r/Kawasaki

Hey guys! Looking for advice on my first motorcycle. I'm deciding between the Ninja 500, Ninja 650, and CBR500R. I've ridden scooters/mopeds for almost 8 years in Southeast Asia, including on rough roads and with multiple passengers. I've also done some dirt biking and recently completed my first motorcycle course in the US on a dual-sport. I picked it up pretty quickly and felt comfortable, although sharp U-turns without putting my foot down were a little challenging. I've never ridden on US public roads before, so that's something I'm still getting used to. I'm looking for a bike to commute around Austin, handle highways comfortably, and eventually learn proper cornering and track skills like dragging a knee. I'll probably buy used through Facebook Marketplace to save money. Any recommendations between these three bikes, or suggestions for affordable used-bike dealerships around Austin? Would really appreciate your advice. Thanks!

Hey all. I’m 17 and like many of the younger people in my generation like me started riding on chineseium bikes like Apollo , sdg , ssr, etc.

I’ve went through 3 crf 50 style Chinese bikes in my life, from a Baja 70, to an Apollo (?) 125, to SDG 125 they’re all the same bike same gearbox just bored differently to my knowledge of bikes

Anyway - my first 2 smoker and the last street-legal-from-factory 2 stroke is the Kawasaki KE 100 - everyone has a story about them, they ran from the early 70s with the Kawi G5, G4 models and I think in like 1975 or 6 they came out with the KE100 which was almost all but unchanged except for cosmetics, and ran all the way until 2001 - so from the G5 in the early 70s to 2001, its obvious why everyone has a story with one.

My KE100 is a 1997 - green is my favorite color and always has been so I love this thing and the purple makes it pop. Obviously cleaned carb, but when I bought it I diagnosed a lean condition, which was from a previous owner seemingly cutting off the baffle? But leaving the tubey endy thing? No idea, but I rejetted the carb richer and it runs good now to me - I bought it at 760 miles maybe 2 months ago and I’m at 1200 exactly as of writing. This thing rips for what I need it to do, ride comfortably enough at 40 which is all I need riding my rural backroads….

Let me know your KE100 or G5 stories

I know it’s an easy part to replace, and I’ve already ordered the replacement, but I need to know how unsafe it is to ride it like this.

Be gentle 😔1 .) $4500- 2025 Yamaha Mt 2800 miles 2.) $4700 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 5200 miles 3.) $5000 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Non ABS 817 miles 4.) 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Anniversary Edition ABS \* dropped 4000 miles. I was and have been learning on a 2019 Yamaha Mt-03 from a impound situation and kawasaki 125. My significant other is insisting on a "new" bike via dealership situation and appreciate the intent , just don't want financial resentment post destination fees and paperwork. Not arguing about dealerships ar ALL. A budget of 4-6000$ coming to 7 post fees I do not think he understands well? In my area inventory and time or year for second hand, usually 40 minutes away to commute of private sellers. Im super indecisive and you cant go wrong with a ninja, but confidence in finding one outside a dealership hit or miss last couple weeks or title wasnt transfered and dont want that mess . Here are three example 2024-2026 kawasaki ninjas! even considered getting another mt-03 because very close by. My budget for private sellers 3800-5200 . Should I pursue or arguement if consider no ABS . My experience is novice and appreciate naked bikes, but highway winds while on journey to improve skill be safe and confidence. Appreciate everyone's personal experience and pointers

I purchased a zx6r from a dealership sept 1, 2026. I was going to ride one day and realized that the bike won't go past 8-10k RPMs. The bike has around 20k miles. It starts up no issues, no rough idles, and also runs and shifts effortlessly. Only thing is that it won't go past 8-10k rpms meaning I basically max out at 90 mph.

My brother got these fairings for his 2014 Ninja 300 a long time ago and they have quite a bit of damage on them from drops over the years. This was his first bike and the bike I learned how to ride on. I can’t seem to find anyone selling this type of fairing and want to keep this set. Does anyone know where I could find this set or at least something similar?

Hey everyone,
I was adjusting the chain on my 2025 Ninja 650, and I noticed that the alignment marks on the left and right sides of the swingarm don’t match after tightening the rear axle nut.

Before torquing the axle nut, I can get both marks to line up perfectly. However, when I tighten the nut, the marks shift and no longer match.

I also noticed that the small metal alignment indicators have a little bit of free play and can be moved by hand when the bolt is loose.

I tried using the screwdriver against the rear sprocket trick to prevent the wheel from shifting while tightening the axle nut, but I’m still having this issue.

I also measured the distance from the swingarm pivot axle to the rear wheel axle on both sides using a tape measure, and the measurements match.

Should I trust the measurements over the factory alignment marks? Is the free play in the metal indicators normal, or am I doing something wrong?
Has anyone experienced this on their Ninja 650?

My Versys 1100 has this top box plate, which is OE. The fixings look the same as the Givi monokey plates.

Is the fixing tab/hook layout standard? Can I run a Givi or other top box without mounting adapters?...