Kawasaki have updated their long-standing Ninja 650 soft sportsbike for 2027, adding upside down front forks for the first time, plus uprated brakes, and a redesigned colour TFT dash.
Although retaining its signature road-biased upright riding position, the previous 41mm telescopic forks have now been replaced by 37mm Showa separate function big-piston alternatives – remaining non-adjustable and providing the same 125mm of travel as before.
According to Kawasaki a larger piston now reduces damping pressure for a claimed greater stability on corner entry – plus a more planted feel under braking.
The rear shock spring rate has also been uprated to work with the new front end, with the brand claiming the bike remains rider-friendly and natural in feel – rather than stiff and focussed like a more traditional supersport machine.
Away from the springs, braking has been upgraded too. The previous axial-mounted front calipers have been swapped for radial-mounted items – growing from two-pistons to four in the process.
Sitting alongside this is a redesigned front mudguard, which is now wider at the sides and longer at the base to cover more of the fork tubes.
Tucked away behind the front fairing is a new 4.3in TFT colour instrument display with smartphone connectivity via the Kawasaki Rideology App, which now includes navigation and voice command functions.
The bike continues with its rumbling 649cc parallel-twin engine, housed in a trellis chassis – with a 785mm seat height and a claimed wet weight of 194kg with 90% of its 15-litre fuel tank filled.
Despite a modest 67bhp at 8000rpm, and 47.2lb.ft of torque at 6700rpm, you’ll also find traction control and two rider-selectable modes. A quickshifter is available as an accessory.
The 2027 Ninja 650 will be available from December, priced at the same £7499 as the outgoing 2026 model.
Although a relatively minor change compared to some others we’ve seen in the soft sportsbike class in recent years, this is the biggest update to the Ninja 650 for quite some time. Whether it’s enough to snatch sales from the likes of the more premium Yamaha R7 , and Aprilia RS660 remains to be seen.
Dan is a fully-trained journalist, with a Gold Standard Level 3 Diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He has a passion for motorcycles of all capacities, but feels at home aboard a sportsbike. He's been working for MCN in print and digital for the best part of 10 years, with regular contributions to RiDE Magazine on the side.
News Editor, trackday fan, lover of 90s sportsbikes