Generations of the Kawasaki 250

BlackRain · July 27th, 2009, 09:00 AM

I noticed that the breakdown on this forum of the different years of the 250 is wrong.

There are 4 Generations of the 250.

1st Gen 83-84 Japan Only GPZ250

2nd Gen 86-87 Ninja 250

3rd Gen 88-07 Ninja 250

4th Gen 08+

The US market saw three Gens of the Ninja 250. Just wanted to point that out.

backinthesaddleagain · July 27th, 2009, 09:29 AM

the old gpz305 was pretty cool

Alex · July 27th, 2009, 09:37 AM

Yeah. We don't care.

There's the current-gen, and the previous gens. If you look closely at the categories on the forum home page, all of the individual model designations are listed beneath the 2 main areas.

BlackRain · July 27th, 2009, 09:57 AM

HA! I dont care either, I just want to ride!!

What is that?? --->

Alex · July 27th, 2009, 09:59 AM

That's a bunny with a pancake on its head, of course.

noche_caliente · July 27th, 2009, 10:52 AM

James - that is actually discussed in a thread around here on a turbo ninja

It's just really buried

Snake · July 27th, 2009, 12:15 PM

James, Thanks for the history lesson. It's cool to see how the Ninjette started its lif out being naked and then progresively got more and more fairings and has gotten sportier thru the years.

Snake · July 27th, 2009, 12:18 PM

I just noticed you do not have 1985 listed. Was there not a Ninjette bike produced that year?

BlackRain · July 27th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

That's a bunny with a pancake on its head, of course.

Otay

Quote:

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

James - that is actually discussed in a thread around here on a turbo ninja

It's just really buried

I figured there may have been. I wanted to contribute something though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

I just noticed you do not have 1985 listed. Was there not a Ninjette bike produced that year?

No, there was a gap, I believe that was the R&D phase, or the doom phase of the 250.

Snake · July 27th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

No, there was a gap, I believe that was the R&D phase, or the doom phase of the 250.

Well I'm glad they saw fit to continue the line or we would all be riding CBR 125's.

patw · July 27th, 2009, 01:57 PM

I've noticed that strange, hanging exhaust thing in the 2nd gen on a friends Ducati's as well. I keep telling him that it looks like the bottom fairing is missing every time I see the bikes, because of those long (and rusted looking) pipes. He keeps telling me it's normal, and it somehow looks cooler that way.

Rayme · July 27th, 2009, 02:40 PM

You actually forgot the ZZ250..we got it here in Canada

Snake · July 27th, 2009, 03:15 PM

Rayme, please correct me if I'm wrong but does the ZZR have a 4 cylinder engine?

Rayme · July 27th, 2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

Rayme, please correct me if I'm wrong but does the ZZR have a 4 cylinder engine?

no, they are just another version of the ninja 250R..they were sold here as ninja 250...if they were 4 cylinder I'd probably have one

BlackRain · July 27th, 2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayme

You actually forgot the ZZ250..we got it here in Canada

Your right, I was more in line with the US market though. There was a ZZR 250 in Canada and some other countries.

sombo · July 27th, 2009, 09:26 PM

While technically you are correct that the 83-84 was named a Ninja it has NOTHING in common with any of the later generations. Also since it never left Japan we could seriously just leave it off the list. As for the E, F, G, and H models, the only thing they have in common is the engine. Beyond that they changed almost everything between the E and F models and the F and H models. The G was another model only sold in Japan and had only minor changes to it compared to the F.

Personally I wish they had brought the H model (aka the ZZR250) to the US. That model in my opinion is the perfect looking small sport-tourer made anywhere in the world. As for the E model, with them being virtually an extinct species we can safely just have them as somewhat of a novelty really.

So therefore with 99% of the user base here having either the F or J model (with a few lucky to have the H) we simply divide it between the main 2 generations of the 250. I'm sure in about 20 years when they once again make a new model we'll have to rename our terms for the 'core' generations of bikes. But that's a seriously long way to go.

And there was a model of 250 ninja that had an I-4, that would be the ZXR250. I believe we have at least one member who owns one. Might be more but I only know of one.

backinthesaddleagain · July 27th, 2009, 10:00 PM

nice looking frame on the zzr

BlackRain · July 27th, 2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sombo

While technically you are correct that the 83-84 was named a Ninja it has NOTHING in common with any of the later generations. Also since it never left Japan we could seriously just leave it off the list. As for the E, F, G, and H models, the only thing they have in common is the engine. Beyond that they changed almost everything between the E and F models and the F and H models. The G was another model only sold in Japan and had only minor changes to it compared to the F.

Personally I wish they had brought the H model (aka the ZZR250) to the US. That model in my opinion is the perfect looking small sport-tourer made anywhere in the world. As for the E model, with them being virtually an extinct species we can safely just have them as somewhat of a novelty really.

So therefore with 99% of the user base here having either the F or J model (with a few lucky to have the H) we simply divide it between the main 2 generations of the 250. I'm sure in about 20 years when they once again make a new model we'll have to rename our terms for the 'core' generations of bikes. But that's a seriously long way to go.

And there was a model of 250 ninja that had an I-4, that would be the ZXR250. I believe we have at least one member who owns one. Might be more but I only know of one.

So in a nutshell there are three Gens of the 250 in the US market.

emt250 · July 27th, 2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

nice looking frame on the zzr

miks · July 28th, 2009, 12:17 AM

That 2nd Gen bike looks beautiful.

How about the ZX2R, its a 4 cylinder!

sombo · July 28th, 2009, 02:45 AM

Yes, only 3 generations of the Ninja 250 in the US.

And miks, I did happen to mention that bike in my post. However, it does not count in the generations since it is a completely different bike sharing absolutely nothing other then displacement with the P-2 powered bikes. That's also why I think the 83-84 should not be considered the first gen since it is just as different from the rest as the ZXR250 is. I wish they had let both the ZZR and the ZXR into the states. In fact I wish they would make them again even if in small supply to help stimulate the market a bit.

miks · July 28th, 2009, 02:50 AM

Oops

Looks like you yanks don't get many <250cc bikes over there!

istreefitty · July 28th, 2009, 03:10 AM

is there really a need for a bike that <250cc in a country that is one of the largest countries with a sound infrastructure (i use those terms loosly). I mean I see the need for a small vehicle to be driven on roads that were planned, developed, and sometimes maintained since the middle ages. However, a vast majority of roads here were built this century. Just saying that a bike that is doing 80 at 9k RPMS is about as low as we can go.

miks · July 28th, 2009, 03:55 AM

True that, you guys don't have the "restriction" law where 'learners' are only allowed to ride certain bikes. I guess a noobie could jump on a Busa and go 200mph. Bit crazy...

sombo · July 28th, 2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miks

True that, you guys don't have the "restriction" law where 'learners' are only allowed to ride certain bikes. I guess a noobie could jump on a Busa and go 200mph. Bit crazy...

This is true and it's one of the flaws here in the states. The whole "bigger is better" mentality and the cockiness of young riders here trying to be big and macho is hurting the motorcycle image in a big way here in the states.

However, with Florida now having the MSF based course be mandatory for getting your license, and the current trend towards smaller more efficient vehicles, you will see the demand for smaller bikes begin to increase. The sales of the 08 ninja should have been an indicator to all manufacturers that the 250 market is quite alive here in the states.

With no real restrictions, they could easily boost the 250 market and make some incredible machines. For example, the 250cc I4 bikes all 4 made, each one with nearly double the power of the ninjette would attract more customers. You could get creative and make them turbocharged and push the 250 technology to it's limits in the states because of no HP restrictions on the bikes or licenses. If they were to expand and exploit the 250 market they could possibly turn on more people to riding and gain more brand loyal buyers.

July 27th, 2009, 09:00 AM	#1
BlackRain ninjette.org member Name: James Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 97 GSXR 600 Posts: 15	Generations of the Kawasaki 250 I noticed that the breakdown on this forum of the different years of the 250 is wrong. There are 4 Generations of the 250. 1st Gen 83-84 Japan Only GPZ250 2nd Gen 86-87 Ninja 250 3rd Gen 88-07 Ninja 250 4th Gen 08+ The US market saw three Gens of the Ninja 250. Just wanted to point that out. __________________________________________________ "A Horse Only Goes So Fast." My Videos

July 27th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Yeah. We don't care. There's the current-gen, and the previous gens. If you look closely at the categories on the forum home page, all of the individual model designations are listed beneath the 2 main areas. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 27th, 2009, 09:57 AM	#4
BlackRain ninjette.org member Name: James Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 97 GSXR 600 Posts: 15	HA! I dont care either, I just want to ride!! What is that?? ---> __________________________________________________ "A Horse Only Goes So Fast." My Videos

July 27th, 2009, 09:59 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	That's a bunny with a pancake on its head, of course. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 27th, 2009, 10:52 AM	#6
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	James - that is actually discussed in a thread around here on a turbo ninja It's just really buried __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

July 27th, 2009, 09:29 AM	#2
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	the old gpz305 was pretty cool

July 27th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#7
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	James, Thanks for the history lesson. It's cool to see how the Ninjette started its lif out being naked and then progresively got more and more fairings and has gotten sportier thru the years.

July 27th, 2009, 12:18 PM	#8
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I just noticed you do not have 1985 listed. Was there not a Ninjette bike produced that year?

July 27th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#11
patw ninjette.org guru Name: Pat Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 338	I've noticed that strange, hanging exhaust thing in the 2nd gen on a friends Ducati's as well. I keep telling him that it looks like the bottom fairing is missing every time I see the bikes, because of those long (and rusted looking) pipes. He keeps telling me it's normal, and it somehow looks cooler that way. __________________________________________________ 2013 CRF250L 1985 GL1200 Interstate

July 27th, 2009, 02:40 PM	#12
Rayme ninjette.org guru Name: Remy Location: Moncton Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '04 sv650s Posts: 438	You actually forgot the ZZ250..we got it here in Canada __________________________________________________ There's 2 types of people in this world, those who complain and those who act.

July 27th, 2009, 03:15 PM	#13
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Rayme, please correct me if I'm wrong but does the ZZR have a 4 cylinder engine?

July 27th, 2009, 09:26 PM	#16
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	While technically you are correct that the 83-84 was named a Ninja it has NOTHING in common with any of the later generations. Also since it never left Japan we could seriously just leave it off the list. As for the E, F, G, and H models, the only thing they have in common is the engine. Beyond that they changed almost everything between the E and F models and the F and H models. The G was another model only sold in Japan and had only minor changes to it compared to the F. Personally I wish they had brought the H model (aka the ZZR250) to the US. That model in my opinion is the perfect looking small sport-tourer made anywhere in the world. As for the E model, with them being virtually an extinct species we can safely just have them as somewhat of a novelty really. So therefore with 99% of the user base here having either the F or J model (with a few lucky to have the H) we simply divide it between the main 2 generations of the 250. I'm sure in about 20 years when they once again make a new model we'll have to rename our terms for the 'core' generations of bikes. But that's a seriously long way to go. And there was a model of 250 ninja that had an I-4, that would be the ZXR250. I believe we have at least one member who owns one. Might be more but I only know of one.

July 27th, 2009, 10:00 PM	#17
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	nice looking frame on the zzr

July 28th, 2009, 12:17 AM	#20
miks I'm lovin' it. Name: Mike Location: Melb, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.	That 2nd Gen bike looks beautiful. How about the ZX2R, its a 4 cylinder! __________________________________________________ Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son.

July 28th, 2009, 02:45 AM	#21
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Yes, only 3 generations of the Ninja 250 in the US. And miks, I did happen to mention that bike in my post. However, it does not count in the generations since it is a completely different bike sharing absolutely nothing other then displacement with the P-2 powered bikes. That's also why I think the 83-84 should not be considered the first gen since it is just as different from the rest as the ZXR250 is. I wish they had let both the ZZR and the ZXR into the states. In fact I wish they would make them again even if in small supply to help stimulate the market a bit.

July 28th, 2009, 02:50 AM	#22
miks I'm lovin' it. Name: Mike Location: Melb, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.	Oops Looks like you yanks don't get many <250cc bikes over there! __________________________________________________ Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son.

July 28th, 2009, 03:10 AM	#23
istreefitty sir posts a lot Name: michael Location: HI Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: 267	is there really a need for a bike that <250cc in a country that is one of the largest countries with a sound infrastructure (i use those terms loosly). I mean I see the need for a small vehicle to be driven on roads that were planned, developed, and sometimes maintained since the middle ages. However, a vast majority of roads here were built this century. Just saying that a bike that is doing 80 at 9k RPMS is about as low as we can go. __________________________________________________ A girl walks into a bar and orders a "double entendre" So the bartender gave it to her "once you go black, you never go back."

July 28th, 2009, 03:55 AM	#24
miks I'm lovin' it. Name: Mike Location: Melb, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.	True that, you guys don't have the "restriction" law where 'learners' are only allowed to ride certain bikes. I guess a noobie could jump on a Busa and go 200mph. Bit crazy... __________________________________________________ Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son.

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