KAWASAKI NINJA 250R
One of the first thoughts that popped into my mind when I initially laid eyes on Kawasaki's 250 cm3 Baby Ninja, was a question: Is this a pocket sportbike, or a commuter in a sexy dress? The answer is that it's a little bit of both.
Walking around the little Ninja reveals a clear family resemblance to it's larger siblings - the "angry eyes" frontal treatment, the upswept rear end, and the full fairing with it's low screen all contribute to inform you that this machine belongs to the Ninja family. Surprisingly large for a 250, there is very little about the bike that betrays its modest engine size.
Get on the bike, and it sings a very different tune - upright seating position, pleasant ergonomics and reasonably wide handlebars spell one word: commuter. If the manufacturers are to be believed, the Baby Ninja is a frugal drinker. Coupled to its 18-litre tank, this means that you can commute for quite a while without supporting your local filling station.
Identity crisis? No, just a bike that is remarkably competent in both roles - one that will happily zip through the traffic day in and day out, and as happily surprise the big boys through the twisties over a weekend.
So what exactly is responsible this remarkable mix? Well, first off there the fuel injected (in South Africa and Europe - the US gets a carburettor model) 8- valve inline twin motor.
Pushing out 24 kW at 11 000 rpm it seems woefully underpowered by sportbike standards, but in comparison with its few competitors (such as the Honda Twister), the little Ninja goes like a stink. Kawasaki claims a top end of over 160 km/h, and 0-100 km/h in around six seconds. This means that it will easily leave the cages behind when the light turns green, a fact that I can confirm from my experience with the bike.
Although I can't confirm the manufacturers' top speed claim, I can testify that it comfortably maintains speeds around the national speed limit. The engine spins at a heady 9 000rpm at 120 km/h, but the bike is quite smooth at that speed. The combination of speed and the afore-mentioned ergonomics makes it a credible long distance commuter that doesn't leave you feeling intimidated by cars overtaking you at high speed.
By the looks of things, the 250R is aimed at two segments of the market: the commuter who doesn't want to be mistaken for a delivery rider, and the first- time rider who wants a sportbike but isn't ready for the big time just yet. Both those segments get what they want, and then some.
Power delivery is impressive but non-intimidating, something that first-time riders will appreciate. The little Ninja is a firm step up from the 125's that the under-18 set is limited to, but it is not a bike that will scare the socks off a first- timer. Instead it is a user-friendly, forgiving bike that comfortably outruns the traffic. For the commuter, it is a quick and nimble machine that shrugs off congestion and allows them to have their first coffee in the office while their hapless colleagues are still breathing exhaust fumes.
Something both first-times and commuters are bound to appreciate is the bite of the 250R's brakes. With a 290mm petal disc and twin-piston floating calliper in front, and a 220mm disc with a similar calliper arrangement on the rear wheel, the Baby Ninja bleeds off speed at an impressive rate.
Handling comes courtesy of 37mm conventional cartridge forks in front and a Uni-trak suspension with monoshock adjustable for preload at the back. While this may sound a tad unexciting, it endows the 250R with exceptional cornering ability.
While pushing it through some twisties during the review period, I was surprised by a curve with an unexpected decreasing radius. I had little choice but to close my eyes and lean the Ninja way lower than what seemed prudent, and the bike responded by tracking as true a slot racing car. This is a bike you can throw at corners at speeds that will leave its more powerful brethren struggling to keep up.
The 250R Ninja is an impressive step up from it's popular predecessor, the GPX250, although the most expensive 250 in the local market. But this is perfectly forgivable because - let's face it - there is no other 250 that delivers quite as much as this one.
Walking around the little Ninja reveals a clear family resemblance to it's larger siblings - the "angry eyes" frontal treatment, the upswept rear end, and the full fairing with it's low screen all contribute to inform you that this machine belongs to the Ninja family. Surprisingly large for a 250, there is very little about the bike that betrays its modest engine size.
Get on the bike, and it sings a very different tune - upright seating position, pleasant ergonomics and reasonably wide handlebars spell one word: commuter. If the manufacturers are to be believed, the Baby Ninja is a frugal drinker. Coupled to its 18-litre tank, this means that you can commute for quite a while without supporting your local filling station.
Identity crisis? No, just a bike that is remarkably competent in both roles - one that will happily zip through the traffic day in and day out, and as happily surprise the big boys through the twisties over a weekend.
So what exactly is responsible this remarkable mix? Well, first off there the fuel injected (in South Africa and Europe - the US gets a carburettor model) 8- valve inline twin motor.
Pushing out 24 kW at 11 000 rpm it seems woefully underpowered by sportbike standards, but in comparison with its few competitors (such as the Honda Twister), the little Ninja goes like a stink. Kawasaki claims a top end of over 160 km/h, and 0-100 km/h in around six seconds. This means that it will easily leave the cages behind when the light turns green, a fact that I can confirm from my experience with the bike.
Although I can't confirm the manufacturers' top speed claim, I can testify that it comfortably maintains speeds around the national speed limit. The engine spins at a heady 9 000rpm at 120 km/h, but the bike is quite smooth at that speed. The combination of speed and the afore-mentioned ergonomics makes it a credible long distance commuter that doesn't leave you feeling intimidated by cars overtaking you at high speed.
By the looks of things, the 250R is aimed at two segments of the market: the commuter who doesn't want to be mistaken for a delivery rider, and the first- time rider who wants a sportbike but isn't ready for the big time just yet. Both those segments get what they want, and then some.
Power delivery is impressive but non-intimidating, something that first-time riders will appreciate. The little Ninja is a firm step up from the 125's that the under-18 set is limited to, but it is not a bike that will scare the socks off a first- timer. Instead it is a user-friendly, forgiving bike that comfortably outruns the traffic. For the commuter, it is a quick and nimble machine that shrugs off congestion and allows them to have their first coffee in the office while their hapless colleagues are still breathing exhaust fumes.
Something both first-times and commuters are bound to appreciate is the bite of the 250R's brakes. With a 290mm petal disc and twin-piston floating calliper in front, and a 220mm disc with a similar calliper arrangement on the rear wheel, the Baby Ninja bleeds off speed at an impressive rate.
Handling comes courtesy of 37mm conventional cartridge forks in front and a Uni-trak suspension with monoshock adjustable for preload at the back. While this may sound a tad unexciting, it endows the 250R with exceptional cornering ability.
While pushing it through some twisties during the review period, I was surprised by a curve with an unexpected decreasing radius. I had little choice but to close my eyes and lean the Ninja way lower than what seemed prudent, and the bike responded by tracking as true a slot racing car. This is a bike you can throw at corners at speeds that will leave its more powerful brethren struggling to keep up.
The 250R Ninja is an impressive step up from it's popular predecessor, the GPX250, although the most expensive 250 in the local market. But this is perfectly forgivable because - let's face it - there is no other 250 that delivers quite as much as this one.