Ninja 650 (MY2017)

The Ninja 650 wraps a 649 cc parallel twin in a slim, light chassis and asks nothing complicated of the rider. It makes 68 hp and 49 lb-ft, with the useful part of the spread showing up around 4,000 rpm and running to the shift light at 8,500. At 425 lb wet and a 31.1 in seat, it sits at the accessible end of the sport class rather than the extreme end. ABS, a slipper clutch and an adjustable windscreen are standard. The finish reads better than the price suggests, and the whole machine is built around usable performance instead of headline numbers.

On the road it rewards momentum rather than brute force, and it ages the way honest hardware should. Reliability is a strong point, running costs stay low, and aftermarket support is deep enough that you can shape the bike to your taste over the years. It suits riders who want sport character without the punishment, and commuters who spend their weekends hunting corners. The honest caveat: rider aids stop at ABS, the fork offers no adjustment at all, and with 68 hp you ride this bike hard to stay with faster company.