Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016 vs. Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Overview - Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Technical Specifications Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016 compared to Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Engine and Drive Train

Bore	Bore	98 mm	Bore	83 mm
Stroke	Stroke	71.5 mm	Stroke	60 mm
Engine power	Engine power	160 HP	Engine power	68.2 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	9,250 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	8,000 rpm
Torque	Torque	131 Nm	Torque	65.7 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	7,750 rpm	Rpm at Torque	7,000 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12.5	Compression Ratio	10.8
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Transmission	Transmission	Chain	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	Desmodromic	Valves	DOHC
Displacement	Displacement	1,198 ccm	Displacement	649 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork	Front suspension	Telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	48 mm	Diameter	41 mm
Travel	Travel	130 mm	Travel	125 mm

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Single swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Travel	Travel	159 mm	Travel	130 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Tubular	Frame type	Tubular

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	330 mm	Diameter	300 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Double piston
Technology	Technology	radial, Monoblock	Technology	Petal

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	245 mm	Diameter	220 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Single piston
Shock mount	Shock mount	Fixed caliper	Shock mount	Floating caliper

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	17 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	200 mm	Rear tyre width	160 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	55 %	Rear tyre height	60 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,156 mm	Length	2,055 mm
Height	Height	1,117 mm	Height	1,135 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,511 mm	Wheelbase	1,410 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	830 mm	Seat Height	790 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	17.5 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	15 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

Ducati Monster 1200 R 2016

Unfortunately, our editors did not test this model.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2025

Judging the Kawasaki Ninja 650 purely on paper does not do justice to its potential. The engine is clearly not an engine bursting with power for the race track, but an agile but well-behaved journeyman. The sports tourer with supersport looks does exactly what it is supposed to do and presents itself as a real alternative in its class with its appropriate electronics package including traction control. Hobby racers should be warned, however, that the Ninja in the name still fuels a certain sporty expectation that a Ninja 650 cannot fully fulfil.

Fully suitable for touring

pleasantly comfortable

good safety package

very accessible

ergonomically versatile

typical Ninja look

Suspension and brakes only average

adjusting the rear suspension is a hassle