Kawasaki Ninja 250R
The Kawasaki Ninja 250r is the ultimate starter motorcycle for a new rider. It's nimble, light, and gets great gas milage. Although the look of it may be a bit 'aged' compared to some of the newer style of 600cc motorcycles, I personally think that the bike holds its own aesthetically... especially the 2007 black color scheme. I think you will be hard pressed to find another 250cc machine that looks as good and handles as well.
UPDATE: Be sure to check out the 2008 kawasaki ninja 250 review! The new version of the bike rocks!
UPDATE: Be sure to check out the 2008 kawasaki ninja 250 review! The new version of the bike rocks!
Kawasaki Ninja 250R Front Side
This Ninja is powered by a 248cc, 4-stroke, parallel twin, DOHC, engine that puts out quite a bit of power for being just under 250cc's. It can run the 1/4 mile in 14.6 seconds at 88mph which isn't as fast as other larger displacement bikes, but I think this is more than enough for the real world. For comparison the 2003 Acura 3.2CL Type-S will run the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds, so as you can see this little ninja can beat a lot of imports off the line. The 250R can hit 60mph in 5.75 seconds, which is just as fast as the the 2002 Subaru ImprezaWRX which can hit 60mph in 5.7 seconds. Although I don't recommend drag racing, this little ninja is no slouch!
Something that makes this motorcycle really fun is its 14,000 rpm redline; it's a real screamer when you take it on the highway! The ninja really loves being wound up to 9,000 rpms, and at around 10,000 you can really feel it start to grip the asphalt. Even though this motorcycle is fully faired (meaning it is covered by plastic sides to protect agains the wind), the motorcycle is so light that you will get blown around quite a bit at 65mph, and even more at 80 mph or 90 mph. This isn't entirely a bad thing, it just takes a little getting used to.
This motorcycle is great for the shorter rider! If you are only a few inches over 5 foot then you will think this motorcycle is a godsend compared to other 600cc bikes. Even if you are shorter than that I'm sure that if you shave the seat down a little you would be very comfortable on it. On the other hand I personally know of a few 250 riders that are around 5'9''-6'3'' and they have never had any problems with this bike. (Usually these are the tall skinny type of guys so if you are more than 250 lbs I would probably recommend going for the Suzuki GS500 or the Kawasaki Ninja 500, which have a little more horsepower).
Something that makes this motorcycle really fun is its 14,000 rpm redline; it's a real screamer when you take it on the highway! The ninja really loves being wound up to 9,000 rpms, and at around 10,000 you can really feel it start to grip the asphalt. Even though this motorcycle is fully faired (meaning it is covered by plastic sides to protect agains the wind), the motorcycle is so light that you will get blown around quite a bit at 65mph, and even more at 80 mph or 90 mph. This isn't entirely a bad thing, it just takes a little getting used to.
This motorcycle is great for the shorter rider! If you are only a few inches over 5 foot then you will think this motorcycle is a godsend compared to other 600cc bikes. Even if you are shorter than that I'm sure that if you shave the seat down a little you would be very comfortable on it. On the other hand I personally know of a few 250 riders that are around 5'9''-6'3'' and they have never had any problems with this bike. (Usually these are the tall skinny type of guys so if you are more than 250 lbs I would probably recommend going for the Suzuki GS500 or the Kawasaki Ninja 500, which have a little more horsepower).
Kawasaki Ninja 250R Top Side
Finally the best thing about the Ninja 250, in my opinion, is how inexpensive it is to own and maintain. There is a myth that motorcycles are much cheaper to ride than buying a car. This may be true for the initial purchase (with the average 600cc motorcycle being less than $10,000 and your average car being over $15,000) but once you add in tires, maintenance, motorcycle gear, insurance etc., the price of riding a motorcycle quickly climbs to much more than a car. The type of motorcycles that started this myth were most likely bikes just like the Ninja 250. Not only is it cheap to buy (at around $3,000 brand new), but it also gets as much as 60 miles to the gallon! The reliability of the Ninja is simply fantastic and will continue to run tens of thousands of miles with just oil changes and new tires. Even if you do run into some trouble, the Ninja 250 has had few mechanical adjustments since the late 80's; which means that parts for this motorcycle are EVERYWHERE!
So if you want one of the cheapest forms of transportation that can take you on surface streets and freeways, then the Kawasaki Ninja 250R fits the bill!
So if you want one of the cheapest forms of transportation that can take you on surface streets and freeways, then the Kawasaki Ninja 250R fits the bill!
Kawasaki Ninja 250R Speedometer
Pros:
Small and nimble.
Gets about 50 miles per gallon!
Very forgiving to new rider mistakes.
Inexpensive! (brand new around $3,000)
Cons:
Fully faired motorcycle (expensive to fix the plastics!)
Broad RPM range, you really need to wind it up to get it going.
May get blown around more on a windy day than your average 600cc.
Specs:
0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) 5.75 sec
1/4 Mile 14.6 sec @ 88 mph
Maximum Speed 105 mph (170 km/h)
Max Horsepower 36 @ 11000 RPM (26 @ rear wheel)
Max Torque 18 Ft/Lbs @ 10000 RPM (14 @ rear wheel)
Fuel Efficiency 55-75 MPG
Small and nimble.
Gets about 50 miles per gallon!
Very forgiving to new rider mistakes.
Inexpensive! (brand new around $3,000)
Cons:
Fully faired motorcycle (expensive to fix the plastics!)
Broad RPM range, you really need to wind it up to get it going.
May get blown around more on a windy day than your average 600cc.
Specs:
0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) 5.75 sec
1/4 Mile 14.6 sec @ 88 mph
Maximum Speed 105 mph (170 km/h)
Max Horsepower 36 @ 11000 RPM (26 @ rear wheel)
Max Torque 18 Ft/Lbs @ 10000 RPM (14 @ rear wheel)
Fuel Efficiency 55-75 MPG
2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Model
Kawasaki Ninja 250R Stories
The Kawasaki Ninja 250R (previous generations had market-specific names) is a motorcycle originally introduced by Kawasaki in 1983. As the marque's entry-level sport bike, The motorcycle has undergone few changes throughout its quarter-century lifetime, having received only two substantial redesigns.
Nomenclature
The fourth-generation model is marketed as the Ninja 250R in all markets. The motorcycle is also referred to by its platform designation, EX250, to which a generational suffix is attached. In the United States, previous generations of the bike (EX250-E/F/G/H) were already being marketed as members of the Ninja family of sport bikes, while outside of the U.S. the bike was known variously as the ZZR-250, ZX-250, or as the GPX-250R. One of the earliest generations, the EX250-C, was given the name GPZ-250.
Description and features
The Ninja 250R's particular ergonomics, chassis design, and engine placement have resulted in a motorcycle that straddles the standard and sport classes. The Ninja's riding posture also falls somewhere between standard and sport. The bike is capable of running the quarter mile in 15.58 s @ 81.98 mph (131.93 km/h), although it had been 1 s faster in the prior generation, while providing the amenities of more utilitarian motorcycles, including bungee hooks for transporting cargo and space for a second passenger.
The latest model, the EX250-J or fourth generation, brought the Ninja's first major update in many years. Appearance upgrades included 17-inch wheels and completely redesigned fairings which give the motorcycle a sleeker, more modern appearance.
First generation
The first generation was produced between 1983 and 1984, and known by the production number EX250-C. It was sold as the GPZ-250. Sold only in its home market of Japan, this earliest, belt-driven version was first produced in 1983, and shares no commonality with later generations. The bike has 35mm fork tubes.
Second generation
Produced between 1986 and 1987 was the EX250-E. This model was sold as the Ninja 250R in Canada and the U.S. between 1986 and 1987. It was known as the GPZ-250R elsewhere. When originally introduced, it was more costly than the Honda Rebel, and reviewers complained that while the 14,000 rpm redline was nice, the engine was slow to rev.
EX-250-E Specifications |
Third generation
Production 1988–2007
Kawasaki GPX 250 Display, Model: 1993
For the 1988 model year, there were both cosmetic changes and changes in engine tuning. While the bore and stroke, and other major engine components, were unchanged, minor tuning adjustments were made. The carburetor diameters were reduced 2 mm to 30 mm (1.2 in), the cylinder compression ratio was increased from 12.0:1 to 12.4:1, ignition timing advance was increased, and the rear sprocket was increased by three teeth to 45. Reviewers reported that this made the engine more free-revving, reaching the high 14,000 redline more quickly, and the tested top speed increased by a few miles per hour. The new, more fully enclosed bodywork was complimented for being stylish, at the time, and easily mistaken for the larger Ninja 750.
The third generation of production of the Ninja 250 encompassed three models:
- EX250-F - The most widespread EX250 variant, the E model was completely revamped and sold as the F model between 1988 and 2007 in the United States. Canada received the model between 1988 and 1999, and it was available elsewhere as the GPX-250R as early as 1987.
- EX250-G - Sold only in its home market of Japan, this version was known as the GPX-250R-II. It featured dual front brakes and a wider wheel and tire (110/80-16). All other parts were identical to the -F model. It was sold after 1988.
- EX250-H - This model came to Canada as the Ninja 250R between 2000 and 2002, after which it received a new name: ZZR-250, in line with the -H model's name elsewhere in the world, where it had existed since 1992. This motorcycle has few parts in common with the -F model, though it shares the same engine, albeit with different casings. It sports a lateral aluminum frame, a different fairing (designed to make it look sportier), larger 17-inch wheels, an adjustable rear shock absorber, adjustable brake and clutch levers, a smaller drive sprocket, computer-controlled timing advance, and a revised electrical system.
Fourth generation
Production since 2008
In 2008, Kawasaki gave the EX250 its most thorough modernization in many years. The EX250-J model is known as the Ninja 250R worldwide, regardless of market.
Parts from the third generation are still found on the -J, but its redesigned exterior panels bring the Ninja's appearance out of the 1990s and into line with late-2000s sportbikes. The engine and drivetrain retain 30% of the -F model's parts, according to Kawasaki. The engine's compression and maximum torque have been lowered to provide better midrange performance. The redesign of the engine resulted in improvements in engine response at low engine speeds, and making the bike smoother and "much easier to ride." Though the previous generation Ninja 250 had a peak power advantage of 1 to 5 hp (0.75 to 3.7 kW), the new version's 20 or 30 percent increase in mid-range power allows the bike to pull from 3,000 rpm where previously it had to be revved to 4,000 rpm. The U.S. -J model uses dual carburetors like the -F model, but the European, Brazilian and Thai models have fuel injection. The wheels were increased in size to 17 inches, the front suspension was improved, and the brake rotors were replaced with a larger petal shape. On the carbureted version, a fuel gauge was added in place of the temperature gauge. With the additional and redesigned equipment, the EX250-J suffered a 10 kg (22 lb) increase in wet weight over its predecessors.
With the arrival of the EX250-J, manufacturing continues to be located in Thailand.
