The moment of unveiling at Tokyo motor show:
2018 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Busy release day for Kawasaki! Looks like it will be a USA release too looking at this clip featuring WSBK champion Jonathan Rea.
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The power output of this all new 250 is impressive. It is producing the same power as the 300 with less displacement. I would have preferred if Kawasaki launched a 300 version of this motorcycle. The 300 produced around 6bhp more than the old 250, so a power out put of around 45bhp would have been possible. Kawasaki has chosen to give us a more relaxed 400 instead. I am a bit surprised as they are getting a bit too close to their own 650.
Regards,
Kaustav
Regards,
Kaustav
Go figure that the 250 is actually an upgrade to the 300!
Still produces 39HP but is 167kg instead of 174 (mostly in the fuel tank which dropped from 17L to 14L)
https://www.motoroids.com/news/2018...features-tech-specs-and-all-you-need-to-know/
Still produces 39HP but is 167kg instead of 174 (mostly in the fuel tank which dropped from 17L to 14L)
https://www.motoroids.com/news/2018...features-tech-specs-and-all-you-need-to-know/
Kinda makes you wonder if they'll sell the 250 and 400 side by side with the 650?
250 for $5k
400 for $6.5k
650 for $8k
250 for $5k
400 for $6.5k
650 for $8k
They might in Japan.Kinda makes you wonder if they'll sell the 250 and 400 side by side with the 650?
250 for $5k
400 for $6.5k
650 for $8k
They're selling Yamaha R25 and R3
Honda sells a 300, 500, and 650 here, so this new 400 could be the direct competitor to that 500.They might in Japan.
They're selling Yamaha R25 and R3
Ninja 250 vs CBR300 = $5k
Ninja 400 vs CBR500R = $6.5k
Ninja 650 vs CBR650F = $8k
It gets a bit complicated.Honda sells a 300, 500, and 650 here, so this new 400 could be the direct competitor to that 500.
Ninja 250 vs CBR300 = $5k
Ninja 400 vs CBR500R = $6.5k
Ninja 650 vs CBR650F = $8k
Honda CBR500R is CBR400R in Japan, they're identical except the 400R is sleeved down 500R
Ninja 650 is Ninja 400 in Japan, they're identical except the Ninja 400 is sleeved down Ninja 650.
Now they have Ninja 400 in USA/Canada
If they sell 2018 Ninja 400 in Japan, things will get complicated because they already have Ninja 400 (sleeved down Ninja 650)
4.5 gal to 3.7. That sucks. The one advantage the 300 has had over the other small engine makes that I've liked is a larger tank and longer range. Although my CB500X is giving me a few miles more out of a tank than my old 300 and they both hold 4.5 gal.Go figure that the 250 is actually an upgrade to the 300!
Still produces 39HP but is 167kg instead of 174 (mostly in the fuel tank which dropped from 17L to 14L)
https://www.motoroids.com/news/2018...features-tech-specs-and-all-you-need-to-know/
4.5 gal to 3.7. That sucks. The one advantage the 300 has had over the other small engine makes that I've liked is a larger tank and longer range. Although my CB500X is giving me a few miles more out of a tank than my old 300 and they both hold 4.5 gal.
Looks like the airbox on the 400 is underneath the gas tank taking away volume for gas. It also looks like you would have to remove the gas tank to clean the air filter.
A price to pay in convenience, but every other bike I've owned is set up like that, so I'm used to it.Looks like the airbox on the 400 is underneath the gas tank taking away volume for gas. It also looks like you would have to remove the gas tank to clean the air filter.
Not as complicated as you think. The old 400R will simply be replaced with the new 400. There's no reason to continue producing the sleeved down 650, that was only done to meet license requirements and the new Ninja 400 meets them as it sits.It gets a bit complicated.
Honda CBR500R is CBR400R in Japan, they're identical except the 400R is sleeved down 500R
Ninja 650 is Ninja 400 in Japan, they're identical except the Ninja 400 is sleeved down Ninja 650.
Now they have Ninja 400 in USA/Canada
If they sell 2018 Ninja 400 in Japan, things will get complicated because they already have Ninja 400 (sleeved down Ninja 650)
That doesn't mean there's any certainty they'll bring the Ninja 250 stateside, it's just a suggestion as it would seem to make sense and allow them to bump the price of the new Ninja 400 up to $6k.
The new 250 makes as much power as the old 300, so it could be a new lower priced entry level bike at $4-4.5k, but there's no suggestion from Kawi that that is going to happen here.
In Canada, they used to sell both Ninja 650 and 400.Not as complicated as you think. The old 400R will simply be replaced with the new 400. There's no reason to continue producing the sleeved down 650, that was only done to meet license requirements and the new Ninja 400 meets them as it sits.
That doesn't mean there's any certainty they'll bring the Ninja 250 stateside, it's just a suggestion as it would seem to make sense and allow them to bump the price of the new Ninja 400 up to $6k.
The new 250 makes as much power as the old 300, so it could be a new lower priced entry level bike at $4-4.5k, but there's no suggestion from Kawi that that is going to happen here.
Believe or not, almost nobody bought the Ninja 400. It was virtually identical to the Ninja 650 except the cylinder was sleeved down to 400cc. The engine block was identical from outside as well.
Needless to say, Kawasaki no longer sell Ninja 400 in Canada.
So I don't think Kawasaki would bother selling both Ninja 400 and 250 in the USA.
Not as complicated as you think. The old 400R will simply be replaced with the new 400. There's no reason to continue producing the sleeved down 650, that was only done to meet license requirements and the new Ninja 400 meets them as it sits.
That doesn't mean there's any certainty they'll bring the Ninja 250 stateside, it's just a suggestion as it would seem to make sense and allow them to bump the price of the new Ninja 400 up to $6k.
The new 250 makes as much power as the old 300, so it could be a new lower priced entry level bike at $4-4.5k, but there's no suggestion from Kawi that that is going to happen here.
It is my guess that the 250 will be for foreign markets and not for the U.S. If they keep the price of the 400 close to that of the current 300 it should sell well. Would like to see a few more colors also.
Regarding the colours I'm guessing they are playing the usual old manufacturers game of only releasing the bike in a couple of colour options in the first year of release and then the next year add a few more to distinguish it as the 'new' model year and drum up a few more sales.It is my guess that the 250 will be for foreign markets and not for the U.S. If they keep the price of the 400 close to that of the current 300 it should sell well. Would like to see a few more colors also.
At this stage I prefer the black option, the KRT looks a bit 'busy' for my liking and accentuates the beaky nose.
Yeah the pricing will be interesting for sure. Not just on the actual bike but the accessory options too. I would be looking at getting the Akrapovic titanium exhaust if I ordered one.
At this stage I prefer the black option, the KRT looks a bit 'busy' for my liking and accentuates the beaky nose.
I actually like the KRT scheme this time! Except I could do without the actual "Kawasaki Racing Team" at the bottom. I noticed 636 has the same text at the same location.
Nothing that cant be carefully removed I'm sure. I dont really like the 400 splashed down the side of it, the black model just has a small subtle 400 on the tail section.I actually like the KRT scheme this time! Except I could do without the actual "Kawasaki Racing Team" at the bottom. I noticed 636 has the same text at the same location.
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Nothing that cant be carefully removed I'm sure. I dont really like the 400 splashed down the side of it, the black model just has a small subtle 400 on the tail section.
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It will probably be a good looking bike seen in person. I like the black one too. Maybe could use a little subtle extra graphics.
Yes you cant beat the 'in the flesh' test. Was thinking the same about the graphics, maybe some silver striping or highlights but nothing too bright?It will probably be a good looking bike seen in person. I like the black one too. Maybe could use a little subtle extra graphics.
Unfortunately I live in a small town with a dealer who does Triumph and KTM as well as Kawasaki so he may not get one in for the showroom floor, hard to know.
Knowing me I will have my order in well before the boat leaves Japan anyways. I'm assuming these bikes are made in Japan??
Edit: Just realised I'm posting all this in the 250 thread. Apologies.
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