2008 Kawasaki 250cc Ninja

[limbimtimwim]

No, the ZXR250 is NOT back ( :( ). But this does explain the price drop on the GPX250. I bet it's a reskinned GPX.

Still doesn't look bad eh?

Picture stolen from
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/September/sept10-16/sep13072008kawasaki250ccninjahitormiss/?&R=EPI-94578

And there are some more pictures there too.

[Str8 Jacket]

Still doesn't look bad eh?



Looks nice, very nice! Did I read that its a twin?... Bet its gonna be expensive!

[limbimtimwim]

OPPS IT'S A REPOST. Oh where is Mr Sniper?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1194448#post1194448

[cowpoos]

yeah does look pretty cool eh!! if you look hard you can see two header pipes...indicating the kawa inline twin engine comon with gpx/zzr 250's...the wheels look similar if not the same as the zxr250c models...

[deanohit]

The first pictures of Kawasaki's forthcoming 2008 Ninja 250 motorcycle are circulating on the internet - and we can reveal it's just one element of a whole new range of 250cc, four-stroke parallel twin motorcycles which Kawasaki is set to launch.

As well as the sportsbike, there's set to be a naked Kawasaki ER250 and a Kawasaki Versys-style 250cc machine in the new line-up.

Oooohhh, a naked version and a dual sporter, this is shaping up to be real interesting.

[325rocket]

you can thank Hyosung for that

[limbimtimwim]

Yeah, I suppose you can!

[Wasp]

looks cool but what i want to know is -

who made a kawasaki out of wool and put it in the dryer?

[Wiki Drifter]

I want a black one

[skidMark]

you can thank Hyosung for that


kawasaki designed the hyosung gt250 but decided not to build it so sold the plans...design....to hyosung.

[deanohit]

Thats all good, but I wanna see how the ER650 styled naked and the Versys styled adventure bike look.

[EJT]

kawasaki designed the hyosung gt250 but decided not to build it so sold the plans...design....to hyosung.

If this is true then I think Kawasaki made a mistake considering the Hyosung GT250R is selling incredibly well while Kawasaki continues with the 20 year old GPX250 design. Love the new look though!

Mind you, as Hyosungs are sold mainly to learners through Kawasaki dealers, it gives the dealers a chance to entice new buyers to a kwaka once they upgrade:niceone:

[carbacca]

here is an article on it. lots of piccies too

http://www.ibike.com.hk/01_bike_report/08/kawa/08_zx250r/250r.htm

<a href="123"><img src="http://www.ibike.com.hk/01_bike_report/08/kawa/08_zx250r/c02.jpg" border="0" alt="MySpace Codes"></a><br>

[deanohit]

Look in this thread Carbacca, heaps of links to pics and videos.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=57844

[carbacca]

bah i havent checked that thread since when it only had one link on it

mods feel free to merge threads

[unrealone]

Unfortunately I don't read '????' :(

[MidnightMike]

I reckon these might shit all over the market for Hyosungs, if their around the same price that is.

[unrealone]

I'm still dubious about a single disc on the front and such a small rear tyre >< The other thing I've noticed is the handlebars are set closer to the tank than I'd like.

[deanohit]

Price in the states is going to be US$3500, don't know how that will compare with here though. Should be pretty competitive with Hyosung. Next year could start gettin interesting for learners.

[xwhatsit]

The article from ibike.com.hk reckons it's only got 30ps -- or 30hp pretty much. Isn't that less than the previous model?

Perhaps we should just wait until the local Kwaka people release specs, there might be a few different specifications kicking around for different markets.

[deanohit]

Dunno, I've seen on other articles that it could have as much 45hp (at the crank most likely) and it's still not clear whether it will have a new FI system (unlikely for $3500) or the old carbs.

[delusionz]

it says Keihin CVK30x2 same as 2007 gpx/ex250

[unrealone]

I'd say Carbs at that price. However, the new 08 GT250R is FI and not much more?

Edit:
it says Keihin CVK30x2 same as 2007 gpx/ex250

I thought they were different to the GPX??

[delusionz]

I'd say Carbs at that price. However, the new 08 GT250R is FI and not much more?

Edit:

I thought they were different to the GPX??

Can't comment on older models, but mine came with dual CVK30's

[scott411]

Kawasaki advices its dealers that these will be here in march/april 2008, and no price as yet but quote 'it will not be any where near the current rrp of $5999 of the Ninja GPX250'

[discotex]

Kawasaki advices its dealers that these will be here in march/april 2008, and no price as yet but quote 'it will not be any where near the current rrp of $5999 of the Ninja GPX250'

As in it'll be way higher or way lower? I assume higher........ Not that I'll be buying one (plan to have a 600 long before then) but it's great news for the next round of learners.

[twinkle]

I'm still dubious about a single disc on the front and such a small rear tyre

I don't think that making the brakes and tyres bigger is going to achieve much on a little bike like that.

[unrealone]

Tyres - no. But brakes, I'm no engineer but I figured two discs would be better than one. Surely it wouldn't produce 'too much' braking power for the bike. Especially if its going to be similar to the current 250's with double discs.

But hey, it's the cool factor :rolleyes:

[deanohit]

Certainly looks cooler, but having twin discs adds un-spung weight to the front wheel. I would rather have light weight with a large single disc up to the task than an extra kilo for a second disc and calliper.

[xwhatsit]

Tyres - no. But brakes, I'm no engineer but I figured two discs would be better than one. Surely it wouldn't produce 'too much' braking power for the bike. Especially if its going to be similar to the current 250's with double discs.

But hey, it's the cool factor :rolleyes:

One modern disc brake system is more than enough. There's an argument I often hear that you don't want too much front brakes on a newbie bike like this; inevitably a beginning rider panics and then *bang* they hit the deck. I'm inclined to agree, to a point. Also, while it's no featherweight, it is only a 250, and it's not very heavy.

Twin brake discs on the front for a 250 is usually just silly bling. Linear feel is much more important; I'd say the single front disc would do the job admirably.

As for the rear tyre -- you want a fatter one?! It's already big enough, mate. The bike is a light, low-powered 250cc motorcycle. Skinnier tyres mean less rolling resistance (i.e., higher top speed) and better handling/changing direction. You won't break loose the rear end, provided you keep adequate rubber on the back. Plus a fat tyre on a piddly little 250 just looks ridiculous. It's just a fashion trend, and once engineers come back into charge at the motorcycle factories you'll see them fade away.

[delusionz]

Commenting on the 2007 model (only if it's a sign of things to come) The single front disc was less than adequate imo

[Wheeliemonsta]

Gidday,
Something for y'all to peruse...

Cheers

:rockon:

[delusionz]

It looks as though they've replaced the temperature gauge with a fuel gauge and the redline is 12.5 instead of 13

[twinkle]

the redline is 12.5 instead of 13

The old ones had a redline of 14, i guess they don't make them like they used to.


Commenting on the 2007 model (only if it's a sign of things to come) The single front disc was less than adequate imo
I think the new disc is bigger, and with a different caliper.
The brakes on my old gpx were very good, but I had sintered pads in them. Something you could try if you wanted to. The sintered pads will eat up your disk quicker though.

[deanohit]

God damn, who else would be keen for this. :banana: Z250

[delusionz]

The old ones had a redline of 14, i guess they don't make them like they used to.


I think the new disc is bigger, and with a different caliper.
The brakes on my old gpx were very good, but I had sintered pads in them. Something you could try if you wanted to. The sintered pads will eat up your disk quicker though.


curious as to why it says you ride a gn250 if you had a gpx? was it your choice to swap I don't think so eh???

[EJK]

lol I know his secrets! well actually... *Twinkle Covers EJ's Mouth* :shutup::shutup::shutup: lol

[twinkle]

curious as to why it says you ride a gn250 if you had a gpx? was it your choice to swap I don't think so eh???

you reckon gpxs are better than gns eh? :Pokey:


I know his secrets!

ssshhh! EJ! :rofl:

[dave_a]

just had a talk to kawasaki and they said march april but COULD be earlier.also a ROUGH price estimate of 6500-7000 all i know is I was going to buy a hyosung but its definatly going to be worth the wait

[unrealone]

just had a talk to kawasaki and they said march april but COULD be earlier.also a ROUGH price estimate of 6500-7000 all i know is I was going to buy a hyosung but its definatly going to be worth the wait

Well if you can't wait any longer, give me a yell. I'm selling my Hyosung GT250R.

[dave_a]

pmd :niceone: