First Ride: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - A First Ride To Remember
By Teri Gorrell, Photography by Alfonse Palaima
Tech Spec
Evolution
Introduced in 1986, the Ninjette was status quo from '88 till this massive '08 makeover.
Rivals
Aside from a few cobby Chinese imports, the minimum Ninja is in a class of its own
| TECH |
| Price | $3499 |
| Engine type | l-c parallel-twin |
| Valve train | DOHC, 8v |
| Displacement | 249cc |
| Bore x stroke | 62.0 x 41.2mm |
| Compression | 11.6:1 |
| Fuel system | (2) 30mm Keihin carburetors |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Claimed horsepower | na |
| Claimed torque | na |
| Frame | Diamond-type steel-tube |
| Front suspension | 37mm Kayaba fork |
| Rear suspension | Single Kayaba shock, adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping |
| Front brake | Single Tokico two-piston caliper, 290mm disc |
| Rear brake | Single Tokico two-piston caliper, 220mm disc |
| Front tire | 110/70-ZR17 IRC Road Winner |
| Rear tire | 130/70-ZR17 IRC Road Winner |
| Rake/trail | 26.0/3.2 in. |
| Seat height | 30.5 in. |
| Wheelbase | 55.1 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 gal. |
| Claimed dry weight | 335 lbs. |
| Color | Lime Green, Red, Black |
| Available | Now |
| Warranty | 12 months, unlimited mi. |
Contact
Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA
9950 Jeronimo Rd.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.770.0400
http://www.kawasaki.com
Verdict
A 13,000-rpm dose of street cred for the under-appreciated 250cc class.
By Teri Gorrell
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