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Ninja 650 Vs Ninja 400

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#61 ·
Hi All,


New to the forum and joined in hopes you 400 owners could give me some advice as I am just completely torn on what to go for here.


I am from the UK and have a full motorcycle license and am now looking to move on from my 125cc motorcycle. The problem I am having is that I just cannot decide between the Ninja 400 and 650. I have test ridden both of them multiple times and till can't make a decision.


I was just wondering if any of you guys here had the same or similar decision facing you and what made you go for the 400. :smile:
 
#62 ·
Welcome!

Tough call. The 400 would certainly be easier to get around for commuting but the 650 would give you more "oomph" for highway cruising. I would say if your typical ride is more of urban commuting and dealing with traffic, get the 400. If you spend more time touring the countryside on open roads or carry a pillion or need pannier storage options, go with the 650.

I was in a similar situation and solved that problem by getting a Vulcan S 650 for the highway cruising/comfort and just picked up the Ninja 400 for agile urban commuting.

I just hope the ADV bug doesn't bite me, I don't have room for a third bike :D
 
#64 ·
I have a N400.

To me...the 650 just doesn't overcome the 400 . The real comparison, to me, would be the N400 or the ZX-6R.

I share the 400 with my wife, until I decide what to get next... N400 or ZX-6R. If I was only riding in S. California...n400 all the way!! I will make my decision when the snow melts in Colorado this summer. I am anxious to see how she tackles the twisties at 10,000 ft (3,048m for the rest of the world).

The good news is that you can't go wrong with either bike. Good luck.
 
#65 ·
I live in an area with some really nice country roads to ride down and then some light motorway work when commuting (only on it for about 15 minutes). If I did go on motorway journeys it would be for a max of 2 hours, would a 400 be able to put up with this? (it would only be 3 or 4 times a year I imagine)


I currently have quotes on finance for both bikes as they are doing 0% interest deals.
Ninja 400 - £119 per month
Ninja 650 - £152 per month


Such a hard decision as I really did enjoy riding both bikes and I feel they are both excellent looking bikes too!
I'd love a ZX6R but I made a deal with the other half I wouldn't buy 600 or 1000cc sports bikes until I have a good few years experience (she is dead against bikes).
 
#67 ·
scox91 said:
I live in an area with some really nice country roads to ride down and then some light motorway work when commuting (only on it for about 15 minutes). If I did go on motorway journeys it would be for a max of 2 hours, would a 400 be able to put up with this? (it would only be 3 or 4 times a year I imagine)


I currently have quotes on finance for both bikes as they are doing 0% interest deals.
Ninja 400 - £119 per month
Ninja 650 - £152 per month


Such a hard decision as I really did enjoy riding both bikes and I feel they are both excellent looking bikes too!
I'd love a ZX6R but I made a deal with the other half I wouldn't buy 600 or 1000cc sports bikes until I have a good few years experience (she is dead against bikes).
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The Ninja 400 will be fine on the longer highway rides. It'll be just as comfortable as the 650 as they share similar ergos and the 400 has sufficient power to maintain highway speeds and still have some on tap for evasive maneuvers, it may have a bit more vibration than the 650 though as it has to maintain higher revs. Either way, your ass will suffer before anything else becomes uncomfortable. Neither has a particularly comfy seat for long touring. At least not compared to bikes better suited for that purpose. You can always get an air/gel pad or custom aftermarket seat if it really matters, but not for a few times a year, IMHO.

Based on your criteria, I think either bike would fit. Personally, I'd save the money and go with the 400. Resale value will be good on the 400 as there are always new riders looking for a decent smaller bike to learn on. 650 will be a more difficult crowd to sell to - they're also considering bigger bikes.
 
#68 ·
Foobar said:
The Ninja 400 will be fine on the longer highway rides. It'll be just as comfortable as the 650 as they share similar ergos and the 400 has sufficient power to maintain highway speeds and still have some on tap for evasive maneuvers, it may have a bit more vibration than the 650 though as it has to maintain higher revs. Either way, your ass will suffer before anything else becomes uncomfortable. Neither has a particularly comfy seat for long touring. At least not compared to bikes better suited for that purpose. You can always get an air/gel pad or custom aftermarket seat if it really matters, but not for a few times a year, IMHO.

Based on your criteria, I think either bike would fit. Personally, I'd save the money and go with the 400. Resale value will be good on the 400 as there are always new riders looking for a decent smaller bike to learn on. 650 will be a more difficult crowd to sell to - they're also considering bigger bikes.
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See something in my head does say be smart and go with the 400 for costs etc but I am wondering if ill miss that surge in power the 650 gives from my test rides
 
#69 ·
scox91 said:
See something in my head does say be smart and go with the 400 for costs etc but I am wondering if ill miss that surge in power the 650 gives from my test rides
Click to expand...
How long did you ride both? I’ve ridden a 2013 n650 and my 18 n400 and absolutely hated the ergos on the 650. I’m 5’11” and 220 lbs and the n400 is way more comfortable. The 650 put my feet up high and further back, almost behind my butt, and the handlebars felt like they were twisted up and forward. I checked and they’re at the factory setting. I’ve ridden both at highway speeds for at least 30 mins. The negative on the 400 and long rides is the seat is a board after an hour.


Also the 650 had my hands pointed forward and thumbs down, the 400 had them pointed up and hands back If that makes any sense?
 
#70 ·
68mustang405 said:
How long did you ride both? I’ve ridden a 2013 n650 and my 18 n400 and absolutely hated the ergos on the 650. I’m 5’11” and 220 lbs and the n400 is way more comfortable. The 650 put my feet up high and further back, almost behind my butt, and the handlebars felt like they were twisted up and forward. I checked and they’re at the factory setting. I’ve ridden both at highway speeds for at least 30 mins. The negative on the 400 and long rides is the seat is a board after an hour.


Also the 650 had my hands pointed forward and thumbs down, the 400 had them pointed up and hands back If that makes any sense?
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The ergos changed on the 650 with the 2017 model - I believe it's much closer to what the 400 is now. The ZX line continues to have pegs further back and higher up (as they design it more for the track than the street).
 
#71 ·
68mustang405 said:
How long did you ride both? I’ve ridden a 2013 n650 and my 18 n400 and absolutely hated the ergos on the 650. I’m 5’11” and 220 lbs and the n400 is way more comfortable. The 650 put my feet up high and further back, almost behind my butt, and the handlebars felt like they were twisted up and forward. I checked and they’re at the factory setting. I’ve ridden both at highway speeds for at least 30 mins. The negative on the 400 and long rides is the seat is a board after an hour.


Also the 650 had my hands pointed forward and thumbs down, the 400 had them pointed up and hands back If that makes any sense?
Click to expand...
I am 5'6 and 13 stone (180 something lbs) I find ergos on both bikes to be fine (I am referencing the new model ninja 650) and have put in about an hour and a half on both bikes through 2 tests on each bike.


What is the acceleration like from 60 - 80mph? Just want to be sure id have decent overtaking power
 
#72 ·
scox91 said:
I am 5'6 and 13 stone (180 something lbs) I find ergos on both bikes to be fine (I am referencing the new model ninja 650) and have put in about an hour and a half on both bikes through 2 tests on each bike.


What is the acceleration like from 60 - 80mph? Just want to be sure id have decent overtaking power
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60-80 is plenty fine, I’ve had mine to 123 on the speedo. The 650 engine does have that nice punch at those speeds and it just lofts along, whereas the 400 you have to be in the throttle. It’s not bad, just a different style.
 
#75 ·
Foobar said:
Welcome!

Tough call. The 400 would certainly be easier to get around for commuting but the 650 would give you more "oomph" for highway cruising. I would say if your typical ride is more of urban commuting and dealing with traffic, get the 400. If you spend more time touring the countryside on open roads or carry a pillion or need pannier storage options, go with the 650.

I was in a similar situation and solved that problem by getting a Vulcan S 650 for the highway cruising/comfort and just picked up the Ninja 400 for agile urban commuting.

I just hope the ADV bug doesn't bite me, I don't have room for a third bike :D
Click to expand...
I own both bikes, and have ridden them quite extensively. I concur with above. The Ninja 400 is very lively, especially on track. However, Ninja 650 will provide fatigue-free highway cruising. It is light enough for agility, yet its weight will be appreciated in windy condition. I'm retaining both bikes. They're keepers.:clap:
 
#76 · (Edited)
Hi guyz.. i use to ride ktmRc200 n now i wnt to upgrade to a bigger cc bike but confused between ninja 400 & ninja 650. There is not much difference between the price also so plz hlp me to decide... my preferences go with sports bike n nt mch intrstd in touring.i love doin cornering
 
#77 ·
shashank said:
Hi guyz.. i use to ride ktmRc200 n now i wnt to upgrade to a bigger cc bike but confused between ninja 400 & ninja 650. There is not much difference between the price also so plz hlp me to decide... my preferences go with sports bike n nt mch intrstd in touring.i love doin cornering
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Lots of small differences between the two bikes. I was interested in N400, N650, 636 and chose the N400.

The 650 was a bit to upright for my taste, nice bike but when I was driving one, I couldn't wait to get back on my wife's N400. The 636 scared the crap out of me, I wanted it so bad, I love that bike...but for how I drive in the canyon's and mountains the N400 was a better choice in the end. After a few mods, it is becoming an epic bike for me. If I was only driving in the city, maybe the 650 would be a better choice but then I would need a canyon bike later anyways. Ok, from your quote...N400 and never look back!:grin:
 
#78 ·
Honestly, if the price isn't far off, I would say get the 650. They are both very easy bikes to ride, have similar styling, the 650 has a bit more power and marginally better components, the 400 however is lighter and more nimble. If you want to have the agility for twisted roads or being able to push it to the limit on the track, I'd go with the 400. But if it's just for the street and the price is virtually the same in your neck of the woods, the 650 would make more economic sense. Where are you, India? I'm not even sure why they bother selling the Ninja 400 there when it's only slightly cheaper than the 650.

The ZX6R (636cc in-line 4) is an absolute beast of a super sport and I agree with atomicmonkey, that thing scares me. I would never be able to take advantage of the power so it simply isn't something I'd consider. Besides, I'd rather have all my torque earlier in the rev range than later. If I was racing, that'd be a different story.
 
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