Quick Ride

QUICK RIDE

NINJA 250R Kawasaki’s half-pint performer

TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY CUBIC centimeters isn't a heck of a lot. Seven-point-five fluid ounces, to be precise, little more than half a pint, smaller even than a soda can. Yet engines with that little displacement are judged sufficient to power some of the world’s fastest grand prix motorcycles. Proof that it’s not how much you’ve got, but what you do with it.

With that in mind, consider the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. The smallest of Kawasaki’s sportbikes makes the maximum use of its minimal displacement. While not exactly fast by motorcycle standards, the Ninja’s 15second quarter-mile times and nearly 100-mph top speed are fast enough to get your undivided attention. Yet it’s frugal with fuel, yielding 50 mpg during our testing.

The Ninja may be part of the same family as the ZX-7, but it doesn’t force its rider into a racing crouch.

Its fairly upright seating position is more like that of the ZX-11 or ZX-6, and not that different from the EX500’s. Thanks to the 250’s narrow width, its footpegs can be placed low enough to provide adequate legroom, while not compromising cornering clearance. In fact, the little 250 offers as much or more legroom than its bigger brothers. Only the narrowness of its seat and the lowness of its windscreen remind the rider that he’s on a less-than-full-size motorcycle.

Another reminder is the Ninja’s motor. With a 14,000-rpm redline showing on the tach, you might suspect that the 250R would be both peaky and buzzy. And you’d be wrong. The diminutive motor builds power gradually and smoothly throughout its rpm range, revving slowly along the way. Kawasaki claims 38 horsepower at 11,000 rpm.

It might not accelerate all that quickly, but once up to speed, the micro-Ninja is an absolute joy to ride. Its light, 334-pound dry weight and 56-inch wheelbase endow it with crisp handling, and although it’s a tad oversensitive to rider input, it remains stable at speed. Brake feel is superb. And around town, the 250’s not-quite-30-inch seat height will be

appreciated by shortlegged riders.

Suspension action, however, is merely adequate, the rear shock suffering from excessive high-speed compression damping and the fork a tad undersprung. The stock tires are similarly mediocre; a switch to premium rubber will be in order once the Stockers wear out.

Its shortcomings notwithstanding, you won’t find a better 250cc streetbike for sale in the U.S. We’ve seen Ninja 250s average over 90 mph in Mexico’s La Carrera Classic and turn 1:40 lap times at Willow Springs. Yet we know a woman who regularly rides hers round-trip from California to Ohio. We’d call that versatility.

And we’d call the Kawasaki Ninja 250R the best bike in its class.

Never mind that it’s the only one.

Brian Catterson