[CrAzY dRiVeR]

India Kawasaki Motors Pvt. Ltd. (IKM) has launched the MY23 Ninja 650 updated with the KRTC (Kawasaki Traction Control) feature. The bike will be available in “LIME GREEN” colour option and is priced starting at INR 7,12,000/-(Ex-Showroom)

Highlights of the MY23 Ninja 650 are:

• The New KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control)
• 649cc parallel-twin engine
• Sharper styling with twin LED Headlamps
• 4.3” TFT colour instrumentation
• Smartphone connectivity via RIDEOLOGY THE APP
• Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tyres

The KRTC system looks at several parameters to get an accurate real-time picture and allows riders to select between two modes to suit their riding situation and preference. Mode 1 is the least intrusive, helping to manage traction during cornering and is designed with sport riding in mind. In Mode 2, intervention occurs earlier, meaning when excessive wheel spin is detected the engine output is reduced to allow grip to be regained. This helps riders navigate wet pavement or bad stretches of road. Additionally, riders may elect to turn the system off.

The bike is powered by a 649cc, parallel-twin engine that makes 67 BHP @ 8,000 rpm and 64 Nm @ 6,700 rpm.

[AtheK]

Sticker changed, price increased, bike is hardly good enough for that price, move on guys, nothing to see here.

[aravind.anand]

I kept wondering what is new in this update. Is there a real reason on logic behind the price hike or it is just greed?

Somehow I find most new launches to be over-priced. I guess I will have to adapt myself to these new higher than usual standards for pricing.

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

Is there a real reason on logic behind the price hike or it is just greed?

Perhaps IKM is in a race to price middle weight bikes out of market. Anyways, they are only few worthwhile manufacturers/models in this mid-weight category.

[bf1983]

Originally Posted by aravind.anand

I kept wondering what is new in this update. Is there a real reason on logic behind the price hike or it is just greed?

Somehow I find most new launches to be over-priced. I guess I will have to adapt myself to these new higher than usual standards for pricing.

Most of the time with kawasaki it's only a sticker update. However in this update there is the addition of traction control which wasn't available earlier.

While Traction control is good to have I have never really felt it's need given the bike has a very linear power delivery that will rarely surprise any decent rider.

However the addition of traction control has had a rather heavy hit on the price.

[100Kmphormore]

Where is the quickshifter? KTRC is a welcome addition yes but just slapping on different stickers wont work Kawasaki. Bengaluru on road price will be almost 10L.

[Senotrius]

Lack of competition from its Japanese brothers keeps this going on

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

The price hike is ridiculous indeed! For example- below were the prices in the last few years.

2019 - 5.49 lakhs
2020 - 6.24 lakhs
2022 - 7.12 lakhs

And the additions have just been a few minor items like traction control (2022), LED lighting (2020), etc.

Originally Posted by Senotrius

Lack of competition from its Japanese brothers keeps this going on

The Japanese competition seems to be hand in glove with this, with Honda driving the prices high and others following suite just like Toyota is driving prices with its cars. The CBR650R is priced at 9.35 lakhs, almost 2.5L onroad above the current increased prices of the Ninja 650, leaving enough ground.

Bikes which haven't received updates are still available for steal prices in comparison. The Z900 priced at 8.93 lakhs sounds 10x more VFM than a Ninja 650 at 7.12! But I guess its only a matter of time before updates to the Z900 and STriple drive that entire segment up as well.

[stanjohn123]

The price hike is simply because of weakening INR. It will get much worse in the coming years. In the next few years we shouldn't be surprised if the 650 will cost 10 lakh Rs ex showroom.

[Sandy Damodaran]

Is it just me, or Is Kawasaki making the Ninja 650 look more and more, for the lack of a better word, "Wannabe".

I had the 2013 version of this and letting it go to get it's bigger brother was one of the hardest decision I had made. Used it for close to 90K kmns over 3.5 years and all it did was put a smile on every single trip I made with it across the length of India from Pune to Leh, Kerala and MP.

It was a proper sports tourer munching away miles effortlessly. Not sure what this one is going to excel at. And the sticker jobs from Ninja 300 and Ninja 650 can now compete with the tacky design of Mahindra and Maruti.

[Hamza123]

Makes me want to keep my pre owned bought nearly new for a steal of 3 lacs Ninja forever. And I know not everyone will agree but I find this older one more handsome than the newer one which is petite and looks similar with that same Kawasaki face plastered on it

[abhi802]

The ex- showroom price is now even more than my own 2021 Ninja 650, which cost me 7.10 on road !

I guess companies are truly shameless in pricing their bikes, with none or even minor changes & leave it to us to justify the price hike

[autohead666]

Whether its 2-wheeler or 4-wheeler, prices are shooting through the roof. With the current trend, I find it a waste of money to buy a new vehicle, unless it's not a compulsion. I wonder what the price tag would be on Enfield super meteor 650.