My Kawasaki Ninja 250R (EX250)

After a break from biking we have opted for something smaller. I had been looking at various 250 and 400 bikes. I tried a CBR400 but that felt quite stretched out, whereas I felt cramped on the VFR400 (I'm 5' 4").
Recent internet searches had turned up the 250 Ninja, and although not a sports bike fan I decided to take a look at one.

The local dealer had one, but wouldn't allow a test ride. I pointed out that how could I buy a bike if I didn't know what it rode like?
I found another example fairly locally and they did allow a test ride.

Test Ride

Aug 09, 2009
I'd been looking forward to this as I'd not ridden for quite a while and the baby Ninja just looked so appealing. First impression upon sitting on the bike was that it was comfortable, seat was a good height and width and the handlebars were in 'the right place', not too far away and not making you sit too upright.

The bike was started and I was surprised how good it sounded, much more meatier than I was expecting, as I rode away the bike felt smooth. Once out on the open road the Ninja was sure footed and flowed nicely around the bends. I sped up to 60 mph and the 250R began feeling quite 'buzzy' and I noticed the lack of power compared with my previous bikes, but this is to be expected. There was plenty of acceleration in low gears, however I was mostly concerned with the vibration coming through the pegs, but this probably isn't too unusual for a small twin.

After a few minutes I realised that I was actually enjoying myself and I had travelled quite far from the bike shop and that it might be a good idea if I went back! I eventually spotted a lay-by on the opposite side of the road and the little Ninja was no trouble to do a U-turn into the lay-by and then out the other side.

On returning to the shop I could help grinning, and was so pleased with the experience that I insisted that my partner had a ride too. After which we ended up buying both Ninja 250Rs in the shop. After our previous naked-bikes it was astounding that we both liked the sports bike.

Bikes will be ready next Sunday.

From telegraph.co.uk

The best-selling Kawasaki sports bike in America is not the ZX-6R you might expect, or the ZX-10R - a mad missile if ever there was one. Even calmer stablemates with mass-market appeal, such as our own long-term ER-6f, fail to sell as many over there as the little 250R Ninja.

First Day

Kawasaki/MRA double bubble screen

Decided to get a double bubble screen to try and help with the wind blast. Looked at quite a few before deciding on the one from Kawasaki. Once unwrapped I discovered that they were made by MRA, which was a style I had previously disregarded based on the internet pictures.
However, the screens look brilliant and fit quite well.

Comparison:






After: