New Kawasaki: Ninja 250 SL - 2014

[jonthechron]

Kawasaki revealed a new 250cc Ninja for the Asian market featuring a single-cylinder engine. Called the Kawasaki Ninja RR Mono or 250SL (depending on the market), the single-cylinder model offers a bit less power and more torque than the parallel-Twin Ninja 250 but weighs 46 pounds lighter.

We first saw spy photos of the new mini-Ninja undergoing testing late last year, but now we can see the finished product. The RR Mono has a different frame than the Ninja 250 and 300, with bodywork that looks a bit more like the ZX-6R. The single-cylinder model has a single headlight like the last-generation 250.

The engine is a liquid-cooled fuel-injected 249cc Single with a 72.0mm bore and 61.2 mm stroke. Kawasaki claims 27.6 hp at 9700 rpm and 16.7 ft-lb. at 8200 rpm from the 250SL, compared to the Twin’s 31.5 hp at 11000 rpm and 15.5 ft-lb at 10000 rpm. The RR Mono also has a claimed weight of 332.9 pounds compared to the Ninja 250′s claimed weight of 379.2 pounds (ABS adds two pounds to the RR Mono’s weight but 4.4 pounds to the Ninja 250), which means the two models have a very similar power-to-weight ratio.

The Ninja 250SL’s engine is mounted in a all-new steel trellis frame Kawasaki says offers a slim nimbleness similar to the 150cc two-stroke Ninja RR which the new model replaces in Kawasaki’s Indonesian lineup.

Suspension is provided by a 37mm telescopic fork and five-setting preload adjustable monoshock with a Uni-trak linkage system. The braking system is comprised of two-piston calipers gripping the 263mm front disc and 193mm rear disc. The ten-spoke wheels are similar to those on the Ninja 250 and 300, but Kawasaki says they are about a pound lighter. The Mono’s tires are also smaller, with a 100/80-17 rubber up front and a 130/70-17 at the rear.

At the moment, the Kawasaki 250SL (or RR Mono) has only been confirmed for the Asian market. The differences are enough that Kawasaki will offer it alongside the Ninja 250 Twin, but it’s not likely to come to western markets where Kawasaki offers the Ninja 300 instead.

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/02/1...mono-revealed/

[Motofool]

[Byakkotai]

Interesting new bike. Think the colors (save the green with a black top tank stripe) are better than the '14 300 SEs.

Also interesting to note that Yamaha put new bling on their R1....25s

[sharky nrk]

kinda like it

[mania]

Whats this?
Just some some pics on FB but no real explanation
Indonesia & possibly a 250 for class racing?

What do you see?

Edit oops sorry I see this thread already runs
& based on this bike
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2014/02/1...mono-revealed/

Mods please feel free to delete this

[Alex]

/merged

[JohnnyBravo]

Looks like some one bought a hyosung to paint kawi green I'm no fan of the single headlight on a sportbike... Never have been

[mania]

Thanks for merging Alex

@ Johnny....Yeah me too.
also wonder why the old style pegs & front side markers?
Since it is obviously geared to RR with the rearsets etc.
Kind of an odd mix.

I like that frame though & the rear hugger has more coverage
Also the clip-ons look good

[Sirref]

I'm not a fan of the single headlight on a sportbike either. It works perfectly on cruisers and streetfighters but not when a bike is fully faired sport. This bike actually looks pretty interesting, I don't think I'd buy it if it were offered but for the market they're aiming at it's a damned good bike. The yellow really makes it pop too. I wonder how it would compare to the cbr250r since they're both thumper engines.

I can't tell from the pictures, did they decide to make the windscreen right or do it the same way as the 300 with a slight gap that begs for bugs to splatter in the hard to clean area that is below the windscreen.

[alex.s]

does it have the new 300-style clutch?

[Byakkotai]

Originally Posted by alex.s

does it have the new 300-style clutch?

Don't think so. Not even sure if the 2013/14 Ninja 250's had/have the slipper either b/c Kawi's website says they don't

[mania]

Originally Posted by Byakkotai

Don't think so. Not even sure if the 2013/14 Ninja 250's had/have the slipper either b/c Kawi's website says they don't

That is correct we do not have the slipper clutch on the 2013 Ninja 250 in Asia

[silentIm]

Compared to CBR 250, this bike is hoot! with 2 more ponies, 10 kg (22 lbs) lighter, slimmer dimension, stiffer frame, supersport ergo, and shorter swing arm make it easy to travel across constantly jammed Asian traffic.

In some technical tracks, the CBR 250 can be quite competitive with ninja 250. I think there is one video in motorcycle-usa.com that their CBR 250 project bike finish 2nd, with a pack of ninjettes behind it.

If this bike is brought to the States, I think it wont eat sales of the Ninja 300 as the performance figures for both are quite different. You want fuel efficient highway capable daily commuter with occasional track day, you buy the 300. You want a toy for the track, this bike can be it.

Plus, the thumper ninja is on sale in Indonesia for about USD 3400, compared to Honda put its price close to the ninjette at USD 4500ish mark.

[old3]

Slip this in the USA as the foo-foo entry bike.

Step two, take the Ninja 300, drop 20 lbs., add an aluminum swinger, triples, 41mm adjustable fork and shock, 320mm 4 piston front brake. Cam it up to 45-50 peak HP with some more RPMs or just a top heavy power curve and own the mini SS "R" market or at least be competitive with the 390 KTMs.

Ninja 350RR.

I like the sound of that!

[misfitsailor]

Don't like it. The high revving twin is what really makes the ninjette special.

[old3]

You ridden the 300? It's a midrange motor now, goes flat up top over 10,500.

It is more friendly, less hyper feeling, though still faster than the older 250s.

[silentIm]

[choneofakind]

The fairings look like my pregen molested a 300 and this is the socially awkward offspring... I still like the looks of the frame, as well as that weight. 333 pounds?? nice.


I'm with old3. I'm really hoping Kawasaki takes the chance while they have it. Make this one 300cc's, present it in the US, then make a small-mid supersport twin with real suspension and somewhere around 45 hp.

[jcgss77]

Originally Posted by misfitsailor

Don't like it. The high revving twin is what really makes the ninjette special.

Exactly what I was thinking.

I do find it interesting, however, that they one up the CBR250r... UH OH!!

I think that in the last 2 years Kawasaki finally woke up and realized that they have to be competitive with their smaller bikes.

So, without doing any googling of any kind, am I to take it that the 250 is going to be a single cylinder, and the 300, the twin from now on?

[silentIm]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

The fairings look like my pregen molested a 300 and this is the socially awkward offspring... I still like the looks of the frame, as well as that weight. 333 pounds?? nice.


I'm with old3. I'm really hoping Kawasaki takes the chance while they have it. Make this one 300cc's, present it in the US, then make a small-mid supersport twin with real suspension and somewhere around 45 hp.

It was said to get the same engine with klx 250s, only with diffrent cam profile for more mid-top range power. The bore x stroke is the same. JE pistons has made big bore kits for the klx for years. So it should easy to beef up the engine up to 350cc.

Here is the spec
Engine type: DOHC liquid cooled 1 cylinder
Displacement : 249 cm³
Bore x stroke : 72.0 x 61.2 mm
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Valve/Induction system: DOHC, 4 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 1
Ignition : Keihin, Transistorized Ignition
Electric: Starting
Lubrication : Forced lubrication, wet sump
Maximum power 20.6 kW / 9,700 rpm
Maximum torque 22,6 N·m { kgf·m} / 8,200 rpm
0-400m : 15,5 s
0-200m : 9,7 s
Max Speed : 153 km/h
Transmission 6-speed, return
Final Drive Sealed chain
Primary reduction ratio 2.800 (84/30)
Gear ratios: 1st 3.000 (393/11)
Gear ratios: 2nd 1.933 (29/159)
Gear ratios: 3rd 1.444 (31/22)
Gear ratios: 4th 1.217 (28/23)
Gear ratios: 5th 1.045 (23/22)
Gear ratios: 6th 0.923 (24/26)
Final reduction ratio 3.000 (42/14)
Clutch : Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame type Tube diamond
Rake/Trail 24° / 90 mm
Wheel travel, front 110 mm
Wheel travel, rear 116 mm
Tyre, front 100/80-17 M/C (52S)
Tyre, rear 130/70-17 M/C (62S)
Steering angle, left / right 36° / 36°
Suspension, front telescopic fork
Suspension, rear Bottom-Link Uni-Trak swing arm
Brakes, front Single 263 mm petal disc. Caliper: dual-piston.
Brakes, rear Single 193 mm petal disc. Caliper: Dual-piston.
Dimensions (L x W x H) 1.935 mm x 685 mm x 1,075 mm
Wheelbase 1,330 mm
Road Clearance 165 mm
Seat height 780 mm
Fuel capacity 11 litres
Curb Mass 151 kg

[mania]

In the quest for a light weight proper supersport
I am kind of hoping the yzf250 follows specs of their new YZF-R125D

Looking at it there is a lot to like
41mm USD so a 250 would probably get 43mm
Deltabox frame
Looks like floating disc & radial mounted caliper

I would be surprised if when the 250/300 comes it goes backwards to
tele forks etc.
In any case the small displacement market is slowly getting better
a lot of that due to KTM's offerings I think

[old3]

That looks much better than the R25/R3 prototype they are trotting around with!

[Aggrotech]

mmm that looks nice from teh side. Ive always liked the multi-layered side fairing look that yami does.

[silentIm]

The yami looks sick! 15 hp from the little 125 motor. Only it's pricey for a 125cc :£4,349.Thats around 7250 USD folk.

[Sirref]

I got my 300 for over a thousand $ less than that! mad mad $$$ for a 125 right there.

[Byakkotai]

Anybody know where the new '14 R125 is made?

[silentIm]

Originally Posted by Byakkotai

Anybody know where the new '14 R125 is made?

It's made in France i think, as yamaha europe centralize their manufacturing there.

Often the price of a motorcycle is not determined by the engine, but the refinement details, such as the frame, suspensions, brakes, and farkles. And also the price their intended market is willing to pay.

Those forged aluminum rearsets, swingarm, fancy brakes, ram air intake, and pair of michelins cost $$$.

[misfitsailor]

That little Yamahopper looks very sexy! A 125cc motorbike can be more capable than most think. I once put 11,000 miles on a 125 in 11 months, often 2-up.

[Xtina]

Originally Posted by silentIm

The yami looks sick! 15 hp from the little 125 motor. Only it's pricey for a 125cc :£4,349.Thats around 7250 USD folk.

You can't compare the prices like that. Salaries and money is different over there. Like if you make 15/hr here there equivalent would be like 12pounds/hr. Cost of living is different

[old3]

Tariffs make more of a difference by my experience. Trade agreements or who blocked who's beef or shoes from being traded. It could go either way.

I'd put up with a turdish engine if I got the proper chassis bits and running gear. Heck, I'd be riding a CBR250RR if it was a proper SS type bike, even at 25 HP.