[Kashief]

Originally Posted by AKSO

Congratulations on your new Kwacker. Just as a suggestion - keep those documents under the seat in some plastic else it may disintegrate with water and muck. Ride Safe!

Thanks Akso. Will use a plastic wrap

[windiesel]

Originally Posted by Kashief

Thanks Akso. Will use a plastic wrap

Hi, Does it have a metal fuel tank? the tank bag seems to be attached magnetically. Can you confirm pl?

[Kashief]

Originally Posted by windiesel

Hi, Does it have a metal fuel tank? the tank bag seems to be attached magnetically. Can you confirm pl?

Yes windiesel, tank bag is metal and there are 4 magnetic points provided in Solace to tightly secure the bag.

[Kashief]

3rd Service and 2 years Ownership

Last year riding in Ninja was reduced by 2/3rd compare to first year ownership. Couple of long trip plan was called off in the last minute due to family commitments. Nevertheless I have ridden 2k kms in 2023.

Due to the less running, I'm servicing the vehicle once in a year with JMB Motors - Ambattur. They have opened a branch in OMR but still Servicing was not fully operational.

There were two issues to address,

1. Last month, I planned to go for a morning ride to Pondicherry but bike refused to start and there was no sign of battery down(all electricals are working well and there was no long cranking sound when I push ignition button), however self-start didn't worked. With the help of security, we pushed the vehicle in 1st gear and started it. Thanks to him. I kept running the engine for sometime, stopped and cranked. It started as usual and I continued with the ride.

I visited Serenity beach to watch sunrise. Spent some 30 mins watching the beautiful sunrise in a cold morning and then planned to visit Auroville Bakery for breakfast, started the vehicle and it worked fine. Its a peaceful place, had breakfast in open air dining, spent about 45 mins. When it was time to return and started the vehicle, but this time same issue and refused to start. Hesitantly asked the watch man for help and he pushed couple of times but bike didn't start as there was not enough traction due to slippery surface. Watchman informed me that he has steel plates operated in his legs, so cannot help further. I really felt bad for asking his help and if he would told me earlier, I would have avoided asking for help. Watching my ordeal, one of the bakery worker came for rescue and we tried few times and it started finally. Thanked both of them and started back to home.

2. There was slight mis-alignment in headlight and illumination was pointing downwards. I already feel the LED throw is not sufficient on top of that this illumination issue become problematic in night rides.

SA - Kalyan keenly listened to both problems with the bike. Additionally I asked to fit a phone holder (long pending accessory to install). Usually I wait and collect the vehicle, as the service center was 50kms away. But this time I left the vehicle in the service centre for two days. They checked the battery and it was good and SA mentioned there was Fungus formed in few places and that might have caused the starting issue. I remembered that in November I planned for a early morning ride and took out vehicle from parking to open space and in few mins, it started raining heavily for 20 mins and I left the vehicle in rain. Once the rain stopped, when I was about to start, my wife got up and informed a family emergency and we had to leave to our native immediately. So I parked the vehicle back and wiped with micro fibre cloth as soon as I can with the limited amount of time and covered it. I believe this might be the reason for Fungus formation. Anyway lesson learned in a hard way.

I must say that, this is one of the rare breed in my garage where Labour Cost of Servicing always exceeds the Consumables. This was my 3rd Service but according to Kawasaki it falls under the category of 5th Service. As a part of servicing, they cleaned throttle body and SA recommended for Petronas Performance Engine Oil and I told to go ahead. Will see if there is an improvement compare to the regular engine oil.

Maintenance and Running Cost:

• Totally 3 service done at a cost of Rs. 23251.
• 236.21 Litres of XP-95 consumed at a cost of Rs. 26047. Avg mileage is 24.75 Kmpl.
• Insurance Renewal this year - Rs. 5489 and in total Rs. 43832. (Thanks to BHPian Karthikk for some valuable insurance suggestions )

Few Pictures from Last Year,







Thanks!

[harmanjeet14]

As a fellow Ninja 650 owner, I believe the service cost for the work done is insanely high. Maybe try finding a competent FNG?

Ninja 650 is a low compression motorcycle and it runs just as good on the normal petrol.

Also, the starting issue you mentioned is quite common. Please get the starter relay checked as this is a part which fails very commonly for this motorcycle.

[Kashief]

Hi - I’m getting engine check warning on console in my Ninja 650. Background is, I tried to start vehicle after a month and button start couldn’t work. Battery shows 12V which is normal. So I suspect the fungus issue like last time and with the help of my friend I push started it.

I kept running in idle couple of mins and started riding for few meters then noticed engine check warning sign. Bike was riding normal but don’t want to take risk so returned to home. I turned off and started again and this time button start works however still warning sign was ON.

I checked with service personal and he asked me to check for any error codes by doing long press of the button in console. I tried long press individually and combined in both buttons but couldn’t get any codes. Would like to know is this how to check error code message?

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Kashief

I checked with service personal and he asked me to check for any error codes by doing long press of the button in console. I tried long press individually and combined in both buttons but couldn’t get any codes. Would like to know is this how to check error code message?

I would check with the service centre if it’s all right to ride the bike to the service centre and check it out properly with them since it could be something serious. Likely not, but why take a chance. First try with them on another call and if doesn’t work taking the bike there would be your best bet.

Cheers

[Kashief]

Thanks Cyborg. Yes I also don’t want to take risk and use RSA vehicle. However service personal told that since I push started, ECU might have missed routine vehicle check sign and showing warning. He asked if there is no error code appear then it’s ok to riding to service center. Since I didn’t get error code so I want to ensure that I follow right procedure before riding it to SC.

[Kashief]

Vehicle taken to SC today and nothing serious about engine warning sign in console. As suspected, error code appeared due to not starting the vehicle using button. Fungus formation has once again caused starting issue. I have to be careful next time while spraying water and soap over the buttons on both sides of handlebars and also to ensure it’s completely dry before covering.

[Kashief]

4th Service and 3 years Ownership:

Although I say its 4th service, as per Kawasaki service interval it falls under 7th Service category. Last year we are blessed with our 2nd child, so except couple of early morning rides to Pondicherry, no long rides happened. However, in 2025 I seized an opportunity and planned for a long ride to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi. With the bikes unmatched reliability and trust, I decided to service the vehicle after the ride as there was very low running in ODO.

JMB Motors – OMR service center is now fully functional and booked prior appointment. I usually visit their Ambattur service center, however in July 2024 self-start issue resurfaced and this time engine warning sign also appeared in console (more details, few posts above) and took vehicle to their OMR service center. They promptly checked the vehicle and fixed. It gave me confidence, so decided to do periodic service in OMR which is also nearby to my home.

There were no issues to report, so it’s a normal servicing as per Kawasaki 7th service guidelines. Both tyres are nearing End of Life and service personal recommended to change it before next long ride. I always prefer same day delivery for all my vehicles if there is no major work and expected the same here but its delivered next day. May be shortage of man power, anyway I’m totally satisfied with the outcome.

Maintenance and Running Cost:

• Totally 4 services done at a cost of Rs. 30912.
• 336.44 Liters of XP-95 consumed at a cost of Rs. 36870. Avg mileage is 24.32 Kmpl.
• Insurance Renewal this year - Rs. 5099 and in total Rs. 48931.
• My Rynox gloves gave up after 3 years, so purchased new pair of Karda gloves for Rs. 4950.

The much-awaited Rameshwaram trip happened in 2025. It was a solo ride and I started leisurely by 7am on a Sunday from Chennai to Rameshwaram. The Ride was relaxed and with regular breaks I was able to reach destination by 3:30pm. Whole intention of this trip is to ride and enjoy the moment. So, I didn’t plan any places other than Arichal Munai for Day 2.

As I reached the destination early, so decided to go for sightseeing. I got refreshed and hired an auto to visit Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial and his House. Memorial was very well maintained and I highly recommend to visit with your kids to experience Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam life time memories. After memorial and house visit, I asked driver to drop me in the beach where there is less or no crowd to watch the sunset. While returning to hotel, finished my dinner in a small restaurant and rested for the day.

On day 2, started early morning to experience magnificent sunrise view in Arichal Munai. I reached before sunrise and the place was less crowded due to weekday effect. I spent some 30 mins watching the sunrise and a roadside vendor said that we are lucky to experience the event because past few days’ sunrise visibility was poor due to the winter season and the tourists were disappointed. While returning to hotel, stopped in few places where I got an opportunity to photoshoot the bike.

After having breakfast, started my return journey to Chennai around 9 AM. Due to less/no traffic I was making good progress, so decided to take a de-tour in Pudukkottai and Trichy to visit my relatives. Rest of the ride was uneventful and reached home by 8pm.

The new set of Karda gloves are comfortable throughout the 1100 kms journey and didn’t have sore fingers issue which I experienced in Rynox gloves.

The famous Pamban Road bridge, behind is the old and new railway bridge (India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge to be inaugurated by Hon. Prime Minister on Apr 6th 2025).



Sunset View





The extreme eastern tip in South India – Arichal Munai, ariel view reference from Google.





With sunrise in background







The remains of St. Antony’s Church





Until the road ends



Parting Shots





Thanks!

[anoop_lamba]

Great machine and lovely pics Kashief.
Reminded me of my ride to Dhanushkodi last year.

Some pics very similar to what you posted ��: