Kawasaki Ninja 250 2007? (or 2006 whatever)

**bobsmith** · 26th June 2006, 22:47

Kawasaki is bringing in the new ninja250 this year (my local dealer said august and $6999 + on road)

Now, I thought, hell they must be mad! that's such a great deal! (since the hyobag gt250r is 7299+on road these days) so I had a look at their american website for the specs and pics and now I'm thinking... WTF

Ok. So it's a in-line twin, and all the other usual mild 250 stuff... except that the wheels are... 100/80-16 and 130/80-16... now why the hell would anyone build a motorcycle with 16 inch wheels these days!!! (less range of tyres to choose from, etc...)

and I can't get over how ugly it is..... look at the pics... I mean, did they really have to dig out the designers that designed their early 80's bikes from the grave?

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Type: 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4 Valve Cylinder Head, Parallel Twin
Displacement: 248 cc
Bore & Stroke: 62.0 x 41.2 mm
Maximum Torque: 18.1 lb-ft @ 10,000 rpm
Compression Ratio: 12.4:1
Carburetor: Keihin CVK30 x 2
Ignition: TCBI with Digital Advance
Transmission: 6-Speed
Final Drive: O-Ring Chain
Rake/Trail: 27°/3.3 in.
Front Wheel Travel: 5.5 in.
Rear Wheel Travel: 5.1 in.
Front Tire Size: 100/80-16
Rear Tire Size: 130/80-16
Wheelbase: 55.1 in.
Front Suspension: 36mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork
Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak with Aluminum Linkage
Front Brake Type: Single 260mm Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
Rear Brake Type: Single 230mm Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.8 gal.
Seat Height: 29.3 in.
Dry Weight: 304 lb.
Color: Candy Persimmon Red, Ebony, Candy Thunder Blue, Bright Yellow

**Karma** · 26th June 2006, 22:53

Ugly as man...

**poorbastard** · 26th June 2006, 22:54

Just looks like a ZZR with a few alterations and Ninja stamped on the side

**Ixion** · 26th June 2006, 22:55

But look at the fuel tank size!

That will be a DAMN nice little commuter, with more than enough power for weekend riding.

It exactly mirrors the EL-6 twin.

I feel very positive about some of the trends starting to develop in motorcycling

We are seeing manufacturers bring out new models which are sensible and practical, instead of just a procession of race replicas.

Perhaps that means that the motorcycling fraternity is becoming more real world and less boi-racer, which is a good thing, because such riders will stay the course, not wander off after a year or so in search of the next thrill.

Back in the 90s I really thought that motorcycling was doomed , and that numbers would continue to wither away until it was finally banned. I don't think this will happen now. I am very pleased about this.

Now, gentlemen, if you could just crank up your drawing boards, and pay attention to the next two words. "Two strokes". I'm sure you can come through with the goods if you try.

**bobsmith** · 26th June 2006, 23:00

Originally Posted by poorbastard

Just looks like a ZZR with a few alterations and Ninja stamped on the side

I don't know.

I just signed a purchase agreement for a zzr250 today. The rear of the bike and the side look similar I admit, but hell zzr's front looks much much better.

hell and it's got 17 inch wheels so it will be easier to find tyres.

**Madness** · 26th June 2006, 23:02

I think Kawasaki America label absolutely everything they sell without knobblies a Ninja. Pity really but perhaps indicative of the marketing required to sell over there??

It might not be everyone's cup of tea but none the less it does represent choice, something we all appreciate.

Originally Posted by bobsmith

I just signed a purchase agreement for a zzr250 today.

Congratulations!!!

**justsomeguy** · 26th June 2006, 23:02

That's not a new bike.

It's a very early 90's bike called the GPX250. http://images.google.co.nz/images?q=gpx250&hl=en

A great learners bike i.e - cheap, reliable and safe. Remember a bike is only as fast as its rider, so don't be too quick to label it.

**Lazy7** · 26th June 2006, 23:03

i dont mind them making practical purposeful commuters...

but that bike is screaming 80's all over.

at least the hyosung looks good.

**poorbastard** · 26th June 2006, 23:12

Originally Posted by bobsmith

I don't know.

I just signed a purchase agreement for a zzr250 today. The rear of the bike and the side look similar I admit, but hell zzr's front looks much much better.

hell and it's got 17 inch wheels so it will be easier to find tyres.

Yea I think you mite be right there with the front more like the older GPX.

Congrats on the bike too

**Ixion** · 26th June 2006, 23:25

Hey, it's a REAL bike. It's got a centre stand!

And the low seat height will be popular with chicks. A very practical, sensible bike. I think Kawasaki will be on to a winner with this and the ER-6. If they go on like this I may have to revise my opinions of them

And correlating the US price with that of the ER-6f , and the latter to NZ prices, looks like the $6k figure would be about right. Jolly good value.

**justsomeguy** · 26th June 2006, 23:34

Originally Posted by Ixion

Jolly good value.

Huh?? Why not buy a decentish mid nineties one for 3K??? This bike, the ZZR250 and the EX250 (which looks soooo similar to the GPX) and the GPX250 all share similar mechanical bits - so there's parts-a-plenty everywhere.

As for dem donuts, for 99% of learners a pair of Pirelli Sports Demons would be more than enough, these can be had fitted for around $300-$350 for a set, the rear tyre will last around 9-10K's and the front at least 12-15+K's.

**justsomeguy** · 26th June 2006, 23:36

Here you go:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...002&key=450808

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...827&key=450808

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...753&key=450808

**R6_kid:Me** · 26th June 2006, 23:46

As said, its a GPX250, been made since atleast 1986, handles good and has good power considering the type of donk it has.

Has always been there to buy as it wasnt affected by the 1993 horsepower cap for 250's that stopped production of the ZXR/CBR/FZR 250 ranges. Thing is up until recently bike shops didnt think that people would seriously pay $5,000+ for a new learner sports bike.

Then along came the VTR250 and more recently the GT250, and lets not forget them shafting every last cent out of the pretty looking 'plastic fantastic' CBR's and ZXRs... its amazing what a new paint job and a 'full service' can do to the price of a bike.

Anyway, if you didn't know, Kawasakis other evil twin, the ZZR250 has also been in production since about 1986/89... the look pretty nice new, almost identical to the ZZR1100 model but without power of an inline 1.1 litre donk.

But money speaks volumes, and if you can look good on a ZZR/GPX/GT-R/VTR/CB and can afford the price tag, then the fuel savings even it out quite nicely, and if you keep it shiney side up and look after it you will probably get a sweet deal come trade in time when you have you're full licence.

**James Deuce** · 27th June 2006, 06:19

JSG, some people want a new bike, not a thrashed, bodged, 11 - 18 year old that's had 32 owners, none of them in the least bit mechanically sympathetic.

Until very, very recently there were sod all new 250s sold in NZ. A couple of low spec trail bikes, the GN, and the VTR were it for about 5 years. With the petrol price coup (it ain't a war - we lost before it started), Kawasaki are trying to capitalise on a boom time for all things two wheeled. As someone has mentioned, Japan Inc stopped making super sports 250s in the mid '90s so this actually ends up being one of the quicker new 250s around, despite being a more than 20 year old design.

You could do worse for $7k.