Here’s the thing about the Kawasaki Ninja 250. A Harley guy walked into the garage, saw the Kawi and said, “Ninja, huh? What is it, 750, 500?”
“Nope, 250,” I said and he nodded, not bad.
Kawasaki must have had just that in mind. The company name is prominent, likewise the Ninja label, but the displacement doesn’t appear on the bike. Which is fair. This is a true sportbike, quicker than any car that contests the launch, happy in the HOV lane at an indicated 80, and firmly in the thrift sweepstakes with 74.2 mpg.
It has all the extras, full bodywork, radiator, electric start, helmet lock and places to strap on luggage.
If the neighbors will like the Suzuki, the crowd at the hangout will respect the Kawasaki. Better still, because there’s not much torque below 6000, ya gotta spin it to start off, and the engine note is really fun—a toddler waiting to cross the street welded herself to Mommy’s legs.
This one will hop off the porch and run with the big boys—okay, up to a point, that point being 100 mph, the only ton-upper in this Gang of Eight.
More praise for planning here, in that the clip-ons aren’t that narrow or low, ditto the rearsets, so the stance is fine at speed and in town. There’s weather protection and the fairing allows a fast cruise for long periods.
And, as a clincher, this is the least-expensive (non-Chinese scooter) in the group! You really can explain the choice as saving money when deep down it’s ’cause this is a real motorcycle (sorry, scooterista). As the T-shirt says, “OK, I’m a bitch, but I’m the pick of the litter.”
Update: Kawasaki Motors introduced a heavily revised Ninja 250R. It is better-handling, restyled and a little heavier. The price is now $3499.
