Kawasaki has elevated its 650cc sport-touring offering with the introduction of the Ninja 650 KRT edition. Priced at Rs 7.27 lakh ex-showroom, the KRT edition comes with an additional Rs 17,000 over the standard Ninja 650. While the price hike might seem modest, it brings with it a range of exciting updates, making it an ideal choice for those looking to add a touch of racing flair to their daily rides. Let’s delve deeper into what makes the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition a standout.
Contents
- 1 What’s Special About the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition?
- 2 Powertrain and Performance: Same Power, Better Handling
- 3 Handling and Comfort: Refined for Better Riding Dynamics
- 4 A Practical and Safe Choice for Sport Touring
- 5 Pricing and Availability
- 6 FAQs: 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition
- 7 Conclusion
What’s Special About the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition?
The KRT in Ninja 650 KRT edition stands for Kawasaki Racing Team—a name synonymous with success in the world of motorsports. The team has clinched eight World Superbike Championships, with six of them being won consecutively from 2015 to 2020, thanks to the dominant riding skills of Jonathan Rea. These achievements are the inspiration behind the KRT livery, which adorns the Ninja 650 KRT edition. The iconic combination of black, white, and yellow stripes gives the bike an aggressive, race-inspired look that stands out on both city streets and twisty highways.
While the livery gives it a distinct look, the updates aren’t just cosmetic. Kawasaki has included traction control as a part of the new tech pack. This feature ensures greater stability under varying road conditions and provides an extra layer of control for the rider, especially in challenging weather or when riding aggressively. While the standard Ninja 650 already comes equipped with traction control, Kawasaki claims that the KRT edition might have an updated version of the system, though this remains to be fully confirmed.
The KRT edition also features a dual-channel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) for added safety, ensuring better braking performance in emergency situations or during rapid deceleration. The addition of a TFT instrument console provides more advanced digital features, improving the overall user experience with clearer visibility and more accessible information at a glance.
Powertrain and Performance: Same Power, Better Handling
Under the KRT edition’s aggressive exterior, the Ninja 650 retains its signature powertrain—a 649cc parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine. The motor continues to churn out 67bhp at 8,000rpm and 64Nm of peak torque at 6,700rpm, which is more than sufficient to deliver an exhilarating performance. Kawasaki’s decision to keep the engine unchanged from the standard Ninja 650 is strategic, as it strikes the perfect balance between power, weight, and efficiency for a sport-touring bike.
The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox, offering smooth gear shifts, while the slip and assist clutch ensures that shifting gears is effortless, even under hard acceleration or deceleration. However, the quickshifter—a feature available on some high-performance models—has been left out of the Ninja 650 KRT edition. Nonetheless, the overall setup still offers great value for riders looking for both sporty performance and day-to-day usability.
Handling and Comfort: Refined for Better Riding Dynamics
The Ninja 650 KRT edition shares much of its handling characteristics with the standard model. It retains a steel trellis frame, ensuring a solid foundation for precise cornering and superior stability at high speeds. The bike is equipped with 41mm telescopic front forks and a rear monoshock with preload adjustability. These components provide excellent handling, offering the rider a comfortable yet responsive ride. The 17-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in tyres that offer ample grip for both urban commutes and spirited weekend rides.
Though the frame and suspension remain unchanged, the KRT edition’s new livery and updated tech features give the motorcycle a more dynamic and race-ready feel, even if the ride remains largely the same in terms of comfort and capability.
A Practical and Safe Choice for Sport Touring
As a sport-touring motorcycle, the Ninja 650 KRT edition offers a good blend of performance and practicality. It’s well-suited for longer rides thanks to its comfortable seating position and ergonomics. With a kerb weight of 196kg, it’s easy to maneuver, whether you’re navigating tight city streets or cruising on highways. The dual 300mm disc brakes at the front and 220mm disc brake at the rear provide strong braking performance, ensuring safety during high-speed riding and quick deceleration.
One of the standout features is the TFT instrument cluster, which now includes more advanced connectivity options like Bluetooth, allowing riders to access vital information like navigation or incoming calls directly on the display, making it both a functional and modern touch for the rider.
Pricing and Availability
The 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition is priced at Rs 7.27 lakh (ex-showroom). Although this price is Rs 17,000 higher than the standard Ninja 650, the added features, particularly the KRT livery, traction control, and upgraded tech, justify the price hike. This edition is expected to appeal to buyers looking for a sportier, more distinctive version of the Ninja 650 while maintaining the core characteristics that have made the Ninja series a staple in the sport-touring segment.
FAQs: 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition
1. What makes the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition different from the standard Ninja 650? The primary differences between the KRT edition and the standard Ninja 650 lie in the unique KRT livery, which includes black, white, and yellow stripes, and the upgraded tech pack, which features traction control and a TFT instrument console.
2. Is the engine different in the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition? No, the engine in the KRT edition is the same 649cc parallel-twin engine found in the standard model. It produces 67bhp and 64Nm of torque, ensuring excellent performance.
3. What does KRT stand for in the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition? KRT stands for Kawasaki Racing Team, a nod to the team’s success in World Superbike Championships, which inspired the race-inspired livery and upgrades for this edition.
4. How does the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition handle compared to the standard model? The handling remains similar to the standard Ninja 650, with a steel trellis frame and telescopic front forks and monoshock rear suspension. The KRT edition adds a more dynamic look, but the ride and handling characteristics are quite similar.
5. Does the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition have advanced features? Yes, the KRT edition includes traction control, dual-channel ABS, and a TFT instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity for better user interaction and safety.
6. Is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition worth the extra price? For an additional Rs 17,000, the KRT edition offers unique features like the racing-inspired livery, upgraded tech, and improved aesthetics, making it a worthy upgrade for those who want more flair and tech without compromising on performance.
7. Will the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition be available in India? Yes, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition has been launched in India at Rs 7.27 lakh (ex-showroom) and is expected to be available at Kawasaki dealerships soon.
Conclusion
The 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT edition adds a new level of style and technology to the already well-rounded Ninja 650. With the distinctive KRT livery, enhanced tech features, and proven performance, the KRT edition is an excellent choice for sport-touring enthusiasts who want something more unique without sacrificing the essentials that make the Ninja 650 a popular motorcycle.
