The 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Performance Impression
The 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R did on our first try-out zero to 100km/h in just 7.8 seconds and the way this new 2010 Ninja 250R continued to gather speed was simple amazing for a small capacity bike. With a limited straight of just 2km , exiting the last left handler in third and pinning the throttle hard saw the Kawasaki Ninja 250R accelerating to a true speed of 152km/h (the speedo indication was 161km/h). Mind you, this was in fifth with another gear to go.We believe that given the road, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R will go onto hit a genuine 160km/h or around 175km/h on the speedometer. Brilliant! What is also impressive is the way the engine feels at high speeds – completely vibration free with enough power in reserve.
We expect the new Kawasaki Ninja 250R to run around 25 to 30km/l in city traffic and while on the highway, the tall sixth gear should help fuel economics while touring the country-side.
But it maybe a surprise, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R is not just about out and out performance. For one, the parallel-twin 250cc engine being short stroke, loves being revved and while doing so, it remains almost vibration free. A lot of credit for this goes to the 180 degree crank which helps when it comes to a smooth and free revving character. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R like its bigger brother, the Kawasaki ZX-6R, the Ninja 250R also features duel throttle valves which aid responsiveness across the revving range.
The 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R also has a linear yet terrific midrange, although in the limited riding environment, we really couldn't judge how well the new 2010 Ninja 250R would fare in day-to-day traffic, for indication the 2008 Ninja 250R did performed excellent. What we could easily evaluate however was the nimble, effortless and forgiving handling of the 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R. The 37mm telescopic front forks and Kawasaki's Uni-Track rear suspension along with the rugged diamond shaped frame and a beefy square cross-section swingarm go a long way in giving the 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R a very sweet handling nature.Further, the 110mm front and 130mm rear IRC tires also lend a helping hand in the way they hug the road acceptable. While flicking the Ninja 250R around during the test or opening the throttle hard through high speed curves, the Kawasaki Ninja felt like no other small capacity sportsbike available in Thailand.
You can aim the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in the intended direction without losing composure and take the exact line you want to with perfect ease. The strong, high revving nature of the engine also helps as you can stick to a lower gear and rev the hell out f the engine without losing acceleration.
The braking feedback is impressive too aided by the 290mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes work more than exceptionally well.
Those who understand the value and meaning of taking the first real step into the world of genuine and legal sportsbikes will surely look no further.
