The Kawasaki Z650 BS6 And Ninja 1000 BS6 Launch Just Around The Corner

Dealer sources have confirmed the launch timeline of the BS6 Kawasaki Z650 and Ninja 1000. These bikes have already arrived at Kawasaki’s Chakan plant and are likely to be launched next week. Expect the BS6-compliant Z650 to be priced around Rs 5,94,000, an increment of about Rs 25,000 over the outgoing BS4 model. As for the BS6 Ninja 1000, we believe it may garner a sticker price of around Rs 10,79,000 -- that’s a premium of around Rs 50,000 over the previous-gen bike which sold for Rs 10,29,000 (all prices ex-showroom). 

The brand had no other option but to delay the launch of these bikes due to the current COVID-19 lockdown.

Starting with the Z650, it comes with a BS6-compliant 649cc parallel-twin engine that puts out 68PS of peak power (same as before). However, its torque output has taken a minor dip from the previous 65.7Nm at 6500rpm to 64Nm at 6700rpm. Additional changes come in the form of styling updates. Essentially, the bike features new LED headlight in tune with Kawasaki naked’s Sugomi styling philosophy. You also have a 4.3-inch colour-TFT screen with Bluetooth pairing capabilities for your smartphone.

For extra grip, the bike comes equipped with grippier Sportmax Roadsport 2 tyres instead of the old Sportmax D214s. All this while weighing in 3kg lighter than before. More on the BS6 Z650 here.

As for the 2020 Ninja 1000, it gets a 10.9cm TFT instrument console with Bluetooth compatibility via ‘Rideology The App’. It’s been updated to comply with BS6 emissions but thankfully, retains its performance. In other words, the bike’s 1043cc inline-four motor makes 142PS at 10,000rpm and 111Nm at 8000rpm, mated to a 6-speed transmission. The bike’s electronic suite has also been updated for 2020. Over and above the two power modes, three-level traction control system, and an IMU-based cornering ABS, the Ninja 1000 also features cruise control and a bidirectional quickshifter. You can read all about the 2020 Ninja 1000 and its changes here.

While there’s no official confirmation from the Japanese brand, we expect the BS6-compliant Z900 to debut in India. The Z900 currently on sale features Kawasaki’s Sugomi styling philosophy but employs a BS4-compliant engine.