2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Q & A with Sportbike Product Manager Karl Edmondson
Since its debut in the mid-80s, the Ninja 250R has developed quite a following. What is the reason behind this models market dominance this is the best selling Kawasaki motorcycle, right? In a nutshell, the Ninja 250 is priced to attract a lot of first time buyers and those on a budget. Its easy handling, beginner friendly personality and excellent reliability increase the perceived value of its low purchase price. This is Kawasakis number one selling motorcycle and one of the few bikes from any manufacturer to show positive sales numbers, while the industry as a whole dropped an average of about seven percent in the last year. How has Kawasaki factored this legacy into the redesign for 2008? Utilizing the lessons learned with the outgoing Ninja 250R, the designers strove to retain its positive traits and keep the price low, while improving its beginner-friendly attributes and updating its sportbike styling.
Besides the obvious visual (bodywork) updates, what are some of the other key changes? The engine received a major work over; it now produces more torque earlier in the rev range, meets ever-tightening modern emissions requirements and produces less noise.
Updated brakes with petal style rotors, and 17-inch wheels round out the significant changes.
What obstacles did the engineers face when they created the 2008 Ninja 250R? Modernizing the styling, updating the suspension, wheels, brakes, bringing the engine into compliance with tough (50-state legal) emission standards and improving real-world power delivery, all while keeping the price down was a quite a tall order to fill.
Who are the target markets of the 250R? Is more than one market focus unique to this model? The most obvious sales demographic for the Ninja 250R are young, beginning riders. However, we found that it has quite a broad appeal, including men and women in age ranges throughout the scale. It boasts one of the highest percentage of women riders as well fully 33 percent of Ninja 250R owners are female. Is it safe to label the Ninja 250R as a do-it-all street bike? Yes, its excellent mileage, low cost to purchase/insure, improved power delivery and easy handling mean its certainly at home in the urban jungle. Furthermore, the Ninja 250R isnt just a great city bike, its also a fun sport bike even a great club racer for some.
What accessories are planned or already exist for the Ninja 250R? Right now we have an accessory seat cowling that enhances the sporting appeal of the new bodywork and will be available for $99.95.

Model Evaluation

The camshafts are also new, with different timing on both intake and exhaust, and reduced exhaust duration to improve lowand mid-range power. Interestingly, the older model makes one more horsepower than the new one, although this may be due to the more restrictive 2-into-1 exhaust system on the 08 vs. the older models 2-into2 setup. The Ninja now has an automatic screw-type cam chain tensioner (vs. the old models ball lock type) with an automatic adjuster that helps maintain better control of the valve timing. The greater amount of low-end torque is the new engines first noticeable performance difference. The 08 Ninja can get going at about 3000 rpm, while the old one needs to be revved all the way to 4000 rpm before it would get off the line. Kawasaki claimed that more by Franke Santos the Ninja has 30%of the mid-range power. Our comparison two dyno charts showed that the new one has about 2 lb./ft. more between 4500 and 5750 rpm than the old model, translating HE HUMBLE KAWASAKI NINJA 250R is the classic begininto about 20% more power. At the top of the rev range, above ners bike: low to the ground, easy to handle and cheap to 12,000 rpm, the 08 model has about 1.25 lb./ft. less torque. The buy. The 2008 Ninja represents the first overhaul in 20 older model actually makes more peak horsepower than the new years, so we were eager to find out what Kawasaki had done with model: 27.46 @ 12,000 rpm for the 04 vs. 26.40 @ 11,000 rpm the little sportbike. We were pleased to find that the new Ninja has for the 08. all the forgiving characteristics of the old Ninja, but has a retuned The engines small size helps maintain its gas-sipping properengine that allows for a little more fun. ties: We averaged 51.2 mpg, with a high of 55.3 mpg and a low The Ninja is one of two 250cc sportbikes available in the US of 47.1 mpg. Given the gastanks 4.8-gal. capacity, the Ninja has market. Hyosungs GT250R is the other, though its much less a projected 246-mile range. widely available, and we havent yet tested it. The Ninja capThe 08 Ninja still uses carburetors (two Keihin CVK30s), tures much of the beginner market, and is Kawasakis single bestwhile the European version has fuel injection to meet Euro 3 selling motorcycle. According to their sales data, the bike appeals emissions regulations. The overseas models fuel injection especially to young first-time riders: 62% are first-time buyers, was the reason for a price thats almost twice as high, 4349, one-third of Ninja 250R buyers are female, and 40% of buyers are 20 to 29 years old. When it was introduced in 1986, the bike was or $6830. marketed specifically toward women. The percentage of women The new bike has a 6-speed transmission, which is geared the buying the 250R has been steady in the last three years, company same as the older one. It definitely does not like to be lugged, officials said. However, many women are now opting for the still showing a serious dislike for being in the wrong gear. The new beginner friendly Ninja 650R over the 250R. clutch has epoxy composite friction plates for durability. OverParalleling the growth of motorcycling since the late 90s, the all, the engine is very smooth throughout the rev range, providNinja 250R has had a significant rise in sales over the last nine ing linear power all the way to the 13,000 rpm redline. To improve years. Ninja 250R buyers are definitely cost conscious: they place handling, the oil pan on the wet sump engine was reshaped, so that price at the top of their list of important characteristics on a bike, during braking, the oil sloshing is not as severe. and cost of insurance as third most important. This is in marked The Ninja took a long time to get to 60 mph, 7.72 secs., and this contrast to other sportbike buyers, who will often say perforis probably a good thing: even if a beginner whacks open the mance is a bikes most important trait. throttle, the Ninja wont react suddenly. The overly optimistic The bodywork was slightly changed in 1988. But ever since, speedo (the bike was actually going 59.6 mph at an indicated 65) only graphics and paint schemes were changed, and the 20-yearalso gives newbies the illusion of speed. old design was starting to look severely dated. Throughout this evaluation, we had a 2004 Ninja for comparChassis & Suspension ison. Though the models are substantially different, the 2008 The chassis is a diamond-style frame with thick-walled highretains many traits that make it an ideal beginners bike. tensile steel tubing for stiffness. The square-tube swingarm has a 60 x 30mm cross section, also adding to the rigidity. The rake angle has been revised a full degree, down to 26, Powertrain giving a slightly faster corner turn in. About 70% of the parallel twin engine is new, according to Suspension duties are handled by 37mm Showa front forks Kawasakis engineers. The intake and exhaust ports have been reshaped, and more compact combustion chambers increase midand a KYB Uni-Trak in the rear. Along with the new equipment, range torque. The valve stems and heads have been made much suspension settings have been revised, giving the bike a much thinner to reduce reciprocating mass. The piston crown is more peppy, rather than wallowy, feel. The previous model had reshaped and the piston oil ring is now only 1.5mm thick, half a 36mm Showas up front and a non-adjustable Showa in the back. millimeter thinner than the old model. The carburetor jetting has Five-way preload adjustment has been added to the rear shock. been revised to provide a smoother power transition from low to Heavier riders found the rear suspension to be slightly undermid-range rpm. damped, while lighter riders thought the suspension was ade-

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

JUNE 2008

MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS

quate. Under heavy braking, the old Ninja would dive and rebound strongly, while the new one gave much better control.

Styling

The Ninjas styling has been updated to match its bigger siblings in the supersport class, making it look like its a fast bike. (During one test ride, a driver in a Porsche Cayenne asked Zero to 60 in under four seconds? Ha! The little Ninja takes almost eight seconds to get there.) The boxy fairings of yesteryear have been replaced with much more up-to-date flowing lines. It has a new upswept muffler to replace the dull black dual pipes on the older model. And theres no engine size label on the bike to reveal its displacement. In fact, it closely resembles a Ninja 650R without the distinctive color-matched rear spring. An optional seat cowling to cover the rear seat is also available for $99.95. One tester disliked the smaller rear profile and taillight, which may make the Ninja less conspicuous than its predecessor, especially at night. Buyers may feel the need to add an LED taillight to make themselves more visible in traffic.
Brakes, Wheels & Tires
Perhaps the biggest change to the 08 Ninja is the use of 17" wheels, which opens up a whole plethora of tire choices for those who like to change their bikes shoes. The previous model had 16" rims, allowing for few fitments. Stock tires on the new Ninja are Bridgestone Battlax BT45s, in 110/70-17 and 130/70-17 sizes, front and rear. The bias-ply tires seemed well suited to the job. The front tire, which is 10mm wider than the previous models, is a lot less likely to chase pavement seams. The front brake has been increased 30mm in diameter to 290mm. Both the front disc and the rear 220mm disc are now petal-style to match the rest of the Kawasaki sport family. On the street, we found the brakes to be quite strong and responsive. In testing, we found that the bike was capable of a best 60 mph to zero stop in 121.5'. Like other twin engines, the Ninja provides a measure of engine braking, though its not as strong as it is on bigger motors.

Attention To Detail

The Ninja now has two helmet locks located under the rear seat, rather than the previous models single pin-slide helmet lock that could only accommodate one lid. However, we found Handling the new helmet locks a little more fiddly to use, because the Dring had to be positioned in just the right spot to allow the rear seat The Ninja is one of the few (perhaps the only) sportbike one can to lock. The Ninja used to have four ride full throttle for extended periods bungee hook points, two on either side and still not break the law. Its pretty of the rear seat, but it now has only fun to have a bike whose limits you two, located underneath the rear seat. can push. The bike is docile enough The front turnsignals are now to be controlled by the beginner but mounted on flexible stems, rather has enough power for even seasoned than the previous models rigid riders who may be looking for a ones. Naturally, this is much more forlighter mount. giving for beginning riders, who are Its definitely lighter than many likely to drop their bike in a tipover at other bikes, but its weight of 374 lbs. least once. gives it a power-to-weight ratio of Because of the mirrors tapered 14.2. This only becomes noticeable edges, it was difficult to position them if youre really accelerating, for in the right spot. They were adequate example, merging on the freeway, or in use, but didnt provide a great view. attempting to avoid danger. Power The new Ninja doesnt have a cencomes on in a very linear fashion until terstand, probably for cost reasons. you hit max power at 10,500 rpm, (The old one had both a side- and censomething born out by the dyno chart. terstand.) Thats too bad, considering Ergonomics Kawasakis signature Lime Green is one of four colors that the Ninja is a pretty easy bike to work on, and could get beginners into The new Ninja provides a racier the habit of wrenching on their bikes. control layout compared to the previThe bike also lacks a sidestand cutoff switch, which would be a ous model, but its still very upright, allowing for a high level of nice safety feature. comfort. The new rims definitely make the bike taller. The new The Ninja is priced at a miserly $3499, a price thats right in model required our shortest tester to use a tiptoe stance whereas line with the budgets of young adults. Four colors are availshe could place her entire boot sole on the ground with the preable: Kawasaki Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red or Candy vious model. The footpegs seemed to be well-placed for those Passion Blue. with short inseams, giving a comfortable seated position. The clip-on handlebars allow for an easy bend in the arm, a position critical for those just learning to control a two-wheeled vehicle. Conclusion The Ninja 250R is a great beginners bike: smooth, usable power, good looks, good transmission. The smooth gearbox could Instruments & Controls be encouraging for those beginners who may be considering a The fuel gauge is the biggest addition to the instrument panel, scooter because theyre intimidated by gear shifting. It has just a change requested by many owners of the previous model, according to Kawasaki. Instrumentation is very basic, with anaenough power to be fun, but not so much that youll lose your log tachometer and speedometer, analog odometer, one analog license. Its not going to keep up with the supersports, and thats tripmeter, and basic indicators. Theres still only one turnsignal probably a good thing. indicator (as opposed to separate ones for left and right). Since this The previous Ninja proved to be in high demand among the bike is often used for commuting, a clock would also be a nice beginners smart enough to know they should start small. We preaddition. The previous model had a coolant temperature gauge, dict that the new model will prove to be popular with its smooth, something the new model lacks, although it does have an indicapredictable power, potentially launching a new rider into a lifetor for high coolant temperature. time of motorcycling.

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Left: Even before its redesign, the the littlest Ninja was Kawasakis best-selling bike. Most are purchased by new riders and one-third of buyers are women. Given much more contemporary lines, the engine is 70% new, the chassis is revised, suspension improved, but the essential easy-to-handle character and low seat height remain. For all this, the price has increased only $500, to $3499. Above: The instrumentation gets a face lift for 2008. Analog gauges include a tach on the left (to keep tabs of its high 13,000 rpm redline), with the speedo, odo and tripmeters in the center and a brand-new fuel gauge on the right. Finally.
Above: The riders seat is well-shaped and measures just 31" off the ground, a real boon for shorter riders. The passenger accommodations are cramped but good for the occasional lift, and an attractive optional seat cowl adds a racey look for $99.95. Right: The machines sleek profile is obvious from behind. The exhaust system is changed from a 2into-2 to a single silencer for improved low- and mid-range torque. Dual catalysts scrub emissions. Left: Lightweight 17" wheels replace 16-inchers to provide a choice of tires. The front brake rotor is enlarged to 290mm from 260mm for more power. The fork itself is bigger, a 37mm Showa, and uses new steering geometry for improved handling.

TESTERS LOG

I must admit that initially I thought there would be no serious saving grace with the smallest Ninja, as almost everything we ride these days produces at least twice as much power. In reality, very few of our current motorcycles are twice the motorcycle this one is, at least in stature. For me, the 250 has a dual personality: most anywhere below 7000 rpm, much time is spent waiting for something to happen, while above, if you dont mind the howl of a high rpm engine, this motorcycle can hold its own. The narrow width of the clean bodywork makes the machine a natural lane splitter and offers decent protection; when commuting at speeds above 55 where the engine starts using its cams, the Ninja is willing to scream all day without complaint. In the canyons it was fun ride, especially downhill where gravity noticeably helped. This motorcycle is a smart choice for the entry-level rider, especially the more compact of us. Danny Coe The first things that struck me about the new Ninja were the much better suspension, the better braking and of course the better low-end torque. Riders can now get off the line without screaming the engine to higher rpm. Putting it through its paces in gentle curves and through the twisties proved pleasurable, and the new Ninja has lost none of the flickability of the previous model. It still has drawbacks due to displacement: as a 250, it still doesnt have the torque to put more distance between me and erratic 18-wheelers on the freeway, and its probably not going to win any 1/4-mile contests. Still, theres a lot to like about the Ninja: Its quite comfortable, even over longer distances. Though its heavy for its displacement, its still much lighter than other bikes, making it easy to handle. Its updated styling gives the illusion of speed. The low seat height makes it easy for shorter riders to reach the ground. And the excellent gas mileage makes it an ideal commuter. All these attributes add up to make the Ninja ideal for introducing wide-eyed beginners to motorcycling. Franke Santos

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

SPECIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE DATA
ENGINE Type:..liquid-cooled parallel twin Valvetrain:..DOHC, shim under bucket valve adjustment Displacement:.249cc Bore/stroke:.62.0 x 41.2mm Comp. ratio:..11.6:1 Carburetion:..Keihin CVK, 2 x 30 Exhaust:..2 into 1 DRIVE TRAIN Transmission:..6-speed Final drive:..chain RPM @ 65 mph*/rev limiter 8125/13,000

*actual, not indicated

PERFORMANCE Measured top speed.95.5 mph 01/4 mile.15.58 sec. @ 81.98 mph 060 mph..7.72 sec. 0100 mph.n/a 600 mph.121.5' Power to Weight Ratio.1: 14.17 Speed @ 65 mph indicated.59.6 MC RATING SYSTEM
EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR

ERGONOMICS TEMPLATE

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase:..55.1" Rake/trail..26/3.2" Ground clearance:..5.75" Seat height :..31" GVWR:..749 lbs. Wet weight:.374 lbs. Carrying capacity:.375 lbs. SUSPENSION Front:. 37mm telescopic fork, 4.7" travel Rear:.Bottom-link Uni-Trak, 5-way adjustable preload, 5.1" travel BRAKES Front:. single 290mm disc, two-piston caliper Rear:..220mm disc, two-piston caliper TIRES & WHEELS Front:.110/70-17 Bridgestone Battlax BT45 on 2.75" x 17" wheel Rear:.130/70-17 Bridgestone Battlax BT45 on 3.50" x 17" wheel ELECTRICS Battery:..12 V, 6 Ah Ignition:..TCBI Alternator Output: 228 W @ 5000 rpm Headlight:..55/55W FUEL Tank capacity:.3.2 gal. Fuel grade:. 87 octane High/low/avg.mpg:.55.3/47.1/51.2

62.5" 52.25"

28.25" 36.9"

MISCELLANEOUS

13.0"

48.25"

F G HJ

20.5"

A: front of bike to middle of passengers seat. B: front of bike to middle of riders seat. C: front of bike to center of handgrips D: front of bike to riders footpeg. E: ground to center of grips. F: ground to top of riders footpeg. G: ground to lowest point of riders seat. H: ground to top of passengers footpeg. J: ground to middle of passengers seat.
Lightweight Standard Engine Transmission Suspension Brakes Handling Ergonomics Riding Impression Instruments/Controls Attention to Detail Value OVERALL RATING

31.0"

37.0"
DYNAMOMETER DATA Low end Mid-range Top end

Instruments: analog speedo, tachometer, fuel gauge, odometer, tripmeter. Indicators:. hi-beam, t/s, neutral, low fuel MSRP:.$3499 Routine service interval.7500 mi. Valve adj. interval:.7500 mi, 15,000, 24,000, every 24,000 thereafter. Warranty:..1 year Colors:.Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red, Candy Plasma Blue

26.4 hp

SAE CORRECTED REAR-WHEEL TORQUE, LB. FT.
SAE CORRECTED REAR-WHEEL HORSEPOWER
The Ninjas retuned engine puts out between 10% and 20% more lowand mid-range torque, while sacrificing higherend torque and horsepower. Its power is very linear all the way to is 13,000 rpm redline.

13.6 lb./ft.

10.75 11.25 12.25

RPM, THOUSANDS

TEST NOTES PICKS Much better brakes More low-end torque Front suspension gives more control PANS Rear suspension underdamped Optimistic speedo Heavy for its displacement
STANDARD MAINTENANCE Time Parts Labor Item Oil & Filter.0.4..$16.20..$32.00 Air Filter..0.2.$8.42..$16.00 Valve Adjust.2.4..$17.80.$192.00 Battery Access..0.2.MF.$16.00 Final Drive.0.2..$16.00 R/R Rear Whl..0.3..$24.00 Change Plugs.0.5.$9.80..$40.00 Adjust carbs.0.7..$56.00 Totals 4.9 $52.22 $392.00
* MCN has changed the estimated labor rate to $80 starting March 2007