Khon Kaens first 650R

[rich1968]

I have to agree with Tony its just a badge thing and as the ER6 f is not available here in Thailand... the Ninja 650r is the same bike as the ER 6f, sold in Thailand using the Ninja badge.
In the U.K Kawasaki sell the ER 6f with A.B.S at 5,425 pounds sterling(282,000 baht) which is the same bike as the Ninja 650r :? for sale here at 257,000 baht. The ER 6n retails for 4,699 pounds sterling in the U.K without A.B.S (244,000 baht) or here in Thailand with A.B.S. for 245,000 baht. One interesting point is that Kawasaki U.K offer the Versys, a bike not available in Thailand :? with optional A.B.S at 300 pounds sterling (15,600 baht).

 

[johngooding]

Just updating my experience after 6 days ownership and 1000km service completed today. I have had some good runs on the bike, both one and two up. Nothing much changed from initial report. Brakes have improved. Its a light flexible willing bike, not as comfortable for longer journeys and more affected by bumpy road surfaces than either of my heavy bikes, but thats to be expected. I am happy with my purchase and I am sure it will give me good service for all my shorter, (less than 250km) type of journeys
Well just back from Udon and I must say, that the experience I am having with this shop is about the best I have had in Thailand. I rolled in to their workshop at 9.30am, very friendly greeting with water and coffee and they started work straight away. Workshop not that impressive as quite old, but spacious. They took great care with cleanliness and looked after the fairing panels and fiddly fittings well during the service . I wanted to buy a paddock stand, for chain maintenance, no centre stand on bike . 1750 Baht very solid stand which they showed me worked well with the bike. Fitted me a couple of sliders at the rear,which acted as supports. Not being Thai I did not want to carry it on my back or drag it 120km home, so I asked about delivery. They said no problem 200Baht. Service finished in about 90 minutes and one of the best cleaning jobs I have ever had done on a bike. The service appeared competenly performed. Very nice people. Jim from Sakhon Nakhon joined me in the shop and was impressed. A good range of accessories inc GPS, Shoei, Arai and Real Helmets and clothing, Jim got some fork oil and a new set of handlebars for his XJR he is rebuilding. Had a call from my wife at 2pm when I was wrapping up, after lunch with Jim and about to head for home. She had just had a call asking her to pick up a box from the Khon Kaen bus station.
My paddock stand well packed up in a big cardboard box, now in my garage. What excellent service.
Can thoroughly recommend Yong Yontrakarn in Udon Thani and the Kawasaki 650R.

 

[bard]

Congrats with the 650 John, was surprised to see you bought one, but like you say it's not cheap running two 1000+ cc bikes so it makes perfect sense to have a hop around bike and a tour bike.

Please disregard my question of colour in another post I got it here, it looks very nice in Black. I was at Mitoyont in Pattaya and had a look as my wife is interested in a big bike to ride with me sometimes, but I really don't want to buy one as I already have a 600. Must admit the colours are nice on them and they felt balanced and good in my eyes. For a midrange bike it's a fantastic offer in Thailand so if it came out before I bought my FZ6 I would probably bought one as the price is too good in comparison.

Pretty sure you sell the FJR in no time John, if not or you're cheap I'll buy it off you

 

[johngooding]

Hi Bard,
The only one big bike thing has had a bit of a knock these last few days ,as a friend, Brian has asked me to run his 2006 FZ1 around a bit as, he is away working and it has been very sad sitting in his garage, not even 4000km on the clock. I thought I would find it heavy and not too much fun, thats after comments by Trent when he borrowed one and also Jim from Sakhon Nakhon. Well unfortunately I am having great fun on it, it has an Akropovitch thingy exhaust, I probably spelt it wrong, so it sounds like something you would enjoy,
Bit worried now, I am enjoying it too much. How many bikes can I fit in my garage, at the moment the Ninja is in Brians garage.
I will sell the FJR, but definately not before middle October, and it will not be cheap, but realistic. Cheers, John

 

[gobs]

Hi John,

No problem for the size of your garage! You can extend it, not so expensive regarding prices of big bikes :twisted:
Oh well, maybe if Madame is OK... :roll:

I defenetly try not to look at big bikes ads or brand catalogues... I'm very lucky yet with my two bikes "in the garage"... But this one :twisted: visits me many times!
As many others here I guess...

:wink:

Cheers,
Gobs

 

[bard]

The FZ1 is a great bike, I too was worried about it until I rode one for a day, then I found it to be perfect, nicely balanced. Nice torquey engine and plenty of power to go. I whopped it around in heavy Bangkok traffic and that was not a problem at all. Great bike, would not mind one myself.

Akrapovic hmm nice one should sound good as well, I though he wanted to sell it?

 

[johngooding]

Yes Bard,
I have to agree with you the bike is fun and not too heavy handling.
Brian does have it up for sale, but as he is working until October, he knew it would be good for the bike to have a bit of running and a clean up, before sale, and thats what I am doing. Trouble is I am getting a bit attached to it. Cheers J.

 

[Franz]

John, if you have so much fun on the FZ1 then you definetely shouldn't ride the FZ6 because you would get even more attached to another bike :lol: . I had the FZ1 when my FJR was on Service and I found it a little too bulky still, but when going up to Inthanon on the Charity ride with Yamaha, they lent me a Fazer 600. That would be the perfect addition to any heavyweight. Very easy to handle, light in weight, enough torque and power just you need to rev it some more than the FZ1. I haven't ridden any streetbike in the last years that made so much fun than the 'little' Fazer. Up to Inthanon, Tum on the R1 couldn't get rid of me on the FZ6 cheers, Franz

 

[rdg_john]

Going back to the discussion of Givi racks, here is one I brought back from UK - cost: 6,500 THB

 

[Marco]

rdg_john wrote: Going back to the discussion of Givi racks, here is one I brought back from UK - cost: 6,500 THB

rdg_john that looks brilliant and not too expensive, how ever, it's very far back, so weight might be a problem for handling,, any recomendation for top box holding weight?

 

[bard]

I agree with Franz, sorry to do Yammie talk in the green thread tho... The Small Fizzer is probably the most fun and usable streetbike I ever owned. Hmm maybe I let you borrow mine for a while John?

 

[rdg_john]

rdg_john that looks brilliant and not too expensive, how ever, it's very far back, so weight might be a problem for handling,, any recomendation for top box holding weight?
Marco,

You're right about the positioning upsetting the bike's balance - I noticed that there was a bit of a front wobble if I took my hands of the bars, but this was not noticeable when riding normally and corrected itself with the box removed.

The dealer was quite careful to point out that the box should not be overloaded, but he didn't suggest that the balance would be compromised.

I understand that Givi normally do extensive tests before releasing new kits, but it seems this bug was not picked up.

Anyway, for the price and quality, I am happy enough.

 

[johngooding]

Thanks rdg_john for the excellent pics of the rack. I have now ordered the Givi recommended arms and the M5 top plate for the Ninja, Cost just over 8000 baht from Kawasaki shop. Should be here next week. When fitted I will post some pics and we can see if same as yours.
Givi on their web site quote 3kg for some of their box carrying weights and 10kg for others. Yamaha and BMW both state 10kg max.

While the box may look far back, is that because the mounting points are those for the now removed grab rails, I think the front of the box must be just at the back of the pillion seat, any further forward would restrict room for the pillion.

If I may reply to Franz and Bard and Gobs too on riding FZ1's and FZ6,s.
I guess the Ninja 650R is going to have some of the properties of the lighter machine while not having the engine power of the Yamaha, so I will get the feeling of a lighter faster turning machine, while not getting the full performance. The Kawasaki has been in Brians garage for 1 week nearly and I have done nearly 1000km on his FZ1, certainly more adrenaline rush, thats even in the town, I do not have the curves or those sort of roads around here to enjoy the experience Bard and Franz are mentioning and to get to the Samoeng loop or similar is nearly 700km, so I need a bike that is good for the 700km as well. Brian is also wanting me to try his Honda Fireblade 1000RR, he is sure that will show me a different standard of bike handling again. Will have to see.
Bard, are you wanting to leave the 600 here while you find out what the FJR does for you????

 

[gobs]

Beware lucky Bard
:twisted:
If you test the FJR, you can't leave it!

:wink:

I remember one time trying the previous 1200 FJR back home: a dream!
I didn't have to act, only to think... and the bike understand to do it just right... Or maybe better than if I've acted :?
Obviously I didn't ride ALL bikes on Earth, and I'm not at all an expert as some of you, guys, but it has been the only time I felt this...
Exceptionnal!
Is it part of the feeling on the FJR 1300, John?

Cheers,
Gobs

 

[johngooding]

Hi Gobs,
Well it must do something right, because I have over the years owned an FJ1100, an FJ1200 and here the FJR1300. It is basically very good at travelling quite long distances, one or two up makes no difference, filling the panniers up makes no difference. The weather protection is excellent. The bike has lots of torque, so little gear changing, no vibration, easy little maintenance shaft drive, excellent mirrors, its like driving one of the executive very comfortable cars. Fuel range excellent, good displays. Very comfortable seat, probably the best of any bike I have had. It has more acceleration and top speed than you can really use on the roads here in Thailand and it is capable of cornering fast with not too much effort. It is a heavy bike, but the only time you notice that is when you are moving it by hand, not when you are using the engine. When I ride the BMW I enjoy it and I like the bike, when I get back on the FJR, I realise what a good bike it is, but a totally different feeling, and lately of course different again on the Kawasaki and now the FZ1. Each have their good points, Kawaskai, light nippy cheap. FZ1, to me good looks, brute power. BMW go most places versatility, different good looks, High riding position presence on the road. FJR, ride with all your luggage, in any weather, on reasonable roads as far as you want and get there more relaxed than on the other bikes. Thats my 2 bahts worth.
I apologise for this ongoing discussion concerning a Yamaha but not a Kawasaki, but the thread has dotted back and forth

 

[bard]

That is a very tempting offer John, I will be home for a small hop this month and no time to do much, then End of October or beginning of November I will have a lot of time off... 3 - 4 months should you still sell it then I would love to test her out. Just bough one more bike So in that case I would have to let my FZ6 go to get the FJR, donno if I could ever do that just to good bike to let go...

I tested the new Ninja when I was home, and my two cents is that for the money it's a lot of bike. Nice low / midrange power and easy to ride. If the budget is in that range it's a brilliant streetbike. Think the owners will enjoy the bike a lot, and not feel robbed...

 

[hs0zfe]

Congratulations - she is stunning.

Hope you will post some report when you do a longer trip!

Chris

 

[Tubber]

Rode John's 650 Ninja for 200km or so and quite surprised. Lovely little bike, the engine is a peach and packs a fair punch for a 650 twin. I found it very comfortable the only thing being the rather hard suspension on the bumpier bits. For the money it is excellent value and enough performance for Thai roads, small and nimble around town but big enough for touring. The only thing I think may be of concern is the finish quality but is it 200,000B worse than an FZ-6? If I had any sense I would sell the FZ-1 and buy a 650 Ninja but I think I just bought John's FJR?

 

[johngooding]

And if Jim thinks he has bought the FJR, then I must have bought his FZ1.
Well there we are a long distance gentlemans bike which will tackle most of Thailand road conditions and maybe also those in Laos at this time of year. The BMW R1200GS. The nippy Kawasaki for all the shorter distance work. And the FZ1 for a blast. That will be the bikes in my garage for some time to come.

 

[Franz]

Hi John, so finally you'll have 1200 for Laos roads, 1000 for going to CNX and 650 for Khon Kaen town & around down to K.Y. Good one !! I will wait for either the KLR or the XT660X........ :lol: . Got tired of undoing all the f-up's done on my used bikes, so next one for me is the a.m. and if they don't come to LOS it will maybe be a F800GS. But selling the FJR, no better not, I like the power & comfort too much. I might even go for a Ninja 650R. But time will tell. So when are you gonna do the deal with Jim ?? what other bikes does he have on sale ?? might need to go to KK soon ?? :cry: cheers, Franz

 

[Tubber]

Hi Franz
" Got tired of undoing all the f-up's done on my used bikes." Very well said that is also the reason I decided to buy a new Yamaha FZ-1 after seeing the results of some amazing mechanical ineptitude never mind the electrical cock-ups. But I just never manage to get it comfortable, I bought a Yamaha Comfort Gel Seat and an Airhawk seat cushion and bar risers. But the riding postion still wasn't too good for me. You seem to sit more "on" the bike as on the FJR you sit more "in" it and the riding position is more natural, well for me anyway. John seemed to find it comfortable on the run from KK to CM even though I have 200km or so more I am nearly crippled when I get to CM. The FJR was surprisingly agile for such a lardy old bus going over the Phu Phan mountains although it did rain heavily from KK all the way to Sakon Nakhon another bonus of the FJR you don't really get all that wet with the large fairing. That was all a bit off topic so if you are thinking about a 650 Ninja I would take one out for a test ride and I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised, as I was. And not much more money than a 15 year old bike with a dodgy book. Good bike for the twisty roads around CM. Like you I will not be selling the FJR and will ride it until it starts to fall apart, which will probably be long after I am gone.

 

[Franz]

Hi Tubber, ....and another farang with good mechanical skills to discover all the shoddy work done on these poor bikes by a local ricefarmer turned 'big-bike specialist'. I pitty them because there's no one to teach them different. In my time I spend in local repairshops I've hardly seen any quality tools, not to talk about torque wrenches, torque tables for different bikes, repair manuals, pullers,.................Anyway, SRX6 is still a go as too far advanced and toooooooo much 'loved' by myself and then the NT400Bros is also a must, my partner already asks me daily about it. But in my new job, free time's not that plenty so hours I spend with my bikes get less and less.
I personally like the looks of both the ER6N, Ninja650R and the D-Tracker. Wait until some friend turns up with one I can test while he can enjoy the bus (FJR). Tony should be up here soon or John on his Kwaka.
Like the prices and most of it the availability of spares. That's also what keeps me with Kawa's competition at Kad Suan Kaew, their customer service is unique to all other shops I went. Hope only that Kawa staff don't put their success too much up their brains and get sloppy like so often seen in many other industries. Anyway, I hope that both Kawasaki's way of selling huge numbers locally manufactored to cheap prices and Yams higher priced imported ones but gooooooood service keeps as it is so both the richer and poorer ones of us still have a choice; and not being forced to buy from arrogant @Hiso@ dealers some US, italian or german heavily overpriced bikes with poor service. Cheers, Franz

 

[Tubber]

I don't bother with local repair shops either, mainly because there isn't one near me, but even if there was I would still do it myself. I think this picture says a lot. The sump oil strainer out of an XJR1200.

I still don't know how half that stuff got in there but I spent countless hours scraping silicon and RTV sealant off various mating surfaces and there was sealant on joints/gaskets? Torque wrench? Bearing pullers? Never seen anything like that in a local repair shop. had to get mine in Tool-Pro in Udon. Did you post pictures of the SRX6 a while back when you were re-building it?
I have heard that the Kawasaki spares are ridiculously cheap, have you also heard that? I have enough bikes now but if a KLR/KLX appeared on the new market at the right price? I wouldn't buy a BMW, Ducati or Harley for exactly the reasons you stated.

 

[Franz]

Jim, unbelievable !!!!!!!!!!!!! Just good luck your engine didn't foul up on that lot, see there's iron parts too !!!!!!!!!!! AAAAhhhhhh and talking about silicone, gaskets are used over and over again, on the SRX for ex, gaskets put together in parts and looooooots of silicone and still the engine was leaking oil like a pig at the butcher............

Yeah the SRX6 was posted at my SRX4 project let me see: something about single cylinder Thumper way back in 2008. will try to find it. You can have a look at it also once you're up to Thailands true Diamond, CNX.
As long as you don't ask for Chaaaaang , no I don't call it beer but Singha is always in the fridge for any biker who drops in for a chat. Cheers, Franz

 

[Tubber]

Yeah there is a lot to be said for the old air-cooled Jap engines, tough as old boots. Sailed on a ship once with Yanmar main engines ended up 5 ton of sea water got in the sump, ran for a month with 4 ton of lub oil and 5 ton of sea water until the fresh water and lub oil pump idler gear fell off. Engines don't run long without oil or cooling water. Still reckon you can't beat Japanese engineering. People re-using gaskets and clagging it up with silicone should be stood up against a wall and shot. I had a look and did a search for your post but couldn't find it but the reason I remember it was that you got a lot of powder coating done by Richco and after seeing it I sent the frame wheels and engine crankcases, heads, block and covers up to CM for powder coating. Top job too.
I actually intended to go up to CM with John last last week but was told I was going back to work at the start of October so had to get some stuff around the house done. I will probably be up again when I get back in December if you fancy a beer?