440]

You have absolutely nailed the basics of the two bikes. Keep up more of this type of comparisons, it really helps as more and more Pros are dropping down displacements this time around. Stay safe.

[@angeloesposito6172]

I would choose honda just for the traction control, its an important safety feature that should not be missed on motorbikes like these..

[@ObitoUchihaisgay]

I mean, i chose the Honda but I don't think you need TC with less than 100hp on a 180 tire. I don't think it has ever kicked in for me, even with the shitty 214 OEM tires and in the rain

[@billp3995]

Had a Kawasaki z750s, nice bike. Rear wheel spun out on some slippery, probably some dried hydro from a garbage truck, wiped out broke collar bone. Just bought the cbr650r with TC. Would never own a bike again without TC. Had a cbr600rr, loved it, still now TC is a must or I wouldn’t ride.

[@ashi6838]

Tc has saved me twice riding in rain but honestly i was doing hooligan stuff. Now I tend to ride with TC off when riding during dry summmer days because i like to pull 2nd gear wheelies!

[@billp3995]

@@ashi6838 it’s been 7 years since the wipe out and the broken collar bone. I was out yesterday for a rip around a local mountain road and a nice country road windy treat. There’s still a lingering fear as I throttle out of the corners. The low end torque on the 650r is good, it drops off mid way, power is back at 8rpms or so. I liked the power of the 05cbr600rr I owned better. I don’t do mods so if I changed I’d look at the zx636krt and that bike has been de-tuned also.

[@gregoryaparker]

@@ObitoUchihaisgay I wouldn't bother with traction control if my speed limit was less than 120mph, but it's nice to have.

[@JDeezle21]

Been waiting for this. Have had the money saved for weeks going back and forth between the two.

[@mr3748]

If you really want to spend more money on that honda, rather spend it on a zx6r

[@Carlos_500]

Just got the Honda with added levers, bar ends, tail tidy, seat cowl, rad grill, tank protector and some race stickers. It’s sex in two wheels and turns heads everywhere. Enough power for the roads whilst keeping my licence. Solid in the corners as with most Hondas and the stock exhaust is one of the best sounding I have had on a bike. Great machine.

[@sebbwebbo7557]

would take the ninja 1) torquier engine (for daily use) 2) it's green 3) cheaper 4) hm..it's green?

[@sportstouringracer]

for daily use, ninja of course.. cheap maintenance too

[@kenwoolf]

It's very green... :D

[@airborneroots5356]

The difference is simple. As much as everyone knows how Kawasaki is perfectly capable of making monster fast bikes, in this case the CBR is a true sports bike whereas this Ninja category is powered by what sounds like nothing more than a large moped. The CBR is incomparably superior.

[@aeror115]

Both machines seems to be great bikes! I would choose the Ninja 😅

[@sportmuaythaiv1045]

I've owned a CBR 650F, and now ride Ninja2017 Ninja 650, which suits me better. To point out CBR 650 flaws, number 1 would be the curb weight. 430 lbs or 195 kg is my tolerable limit. The clutch feel on the CBR 650 is not acceptable for my requirement. Then there is the throttle response. But the CBR 650 really shine on its performance. It will simply blow away the Ninja 650. I feel both the CBR 650 and the Ninja 650 have poor suspensions. Fortunately, YSS has solutions for both bikes. BTW I also own a 765RS and a Ninja 400. Both bikes bring more smile to my face.

[@SavagePotatos]

@@sportmuaythaiv1045 no one cares

[@I_hunt_lolis]

@@SavagePotatos You cared enough to reply

[@jared123123]

But the older cbr650f models are quite a bit different then the new 650r? Seems a bit unfair to compare them like that

[@skeletony2812]

I bought the ninja in 2018. Absolutely love it and still have it. I raced against this exact Honda. And lost on the freeway but won on the river road. Solid bikes

[@djcarbon6995]

LMAOOOO

[@djcarbon6995]

I'm getting my cbr soon

[@tonyhancock884]

You may want to amend the power output figures of the Honda, 70kw equals approximately 94 HP not 69 as you outline.

[@kingwarrior5795]

BHP is different to HP isn't it

[@monkeypops85]

@@kingwarrior5795 it is, but not by that much.

[@grodt88]

@@kingwarrior5795 1 Brake horsepower [bhp] = 1.013 869 665 Horsepower [HP] so 69 bhp = 69 hp they made mistake in video at 3:00

[@roysondsouza0309]

I have watched almost 20 review videos on these two bikes. Here's what I have to say in the most simplest way Honda CBR650R - Looking for a sporting tour, much aggressive feel, refined engine, supersportsbike exhaust sound, you got it Kawasaki Ninja 650 - Low priced in the segment, quick pick up as a commuter (low end torque), great visuals, rider comfort on uneven roads, less aggressive and much more fuel efficient.

[@Brianmoto49]

well done....I'm a Kawasaki guy...love their Z series...

[@markgilmalbas7889]

Close performance but different sound. I am inline-4 fan❣

[@zioalecpov1815]

Just bought a Ninja 650 as my first bike ! I'm in love with her 😍

[@SpotifyLyrical.]

Is she fast?

[@zioalecpov1815]

@@SpotifyLyrical. maximum speed is 200km/h but it's very torky even on low revs

[@rc5924]

I prefer my 650 over my zx10. Anything under 110 can handle pretty much just as well

[@putinipros1184]

bought a Ninja 650 month ago , im lovin diz bike ,i'm beginner just like u.Greetings from Poland buddy.

[@rc5924]

@GregAndr I don't care much about the sound, it's the handling and performance I care about

[@madingahmar4420]

I vote for the honda personally 😘

[@markconcessio3054]

Me too 😀👍

[@markconcessio3054]

❤️ the Honda

[@StanDaManReviews]

Excellent Comparison review. I'll choose the Ninja 650 since it's a lot cheaper than the CBR 650 in my country.

[@StanDaManReviews]

@@webuser1108 It's just slightly better looking, not 800 times. Plus it's pricier than the Ninja 650.

[@Tobeon2]

I commute with 2017 Ninja 650 about 7 months out of year. About 1800 miles per month. I love my Ninja 650 in many ways..🥰😁. However, I wish it had a bigger fuel tank.... 😞

[@Kezualacvlog]

What a production level!Wow!its unbelievable that channel like this has only 100k something subscribers,you deserve 1m +!

[@visordown]

Thank you so much 😀

[@claudiocrivellato7532]

Great video apart the power error, but...it seem honda's shots and cinematography is way better than kawa's..

[@harshaokin8064]

that was a very very good comparison. come to india and you'll see almost all of us are a sucker for inline four motorcycles and most of those comparisons we have, are declaring the cbr as the winner. but this one review was unique and well done. good job, you guys! loved it!

[@sportmuaythaiv1045]

I live in Thailand, and Thais are suckers for four cylinders too. BTW, I lived in Nainital for > four years.

[@tonygreene81able]

I fell in love with CBR in 1998. Love all the Japanese manufacturer's but Honda is my favorite.

[@revanthkarri8112]

That's when I born

[@Pixelwave90]

I've got Ninja 650 2021 this year. Where I live, we have to take 3 course to extend our learning licence. For the course I became a Yamaha 125. It's a lightweight bike but somehow very bulky to drive. after the course I finally became my Ninja 650. on my first drive, my first impression was, how the bike feels and drive much more comfortable even with more weight than Yamaha. the feeling the bike give is similar to ride a bicycle. it's even possible to drive tracks over 1 hour.

[@mrrizov93]

I was choosing between these two and ended up picking Ninja 650. I am a new rider and this is my first bike. I tried on sitting on both bikes, Honda position was more "aggressive" but for no reason it was still good and comfy for me. Honda's traction control was very tempting feature for me as new rider, like you said in the video it adds more safety, but do you really need it? (obviously for new riders I don't think so) From what I've read at forums Honda's engine is much smoother which is good for new riders, since Kawi is much more punchy at low end. At some point you can say maybe Honda is more forgiving in rolling the throttle by mistake in low rpms. Both bikes have great design, Kawi TFT is superior, the app is bad as all people who used it know. Getting 4 cyl bike sounds good idea for new rider too, you can drive it calm, and when is needed you will have the power for sure. SO why I went for Kawi? Price and power. I didn't want fast bike because no matter how much you swear you will drive it slowly and carefully, you won't its freaking 4 cyl HONDA, screaming nicely and it will be tempting to go and try that power ! Don't get me wrong the Ninja isn't slow at all, especially for first bike. At the end of the day price get me to thinking...in my country the difference between the two bikes was basically this: Kawi with full gear vs Honda without any gear. I don't regret getting the Ninja, I don't how CBR650R handles or at this matter any bike, but the Ninja handles good and deals great with road bumps. Its great experience. In summary I think that Kawasaki is much more better for new riders and getting them into the world of motorcycles, and Honda is maybe for someone who got A2 licence and just got his A licence and he already got much experience on bikes in general. Also I think ZX6R is better choice for second bike if you are considering getting CBR650R for your second bike.

[@Дас-м8р]

100%

[@m.rraghav817]

Honestly in my country, Honda is a lot cheaper to live with surprising enough! Spares and service isn't as high as Kawasaki. I'd take the Honda for that inline 4 smoothness and it being a good all rounder bike but kwacker has the better to low to mid range torque, but I love the top end on the Honda

[@geertd3244]

Any comment on whether an 'upgrade'/'sidegrade' from the Ninja 650 to the CBR650R? I'm riding the 2017 Ninja now. Tax-returns on it end after this year, so looking for something new. I hate that there's so little modern choice in this category. More powerful or build-out options are immediatly a big fat Ninja 1000SX or a Ducati Supersports S. Both of which come with a fairly hefty price tag. A real supersport like a ZX6R or R6, although lovely bikes, doesn't suit my needs. I need my touring/commuting comfort about 80% of the time, but I want something that screams 'SPEEEED' when you look at it aswel :'D

[@Madman6505]

My thoughts exactly!

[@geertd3244]

@शिरीष ರಾಮಾಯ That's one of the bikes on my shortlist indeed! Have yet to go for a test ride .. :)

[@stablestoic1491]

Great comparison. I wish some channel out there did an in depth comparison between the big 4 and the mechanical build quality / fit and finish of their bikes and how they stack up. Some bike videos start to feel like glorified QVC adds.

[@johannjacobs6401]

The big four manufactures great bikes, fit, finish, quality, reliability. They are known for that and build their reputation on it, Any prospective buyer can't go wrong with either off the big four's products. Regards from rsa

[@stablestoic1491]

@@johannjacobs6401 hey thanks for your input

[@RT22-pb2pp]

You can look at the four big boys and see fit and finish and as far as quality and reliability all 4 are pretty much the same may vary model to model but a jap bike is a good bike. owned 3 of the 4 brands in difference sizez street dirt sport standard never had any complaints,. just pick the bike that fits you and forget what others say you will be happy unless you just have to fit others expectations if so no bike will make you happy. I have owned 20 plus bikes over the years all japanese for different riding dirt enduro commuting sport and was happy as a clam with ever bike I chose. Staretd out on honda sl 125 in mid 70s then honda 400 four super sport late 80s had many a dirt bikes between and after then in 85 got first model 600 ninja and stayed with kawi sport bikes as local dealer and I became buds and I am loyal to good dealer. Rode many honda yamahas loved them but only had a few. never ever bought a suzuki ridden many like the bikes but the looks especially sport bikes not my cup of tea and everyone had one. I like kawi sportbikes, abused mine never had a damn one break or trand me and I abused them ninjas and zx bike.

[@Haziqevo]

One of the best videos to be honest. I recently sold my GSXR600 for being too old and I have developed a bad back. I use it as a daily commuter despite being a supersports and it lacks low end grunt which is useful in town. I miss the old bike due to the sound and I’m never really fussed about the top speed. I hated being in that position especially coming home from a long day at work but the weekend rides really remind me of why I bought the bike at the first place. I’ve decided to get a CB650R (yes the naked version) as i believe like you said in the video it allows for a supersports experience in a real world environment. And with the inline 4 I’m sticking an Akrapovic right after the break in period.

[@visordown]

Thanks!

[@hammernightwolf5225]

So, which one to buy for my wife as a 1st bike? She is 158cm tall. Which one is safer for new rider? Thanks.

[@sammiesomething8403]

I’m only 157 ish and I’ve ridden the CBR650R many times. But that’s based on the fact that I’ve also had quite some experiences riding big bikes. For the seat height, Ninja 650 is about 78.5 cm whereas CBR650R is 81 cm. Ninja 650 is much lighter ofc since it’s a 2 cyl. But I’d say as a 4 cyl especially a Honda bike, CBR650R is quite forgiving in terms of riding mistake, and throttle-to-power wise it’s more linear. They are both very good beginner bikes, what u have to think about is what kind of experience u are looking for because a 2 cyl is considerably different from a 4 cyl. The sound, the power curve, and ofc the weight. What Id suggest is that go and try them out at a dealership, go sit on the bikes and go for a small ride, and she’ll know which one fits better. Personally I like CBR650R better because it’s a 4 cyl and it’s a Honda lolz

[@timothymills733]

Brilliant video, and kudos on a realistic review of a segment of motorcycles that is frequently dismissed by other publications, and many riders, as not worthy of consideration simply because they are not the latest and greatest track weapon. In truth this is the type of bike that most riders would be better off with, and happier with, if they put their egos aside.

[@guntherd.2005]

As a CBR600F rider I can only confirm that this segment of bikes needs more consideration. Though a small 4-inline comes at at a price being none to very little bottom end power. It makes it very easy to ride, but definetely lacks power coming out of a corner uphill in 3rd or even 2nd gear. High revs are required but that is part of the sporty experience.

[@johannjacobs6401]

@@guntherd.2005 My cbf 600s with the detuned motor has lots of low down torque, it accelerates smoothly from 60km/h in 6 th gear, that is on a level road, i will have to gear down in a situation like you mentioned, what a pleasure. Regards from rsa

[@behzadkazemi7548]

hello please am in i have a question kawasaki 650 edition honda cbr 650r or yamah yzf r7 all from 2023 which one is better in looks and sporty especially for road riding best regards

[@CarlaIsabel21]

I've try them both, find Kawasaki more interesting and exciting to ride 😉

[@hameedhularshadh8288]

Inline 4 sound is more than enough to pick the honda over kawi any day

[@murraymarshall5865]

Hameedhul Arshadh it’s down to personal taste, I much prefer the sound of a twin than a screaming four. I currently own an inline four and love riding it but am not enamoured with the noise.

[@hemansx]

I had the Ninja 650 with the Yoshimura exhaust, the stock sounds pretty awful but with an aftermarket exhaust the Ninja can sound real good.

[@swapnilchaudhary2944]

That price tag is louder than il4

[@wirenut3020]

Honda inline 4 is a screamer - even with the stock exhaust. The Kawasaki sounds like a sewing machine

[@UtoyOnWheels]

@2:59 says 69 bhb "porwer"but 93bph @3:15. Sorry for the nitpicking. I also remember on your WorldSBK video that there was an audio issue somewhere within the ZX10 part. Love your video guys I just noticed these. I guess the video editing is a bit rushed to meet the deadline?

[@RazorRamone02]

69 bhp for the a2 version and 93/4 for the actual full unrestricted version

[@chrisredfield3240]

@@RazorRamone02 A2 is supposed to be 47hp

[@RazorRamone02]

@@chrisredfield3240 There's 2 versions of the bike an a2 specific bike that can be restricted fron 69bhp to 47bhp and the full unrestricted bike like the triumph street tripple a2 only bike or the kawi z900 a2... Tbh with you im just making up facts lol but im guessing that's what they did like triumph.

[@ejyap3590]

Razor12Ramone not accurate,a2 version is from 93bhp to 47 bhp,theres no such thing is 69bhp,typo error maybe from the uploader,i own a cbr650r a2 version,from 93bhp down to 47 ponnies

[@stanleyblazeraznik6047]

Cheaper is not always better. The Honda is a super model and the Ninja is the cute girl along the way. The fit and finish of the Honda is top notch. The Ninja looks cheap, plastic. If price is no issue to you then take the inline 4 of the Honda as it is soooooo smooth. Honda just nails it.

[@terrort8151]

been looking for this comparison for a while good job

[@visordown]

Cheers!

[@professorfarnsworth6189]

Honda 650r...looks freaking sweet....and doesn't sound like a lawnmower, err parallel twin.

[@mrmuncheez374]

Both still need an aftermarket exhaust. I put a Yoshimura Alpha full exhaust on my 2019 Ninja 650 and it woke the hell out of the power. I can't wait to do an air filter and get the ECU tuned and flashed. It sounds freakin' mean now too. BTW, the Honda 650R is thousands $$ more than the Ninja 650. Where I am in the states, the Honda is like $9600 plus, I walked out of the dealer paying $6800 plus tax for my '19 Ninja 650 ABS orange & black with only 1 mile on it. This left room for things like gear, an extra 4 yr full warranty and mods. I'm a Kawasaki fan all the way!!!

[@finitesteel947]

@@mrmuncheez374 I literally just bought the same bike. Black and green though. $6799, 1 mile on it (300 in the few days since I bought it) and as an upgrade from the Ninja 300 I love it. CBR650R looks like it might be my next bike. I love the inline 4s and really want a more aggressive seating position for my next bike but just don't think riding a ZX6R at 19 would do much for my insurance.

[@MJT-DA]

@@finitesteel947 I'm 21 and my fz6r is costing me over $400/month.....

[@professorfarnsworth6189]

@@mrmuncheez374 even then i cant stand a parallel twins exhaust note, even if its cross plane i still dont enjoy it much, inline 3s and 4s are what I prefer

[@musguelha14]

Funnily enough, every twin cylinder lawnmower I know is actually a v-twin.

[@alexanderguestguitars3619]

Both GORGEOUS. Want both, still can't decide. CBR is a SPORT oriented machine, but the Kwak is a TOUR and commute oriented machine. But they will both do EVERYTHING.

[@ianwarren]

But the Honda will excite you in ways the Kawasaki can’t!

[@Englishbikerdan]

Nice comparison video. I didn't realise there was a BPSFF. I thought it was either BPF or SFF? The Ninja looks like a little ripper, whereas the Honda is definitely more sport focused. My back says so anyway!

[@taolang1089]

I'll vote for the Kawasaki Ninja 650! All day! Even though I started on a ninja ZX6-R. On Ninjas from 400 to 650 high torque gets you going.

[@mr3748]

Yip I'll take Kawasaki or Suzuki any day above any honda

[@Tobeon2]

Yup... yup... I currently ride Suzuki GSX S750, but owned Ninja 650 in the past... I think Ninja 650 is the most practical bike out there... 🥰

[@AlkaliIbrahim]

I used to have an older ninja 650 a couple of years ago, I consider it a forgiving bike as it was practical for commuting every single day, it was also especially easy to get off in traffic and you can feel its torque. It’s more than enough for a beginner/intermediate rider. My biggest issue was 2-cylinder sound, it was like a tractor. It did have a lot of backfires and cool popping sounds with the custom exhaust I had, it had this thumping deep growl sound. I just prefer the smooth sound of a 4 cylinder bike by far. Another thing with a 2 cylinder bike is the ride is not the smoothest, it has this kick to it every time you change gears, also sort of vibrates a lot, I liked the kick. I also remember it setting of car alarms of parked cars. Now the CBR appeals more to me because of its sportier appearance and sound. The 4 cylinder should probably be a smoother ride and the seating position wouldn’t kill someone’s back. Maybe a full sports bike doesn’t make much sense if you are not taking it to the track anyway.

[@williamspiller5032]

PLEASE CONTINUE TO BRING MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS!!! REALLY ENJOYED IT

[@visordown]

Thank you! Let us know what bikes you want us to compare 👍

[@samuelgillard2196]

Stop shouting!

[@shah9394]

I've got the Kow 650....the front end is a wooden pogo stick and you have to disassemble the rear end just about to adjust sag...its a mid 90s bike being sold today. I should have bought the Honda with its proper front suspension

[@elphabama]

Thank you very much for a very well put together video I went for a 2021 ninja 650 and I’m just doing my mod two test shortly so I should be able to ride it before to long. I love the cbr but it is way more expensive than the ninja, I am confident I have made the right decision.

[@MrTanagax]

We dont have cbr650r here in the Philippines but we have cbr500r however havinf hard time picking due to its price. Cbr500r cost $8381 and kawasaki ninja 650 2020 cost $8441 black and the krt version is $8661. What will you recommend?

[@TheTwinPost]

Between the 500 and the 650 ...one has to go with the Kawi... especially with such a small price margin.

[@sterlingroberts6240]

I would get the 500; it’s just better built.

[@sterlingroberts6240]

A good example is the torque/power curve of the Honda vs the Kawasaki. Google Cbr500r vs ninja 650 dyno graph. Compare the power and/or torque curves and see the difference that peak numbers don’t tell you.

[@sterlingroberts6240]

CBR also looks WAY better and gets insane mpg, partly due to the cylinder dimensions being “square.”

[@chrisredfield3240]

@@sterlingroberts6240 better get better mpg when its 47hp vs the kawasaki with 68hp

[@ahmadalbab5448]

Best for daily use?cbr@ninja 650???

[@motobiketrails]

Which of the two can be better used for city riding? Do any of these bikes heat up in slow moving traffic?

[@gerloczyek]

I think both do a bit.

[@warden1290]

Does the Honda CBR650R still have problems with emerging rust? Because many 2019 owners are complaining about it.

[@JakeNaughtFromStateFarm]

Basically, what I’m getting from the video is: Buy the Honda if you want a “starter super sport.” Buy the Kawasaki if you’re not ready for a true sport bike, but want one.

[@fourforaboy575]

What's the insurance like for both bikes price wise?

[@GamingCornerYT]

7k is expensive for sub 100hp bikes. Think there trying to be to deceptive with the names ‘CBR’ and ‘Ninja’ but not fully blown sport bikes, sort of bike people say they’ve got a CBR or Ninja, all fur no knickers 🤣 I only paid 8k for a new z900 with the performance back, 130hp and 10k for my z1000sx, really close pricing youd be best getting a ninja 300 or 400 to start and then moving up to zx6r or for more comfort a z900 etc as a mid bike, if your bothered about touring there’s always the tracer 900 etc

[@borkarms]

Great Review.Enjoyed watching.... 26bhp difference,2 cylinders less still not too much to separate the two....No clear winner....This shows how great the Ninja is......

[@gb-nz]

Indeed, Honda should have won easily on paper. Ninja 650 is an amazing overall bike for the money. Touring/Commuting/Sporty and still good for Learners as a 1st bike.

[@jared123123]

I mean to be fair.. that’s just his opinion lol. The Honda does basically win out in majority of segments with exception being ergonomics etc as they are tuned to just be different in that respect. Honda went a little more sporty where as ninja is just relaxed. Depends what you want it for and how you plan to drive it more than anything . Ones not necessarily better then the other . I’m just sick of all the damn green on ninjas personally, if it was majority black with some green accents etc sure but that being said I prefer the matte black Honda scheme over the red too

[@borkarms]

@@jared123123 It may be only His opinion , but its fair to believe that Team Visor Down knows what's its saying overall . They are the experts on this topic.With 2 cylinders and almost 30 bhp advantage there should have been no contest, Honda should have won hands down , but Kawasaki still runs pretty close ... this proves how good the Ninja 650 is ...

[@problemslayer3538]

Interestingly, when all the Yamaha fans moved onto the MT range they forgot all about the Yamaha FZ8. That 779cc engine is incredible from 6k revs onwards and is butter smooth when properly warmed up. Dont get me wrong, it misses some of the latest tech in these bikes and doesnt have adjustable suspension and also comes in quite heavy, around 204kg i think but considering it costs considerably less now, than these bikes but with more power and similar seating position / ergonomics im wondering whether the extra price for these two is justified, personal preferences aside of course. The only downside of the FZ8 is poor fuel consumption due to the performance orientated engine.

[@Terraceview]

I'll take an inline-4 over inline-2 in the same capacity any day.

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

The honda is a 4? thats cool, yeah i feel the same then

[@Spirit451]

Will you take the ZX-25R then? It's going to be expensive than the Ninja 650.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

@@Spirit451 The what.. 250CC?

[@tambuchongpinoy2678]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks yes u heard it correctly kawasaki just launched 250cc inline 4 hehe

[@karlosh9286]

personally , I'll take a triple :)

[@philbennett8896]

I have read elsewhere that the Honda is a bit vibey to the point of white finger issues on longer journeys. Did you find this a problem? For me the Ninja looks a more attractive proposition for a new-ish A licence holder like myself - more so because of its price compared to the CBR.

[@benvu2364]

Phil Bennett I own the CBR650R. It does get a little buzzy at times, but it’s acceptable. I’ve gone on long road trips and when I get off the bike I still feel a slight buzz in my hands and feet, but it doesn’t bother me too much. Now that I have over 2200 miles on the bike, it seems to be getting better. I wouldn’t let the small vibration be a deciding factor in buying this bike. You mostly feel it at higher RPMs, above 80mph.

[@philbennett8896]

@@benvu2364 Thank you for taking the time to provide your insight as an owner. Ride safe!

[@connorjohnson763]

Had the first gen cbr650 and the engine note and exhaust note was addictive, she would purr along but load it up in say 4th at 30 mph and you would get a lovely induction noise that would then developed into a scream at 11k Comforf wise I found the seat to hard for my arse. Anything over 2 hours and I was ready for a coffee stop. Passed my test on a cb500 and a twin is so lumpy compared go the 4 pot but I can imagine the ninja 650 having bags of bottom end and good mid where as my 650 liked to live north of 7k to have a good time

[@yajushp]

For someone who just knows how to ride a bike but has no experience whatsoever will the baby blade prove to be a safe, learning and good option?

[@visordown]

Yajush Painkra yes, it’s a safe and steady bike with enough performance that you won’t get bored too quickly

[@yajushp]

@@visordown thank you so much!!!

[@risingphoenix1187]

Very good comparison. Massive thumbs up!! 👍🏿

[@rayb5394]

Yes too tough to call! Here in the states the Honda is $1700 more than the krt version of the Ninja 650, $2000 more than the white and black colors of the Ninja! 🤔

[@GEN084]

But with Honda your paying for quality. A dependable bike with a inline 4 engine from the 1997 cbr600rr.. sorry wudnt want a 2 cylinder unless I didn’t have a choice

[@indoctrinate4740]

@@GEN084 the twin is way torquier. If I'm going to get a 4-cylinder it's got to be faster then a twin lol Plus where I live I can buy a z900 fur less money 😄

[@hipposnakeyo]

$2000 is quite a bit difference in bike world. My friend has got the new cbr and I have to agree it’s more sporty and more capable on track. But in real world my ninja is more comfortable and the power is immediate. I disagree the Honda has better quality, the engine burns oil and it’s showing some rust despite been a newer bike whereas my 3yr old ninja still looks brand new.

[@trailrider1980]

@@hipposnakeyo people continue to talk about honda's reliability. I love all bikes and often participate in honda forums there are plenty of issues with their newer bikes including the cb1000r. I can get a ninja 650 in va with abs for out of the door for around $6,500 new. That's way cheaper than the cbr650r.

[@gb-nz]

Kawasaki is top quality. I got my 2019 Ninja 650 first day it was made available. After 9k, it still looks brand new, never missed a beat. My only complaint was the seat, which has been improved, plus new LEDs, LCD Screen... quite temped to upgrade already!

[@gb-nz]

Kawasaki bike is a great contender against every middleweight bike as it does many things well. If you are purely looking for that supersport feeling, the Honda should be your 2nd or 3rd option, after the R6, ZX6R and dare I say Panigale?

[@haydenhodgson8716]

Love the looks of the Honda

[@christosswc]

Awesome review, nailed it I feel.

[@tigerick7291]

Isn't the Honda a lot faster with having more HP? I really do like the looks of that bike but I also think Kawasaki are smashing it with their current line up of bikes. Good review 👍

[@moier3345]

Yes, the Honda is very likely "the faster bike" but in my experience it just depends on your personal use of the bike, the kind of roads you're riding on and your skill as a rider. A 2-cylinder engine like the Ninja's might be "down on hp" but if the roads you ride on consist of more hairpin bends than straights, I doubt the Honda could just "pull away" from the Ninja because cornering speed is more dependant on rider skill, "dare" and physics than horse power. In effect the two bikes with the same rider would take the corner at the same speed but the Ninja could get out of the corner faster at a lower rev range than the Honda. You would have to be a really skilled rider keeping that Honda at high revs all the time to be able to use the extra horses it offers. And in my humble experience us normal people don't have the skill of a Marquez to ride our bikes to the limit like that. My little Rebel 500 won't run away from a CBR650 in a straight line of course and I wouldn't have the needed skill anyway but the bike has a wide range of usable torque which the CBR650 doesn't, so a guy on that kind of bike would have to be a pretty fast and daring rider to run away from a mediocre rider like me on a very bendy road... If you are talking about a drag race in a straight line or lap times at Silverstone circuit that is a different scenario where that CBR650 would have a big advantage I guess... So, the question is more "what kind of riding are you likely to do and do you prefer "low-end grunt" or "high-end power"...

[@ianwarren]

As a fat bloke (106kg) lugging a backpack and two soft panniers with at least 20kg of luggage my 21 CBR650R still did 148 MPH indicated (238 kph) on German Autobahns! I recon the speedo over reads by about 8% so that’s a real 137 mph! So yes the Honda is quick!

[@233kosta]

That rather depends on what you view as "faster". For instance, the MT-07 I trained on felt quite a bit faster than my CB650R at non-ticketable speeds, even though past 1st gear it has little chance. Unless you're into the whole inline four/track day thing, the ninja will have more _usable_ power.

[@midlife-crysis]

2:53 69 horse power? Thought it was 94! Then max power you say is 70kw….thats a lot more than 69 horses

[@serberious]

My wife and I tried both and the Honda pillion, according to her, was like sitting on a wooden plank while the Kwacker pillion was super comfy so we got the Kwacker, no contest.

[@Desi.Kangaroo]

I own the Honda CBR650R and I love it😍😍

[@55johnno]

Having owned a KRT 650 ninja and rode a Honda 650 there is no comparison for me , the tiny service intervals of the Kawasaki drove me mad, after 9000 miles and 3 services and 6 weeks being repaired the Kawasaki proved to troublesome/delicate/expensive to service, where the Honda (which has more power) would have only one service so less time off the road and cheaper to service is my choice. The only advantage of the Kawasaki is it’s a bit more comfortable with its higher bars, but for me the Honda everyday after learning the expensive hard way!

[@BernardSolomon]

Not a fan of twins - so it is the Honda for me.

[@pummyy]

A twin revs way higher than an inline 4. I have owned both. So you if you like to reve its twins. If you need smooth delivery all along its inline 4.

[@ryanoliver9131]

Srini Krish the twins rev higher? I thought the twins had more down low and midrange.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

can not go wrong with either will come down to personal preference both awesome reliable bikes. One may be a tad quicker or faster top end but they are both great bikes. i think most would come down to which one fits them better is most comfortable to them and what type of riding you going to do. But I like the green but the red is pretty too, oh hell this could take a while LOL

[@WilliamdThompson]

Thank you for your review. I have a plasma blue 2007 Kawasaki 650R Ninja with only 4,310 miles and in near mint condition. I've thought about trading for a 2020 Ninja 650, but it is down on horsepower compared to mine yet they claim the mid range of the 2020 Ninja 650 is better than my 2007 650R. I live near Toronto Canada, and I can't get a test ride here. What is your opinion on this matter? Thank you.

[@BELLATOR_L3]

This was awesome and informative. Great video, and really helped me grab info that I was curious about. Subscribed!

[@kevinjerome4925]

Picked up a new Ninja 650 two weeks ago - DVLA state Euro 4 in the log book! Stay safe.

[@cedricparkinson3635]

I researched for two months and finally bought the Ninja 650. Almost a perfect bike for everyday use. I added a Kawasaki rack and top box so now it is very versatile also.

[@gregoryaparker]

Everyone makes mistakes...lol.

[@Mihalyofficial]

Kawi all the way...even if just for a lawn ornament its paint scheme is awesome

[@philbchrd]

CBR all the way, in-line 4 way better than a twin, handles better, looks better

[@ALLIENSKILLS_HCTS]

Honda cbr650r ! This is the bike that i would buy without second thought...

[@rc5924]

It's 2000$ more than the ninja

[@rc5924]

@GregAndr dude what are you talking about, it's 7500, same price as last year. Cbrs are still at least 9500

[@rc5924]

@GregAndr well sounds like your country is fucked up, because on Kawasaki's website the price is 7,599, so im gonna go off that.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

HONDA for one simple reason. I like the 4 cylider way better than a parralel twin. The parallel twin sounds like a 4 wheeler and the Honda 4 cylinder sounds like a motorcycle

[@JosephMyLife]

Wish we had that option here when I bought my Ninja650, I'm not sure if they even have the CBR650R in the Philippines, I was at Honda today and only seen a bunch of CB650's

[@jefborja382]

We don't have it here man. Atleast not yet. But your Ninja and your "Diablo" is more than enough for our streets here in Manila Joseph. I hope to get to ride with you someday. 😁

[@JosephMyLife]

@@jefborja382 Hope someday they open the country back up! I think that CBR650R would be a big seller here, look how many CB650R's there are around. Hit me up on facebook, Lets ride!

[@markgilmalbas7889]

Hey Joseph can you do a shoutout for me in your motovlog? Lol😂

[@fernandizo]

The CBR takes this one.. its far superior in its handling and HP than the Kawasaki. I own a z900 and Im a huge fan but its obvious.

[@fernandizo]

@No_Name where am I gonna wring out an R1?? My z900 absolutely kills it on the street.. drops all the panties too..

[@adrianhall210]

You fella’s are the best.

[@SuperWolffie]

the figure at the Honda is not written right...it is more than 90 bhp , not 69 bhp (2:58)

[@bal4av]

From all that is offered by Honda on this segment, the CBR is the clear winner! If you want comfort for daily commute you need other kind of bike. To me is as simple as that. Not saying the ninja sucks, far from it, but can't win this comparison.

[@elmoomle4565]

Love Kawasaki, but not a fan of parallel twins. I have to lean towards this Honda as it has a more sophisticated 4 cylinder engine, much higher quality suspenders, and frankly, better build quality. Removing the ugly decal work on the Honda would make the aesthetics 100% better. The Honda is worth the extra $$s compared to the this Kawi.

[@aunevik]

Is there alot of difference between the restricted ninja 650 (a2) vs the non restricted ninja 650? :)

[@plasmafussion]

Awesome and crisp review and advice.

[@visordown]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimmynestro5979]

I hear the CBR 650R is a good beginner bike, is that true?

[@sleeper.simulant7327]

The CBR650R has a lot more then 69 BHP lol, it’s like 95 I think, the faired version actually has like 100ish I think with its ram air intake ducts

[@aroundtheblockmag]

How does the CBR compare to a vintage F2 in power and handling?

[@Joro379]

Great review! I have just bought the Ninja, its been a dream of mine for ages.

[@progste]

Wait, how does te CBR650R have 69BHP? is it limited for your country or did you get the number wrong at 2:55? edit: yeah it's definitely a mistake, you also misspelled "power" under that. =)

[@phdance7]

Does the Kaw 650 R or Z650 have cruise control on them?

[@ajithmurukan6819]

First of all thank you guys for this comparison

[@akhilps7966]

Malayaliii ?

[@richb5248]

2:54 caption says CBR650R has 69 BHP. But at 3:15 you say it has 93 BHP claimed. Which is it? Have Honda really claimed 24 BHP more than they've achieved?

[@MATUTCHI]

Good comparison but they are not super-sport machines as you said in the video. They are categorized as sports bikes, designed for sporty riding not racing as which a super-sport is categorized. That's pretty important information as a potential buyer maybe mislead.

[@sbeast1216]

So does the Honda produce 93 or 69bhp? The video says both

[@glennmcc64]

Have they fixed the vibes in the Ninja 650? Test rode one a few years ago, and it was quite bad (approaching agricultural), and I was riding a GS500 at the time (a cheapy parallel twin that was smoother than the Ninja). And the sound is bland.