Thought : Japanese 600cc ono Superbikes < RM40k

These days, Malaysians are spoilt for choices when it comes to mid-range or C-segment superbikes. I would loosely refer to these as bikes with 600cc and above displacements; and with the CKD programmes implemented by so many brands eg Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ducati and Benelli Keeway, ownership of C-segment superbikes have been getting more and more tenable.

These days, to get a Japanese C-segment superbike below RM40k, you generally have 4 choices :

1) Kawasaki ER6N @ RM33,289;

2) Kawasaki ER6F/ Ninja 650 @ RM36,189;

3) Kawasaki Versys 650 @ RM36,689; and

4) Yamaha XJ6-S @ RM39,500.

Granted, the first 3 choices utilise the same parallel-twin, 650cc four-stroke engine that is tuned differently with the ER6N and Ninja 650 tuned for high-speed while the Versys 650 is tuned for high-torque. The 4th choice utilise an inline-four 600cc four-stroke engine, which some swear gives the best engine notes of the 4 choices due to its inline-four DNA.

Irregardless, you are unlikely to go wrong with the above choices as you make your entry into the C-segment superbike gateway.