Alright, guys, so the other day I got it in my head to see what my 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 could really do. I’ve had this bike for a while, and I’ve always been curious about its top speed. Not that I’m a speed demon or anything, but, you know, it’s good to know what your machine is capable of, right?

The Prep
First things first, safety. I’m not an idiot. I’m not gonna try this on some crowded street. I found a long, straight stretch of open road, way out in the boonies. Hardly any traffic, good visibility, the works. I also made sure my bike was in tip-top shape: checked the tire pressure, oil levels, chain tension – everything. Wore my full gear, of course – helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, the whole nine yards. I ain’t trying to become a statistic.
The Run
So, I get out there, do a couple of warm-up runs, just getting a feel for the road and the bike. Then, I decided to go for it. I crouched down, tucked in as tight as I could, and opened her up. The acceleration on this thing is pretty sweet, I gotta say. It pulls hard, and the wind noise gets insane pretty quick.
- First few gears, it’s just a blur.
- The engine is screaming.
- Kept my eyes glued on the road ahead.
The Result
Honestly, it felt like I was flying! The speedometer needle just kept climbing. Now, I’m not gonna say exactly what number I hit, because, well, you know… laws and stuff. But let’s just say it was definitely up there. Higher than I expected, to be honest. The bike felt surprisingly stable, even at that speed, though I wouldn’t want to hold it there for too long. After a short burst, I eased off the throttle, let the bike coast down, and pulled over to the side.
My heart was pounding, adrenaline pumping. It was a rush, no doubt. Would I do it again? Maybe. But definitely not on a regular basis. It’s good to know the bike can do it, but it’s not something I need to prove to myself every day. It was more about satisfying my curiosity than anything else. Safe to say that my little Ninja 650 is pretty darn quick!