Burn the Hell's Highway

VEHICLE REVIEW

2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Nimble handling, an exceptional personality and a low price tag highlight Kawasaki’s Ninja® 250R sportbike, while its UNI-TRAK® rear suspension, petal disc brakes and gas-sipping twin-cylinder engine contribute to its class leading performance and value. It’s no surprise the Ninja 250R is such a strong seller.

Lightweight & agile, more superior and dynamic

The lightweight Ninja 250R’s true secret of success is its winning formula: A rider-friendly engine, real world performance and an amiable chassis topped off with Ninja supersport styling. The icing on this small Kawasaki cake is the motorcycle’s ability to transcend skill levels and appeal to all riders from novice to seasoned veteran. At the core of the Ninja 250R is an engine that thrives on high-rpm excitement. The gutsy 249cc parallel twin is tuned for a peppy, yet smooth and predictable power delivery. The beginner friendly low- and mid-range torque comes courtesy of its dual overhead camshafts and 2-into-1 exhaust system. A silky smooth six-speed transmission lets riders to exploit the 250R’s power band without fanfare from that low-end grunt to the crowd pleasing and lively top-end rush. Last, but not least is the little Ninja’s silver lining – its excellent fuel economy. Wrapping the 250R are the fairing and windscreen that not only look great, but deliver wind protection for a wide range of riding situations. Tucked in behind the windscreen are more rider-friendly features such as the easy-to-read instrument panel and neutral indicator.

A natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics combine with lightweight handling, easy controllability and great throttle response for pure pleasure on city streets. Part of this great handling and stability comes from the 17-inch wheels. Bringing the show to a stop are the large petal shaped 290mm front and 220mm rear rotors gripped by powerful two-piston hydraulic calipers. Like Kawasaki’s other Ninja models, the 250R is equipped with quality components and tuned for class-leading performance. Lightweight and agile, the Ninja 250R boasts low ownership costs and is a dominating force in the entry-level sportbike category.

OVERVIEW SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

DOHC 249cc Parallel Twin-cylinder Engine

Compact parallel-twin design offers good mass centralization for superior handling

Tuned to deliver smooth, step-free power with an emphasis on low- and mid-range power for rider-friendly response

Pistons feature reinforced heads and strengthening in the pin boss area for increased durability

Thick piston (longitudinally) rings help prevent oil consumption

Combustion chamber design optimized to maximize combustion efficiency and reduce emissions

Ample high rpm performance will please riders using the full range of the engine

Latest generation Denso radiator offers superior cooling with minimal space and weight

Ring-fan uses a quiet-running motor that also saves space

Fins on the lower side of the crankcase further helps cool the engine

Automatic adjusting cam chain tensioner eliminates mechanical noise caused by a loose cam chain and reduces power-robbing friction loss

Eliminating mechanical noise allows the use of a freer flowing exhaust for a better performance

Complex construction with reinforcing ribs helps eliminate airbox reverberation and reduce intake noise

Air filter accessible from the side, for easy replacement

Fine-tuned twin Keihin CVK30 carburetors offer good power feel and low fuel consumption

Bore (in) : 2.44
Bore (mm) : 62
Carburetion Brand : Keihin
Carburetor Size (mm) : 30
Compression Ratio : 11.61
Cooling : Liquid
Cylinders : 2
Displacement (cc) : 249
Displacement (ci) : 15.2
Engine Configuration : Parallel Twin
Engine Type : 4-Stroke
Fuel Injector : No
Fuel Requirements : Regular
Fuel System Type : Carburetor
Number Of Carburetors : 2
Ram Air Induction : No
Starter : Electric
Stroke (in) : 1.62
Stroke (mm) : 41.2
Valve Configuration : DOHC
Valves : 8
Valves Per Cylinder : 4

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Torque :
Torque (Ft Lbs) : 16.2
Torque (Nm) : 22
Torque RPM : 9500

TRANSMISSION

Involute splines reduce friction and backlash between gears and shafts for easier gear meshing and smooth shifting under power. Spring-type clutch damper reduces jerkiness at very low speeds and minimizes shocks when rolling on and off the throttle for a smoother clutch feel. Paper-base friction plates help increase clutch durability

Number Of Speeds : 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) : Chain
Reverse : No
Transmission Type : Manual

SUSPENSION & STEERING

Air Adjustable : No
Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load : No
Front Adjustable Rebound Damping : No
Front Central Suspension Strut : No
Front Fork Diameter (in) : 1.5
Front Fork Diameter (mm) : 37
Front Suspension Type : Telescopic Fork
Front Travel (in) : 4.7
Front Travel (mm) : 119.4
Number Rear Shock Absorbers : 1
Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping : No
Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load : Yes
Rear Suspension Brand Name : UNI-TRAK
Rear Suspension Type : Twin Sided Swing Arm
Rear Swingarm Material : Aluminum
Rear Travel (in) : 5.1
Rear Travel (mm) : 129.5
Steering Damper : No

WHEELS

Front Wheel Diameter : 17
Rear Wheel Diameter : 17
Tube / Tubeless : Tubeless
Wheels Composition : Aluminum

TIRES

Front Tire (Full Spec) : 110/70 R17
Front Tire Aspect Ratio : 70
Front Tire Width : 110
Rear Tire (Full Spec) : 130/70 R17
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio : 70
Rear Tire Width : 130

BRAKES

Front Brake Diameter (in) : 11.4
Front Brake Diameter (mm) : 290
Front Brake Type : Hydraulic Disc
Front Caliper Pistons : 2
Rear Brake Diameter (in) : 8.7
Rear Brake Diameter (mm) : 220
Rear Brake Type : Disc
Rear Caliper Pistons : 2

SEATS

Adjustable : No
Grab Rail or Strap : Standard
Number Of Seats : 2
Seat Height (in) : 30.5
Seat Height (mm) : 774.7
Seat Location : Driver and Passenger
Seat Material : Vinyl
Seat Specifications : Standard
Seat Tail Cover : Standard
Seat Type : Two-Piece

BODYWORK

Adjustable : No
Belt Guard : No
Body Material : Plastic
Brush Guard : No
Chain Guard : Yes
Construction : Standard
Drive Shaft Cover : No
Drive Shaft Guard : No
Exterior Covers : Standard
Exterior Guards : Standard
Foot Peg Location : Driver and Passenger
Fork Guards : No
Frame : Steel
Front Fender : Standard
Front Fender Material : Plastic
Hand Grip Material : Rubber
Hand Grips : Standard
Hand Guards : No
Heel Guards : No
License Plate : Standard
Light Guard : No
Lower Fairing : Standard
Rear Fender : Standard
Rear Fender Material : Plastic
Rearview Mirrors Folding : Yes
Saddle Bag Guard : No
Spoiler : Standard
Stand : Standard
Stand Type : Kick
Tank Cover : No
Upper Fairing : Standard

EXHAUST SYSTEM

2-into-1 system contributes to the Ninja 250R’s low- and mid-range torque and smooth, step-free power curve

Slightly upswept silencer extensively tested to determine chamber size, connecting pipe length and diameter to achieve least noise and most power

Meets strict emissions with dual catalyzers; one in the collector pipe and the other in the silencer

Using two catalyzers minimizes the power loss

Positioning the first catalyzer as close to the exhaust ports maximizes its efficiency as well

NEW CYLINDER SYSTEM

Intake and exhaust ports contribute to good off-idle response and smooth power delivery

Valve timing and lift designed for strong low- and mid-range torque

Direct valve actuation helps ensure reliable high-rpm operability

Thin heads and stems on valves for reduced reciprocating weight

INSTRUMENTATION'S

Instrument panel features an easy-to-read, large-face analog speedometer along with an analog tachometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge and warning lights

FUEL CAPACITY

Fuel Capacity (gal) : 4.8
Fuel Capacity (l) : 18.2

COLOURS

Metallic Diablo Black

Sunbeam Red

Candy Thunder Blue

Special Edition Lime Green

DIMENSIONS

Capacities : Standard
Comment : Standard
Dimensions : Standard
Handlebar Lock : Standard
Height (in) : 43.7
Height (mm) : 1110
Length (in) : 82.1
Length (mm) : 2085.3
Major Revision Year : 2009
Manufacturer Country : Japan
Manufacturer Type : Sport
MIC Model Segment : ON-HWY Sport Bike 0-500cc
Previous Model Year Accessories : Yes
Product Type : Motorcycle / Scooter
Rake (degrees) : 26
Revision Status : Upgraded
Trail (in) : 3.2
Trail (mm) : 81.3
Weight : Standard
Wet Weight (kg) : 169.6
Wet Weight (lbs) : 374
Wheelbase (in) : 55.1
Wheelbase (mm) : 1399.5
Width (in) : 28.1
Width (mm) : 713.7