Kawasaki Ninja 250R Explained

Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Manufacturer:Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Parent Company:Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production:1986–present
Class:Sport bike
Related:Kawasaki Ninja 300
Kawasaki Ninja 400

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R (codenamed EX250; previous generations had market-specific names) is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki originally introduced in 1986. As the marque's entry-level sport bike,[1] the motorcycle has undergone few changes throughout its quarter-century lifetime, having received only three substantial redesigns. In some markets the Ninja 250R has been succeeded by the Ninja 300.

Nomenclature

Since 2008, the bike is marketed as the Ninja 250R in all markets. It is also referred to by its platform designation, EX250, to which a generational suffix is attached. In the United States, previous models (EX250-E/F/G/H) were already being marketed as members of the Ninja family of sport bikes, while outside of the U.S. the bike was known variously as the ZZR-250, ZX-250, or as the GPX-250R. One of the earliest models, the EX250-C, was given the name GPz-250 (the lower case z representing the air-cooled engine) and was a variant of the GPz-305.

Model history

The Ninja 250R's particular ergonomics, chassis design, and engine placement have resulted in a motorcycle that straddles the standard and sport classes. The Ninja's riding posture also falls between standard and sport.

1983–1985 (EX250-C)

The first generation was produced between 1983 and 1985, and known by the production number EX250-C. It was sold as the GPz-250. Sold only in its home market of Japan, this earliest, belt-driven version was first produced in 1983, and shares no commonality with later generations, but is a variant of the z-250-Scorpion and the GPz-305 range. The bike has 32 mm fork tubes.

1986–1987 (EX250-E)

Produced between 1986 and 1987 was the EX250-E. This model was sold as the Ninja 250R in Canada and the U.S. between 1986 and 1987. It was known as the GPZ-250R elsewhere. When originally introduced, it was more costly than the Honda Rebel, and reviewers complained that while the 14,000 rpm redline was nice, the engine was slow to rev.

1988–2007 (EX250-F/EX250-G/EX250-H)

For the 1988 model year, there were both cosmetic changes and changes in engine tuning. While the bore and stroke, and other major engine components, were unchanged, minor tuning adjustments were made. The carburetor diameters were reduced 2 mm to 30mm, the cylinder compression ratio was increased from 12.0:1 to 12.4:1, ignition timing advance was increased, and the rear sprocket was increased by three teeth to 45. Reviewers reported that this made the engine more free-revving, reaching the high 14,000 redline more quickly, and the tested top speed increased by a few miles per hour. The new, more fully enclosed bodywork was complimented for being stylish, at the time, and easily mistaken for the larger Ninja 750.

The third generation of production of the Ninja 250R encompassed three models:

2008–2012 (EX250-J)

EX250-J
Production:2008-2012
Ignition:TCBI with digital advance
Transmission:6-speed constant mesh
Engine:2491NaN1 liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve DOHC parallel-twin
Bore Stroke:62mm41.2mm
Wheelbase:1399.5mm
Wet Weight:170kg (380lb)
Seat Height:774.7mm
Width:713.7mm
Height:1109.9mm
Tires:Front: 110/70-17M/C
Rear: 130/70-17M/C
Rake Trail:26°

In 2008, Kawasaki gave the EX250 its most extensive redesign in twenty years. The EX250-J model is known as the Ninja 250R worldwide, regardless of market.

Parts from the third generation are still found on the -J, but its redesigned exterior panels bring the Ninja's appearance out of the 1990s and into line with late-2000s sportbikes. The engine and drivetrain retain 30% of the -F model's parts, according to Kawasaki. The engine's compression and maximum torque have been lowered to provide better midrange performance. The redesign of the engine resulted in improvements in engine response at low engine speeds, making the bike smoother and "much easier to ride."

Though the previous generation Ninja 250R had a peak power advantage of 1hp5hp,[2] the new version's 20 or 30 percent increase in mid-range power allows the bike to pull from 3,000 rpm where previously it had to be revved to 4,000 rpm.The U.S. -J model uses dual carburetors like the -F model, but the European, Brazilian and Thai models have fuel injection. The wheels were increased in size to 17 inches, the front suspension was improved, and the brake rotors were replaced with a larger petal shape. On the carbureted version, a fuel gauge was added in place of the temperature gauge. With the additional and redesigned equipment, the EX250-J suffered a 10kg (20lb) increase in wet weight over its predecessors.

With the arrival of the EX250-J, manufacturing continues to be located in Thailand.[3]

2013–2017 (EX250-L/EX250-M)

The 2013 Ninja 250R had a new bodywork, twin headlights, a digital instruments cluster, new wheels with a wider 140mm rear tire, and a reworked engine and exhaust. ABS is available as an option. Like the previous generation, the engine is fuel injected in some markets and carbureted in others.[4] For 2013, in some markets, the Ninja 250R was replaced by the 296cc Ninja 300 (EX300), while in others they are sold alongside each other.

2018– (EX250-P)

At the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Kawasaki introduced the 2018 Ninja 250R along with the all-new 2018 Ninja 400, with the latter to be sold in Europe and America, replacing the Ninja 300.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: .25 Caliber Shootout Three Japanese Fighters Whip Out Their Little Guns. Motorcycle.com, Dec. 15, 1997.
  2. Note: MCN dynamometer data is rear-wheel only.
  3. Web site: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - First Ride . MotorcycleUSA.com, 2/12/2008, Bart Madson .
  4. Web site: Kawasaki Ninja 250. Kawasaki.com. 2012-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20131211070902/http://www.kawasaki-cp.khi.co.jp/mcy/street/13_ex250lm_e.html. 2013-12-11. dead.
  5. Web site: Tokyo Motor Show 2017: The Kawasaki Ninja 250 is back!.

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