Motoroids brings you the complete story LIVE from the Ninja 250R press launch.
Price: 2.69 lakh Ex-showroom, 3.03 lakh On-Road.
Booking amount Rs 40,000. Can’t help feeling a little disappointed, it should have been below 2.5 lakh On Road.
Performance: 0-60 in 3.36 secs, 0-100 in 7.76 secs, Top Speed 170 kph as tested by reputed International magazines. Check out the Motoroids2 October issue for the first impressions of the Ninja 250R, in a couple of days. These figures are way better than the Pulsar 220 or the R15 or the Apache RTR 180.
The Ninja will be imported as CKD hence it will attract only 11% import duty and not the usual 114% that is levied on CBU imports like the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Honda CBR100RR Fireblade. Initially there were talks of some Bajaj OEMs supplying parts for the Ninja to reduce the bike’s costs in India. However, it seems that 250R won’t use any localized components – whether it is Kawasaki’s lack of faith in quality of components supplied by Indian OEM suppliers or is it plainly a business oriented decision, remains to be seen.
The Indian version gets a black muffler and a green pillion seat to match up to the international range. For India, only colours available will be the green one shown above and a full black shown in our earlier article.
Specifications:
- 249cc, Parallel Twin, Fuel Injected Liquid Cooled, 8-valve, DOHC. No hand-me-down carb technology.
- 32.5 bhp @ 11,000 rpm So thankfully the sting hasn’t been taken out of its tail!!
- 22Nm @ 8,200 prm No wonder its going to be the torque of the town!
- 6-Speed gearbox.
- Chassis: Tubular steel diamond type. Sadly no bean frame.
- Suspension: 37 mm telescopic fork (Fr), Bottom-Link Uni-Trak™ with gas-charged shock
and 5-way adjustable preload (R) - Tyres: 110/70R17 (Fr), 130/70R17 (R)
- Brakes: 290mm Disc (Fr), 220 mm Disc (R) Note the petal discs at both the ends
- Kerb Weight: 172 kg
- Wheelbase: 1400mm
- Fuel tank: 17 litres
- Seat height: 790mm
Maintenance won’t be a hassle either as Bajaj has already imported spares for the Ninja and will be available at all of the 24 Pro Biking showrooms around the country.
Future Plans:
Bajaj plans to sell around 1000 units of the Ninja 250R. Bajaj is also planning to increase the number of Pro Biking showrooms to 30.
Bajaj is also planning to bring in some products from the KTM lineup via the CBU route as well as the co-developed small capacity bikes in the near future.
Enjoy the Photos!
Mihir Gadre
More Technical Specs (from the International Version):
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
Cylinder head
- 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
Fuel Injection
- Fine-tuned fuel injection offers good power feel and low fuel consumption
- Reduced mechanical noise
- 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 reduces intake noise
- Air filter accessible from the side, for easy replacement
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
Liquid Cooling
- 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
- Six-speed Transmission / Clutch
- 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
Chassis
- Sturdy and durable diamond-style frame of thick-walled steel tubing offers confidence-inspiring stability at both high and low speeds
- Beefy swingarm bracket contributes to the frame’s rigidity and helps achieve an ideal chassis stiffness balance
- Square-tube swingarm with a 60 x 30mm cross-section further adds to rigidity
Suspension
- 37mm telescopic front fork with firm settings contribute to the Ninja 250R’s smooth, stable handling and enhanced ride control
- UNI-TRAK® rear suspension complements the rigid frame and provides great road holding ability
- Rear shock features 5-way adjustable preload, enabling ride height to be maintained whether riding solo or with a passenger
Wheels
- Features 17” wheels like its larger supersport brothers
- Low-profile sportbike tires on wide rims contribute to its easy, neutral handling at low speeds
Brakes
- Large-diameter, 290mm front petal disc and a balanced action two-piston caliper offer excellent braking performance and a natural, direct feeling at the lever
- Two-piston caliper grips the rear 220mm petal disc
Ergonomics
- Natural riding position with slightly forward-slanting seat and wide, raised handlebars
Bodywork
- Styling, fit and finish of striking full-fairing bodywork match its Ninja supersport siblings
- Aggressive dual-lamp headlight design, slim tail cowl and separate seats further enhance the supersport look
- Front cowling and windscreen offer the rider a substantial amount of wind protection
- Two helmet holders conveniently located under the rear seat
- Under-seat storage can hold a U-lock or similar device
- Two hooks under the tail and the rear passenger pegs provide anchor points for securing items to the rear of the bike
Instrumentation
- Instrument panel features an easy-to-read, large-face analog speedometer along with an analog tachometer, odometer, trip meter, low fuel and other warning lights