As the sun set over the outskirts of Pune, I took one last go at the Kawasaki Z250, the 250R’s street-friendly cousin. I promised myself that it would be the last one for the day. As I winced from the blood gushing back, I cursed the seat and asked myself why I am letting my already sore bottom endure one last dab of torture. You see, the Z250 isn’t exactly a very fast motorcycle. It isn’t the most comfortable either. It is, however, a bushel of fun. Let’s find out why.
Photo Credits: Vaibhav Aher and Abhay Singh
Style
That sharp fairing’s distinctive; pinched-in-the-middle head lamp design trickles down from the Japanese manufacturers, bigger, brawnier cousins – the Z800 and the Z1000. The Z250 does turn discerning heads, especially in that satin finished lime green shade that every Kawasaki worth its salt has been brainwashed to wear.
[Oh, and like the Er-6n, those lamps stay on all day long (DRLs) , with fellow riders giving you the infamous, hand signal]
The Z250 is a half-faired motorcycle. That half-fairing is actually a huge, mutilated Z, with another Z sticker on it. Weird, isn’t it? Maybe Kawasaki took the name too literally, but it actually looks pretty sharp in the flesh. The big Z panel is joined by one more sharply styled panel below, which doubles up as the under body cowl.
The 17 liter tank and the tail section however (shared with the fully-faired 250R), have been dealt with a slightly deft hand, because the surfacing on those parts is more organic and bears smoother curves.
The back ends in a rather simplistic, non-LED tail lamp.
Aircraft style fuel filler cap, and the only Z250 badge on the whole motorcycle.
The split seat may look cool, but it’s like shifting your weight sitting on a bar-stool. The hard foam is only there to grip your gonads and bottom. And there are no grab rails.
The instruments are laid out neatly; with the rev counter red line starting at a high 13,000rpm. Also included are a digital speedometer, trip meters, fuel-gauge and a digital clock.
The bike isn’t searing to look at on first sight, like the Z1000, but take a break and absorb the body-work in the fleeting sunlight, and you’ll find a splattering of sustained aggression holding the motorcycle together.
Get astride, and the Z250 gives off a distinct big-bike feel. You know where your money is going here, at least size wise. The riding position is mildly aggressive, with the rear-set foot pegs and forward set handlebar.
Build quality is top-notch all around.
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Very well written, and glad to see someone look past the price alone. I have a Ninja 300, and it is just heavenly. The points you mentioned hold true for the 300 as well, however only difference being, 300 has better low end. Finally a good motor journalist among numerous motoring blogs.