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Kawasaki 250R Ninja (2008-current)

View all Kawasaki NINJA 250Rs for sale (9)

Detail Value
New price £3,299
Engine size 249cc
Power 32.5bhp
Top speed 110mph
Insurance group 9
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Engine rating is 4 rating is 4
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Equipment rating is 4 rating is 3.5
Quality & Reliability rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Value rating is 4 rating is 4.5

MCN overall verdict rating is 4

The American market has been a big success for the Kawasaki Ninja 250 range for years and years and… But even the Yanks need a fresh brew every now and then and the Ninja 250R is the latest offering. Fortunately for 33bhp probationary riders in mainland Europe and the UK, we are getting the bike too, complete with emissions compliant fuel injection. A brave move by Kawasaki because the Ninja is virtually in a class of its own. Trend setting? Maybe.

 

Watch Kawasaki's Ninja 250 R take on the Hyosung GT250R

 

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

A major overhaul of the old, forgotten about ZZ-R/GPX 250 engine has bought Kawasaki Ninja 250R bang up date by being environmentally friendly and as easy to use as a Raleigh bicycle. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s claimed 33bhp is spread thinner than gold plating – there’s no sensation of the power coming into play or fading as the motor spins to 14,000rpm so very quickly. Fuel injection does what it does precise and cleanly, which kinda sums up the motor.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a lithesome agile number that makes the most of narrow tyres, high-ish bars and minimalist 154 dry weight figure. It all adds up to make town work and B-road rides a hoot – think slightly more powerful 125cc sports learner motorcycle and you’ll be spot on. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s suspension is perfectly suited to all but the worst of UK roads but lacks any damping adjustment, which is a blow on the rear side because the single rear shock needs more preload to keep the bike from getting all floaty and bottoming out. The standard tyres are for upright city use in our book.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 3.5

You wouldn’t know it, even looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 250R up real close, but it is manufactured in Taiwan under strict quality control. The gear linkage looks budget but is no worse than other manufacturer budget-line specials. The clocks are olde worlde analogue and there’s even a front wheel driven speedometer cable, which is novel. But the styling and dramatic black or corporate green paintwork is choice and the wave-style brake discs are ultra-cool… on a what is essentially a learner bike.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

Good marks here because the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a good motorcycle – it works perfectly as a motorcycle, and works better as bike to gain confidence on. MCN’s only worry is what will the Kawasaki Ninja 250R be like after the 24 month probation period; a period of time where the bike will undoubtedly be hammered non-stop and (hopefully not) be treated much the same as a cheapy 125cc learner machine.

Value

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

You could do worse by buying a more powerful machine and getting it restricted especially if it’s a new bike where insurance costs will be horrific. Even a decent private-sale second-hand bike would be expensive and probably lose more money over the next 24 months.

 

Insurance

Insurance group: 9

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Model History

2008: Model introduced.

Other Versions

None.

Specifications

Top speed 110mph
1/4-mile acceleration 14.5 secs
Power 32.5bhp
Torque 15.2ftlb
Weight 165kg
Seat height 775mm
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range 170 miles
Insurance group 9
Engine size 249cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, 8v parallel twin, six gears
Frame Tubular steel diamond
Front suspension adjustment 37mm telescopic forks, no adjust
Rear suspension adjustment Single rear shock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes 290mm petal disc with twin piston caliper
Rear brake 220mm petal disc with twin piston caliper
Front tyre size 110/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 130/70 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

classified image

Kawasaki
NINJA 250R

1700 miles

£2,500

classified image

Kawasaki
NINJA 250R

1878 miles

£4,150

classified image

Kawasaki
NINJA 250R

800 miles

£3,300

classified image

Kawasaki
NINJA 250R

4000 miles

£2,495

classified image

Kawasaki
NINJA 250R

1 miles

£3,999

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Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4(13 reviews)

  • Nice bike but...

    Andy949494

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    After I had my Er6F (unrestricted as I'm an old fogey) for 2 years and 32000 miles I thought I would try to save money by going downsize. In particular since I ride very slowly by bike standards I thought I could save substantially on petrol and tyre costs without suffering from lower performance. The good news is that I am saving - getting over 74mpg even when I thrash it and the current tyres are showing no wear after 2000 miles but I am suffering for that. I wasn't able to test ride one but had a 250 as a teenager so thought it should be okay - after all my GSX250 was fast in my memories and it only had 27bhp... I really hadn't realised how slow these bikes are - You can keep up with normal cars driven fairly quickly if you are busy up to 70 or so but acceleration tails off quite quickly above 60 and although 80+ is possible its not very nice. What I'm trying to say is that if you don't need to ride a restricted bike don't - Its not very nice and even if you don't go flat out every-where you would use and enjoy the extra torque of an unrestricted bike every time you took it out. The bike is much faster than a 125 (For comparison I would estimate that the CBR125 works about as hard at 65 as the 250 does at 80) but its just not in the same league as a 600... The engine though is the only negative thing about the bike. I happen to love the way it looks even if its a bit small, its handling is really secure and safe and its brakes are also much better than the ER. The secure way it goes around roundabouts and bends even on damp roads is really confidence boosting - it makes the ER feel vague - its just a shame the engine is so weak. The tyres have been commented about before and they are good for wear but not good in the wet - the rear is prone to skid in the wet if you use the brakes hard - The letgo is just too quick although since the bike is so well balanced it's not a major stress to me and I will replace the tyres when they are worn. Two last cautions about this bike: 1. No real bikers ever nod at me anymore - its very lonely saving money... 2. My insurance company is quoting me at group 12 which makes it more expensive than the ER6 - Need to change insurers at the end of the year!

    10 November 2009

  • Recommended

    vivster

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    I've waited a while before posting my comment on this bike so that I've got a sufficient amount of experience to base any opinions on. I bought my 250R brand new back in April of this year (2009). Since then I've done almost 3000 miles on it over 7 months. Most of this is for commuting in and out of central London although I have also taken the bike across Surrey, Berkshire and Kent over the weekends. Having ridden 125s previously this bike is a great way of stepping up. I passed my restricted A2 license in Dec 2008. As someone else has said - its bang on the 33bhp limit so there's no need to consider any restricter kit as would be the case for a bigger bike which is very convenient. The riding position is quite high for a racer but that's a good thing since most new riders will want to have the ability to look up and over cars and other vehicles. The narrow profile makes it excellent for filtering through traffic - I generally find myself coping through traffic far more easily than 500/600cc bikes around me. The engine revs very smoothly and is generally forgiving although one is aware that there's a fair amount of poke should it be needed. Its great for city riding and commuting where you're never really going to need top end speed. The motorway is the only time I feel the bike is lacking to the point that I'm wishing I was on something bigger. Mechanically, the bike has never given me any troubles. The IRC tyres could be better however I wouldn't consider changing them unless you're intending to take the bike onto a track. Otherwise, just wait for them to wear themselves out and replace then. This is great bike to start on and the inexpensive running costs and high residual value mean you can't go wrong. Definitely recommended - I may even keep this bike when I upgrade to something bigger in a couple of years.

    19 October 2009

  • Great!

    metbandit1

    Average rating rating is 4

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    This bike is amazing i love it! its good fun to ride and great to throw around bends. I dont think the tyres are bad reguardless of what others say..as i can grin the pegs along the floor and the bike still grips and grips! only thing is i wish it had a bit more power...im on a restricted licence but i would love a little more power...(even if i cant) overall an amazing motorcycle!

    06 August 2009

  • Great!

    metbandit1

    Average rating rating is 4

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    This bike is amazing i love it! its good fun to ride and great to throw around bends. I dont think the tyres are bad reguardless of what others say..as i can grin the pegs along the floor and the bike still grips and grips! only thing is i wish it had a bit more power...im on a restricted licence but i would love a little more power...(even if i cant) overall an amazing motorcycle!

    06 August 2009

  • ninja

    flighty

    Whitby

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Hi, done over 400miles now, soon be due 1st service, will be changing the tyres then, as others have said the tyres give you no feed back at all, otherwise just love this little bike, in town its spot on for nipping in & out off traffic, very good tank range got 180miles before low fuel light came on.

    18 April 2009

  • 1st day

    flighty

    Whitby

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Engine

    Picked up bike this morning, impossible to keep it under 4000rpm, dealer told me it would be ok to just keep my speed down, and not to over rev it, kept it under 6000rpm most of time, tyres feel ok but only rode it in the dry, after 1st day clocked up 107miles, will know more once i,ve done a few more miles, but so far so good.

    04 April 2009

  • Great bike

    Waddy24

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    forgot to add comment about the tyres, they are IRC Roadwinners which come as stock, suggest Bridgestone Battlax BT45's, as the IRC do feel wooden.

    09 March 2009

  • Great bike

    Waddy24

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    With an A2 license its perfect for 2 years for the 33bhp restriction, have been good to follow the break in rules of 4,000 rpm for the 1st 500 miles. I have had the 1st service and now up to 6,000 rpm which has given me up to 65mph till i have done 1000 miles, then i can open her up. It does feel and sound that you are going faster though which adds to the adrenaline. The only complaint is the (R) rear view mirror which does not give a clear back view. Next bike in 2years will be the ER 6F.

    09 March 2009

  • First Day Impressions

    Mark-S

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Well after waiting since early May for one of these to turn up I finally paid the balance and got the keys from Metropolis in Vauxhall. First impressions; It's very green! Second; god it's tiny. Third; seats a bit hard. Having spent the last twenty two odd years on bigger bikes, VFR750/800's mostly, this is really a toy to play with. It's a stage of life thing I guess. I saw it at last years show in Docklands and I was thinking of getting a "back up" scooter but just couldn't bring myself to do it. This seemed to fit the bill. Right, so, leg over and here we go. Did I mention it's tiny? I come in at 5'6" plus change, so it's a mind thing because it's not really that small even if it's the first bike I've had where I could have both feet flat on the ground at the same time. Need to get my brain around the new scale of things. On goes the engine first time with a little throttle, all well and good, slip the clutch and up the revs.... hang on where's the bite? More revs... nope... okay 6000 finally gets me going! Hmm this is going to be interesting since the manual states "Don't go over 4000 for the first 600 miles".(?). If anyone who is not a member of the clergy manages 600 miles on one of these without going over 4000 revs I will be amazed. Those 6000 revs in first will get you to a grand old speed of around 15 MPH. So no wheelies away from the lights until it's run in I guess. It becomes very obvious as I run around the one way system that the Ninja needs lot's of gear-changing and revs to keep up in the traffic. Here's the a problem, every single car driver seems to expect me to be able to do 0-60 in a gnat's tadgers. Isn't going to happen. The mirrors make everything behind me look like its on my arse... oh! they are!! The mirrors are very nice and give a good view of the traffic bearing down on me as I work my way up the Embankment into Central London. I've read most of the reviews and they all condemn the Thai tyres fitted to the Ninja. I don't think they are as bad as they believe, but then I remember the JapLop tyres that I had on my 250 Superdream back in the mists of time. They were crap even in the dry! These tyres are Ok for around town and straight line work but you will not be getting your knee down with them. Not unless you want it followed by the rest of your body and the bike! Maybe I'll get them changed at the first service. Despite what this may read like, this bike is fun. After about five miles I've got the hang of pulling away from the lights without being run over by the car behind; Lots of revs, only stay in first for as long as it takes you to get your foot under the gear shift, then second very briefly then into third as quickly as you can. Once this thing has all it's revs available it will be even more fun. I find myself grinning like a loon going across Blackfrairs bridge. Did I mention that this is fun? I get more comments in 30 minutes than I have on any other bike. Unusually they are all polite! "Is that an import?", "Is that an R6 ?", (Err no!). Generally it seems to turn the heads of all the scooter boys. Well good, maybe it will encourage them off of their scooters onto a "real" bike. Equally the "Big Boys" give me a sideways glance as they zip past me at what seems like insane speeds. Is that me on the VFR? The brakes are very good. More than enough to pull a stoppy if that is you thing. The tyres are relatively narrow so it feels a little twitchy over the London tarmac but not dangerously so. The engine is very revvy and has a nice whine to it at 6000 that has me grinning again. You can see this 4000 has gone out of the window can't you? The finish on the bike looks good, although there are a few missing paint flakes around the footrest hangers by the time I finish my first day out. The exhaust can is very chrome and sets the look of the bike off nicely. However the downpipes look like something that should be hanging out off of a gas boiler! They are not going to last. 22mm mild steel I would say. Let's hope the aftermarket comes out with something to match the standard pipe in a better finish. Dog leg(ish) levers are an easy reach even for small fingers. The clutch action is easy and light but I did manage to get the brake lever all the way to the grip on a couple of occasions before I adjusted my brain to the force actually needed. This bike is quite light after all. By the end of the day I've put in 80 odd miles, not a lot I know but I was working as well. I could have doubled that without a doubt and no aching back or numb fingers. The riding position is quite upright for a "sports" bike but I think if you're over 6" you might have a different opinion. All in a very enjoyable first day out. Remember A: it's a 250 not a 600. B: It's fun just like biking is supposed to be.

    27 October 2008

  • Ninja 250. Its a Beast

    delvey91

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Brilliant Bike. Just past 3500 miles and no problems yet. Really comfortable. I do 40 miles a day, 6 days a week and I can do that on £13 worth of fuel. Exellent bike for new lisence holders.

    16 October 2008

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Andy949494

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Andy949494 says

Clarification

In my comments above I neglected to state that I only use my bikes for commuting. My commute is 60 miles each way on a range of A roads and motorway. About 10 miles is 30mph/40mph. Thus although I get 74mpg and that this is much better than the 60+ I got from my Er6 on the same trip I wouldn't expect people doing shorter journeys or journeys with much more acceleration and breaking to get this (or 60 from an ER6).

11 November 2009 10:50

vivster

vivstersays

Recommended

I've waited a while before posting my comment on this bike so that I've got a sufficient amount of experience to base any opinions on. I bought my 250R brand new back in April of this year (2009). Since then I've done almost 3000 miles on it over 7 months. Most of this is for commuting in and out of central London although I have also taken the bike across Surrey, Berkshire and Kent over the weekends.

Having ridden 125s previously this bike is a great way of stepping up. I passed my restricted A2 license in Dec 2008. As someone else has said - its bang on the 33bhp limit so there's no need to consider any restricter kit as would be the case for a bigger bike which is very convenient.

The riding position is quite high for a racer but that's a good thing since most new riders will want to have the ability to look up and over cars and other vehicles. The narrow profile makes it excellent for filtering through traffic - I generally find myself coping through traffic far more easily than 500/600cc bikes around me. The engine revs very smoothly and is generally forgiving although one is aware that there's a fair amount of poke should it be needed. Its great for city riding and commuting where you're never really going to need top end speed. The motorway is the only time I feel the bike is lacking to the point that I'm wishing I was on something bigger.

Mechanically, the bike has never given me any troubles. The IRC tyres could be better however I wouldn't consider changing them unless you're intending to take the bike onto a track. Otherwise, just wait for them to wear themselves out and replace then.

This is great bike to start on and the inexpensive running costs and high residual value mean you can't go wrong. Definitely recommended - I may even keep this bike when I upgrade to something bigger in a couple of years.

19 October 2009 18:10

flighty

User's Badge

flighty says

ninja

hi, just put a deposit down on one of these , pick it up in april cant wait.

21 March 2009 17:03

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