2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Specifications

Name: 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650
Brand: Kawasaki

Sport • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Overview

Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a sport motorcycle, displacing 649 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 10.8:1. On the performance side, it delivers 50.2 kW @ 8,500 rpm of peak power and 65.7 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. On the road, the 2017 Ninja 650 tips the scales at 193 kg, carries a 15-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 790 mm and spans a 1410 mm wheelbase. The full 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 compared with other bikes in the Sport category

We checked the recorded figures for the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 against up to 1607 bikes in the Sport category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

Only 431 of the other 1606 bikes in the Sport category have a lower seat height than the 790 mm of the Ninja 650.
With 50.2 kW, the Ninja 650 has the joint 452nd lowest power output of 1341 bikes in the Sport category, 33% below the category average of 75.3 kW.
Narrowing the field to the 709 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 790 mm is lower than that of 525 of the other 708.

Versus the 2016 model

Compared with the 2016 model, peak power dropped from 53 kW to 50.2 kW (-2.8 kW), wet weight came down from 208 kg to 193 kg (-15 kg) and seat height was lowered from 805 mm to 790 mm (-15 mm). Peak torque and displacement are unchanged.

2017 Ninja 650 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: With 50.2 kW @ 8,500 rpm and 65.7 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque on tap, the Ninja 650 is no slouch for its class.
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.

Considerations

Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Cooling system servicing

Ninja 650's Liquid cooled setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The Ninja 650's suspension runs 41 mm hydraulic telescopic fork at the front. The rear uses Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The Ninja 650 uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel, the Ninja 650's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

Ninja 650 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 with its 649 cc sport, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 9 years old, this sport is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Ninja 650 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the Ninja 650's 649 cc four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. dohc, 4 valves per cylinder. like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 10.8:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Carburetor upkeep

Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored Ninja 650 - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.

2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 have?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 uses a Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. engine with 649 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.

How much does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 weigh?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 weighs 193 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 make?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 produces 50.2 kW @ 8,500 rpm of power and 65.7 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 has a 15-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 250-300 km between stops.

Is the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 has a seat height of 790 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 have?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 uses 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers at the front and single 220mm disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 use?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 runs 120/70 -17 front and 160/50 -17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 have?

The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 was produced across 6 model years (2013-2018). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Max Power	53 kW / 72.1 hp @ 8,500 rpm	53 kW / 72.1 hp @ 8,500 rpm	53 kW / 72.1 hp @ 8,500 rpm	53 kW / {72.1 hp @ 8,500 rpm	50.2 kW / 67.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm	50.2 kW / 67.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm
Wet Weight	208 kg / 460.8 lbs	208 kg / 460.8 lbs	208 kg / 460.8 lbs	208 kg / 460.8 lbs	193 kg / 425.5 lbs	193 kg / 425.5 lbs
Seat Height	805 mm / 31.7 in	805 mm / 31.7 in	805 mm / 31.7 in	805 mm / 31.7 in	790 mm / 31.1 in	790 mm / 31.1 in
Fuel Capacity	15.5 Litres / 4.1 gal	15.5 Litres / 4.1 gal	15.5 Litres / 4.1 gal	15.5 Litres / 4.1 gal	15 Litres / 3.9 US gal	15 Litres / 3.9 US gal
Ground Clearance	146 mm / 5.7 in	146 mm / 5.7 in	146 mm / 5.7 in	146 mm / 5.7 in	130 mm / 5.1 in	130 mm / 5.1 in
Suspension - Rear	Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload,	Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload,	Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload,	Single offset laydown shock with adjustable spring preload,	Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload	Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload
Clutch	Wet, Multi Disc	Wet, Multi Disc	Wet, Multi Disc	Wet, Multi Disc	Wet multi-disc, manual	Wet multi-disc, manual
Height	1200 mm / 47.2 in	1200 mm / 47.2 in	1200 mm / 47.2 in	1200 mm / 47.2 in	1135 mm / 44.6 in	1135 mm / 44.6 in

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Power

50.2 kW / 67.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm

Torque

65.7 Nm / 48.4 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

193 kg / 425.5 lbs

Fuel Capacity

15 Litres / 3.9 US gal

Full 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 Specifications

Year 2017

Make Model Kawasaki Ninja 650

Seat Height 790 mm / 31.1 in

Wheelbase 1410 mm / 55.5 in.

Ground Clearance 130 mm / 5.1 in

Height 1135 mm / 44.6 in

Length 2055 mm / 80.9 in.

Width 740 mm / 29.1 in.

Fuel Capacity 15 Litres / 3.9 US gal

Wet Weight 193 kg / 425.5 lbs

Max Power 50.2 kW / 67.3 hp @ 8,500 rpm

Max Torque 65.7 Nm / 48.4 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Displacement 649 cc / 39.65 cu /in

Engine Detail Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder. DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Bore x Stroke 83 x 60 mm

Compression Ratio 10.8:1

Cooling System Liquid cooled

Fuel Induction DFIØ with Keihin 36mm Keihin throttle bodies

Ignition TCBI with electronic advance

Lubrication Wet sump

Starter Electric

Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual

Final Drive O-ring chain

Gear Ratios 1st 2.438 (39/16) 2nd 1.714 (36/21) 3rd 1.333 (32/24) 4th 1.111 (30/27) 5th 0.966 (28/29) 6th 0.852 (23/27)

Transmission / Drive 6 Speed

Frame Type Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Suspension - Front 41 mm hydraulic telescopic fork

Suspension - Rear Horizontal Back-link with adjustable preload

Trail 100 mm / 3.9 in

Wheel Travel - Front 125 mm / 4.9 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 130 mm / 5.1 in

Brakes - Front 2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers

Brakes - Rear Single 220mm disc

Tyres - Front 120/70 -17

Tyres - Rear 160/50 -17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.