[bluemeanie]

Just wanted to introduce myself quickly to the forum.
My birthday is today and I'm now hitting 61 years. Goodness, this age was never thought about so many years ago when I was younger. Anyway, here I am and living a new life. A Canadian now in the Philippines. Have been here a year and am excited to get my driver's license in late June, early July. I've been searching for the perfect bike for my new location and decided the Kawi 650 is the answer. In my twenties I had a 1977 Z1000, then about twenty two years later I bought a 2004 1600 Vulcan Meanstreak (an amazing motorcycle for 6 hour rides). I've owned Yamaha and Honda, though Kawasaki is my passion bike, I almost bought a 1984 Ninja 900R new!!!

My dilemma is deciding between the Ninja 650 and the Z650. I always wanted a Ninja, yet I have owned a Z. Living in the Philippines a Z seems to make more sense; lighter, more nimble in slow traffic and I would think cooler because lack of cowling. Am I wrong here? Please, if you read this, give me some insight, I would love to learn from your experience.

 

[KH56010]

I've had the Ninja 650 and now have the Z650. Heat was never an issue for me on the Ninja, especially with the under exhaust. The biggest difference is if you do a lot of highway travel. I religiously avoid highways on the Z650 because of the wind moving me and the bike around. When I was younger on naked bikes it wasn't as big a deal in a tshirt you still kind of cut through. But now with riding jackets and a lot of times a pack on my back, the highway isn't fun.

 

[czrlaker]

Welcome. Sorry about the bots been busy and admins took care of it. Yesterday I installed a windscreen on my bike. Looking forward to see how well it works.