Kawasaki Ninja 250R

[worrisomebear]

Lets not compare 220 with Ninja. Ninja's performance & 220's performance cannot be compared. 220 has got respect since it's completely an Indian Product manufactured by an Indian company. It has got many + points which, I guess, many of us won't even appreciate.

Ninja, on the other hand belongs to a completely different league. The kind of performance you get from Ninja, you cannot even dream of getting it from 220, R15 or ZMR. If I had the money then a Ninja & 220 would have adorn the driveway of my house

So I guess we should stop comparing Ninja with any other product in this thread & keep it reserved only for the green machine

agree completely on this

[xinfii]

I am surprised at this reply! Very surprised.

@ken: I'm happy with the 220 after realizing how well it took me to Leh and brought me back. And I'm happy with the Ninja for the attraction it provides and the little bit of excess speed it gives me above the 220, without any compromise in the ride quality at that speed.

Does it still surprise you? I can clarify.

[ken cool]

@ken: I'm happy with the 220 after realizing how well it took me to Leh and brought me back. And I'm happy with the Ninja for the attraction it provides and the little bit of excess speed it gives me above the 220, without any compromise in the ride quality at that speed.

Does it still surprise you? I can clarify.

I am surprised at the bold part above. I thought that the Ninja was much more than that.

[xinfii]

I am surprised at the bold part above. I thought that the Ninja was much more than that.

Honestly, I really don't know. My Ninja still stands at 1,400 on the odo and I've only done a max of 90 kmph so far. I've decided to wait till the 1,600, which is what the manual claims as the break in period, before I can wring the throttle a little more.

But then, even after that, I'm not expecting too much from the Ninja. I have read through forums that say 150, 160 and some even 170 kmph. That would just be like a 220 at 140 kmph. Absolutely nothing but high pitch scream from the engine which means, "Someone please stop me before that stupid dog runs across!" All I need is a good ride at 120 kmph. That's all! And I'm very anxious to know if it will happen!

[Sarvajit]

Honestly, I really don't know. My Ninja still stands at 1,400 on the odo and I've only done a max of 90 kmph so far. I've decided to wait till the 1,600, which is what the manual claims as the break in period, before I can wring the throttle a little more.

But then, even after that, I'm not expecting too much from the Ninja. I have read through forums that say 150, 160 and some even 170 kmph. That would just be like a 220 at 140 kmph. Absolutely nothing but high pitch scream from the engine which means, "Someone please stop me before that stupid dog runs across!" All I need is a good ride at 120 kmph. That's all! And I'm very anxious to know if it will happen!

That will happen for sure&you have the same viewpoint towards the Ninja as I do...maybe its because of already owning Indian 'premium' bikes which can cross 120kmph!

[ken cool]

Honestly, I really don't know. My Ninja still stands at 1,400 on the odo and I've only done a max of 90 kmph so far. I've decided to wait till the 1,600, which is what the manual claims as the break in period, before I can wring the throttle a little more.

But then, even after that, I'm not expecting too much from the Ninja. I have read through forums that say 150, 160 and some even 170 kmph. That would just be like a 220 at 140 kmph. Absolutely nothing but high pitch scream from the engine which means, "Someone please stop me before that stupid dog runs across!" All I need is a good ride at 120 kmph. That's all! And I'm very anxious to know if it will happen!

Ah! That explains things better. I have not ridden this bike at all. I have just sat on it and started it. And just from the throbbing that went through my body, my experience was worth the effort of going there to see and feel it. However, my constant conversations with Aryan and MG, both have tested the bike on track quite a bit, gave me this strong impression that there really is no comparison with a single mill 220. MG owns a 220 and Aryan owns a 200. And both say that there really is no comparison with the Ninja in any department! Be it acceleration, handling, top speed, cornering, braking, vibes...

[Ninja 1]

Guus, to tweak the topic a bit...How many Ninja owners have faced the problem of people fiddling with their bikes when parked. The reason I am asking this is so I can take a call to pension off my ZMR or keep it

[trustvishwas]

But then, even after that, I'm not expecting too much from the Ninja. I have read through forums that say 150, 160 and some even 170 kmph. That would just be like a 220 at 140 kmph. Absolutely nothing but high pitch scream from the engine which means, "Someone please stop me before that stupid dog runs across!" All I need is a good ride at 120 kmph. That's all! And I'm very anxious to know if it will happen!

I have to disagree with the highlighted part. I also started thinking that I am twisting the throttle too much but then I realised the peak power is at 13K and in run-in period, we are doing not more than 4k/6k which means we are using the engine capacity between 33-50%. The engine is designed to be ridden at 13k.

Niranjan told me Ninja really takes off after 10k. I personally have not yet driven at that rpm because of run-in but trust niranjan to tell the truth.

I do not mean to belittle Pulsar but Ninja is in a different class all together.

[xinfii]

I have to disagree with the highlighted part. I also started thinking that I am twisting the throttle too much but then I realised the peak power is at 13K and in run-in period, we are doing not more than 4k/6k which means we are using the engine capacity between 33-50%. The engine is designed to be ridden at 13k.

Niranjan told me Ninja really takes off after 10k. I personally have not yet driven at that rpm because of run-in but trust niranjan to tell the truth.

I do not mean to belittle Pulsar but Ninja is in a different class all together.

You could be right. I don't have the facts to debate. But I was trying to mention that reaching a good speed without compromise in ride quality is what I expected.

[kauria]

Congratulation to all Ninja Owners

Well, congratulation to the owners of the Ninja here.
Those who have already completed the first servicing, kindly tell us about it. How was the service quality maintained by Bajaj? What type of the spare they used, are those genuine? Which oil they used to refill?

[xinfii]

Well, congratulation to the owners of the Ninja here.
Those who have already completed the first servicing, kindly tell us about it. How was the service quality maintained by Bajaj? What type of the spare they used, are those genuine? Which oil they used to refill?

The first service wasn't much. Just a change of oil and oil filter. Total cost was 1,400 bucks. The oil used was Castrol, and the oil filter was taken out of a Kawasaki packed box. Looked genuine to me.

More info in the link below:
Thrills of touring: Kawasaki Ninja 250R - A new owner's experience

[TenHut]

You could be right. I don't have the facts to debate. But I was trying to mention that reaching a good speed without compromise in ride quality is what I expected.

To expect good ride quality at high speeds from Ninja is to expect nothing from it at all tbh.

I rode a P220 today after my yesterdays post.

You are comparing high speeds without comparing the way in which they gather the speed. Certainly the Ninja comes to life above 8k and most certainly roars at 11k but thats not the story at all. Even at 4 K and below the way the Ninja handles is nowhere close to the 220.

The 220 was just what I expected. A simple brute power method to attain higher speeds. Its not about the top whack tbh. Infact its not about the top whack at all ! Handling, braking, agility, maneuverabilit, 2.98 sec acceleration and its ability to stick to the road are all not just superior to the 220 but comparable to other litre class bikes. That is the Ninjas biggest forte

I am now convinced that a 220 cannot be compared to a Ninja. As I said the 220 didnt disappoint me at all. It tried to burn the roads with nothing but brute power...the chasis ( Ninja has the diamond type frame ) didnt help along to attain the speeds. The rider position didnt help along to attain the speeds. The nuts and bolts and the semi fairing did nothing to attain the speed. Its just the motor which does the work in a 220.
What you pay is what you get and 33bhp > 21 bhp and 22Nm > 19 Nm
Suspension is different, frame is different, power delivery mechanism is different and the final bhp and torque figures are different.
220 still commands respect from me but I wish it had some refinement in it.

And why should the comparisions not be made....they educate us !

[Old Fox]

Honestly, I really don't know. My Ninja still stands at 1,400 on the odo and I've only done a max of 90 kmph so far. I've decided to wait till the 1,600, which is what the manual claims as the break in period, before I can wring the throttle a little more.

But then, even after that, I'm not expecting too much from the Ninja. I have read through forums that say 150, 160 and some even 170 kmph. That would just be like a 220 at 140 kmph. Absolutely nothing but high pitch scream from the engine which means, "Someone please stop me before that stupid dog runs across!" All I need is a good ride at 120 kmph. That's all! And I'm very anxious to know if it will happen!

Praveen, what you've stated here is quite true but needs to be put differently. Stay with me and you'll see what I mean.

Ah! That explains things better. I have not ridden this bike at all. I have just sat on it and started it. And just from the throbbing that went through my body, my experience was worth the effort of going there to see and feel it. However, my constant conversations with Aryan and MG, both have tested the bike on track quite a bit, gave me this strong impression that there really is no comparison with a single mill 220. MG owns a 220 and Aryan owns a 200. And both say that there really is no comparison with the Ninja in any department! Be it acceleration, handling, top speed, cornering, braking, vibes...

The engine specs and the hardware provided in the Ninja precludes ANY competetion from the 220's and ZMA's around it.

I have to disagree with the highlighted part. I also started thinking that I am twisting the throttle too much but then I realised the peak power is at 13K and in run-in period, we are doing not more than 4k/6k which means we are using the engine capacity between 33-50%. The engine is designed to be ridden at 13k.

Niranjan told me Ninja really takes off after 10k. I personally have not yet driven at that rpm because of run-in but trust niranjan to tell the truth.

I do not mean to belittle Pulsar but Ninja is in a different class all together.

Vishwas: engines are not designed to be used at max. power rpm's. In fact, any IC engine gives its best (thermal, mechanical and possibly spiritual efficiency) at around the peak-torque rpm. Max power is about overcoming wind drag, which eventually (apart from the gearing of course) defines a vehicle's top speed. Use any engine at about 80% of its of its peak rpm and you can use it till all the cows come home, occasional burst into the 100% region notwithstanding. Competition riding (read road racing etc) is a different ball game of course and I am not saying anything about it here.

Its NOT JUST about the Top Speed.... but it does matter.

When it comes to using bikes in the real world, say for touring or even in city traffic, it is the 'surplus power' that defines its riding pattern. Surplus power is the power at hand, the power thats left over and above what you're using to get to and cruise at the speed that you are at. This has safety implications too. A bike in motion at appreciable speed carries 'inertia' and it is easier to accelerate (add a small increment to the inertia) than to brake to a full stop (subtract the Entire inertia). So with surplus power at hand, the rider has a CHOICE - of either accelerating out of trouble or braking for it.

Compared to the 220's and the ZMA's, the Ninja gives its rider this choice when he cruises at around say 100kph on the open road. There's power at hand to take the bike quickly to 120 or 130 if need be, say for quick overtaking or to get past a particularly troublesome traffic element. Superbikes take this choice thing to the extreme with their lunatic power/weight ratios but lunacy apart, using gaps to overtake safely becomes 'oh! so easy' when there's power at hand. On our sub-20 bhp bikes, at a 100 or past it, the rider is no longer riding, he's actually aiming (thats what @xinfii was trying to say I guess in his post quoted above). Getting from 100 to 120 takes time enough even for a heavy four-wheeler to move into the space the rider wanted to use for overtaking.

Also, putting it another way, an R1 feels and actually is as stable at a 140kph as is a ZMA at 70kph, though the outright difference in road-speeds is x2. Thats because a bike built to be controllable at almost 300kph is barely around its mid-range at 140kph and so has everything in 'surplus'. A full passbook in other words. The ZMA or the 220 has the same reserves but at some 70-80 kph. The Ninja would feel the same at a 100-110 kph.

Summing up, top speed is NOT JUST what most take it to be...a conclusive proof that my bike is faster than yours. Its actually indicative of the safety reserves the rider has at hand, the choices available to him, at the speeds he wants to ride at.

Hereon, I also hope discussions about 'top speeds' will be in sync with its utilitarian aspect rather than just a kiddish 'my pencil is longer than yours' comparo.

[xinfii]

@Old Fox: You are right. Your words have better expressed what I had in mind.

[velociraptor13]

When it comes to using bikes in the real world, say for touring or even in city traffic, it is the 'surplus power' that defines its riding pattern. Surplus power is the power at hand, the power thats left over and above what you're using to get to and cruise at the speed that you are at. This has safety implications too. A bike in motion at appreciable speed carries 'inertia' and it is easier to accelerate (add a small increment to the inertia) than to brake to a full stop (subtract the Entire inertia). So with surplus power at hand, the rider has a CHOICE - of either accelerating out of trouble or braking for it.

Compared to the 220's and the ZMA's, the Ninja gives its rider this choice when he cruises at around say 100kph on the open road. There's power at hand to take the bike quickly to 120 or 130 if need be, say for quick overtaking or to get past a particularly troublesome traffic element. Superbikes take this choice thing to the extreme with their lunatic power/weight ratios but lunacy apart, using gaps to overtake safely becomes 'oh! so easy' when there's power at hand. On our sub-20 bhp bikes, at a 100 or past it, the rider is no longer riding, he's actually aiming (thats what @xinfii was trying to say I guess in his post quoted above). Getting from 100 to 120 takes time enough even for a heavy four-wheeler to move into the space the rider wanted to use for overtaking.

Also, putting it another way, an R1 feels and actually is as stable at a 140kph as is a ZMA at 70kph, though the outright difference in road-speeds is x2. Thats because a bike built to be controllable at almost 300kph is barely around its mid-range at 140kph and so has everything in 'surplus'. A full passbook in other words. The ZMA or the 220 has the same reserves but at some 70-80 kph. The Ninja would feel the same at a 100-110 kph.

El perfectoo sir,no one else can explain in better words.Thats the main reason where accidents occur while overtaking.