2008 Ninja 250R - First impressions

[Betawave]

I've had my brand new 2008 Ninja 250R for a bit over a week now, have put on 400kms, and thought I'd share my first impressions with those of you considering this bike. For the record, I'm new to riding in NZ, but I'm not a new rider and have spent most of my 6 years riding time on 650-1100 sport cruiser types.

Overall, the bike is well put together and handles well. I've ridden it in the city, on the motorway, and out in the country, with a bit of rain and shine in each situation.

Plusses:
- Relatively inexpensive and, if history holds up, should hold value decently well over time.

- Decent fuel economy. I got 320kms out of my first tank. Works out to about 17.77 kms/liter or 41.8mpg. Kawasaki advertises 61mpg. Unless you ride like a nana, you're not going to see this.

- Comfort isn't bad. It's a small sport bike, not a cruiser. That said, I could do 50-60kms before my butt started to get numb. Much more and I need a few minutes out of the saddle. Otherwise, the riding position is decent. I have bad back (two ruptured disks, s1 and c5 for those of you who've been, or who are, in the same boat) and I can ride without discomfort. BTW, I'm 172cm / 75kg. If you're a lot larger than me, this bike may feel too small.

- Excellent low-speed handling. Lane splitting anyone? Very stable, no weave / wobble, even at very low speed.

- Cool looks (for a 250). I bought the green... my least favorite color in the shop... and I have to admit it's grown on me.

Minuses (some major, some just nit-picks):
- Shifter needs adjustment. I'm still playing with it to get it in the right position. Way too much travel initially and almost impossible to get my boot under (my feet are on the small side of average). A quick and easy adjustment improved things immensely, but it's still not there yet.

- Lack of power. What can I say... it's a 250, not a rocket. Still, I run at just under 7k rpm at motorway speeds and have enough power left to overtake if needed. To be fair, the dyno shows max hp up in the 10k rpm range and I'm staying below 6-7k until about 1500kms to break the engine in properly. Stay tuned for more. (pun intended)

- Tyres lack traction. Yep, the tyres are new... but after 200kms, including a bunch of curves, I expect the tyres to have a bit more grip. I don't push it *that* hard (still in the break-in phase, staying under 7k rpm, etc.) and I've nearly had it slide out twice on me... once in dodgy, wet, windy conditions with only 50kms on the bike, but the other was on dry pavement with 300kms on the tyres. I'll be replacing these soon. If you're an easy-going commuter, you may be fine on the stock tires. If you like to push it in the twisties, upgrade immediately.

- No gear indicator. Ok, so I'm spoiled. I like to look down and know what gear I'm in.

- Dual indicator lamps. Again, spoiled. I'd like to see dual indicator lamps instead of the single lamp.

Final thoughts? This is a great little bike and I'm glad I bought it. It makes a great commuter and has just enough power to run at motorway speeds without breaking the bank in fuel costs. I'll definitely be upgrading the tyres and possibly the exhaust to tease out a couple more hp, but otherwise it's good enough stock to keep me happy.

Hope this helps those of you on the fence!

[Roki_nz]

Yeap i Agree with all your points. I have been getting between 20-24 km/L, shifter can be a pain and its annoying to count gears all the time but still it a nice bike and handels well

[Slyer]

Yeah everyone says that the stock tyres are rubbish but at least they picked a part that is commonly changed to cut back on.
I'd also expect that the fuel economy will increase as the engine is broken in.

[Duke girl]

Glad that you are happy with your Ninja and a great write up 2 I must add.
I have a question for you regarding the mirrors which i find hopeless as I have moved them so many times and yet still cant see out of the 100%. For me to be able to see whats behind me I have to either drop my hands off the haldlebars and put my arm down by my side or hang my head over to the side of which mirror it is I am trying to look at which is not only dangerous but a nuisance also. How do you find the position of the mirrors on your bike?.
Also I was out riding on it 1 day when the wind got up to about 120k's and I have never been so frighten in all my life as it was throwing the bike all over the road and I was doing alot of counter steering trying to keep both me and it upright
Other than these 2 minor hipcupps with it I thoroughtly enjoy riding it and find it so easy to put into corners and so easy to ride and as you can see by my photo I have a red 1.

[Dragon]

Ive kicked myself twice now for not buying the one I preordered and now not getting one before the price raise never mind going to go look again next week. Any suggustions on a better set of tyres.

[Slyer]

Price rise? Wah?
Kawasaki nz site is down..

[RantyDave]

Yep, the tyres are new... but after 200kms, including a bunch of curves, I expect the tyres to have a bit more grip.

The tyres on my Triumph were shit for the first couple of tankful's ... i.e. at least 500k. I had two little slips in it's first month too - was a bit trouser filling, I can tell you.

Dave

[Maki]

New price is $7,470.00
Don't worry, it's worth it.
If you don't think so there is always the Honda Hornet 250. You can get a used one from Wellington Motorcycles for just $9,499...

http://www.motorcycle.co.nz/other/?id=39531

[robo555]

New price is $7,470.00
Don't worry, it's worth it.
If you don't think so there is always the Honda Hornet 250. You can get a used one from Wellington Motorcycles for just $9,499...

http://www.motorcycle.co.nz/other/?id=39531

Damn...stupid crappy NZD

[Roki_nz]

Glad that you are happy with your Ninja and a great write up 2 I must add.
I have a question for you regarding the mirrors which i find hopeless as I have moved them so many times and yet still cant see out of the 100%. For me to be able to see whats behind me I have to either drop my hands off the haldlebars and put my arm down by my side or hang my head over to the side of which mirror it is I am trying to look at which is not only dangerous but a nuisance also. How do you find the position of the mirrors on your bike?.
Also I was out riding on it 1 day when the wind got up to about 120k's and I have never been so frighten in all my life as it was throwing the bike all over the road and I was doing alot of counter steering trying to keep both me and it upright
Other than these 2 minor hipcupps with it I thoroughtly enjoy riding it and find it so easy to put into corners and so easy to ride and as you can see by my photo I have a red 1.

Postion the mirriors so you arm fills up half of the mirror and the rest is the road, when you want to check you mirrors pull you elbow in and that will allow you to see behind you. Its the only thing i have found that works

[CookMySock]

[...] For me to be able to see whats behind me I have to either drop my hands off the haldlebars and put my arm down by my side or hang my head over to the side of which mirror it is I am trying to look at which is not only dangerous but a nuisance also. How do you find the position of the mirrors on your bike?.

It takes me a few days or even weeks to find the correct mirror position. I make very tiny adjustments while riding and gradually they end up in the right position, until some helpful person nudges them!

I have two different mirror configurations I use: For motorway multi-lane riding I set them slightly more outward so I can use them for monitoring lane changes.

For open-road two-lane riding I turn them inwards so I can monitor what is behind me in my lane, with the left mirror showing a clear picture of behind me, and the right mirror slightly outwards so I can also use it to check the right lane when passing.. On the rural open road, the only thing I am looking for behind me is the fuzz - there is never anyone else behind me. I cannot see past my elbows when the mirrors in this configuration - I leave my hands on the grips and simply tuck each elbow against my ribs one-at-a-time, and I can see behind perfectly well. Again, it is very unusual for someone to be behind me.

Also I was out riding on it 1 day when the wind got up to about 120k's and I have never been so frighten in all my life as it was throwing the bike all over the road and I was doing alot of counter steering trying to keep both me and it upright.

I had to read that twice to see it was the WIND at 120km/hr, not YOU at 120km/hr. I am not surprised you got a fright. I have no suggestion for riding in 120k winds - unlikely I will ever be out in such conditions. I got caught in a nasty squall some months back, and that was bad enough for me.


Steve

[cameltoe]

they also hold up pretty well from crashes, I crashed mine on thursday, going to fast round a blind corner. Low sided at about 80k in my school uniform which consists of t-shirt and shorts, got a decent size hole in my knee and road rash. but the bike is rideable, justt cosmetic damage really and the mirror indicator and rear brake lever need replacing. took it for a ride yesterday, theres a very noticable vibration somewhere, but atleast the chassis still feels fine.

[blairh]

they also hold up pretty well from crashes, I crashed mine on thursday, going to fast round a blind corner. Low sided at about 80k in my school uniform which consists of t-shirt and shorts, got a decent size hole in my knee and road rash. but the bike is rideable, justt cosmetic damage really and the mirror indicator and rear brake lever need replacing. took it for a ride yesterday, theres a very noticable vibration somewhere, but atleast the chassis still feels fine.

Ouch =( Glad you're ok..

[wbks]

What kinda power are those things putting out? Is it pretty much just a re moddeled gpx250?

[Slyer]

Around the same as the GPX, maybe a bit more.