What effect do you think the new Ninja 250 will have on the market?

[Quartermile]

I haven't really been on here in a while (had a few things on over the last few months).

But I'm at polytech this year doing a diploma which will cross credit to a degree (BMS) at Waikato Uni and one of the

papers I'm doing is marketing and as part of this I have to do a marketing seminar on a product that is new or I think is

poorly marketed. For my product I chose the new Ninja 250R.

So I put this thread on here to gain market research on what the biker community thinks this bike will do to the bike

market, especially the 250 market.

Thanks much appreciated.:yes:

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=263&content=introduction

[tri boy]

Marketing wise it will definetly keep Kawasaki at the cutting edge of the two fiddy market.(cost, and competitors will be a major influencing factor also).
With regards to the overall biking publics view....generally positive, but of little influence I think.
MHO.

[Mikkel]

Depending on the RRP of the new bike it may have a reducing effect upon the prices of used 250 sports bikes. These are currently quite pricy compared to other MC market segments due to high demand from learners combined with more of them being written off due to inexperienced hoons I believe.

So yeah, I'm not too please considering I've just thrown a big wad of dough after a beautiful '89 zxr250rr. But hell, let's see what happens eh.

[Romeo]

If it lives up to the hype (40hp+ & huge milage) then I'd definitely consider one as my first bike, even if it was likely to end up "streetfightered" within a few weeks. We'll have to see, I'm not too keen on the exhaust TBH.

[Renegade]

id have to say it would be positive if it bought the price of new 250 down and push other manufactuers to compete in design and price, the second hand 250 market is stupid hence why i bought the hyo new considering a 15 year old bike of unknown mechanics was only 2k cheaper, in saying that it may suck when it comes time to sell the hyo due the second hand market prices lowering because these bikes are more affordable. :argh:

[Coyote]

These are currently quite pricy compared to other MC market segments due to high demand from learners combined with more of them being written off due to inexperienced hoons I believe.
They have an effect on the price, but the real reason why they're becoming expensive is the dealers are constantly pushing the price up and are getting away with it due to newbies who haven't studied the market enough and buy the $8000 CBR250R with 50,000kms on it because it has a nice new paintjob. Dealers are preying on the ignorant, like scammers.

With any luck the new ninja will knock the 250 prices down (sorry to those who own 250s currently) but then I can see non-kawasaki dealers discrediting the new ninja as being 'a slow, outdated GPX250 with new fairings. What you really need is an inline 4' (which just so happens to be 20 year old technology like the ninja, but also 20 years old). With any luck to dealers, there'll be no change to the old 250 market.

Gah, nothing angers me more than the 250 market. I'm glad I'm through it now but at the moment I'm helping my girlfriend get into bikes.

[Deviant Esq]

Gah, nothing angers me more than the [New Zealand] 250 market.
+1

I suspect that, being New Zealand, it'll be over priced compared to what it is overseas ($US3499? Or is it $3799?), but hopefully still cheaper than the likes of the 20 year old inline fours. That way, the price drops on all used 250s, but Kawasaki starts making decent money on the bike, thereby convincing the other major manufacturers (on the strength of New Zealand sales for a 250? Tui...) to opt in and release new 250s here themselves.

Pity it's not an ideal world really.

[riffer]

If it lives up to the hype (40hp+ & huge milage) then I'd definitely consider one as my first bike, even if it was likely to end up "streetfightered" within a few weeks. We'll have to see, I'm not too keen on the exhaust TBH.


I'm sorry guys, but if current 500cc parallel twins are putting out 50 at best there's no bloody way it will be 40+ HP.

I would think 30 would be more like it.

It would be good to see the 250 market invigorated though. With the notable exception of the Hyosung GT250R (which I think looks great) there's not decent-looking new 250s around at present.

I'd love to see the price of late 80s 250s get down to $3500 - $4000 max which is what I reckon they're probably worth.

[deanohit]

Same thoughts as Coyote. I think as long as the pricing is competitive with Hyosung, it will be a good thing as they will both be seen as good options and will make dealers work to have the better deal, but if it is more expensive, I think it will be seen as the top end of the market with Hyosung been seen as the middle. Hopefully though it will push the price of the second hnd market down, even just a $1000 bucks across the board.

[jrandom]

I think learners should just suck it up and ride GN250s.

Also, Yamaha should start making and selling the FZX250 Zeal again.

All hail the Mighty Zeal, learner bike par excellence!

[HTFU]

Your research will be a bit flawed until we actually have the product here. All the marketing examples will be from the US and Europe. Product looks to vary in those markets and we do not know what version we will get and the price etc. If you go to the Kawasaki NZ site it will have the old/current model on it.

It looks good and if it is relatively cheap and powerful then its a no brainer really.

If its similar to the old model in power output but more expensive (current model is $6000) then won't make a huge difference. It looks to have a fairly thin rear tyre, not like a hyosung, bandit, hornet so that could also work against it.


I think learners should just suck it up and ride GN250s.

If a bike company can produce a 250 that looks to be a keeper i.e you don't really need to upgrade it then I think it will do well in NZ. So it looks good and if its powerful to match then many new bikers will buy it as their first and maybe last bike. Cheap to run and great to commute on and quick enough to enjoy a one up tour with other riders on bigger bikes.

I am not an expert on marketing but working in retail I know price is the biggest draw card when it comes to getting customers into the shop. Example - we are currently selling a $1100 mountain bike for $599 as we did a bulk purchase on a particular model. Response is just amazing, had a similar product that we couldn't do as cheap and advertised them at $699 hardly moved them.

Why did I buy a new gpx 250 when I had my full license? It came down to price $5999 for a new bike that meets my needs (no two up touring) when the next option is $9000-11000. Get the price right and the marketing is taken care of.

[Coyote]

I think learners should just suck it up and ride GN250s.

Also, Yamaha should start making and selling the FZX250 Zeal again.

All hail the Mighty Zeal, learner bike par excellence!
They should, but it's never going to happen. x2

It's the sportsbike market. It's driven by style and performance, and that's what most teenagers/early twenties types are looking for. I've noticed that in me but if I simply wanted transport I'd most likely go for a Corolla. If I was going to give up performance for a reliable commuter, I'd rather go for the gutless vehicle with rain protection and storage.

Unfortunatly it's the people similar to me but don't know much/anything about bikes, except those CBR/ZXRs over there look cooler than that AX100 over there, that are being bent over and letting the dealers have their way with them.

[R6_kid]

Have you even bothered to confirm from a NZ Kawasaki dealer that it will be for sale in NZ?

Those i've spoken to have said that Yamaha R125 most likely isn't going to be a happening thing.

[Mikkel]

I think it'll be very dependent upon the performance figures of the new bike. If it's faster and cheaper to run than the old 250s then it's a no brainer. If it meets either of these criteria but not the other then it's going to be much more difficult to predict the impact.
There are quite a few nice 80-90s 250 sports bikes out there which haven't travelled too far. And like vodka motorcycles doesn't come with a use by date.

If it has even just slightly inferior performance to the fastest of the old bikes it's probably going to fail with the young testosterone fueled crowd - and let's face it, many learners fit that description quite well. (Just look at the car scene - older japanese FR manuals are ridiculously priced these days.)

[LilSel]

Have you even bothered to confirm from a NZ Kawasaki dealer that it will be for sale in NZ?


I have... Kawasaki NZ are having a meeting with dealers in December to discuss the new 250 Ninja... It is not known as yet if it will be for sale in NZ.
Quite funny really as quite a few people have said the whole 'Im getting one when they are here'... but they may not even make it here... if they do then prob still wont be able to get one till mid next year...

*shrugs*...

I have got a couple of mates that deal directly with kwaka nz... so when I know... if they are or not... if they are... I'll prob put zzr up for sale pretty quick (not to get a new ninja as I wont get another 250) as wouldnt wanna be in the position where bike is devalued a shite load cuz of new ninga for a few grand more etc...

[bert_is_evil]

I think as long as it looks like it's fast they can sell it for as much as they want and people will still buy it regardless of whether it's good or bad. As far as how it will affect the 250 market I think not much - like Coyote says people will continue paying stupid prices for 250's. Things are only "worth" what people are prepared to pay for them - if there's a pair of Elvis's sweaty Y-fronts out there that someone is prepared to pay a million dollars for then that's what they are worth.

Man, I"m really ranty today - best not plan any meetings this afternoon.

[The Pastor]

if they sell it for 6k, then the price of the 2nd hand market will fall about 2k, eg a cbr250rr is about 4-5k for a decent one, they will become 3-4k maybe even less.

Ive got to decide, weather i want to keep my mc22, sell it or trade it in.

I just don't know, having it as a track bike would be nice, but can i afford to keep two bikes? who knows.