Kawasaki started the rage of entry level
faired mini-supersports with its Ninja
250, which instantly became a hit, thanks
to the brand image of Kawasaki Ninja
and being the first ever twin cylinder
250cc fully faired motorcycle to go sale in
the country. The motorcycle was a success
due to its big bike looks, refined and
powerful engine and a perfect balance
ride and handling. But the fact that it
was a pricey bike kept many potential
buyers away from the bike.
Then came the Ninja 300, which
succeeded the Ninja 250 and bettered it
in almost every other aspect –
performance, dynamics, design and
equipment. At the same time, it
commanded a premium over the already
expensive Ninja 250, thus making it even
lesser value for money. Since then, the
enthusiasts have been waiting for an
affordable fully faired Kawasaki which
can fulfill their dreams of owing a
machine from the reputed Japanese
manufacturer.
Now, Kawasaki may fulfill all their
dreams as it has been contemplating on
launching the Ninja 250 SL in the Indian
market – a fully faired single cylinder
motorcycle from Kawasaki which is
expected to be priced at almost half of
the price of the parallel twin Ninja 300.
Here’s our take on the all new Ninja 250
SL which may soon make its way in India.
Going by the looks, the Ninja 250 SL
may be the smallest version of the
Ninja family visually, but in its
segment, it is one of the most striking
looking motorcycles. The rakish body
front fairing, coupled with the sleek
body panels shared with the Z250 SL
gives it a contemporary appeal.
Starting with the front, the minimalist
and aggressive front face of the Z250
SL here is replaced with a full fairing
which comes with a single headlamp
integrated into it. The headlamp also
includes a pilot lamp at the bottom of
it, just like on the Z250 SL. The turn
indicators are not integrated into the
fairing like on the Ninja 300, but they
have been shared with the Z250 SL.
Beyond the front fairing, the rest of
the body panels, including the fuel
tank, side panels and rear profile
have been completely lifted off from
the Z250 SL, which make it look sleeker
than the beefy looking Ninja 300, but
overall lends it a profile of a good
looking motorcycle. The Ninja 250 SL
also comes with more functional split
seats and split pillion grab rails.
The fully digital instrument console,
which has been shared with the Z250
SL, shows digital readouts for
speedometer, tachometer, odometer,
trip meters, fuel gauge and clock,
along with tell tale lamps positioned
on both the sides of the LCD screen.
The fairing mounted rear view
mirrors, clip-on handlebars and
switchgear has been shared with the
Ninja 300.
Unlike the other Kawasaki motorcycles
on sale in the Indian market, the
Ninja 250 SL may make a new impact
as the motorcycle may happen to be
the first ever fully faired single
cylinder Kawasaki to be ever sold in
the country. The motorcycle sources its
power from a four stroke, liquid
cooled, single cylinder, 249cc engine.
Shared with the Z 250 SL, this engine
pumps out a maximum power output of
28 PS and a maximum torque output
of 22.6 Nm.
Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, the
engine is like all the other mills from
Kawasaki in nature – rev-loving and
refined. Being a supremely refined
engine across the entire rev range, the
engine doesn’t feel stressed in the
higher revs. Though, it misses out on
the utter-smooth feel and top end
punch of the twin cylinder 250cc
engine of the Z250, as expected.
Currently available in the European
markets, the Ninja 250 SL is expected
to hit the Indian shores in the last
half of 2016, which will make it the
most affordable fully faired
Kawasaki motorcycle on sale in the
Indian market. But don’t expect the
Ninja 250 SL to be cheap, as it will be
priced in the higher end of the single
cylinder quarter liter segment, and
will be priced in the range of Rs.
2.25-2.3 lakh. That makes it a bit
expensive, provided the fact that the
more powerful KTM RC 390 is priced
lower than it.
Internationally, the Kawasaki Ninja
250 SL is available in two color options
– Candy Lime Green and White, both
of which are expected to be available
in the Indian market as well.
