2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Top speed, 0-100km/h of Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R

2010-03-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

We all know this little 250cc bike is a rocket. However, we also know the fuel quality in India is below par as compared to international levels.

Here is what the Kawasaki Ninja 250R does in performance stakes in India, where it is sold by Bajaj

0-60km/h : 2.98seconds

0-100km/h : 7.9seconds

Top speed (5th gear) : 152km/h (genuine)

Kawasaki Ninja 250R road test review

2010-03-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R road test done by BIKE India magazine.

First thing first - a sticker price of Rs 2.69 (ex-showroom) or approximately USD5800 for a 250cc motorcycle might seem very expensive in India. But when the motorcycle in question is a legend in itself with dozens of accomplishments to its credit including being the world’s best selling 250cc bike, you ought to rethink the value it offers. Add to it a high revving 33PS fuel injection liquid-cooled engine that will allow even an amateur rider to fly past the 150km/h mark with ease and a good rider to kiss the 170km/h mark on the speedometer, and you suddenly feel the so called ‘steep’ sticker price is well justified.

Read the complete road test review of the Bajaj Kawasaki Ninja 250R HERE

Kawasaki Ninja 250R launched in India : official prices including OTR

2009-10-10T11:14:00.001-07:00

Bajaj has finally (and finally) launched the much (much much) awaited Ninja 250R in the Indian market. The bike is the UK model with FI which means Indians get to play around with 33bhp - this should give the bike a 0-100km/h timing of around 8seconds with a top speed of 155-160km/h (true / genuine)

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R goes on sale in India at an ex-showroom price of around Rs 2,69,000 lakh or around US$5600. The on-road price or OTR price for various cities is as follows

1. Bangalore - Rs 3,07,878

2. Pune - Rs 2,96,150

3. Hyderabad - Rs 2,99,941

4. New Mumbai - Rs 2,92,560

5. Mumbai - Over Rs 3,00,000

6 Chennai - Rs 3,05,000

7. New Delhi - Rs 2,80,175

Kawasaki Ninja 250R with Indian number plate

2009-09-15T10:40:00.001-07:00

Lolz.. This is how the Ninja 250R looks with number plate at the front. We are told that this is a compulsory regulation as per the Indian government laws.

It is learnt that Bajaj is all set to launch the Ninja 250R in India next month at an approximate price of around US$ 5000-5500

Kawasaki Bajaj Ninia 250 caught in India : about to be launched

2009-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

We have been telling you about the baby Ninja heading to India. Bajaj is getting this bike in a months time and we came across this video on youtube which shows the Ninja 250R in one of the Bajaj Pro-biking showrooms in Pune.

The Ninja 250R gets a new exhaust for India among other small changes.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R vs Honda VTR250

2009-04-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Honda has recently come out with a new VTR250 for the European market. The 250cc segment is already being headed by our Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
So, does the Honda VTR250 has the dope to out run the Ninja 250R?

MCN has carried a comparison test of both the bikes. This is what they have to say:

"Although the new Honda responds better low down, from the mid-range up the DOHJC, parallel twin motor of the Kawasaki revs quickly and smoothly and its power increases more and more and its suspension has enough stroke to enjoy sport riding.”

See their comparion HERE

Another cool video of the Ninja 250R

2009-02-04T03:11:00.000-08:00

Here is another cool video of the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Tsukigi racing exhaust for the Ninja 250R

2009-02-03T03:28:00.000-08:00

Selecting a Motorcycle Exhaust-System was never been so difficult, most riders see the Exhaust-System as the easiest way to increase the power of their motorcycle. A survey under riders revealed that most motorcyclists planned to buy an alternative exhaust system for their bike in the next year.

One company Tsukigi Racing has been designing and building aftermarket performance motorcycle exhaust-systems. Tsukigi Racing founded 37-years ago, and now for 10-years active in the Thai motorcycle market has introduced a complete performance exhaust-system for the in Thailand popular Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

The Tsukigi Racing Exhaust-System for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is probably the easiest aftermarket pipe to install bolting on in a mere 10 minutes. When viewing the end can from the side, people either loved or hated the pipe. The lack of a heat shield can be unpleasant for a pillion-rider especially if not wearing closed shoes.

The Tsukigi Racing Kawasaki Ninja 250R Exhaust-System is loud, aggressive but strangely the sound was not irritating, the exhaust note never felt as extreme.

The mechanics from Tsukigi Racing claimed that the aftermarket system would provide a 2 to 3 horsepower performance gain. We where not able to confirm this, riding the bike let us believe that the power gain was more, especially in the lower rev segment.

Overall we where very impressed by, what could be, the first Thai aftermarket product for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

Text source: motorcycle.in.th

Read this - 5 bhp increase for the Ninja 250R

Video : The 2008 250R at Barcellona

2008-11-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R at the Barcellona track. Enjoy!

Kawasaki Ninja 250R for India : changes being made

2008-10-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

We told you about the Kawasaki Ninja 250R for the Indian market here.
The news is very much confirmed. Infact, after Yamaha launched a baby R1, named the YZF-R15 for around USD $2400, Bajaj (the company who wants to get the Ninja 250R to India), is now working on localizing some of the components to reduce the cost of the Ninja 250R to around Rs 1.6 lakh or USd $ 3500.
It will be interested to see if this can happen!

Worth reading:
Yamaha's naked 160cc for India
India gets GP edition 150cc from Honda
TVS, an Indian manufacturer launches FI 160cc bike

Kawasaki Ninja 250R for the Interstate / highway?

2008-10-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Lot of prospective owners / current owners of the little Kawasaki Ninja 250R have this question - can the bike be good on the interstate or highways?

Well, i came across this forum where a guy wanted to know if it was ok to ride his Ninja 250R on the interstate which had a limit of 65mph / 104km/h.

The little Ninja can surely do around 90mph or 144km/h (true speed) any day. I reckon, this bike can easily keep up with the traffic and stay at 65-70mph easily.

Read the forum for more.

In the meantime, have a look at the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R and the performance figures for the Ninja 250R

2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

2008-10-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the official picture of the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Nothing much has changed, but the new color combination looks quite good.

Pricing as per the website remains between USD $3999 - USD $4099.

Colors are now: Metallic Diablo Black, Sunbeam Red, Candy Thunder Blue, Special Edition Lime Green / Metallic Diablo Black

There is a special edition version ( Lime Green / Metallic Diablo Black) Which also looks to get wheel stripes.

Also read
Get 5 more bhp from the 250R
Performance figures for the 250R
Tyre upgrades for the Ninja 250R
Ninja 250R first ride report

2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

2008-09-11T04:47:00.001-07:00

Deliveries of the 2009 model of Kawasaki Ninja 250R have begun.
To start with Australia now gets the Lime Green color option.

Fresh Ninja 250Rs also hitting the US showrooms. We dont know yet if they are re badged old ones or new ones.. Watch this space for more

5 bhp increase on the 250R!

2008-08-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

Got this link on the net. Roaring Toyz have this special exhaust for the Ninja 250R and claim to increase the max power by 5bhp!!

Available for 600 USD... Follow this LINK

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R performance figures

2008-07-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

Here are a few figures from www.cycleworld.com

Price $3499
Dry weight 352 lb.
Wheelbase 54.9 in.
Seat height 31.0 in.
Fuel mileage 60 mpg (this is US mpg - means 25.5km per litre!)
0-60 mph 7.6 sec.
1/4-mile 15.54 sec. @ 82.70 mph
Horsepower 27.2 hp @ 10,770 rpm (again, diff power figs will be there for Europe model)
Torque 14.3 ft.-lb. @ 9650 rpm
Top speed 96 mph (or 154km/h)

Tyre upgrades for the 2008 Ninja 250R

2008-07-17T05:37:00.000-07:00

The stock 110mm front

replaced with this 120mm

The stock 130mm of the rear...

replaced with this 150mm

While randomly surfing, i came across this article about tyre upsizing for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. The guy at 2fiddy had posted this

The stock tyre is a 130/70 on 17inch alloy.
One can up size it to 150/70 on the same 17inch alloy

Also, this guy has upsized the front from a 110 to a 120.
Looks cool or not, you decide!!

In the meantime, have a look at the new 150cc bike from Yamaha for India. Yes, India again it is!
Click HERE to see the new 16bhp 150cc bike called the Yamaha YZF-R15

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R : First Ride Report

2008-02-22T02:28:00.000-08:00

Here is the official first ride report of the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R by www.motorcycledaily.com

I'll bet you can't guess which Kawasaki is the best selling model. Is it the popular middle weight supersport ZX-6R? How about the recently redesigned dual purpose KLR650? If you guessed either of these bikes, you are wrong.

The top seller for Kawasaki has been the Ninja 250R . . . a bike that has been largely unchanged since 1988. That is, until the introduction of the all new 2008 250R....

See First Ride Report for the full read

Kawasaki Ninja 250R to enter India

2008-02-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to the news 2008 Ninja 250R for India
Kawasaki seems to have tied up with an Indian manufacturer, Bajaj.
Bajaj will import the Ninja250R in CKD form from Thailand to save on custom duties. The bike should go on sale in a few months time.
India is the land of the worlds largest selling motorcycle brand. There are two-wheelers just about everywhere. We are sure the Ninja 250R will sell like hot cakes specially because the fastest bike India currently makes is a 220cc 20bhp one! Phew...

We are sure Indian bikers must be a happy lot now

Aftermarket pipes for Ninja 250R

2008-01-15T22:59:00.000-08:00

Kawasaki's Ninja 250R is set to be one of the stand-out bikes for 2008, and if you're still umming-and-ahhing about getting one, these two new pipes could seal the deal.

Log on to Yoshimura and Two Brothers for a look.

The Yoshimura Dual TRC is available in carbon-fibre, stainless steel or titanium finish.

The second pipe is the Two Brothers M2 slip-on also available in a selection of finishes.

Between, in the recently concluded Auto Expo show in India, Bajaj, an Indian Manufacturer, has announced that it will be selling the Ninja 250R (locally assembled) in the next few months. Good news for this power starved country!

Acceleration, top speed of the new Ninja 250R

2007-10-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

This is one of the main things that we all are keen on knowing..
The old Ninja 250 / ZZR 250 was got for around 105mph / 168kmh on the speedometer with a 5.75 sec 0-60mph (or 0-96km/h) :: Not bad at all!

Here are some video links of the old ZZR250/Ninja 250, notice in one of the videos, the bike goes to almost 170km/h!!

Updated specs , new pics

2007-10-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

* Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
* Displacement: 249cc
* Bore x stroke: TBD
* Compression ratio: TBD
* Maximum power : 32PS (31.56 hp) at 11,000rpm (USA AND CANADA)
* Maximum power : 30PS (29.59 hp) at 10,500rpm (EUROPE Model)
* Maximum torque: 21.7Nm (16 ftlb) at 10,000rpm (USA AND CANADA)
* Maximum torque: 21.0Nm (15.5 ftlb) at 8,500rpm (EUROPE Model)
* Cooling: Liquid
* Carburetion: Keihin CVK30 x 2
* Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
* Transmission: Six-speed
* Final drive: O-ring chain
* Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
* Wheelbase: 1390mm(NA Model) - 54.72 in
* Rake / trail: TBD
* Front suspension / wheel travel: 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork / TBD
* Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak with aluminum linkage / Preload Adjustable
* Front tire: 110/70-17 IRC
* Rear tire: 130/80-17 IRC
* Front brake: Single 290mm hydraulic petal disc with two-piston caliper
* Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with two-piston caliper
* Overall length: 2080mm - 81.88 in
* Overall width: 710mm - 27.95 in
* Overall height: 1115mm - 43.89 in
* Seat height: 780mm - 30.70 in
* Dry weight: 151kg - 332.89 lbs
* Fuel capacity: 18 liters - 4.755 gal
* Color choices: Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red, Candy Plasma Blue
* MSRP: $3,499
* Warranty: 12 months

Videos of the new Ninja 250R

2007-10-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

Updates : New pictures , FI news

2007-09-27T00:05:00.001-07:00

There are speculations that USA will get the carb version of the new Ninja 250R, while the European and Japanese versions will the Fuel Injection (FI) engine. We will keep updating you on this as we get the official news.
In the meantime, here are two pictures, taken on 27th August. Notice the ZZR-1400 (ZX-14) colour option behind the silver ZZR?

The old VS the new!

2007-09-26T22:53:00.001-07:00

We did love the old Ninja 250R and for good reasons, but there is no doubt it looked too bland.

Here is a comparison of both the bikes.

Looks:

If we were to rate the looks of the new bike on a scale of 10, we would definately give it a 10. And 5 for the old one! That lovely fairing from the bigger Ninja 650R, good looking upswept exhaust, pillion seat cover, petal discs, awesome alloys, everything lends it own bit to make this 250R look the best in its class but a HUGE margain!

Engine:

We also know the engine has been retuned a bit, and although detailed technical specifications have yet to be announced, but the new machine’s power is expected to be in the region of 45bhp – with the firm saying owners will be surprised by power at high revs. The old one did top the 100mph (160 km/h) mark and this one will atleast do 110 mph (176 km/h).

Acceleration wise, the old Ninja 250R shamed quite a few sports car, with a 0-60mph (96km/h) timing of 5.75 secs and a 14.6 sec quater mile timing. We can only expect the new one to do this better.

To support the above fact, we have come to know that dual overhead camshafts have been revised and a new 2-into-1 exhaust system is in place for more low and mid-range torque from the dual-carbureted 249cc DOHC parallel twin-cylinder engine. Add in refined intake and exhaust ports for improved off-idle response and smooth power delivery. Also, reduced engine noise via an automatically adjusting cam chain tensioner.

As of now, we dont have pictures of how the new Ninja 250R's instrumentation will look like. Stay tuned for more!

A hike of $500 for this? Its peanuts!

More on the Ninja 250R

2007-09-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Compact size, exceptional personality and a low price tag highlight Kawasaki's new Ninja 250R quarter-liter performer. Considering how much fun it is to ride and the fact that it's the only 250cc sportbike sold in the U.S., it's no wonder the Ninja 250R has been a strong seller for over a decade. Its successful blend of a rider-friendly engine, easy-to-operate chassis and supersport styling worthy of its Ninja moniker, this model was developed to offer real world performance to riders of all skill levels and goes to show that good things do come in small packages.

LOOKS:
One look at the new Ninja 250R tells everyone that this bike is the genuine article. With a new full-fairing similar to the Ninja ZX-6R and -10R supersport bikes, a single kicked-up muffler, UNI-TRAK rear suspension, high-performance petal disc brakes and a dual seat, this is the most stylish performer in its category.

ENGINE:
At the core of the lightweight Ninja 250R is an engine that thrives on high-rpm excitement. The gutsy 249cc parallel twin has been retuned to spice up its smooth and predictable power delivery. It now offers more low- and mid-range torque thanks to revisions to its dual overhead camshafts and a new 2-into-1 exhaust system. A silky smooth six-speed transmission tops off the sportbike equipment list, enabling the 250R to exploit a powerband that's sure to please riders with its beginner friendly low-end grunt and a lively top-end rush that'll keep seasoned veterans satisfied. The coup de' grace, is its ability to deliver excellent fuel economy.

BODY WORK, RUNNING PARTS, OTHER FEATURES:

The 250R's new fairing and windscreen not only look great, they deliver improved wind protection for a wide range of riding situations. This lightweight sportbike is loaded with even more rider-friendly features such as an easy-to-read instrument panel and positive neutral finder.

A natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics combined with its lightweight handling, easy controllability and improved throttle response make the 250R a pleasure to ride on city streets.

Also new for 2008 are larger 17-inch wheels that offer great handling and improved stability.
A larger 290mm front brake rotor is gripped by a powerful 2-piston caliper to provide a healthy dose of stopping power with a responsive feel at the lever. Like Kawasaki's other sport models, the Ninja 250R is fitted with petal discs for efficient heat dissipation.

The simple formula of providing easy-handling agility, lightweight responsiveness, and low ownership costs make the Ninja 250R a force to be reckoned with in the entry-level sportbike category.

MSRP: $3499

The 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

2007-09-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

The revered Kawasaki Ninja 250R has been around forever, or so it seems. We've touted the small-displacement Ninja as the ideal mount for beginners, with our only complaint about the bargain Kwakker being its somewhat outdated styling. Kawasaki must have been listening because the 250R is back for 2008 with a styling facelift, making it look more like its sport Ninja siblings. Other changes include larger 17-inch wheels and 290mm front brake rotors. The little Ninja's engine has also received some mods as well, retuned for more low- to mid-range torque courtesy of tweaked camshafts and new 2-into-1 exhaust.

The MSRP is $3499, a steal, considering the way the bike looks.