KAWASAKI'S new Ninja 250R has broken cover via its own Japanese-language micro-site and despite still tracing its heritage to the mid-80s GPZ250R it really has been seriously updated this time around.
The parallel twin engine gets new cylinders, crank cases and pistons, along with dual throttle valves for the revamped fuel injection system. It's bolted to a redesigned frame, still made of steel tubes but developed to reduce vibrations. New suspension and wheels at both ends, along with new brakes - including an ABS option – mean there's really very little left that's been transferred from the existing version.
On board, the instruments are up-to-date, with an analogue rev counter and digital display for everything else, while the styling is right in line with the ZX-10R and the promised new ZX-6R that's expected to make its appearance any time now.
The aerodynamics continue under the fairing, too. Waste air from the radiator is now ducted downwards and out of the bottom of the fairing, allowing smaller side vents in the fairing and keeping the heat away from the rider.
There's no word on power yet, but we'd expect it to be somewhere in the region of 33bhp, while weight is similar to the old model at 172kg (174kg for the ABS version) complete with fuel.
