2012 Kawasaki Ninja� 250

Kawasaki has released information about 2012 Kawasaki Ninja� 250. As shown on Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A.�s website, the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja� 250 has the same specs as the 2011 Ninja 250R, only it�s missing the �R�. The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja� 250 is powered by 249cc liquid-cooled parallel Twin engine with a six-speed transmission. And despite Honda upping the ante with the fuel-injected CBR250R, Kawasaki is keeping its Keihin CVK30 carbs instead of importing the fuel-injected version available in other markets.

Like the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, the 2012 Ninja� 250 has a 4.8 gallon fuel tank, 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork, preload-adjustable rear suspension and a the same claimed weight of �374.9.

Kawasaki will offer the 2012 Ninja� 250 in three color options: Passion Red/Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black and Candy Lime Green. The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 is priced at $4,199, an increase from the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R�s $3,999 price tag.

But what about the missing �R�? Until 2008, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R was known by various names over the years and depending on where you were in the world. Some called it the EX250, some called it the GPX-250R, and some called it the ZZR-250. In 2008, Kawasaki rebranded the motorcycle around the world as the Ninja 250R.

Why did Kawasaki drop the �R�? Probably to differentiate between its faired street bikes from its ZX supersports. In 2011, Kawasaki offered a Ninja 650R and, in some markets, a Ninja 400R, but the Ninja 1000 went without the R. Don�t be surprised to see the Ninja 650 lose its R this year.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja� 250 Specification

MSRP standard / special edition: $4,199 / $4,449
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
Displacement: 249cc
Bore x stroke: 62.0 x 41.2mm
Compression ratio:11.6:1
Cooling: Liquid
Carburetion: Keihin CVK30 x 2
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive: O-ring chain
Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel
Wheelbase: 55.1 in.
Rake / trail: 26 degrees / 3.2 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork / 4.7 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Bottom-link Uni-Trak� with 5-way adjustable preload / 5.1 in.
Front tire: 110/70-17
Rear tire: 130/70-17
Front brake: Single 290mm hydraulic petal disc with two-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with two-piston caliper
Overall length: 82.1 in.
Overall width: 28.1 in.
Overall height: 43.7 in.
Seat height: 30.5 in.
Curb weight: 374.9 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 4.8 gal.
Color choices / special edition:Candy Lime Green, Metallic Spark Black, Passion Red/Metallic Spark Black

Warranty: 12 months Optional Good Times� Protection Plan : 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

*Note: Specifications and pricing are subject to change.

Source: Kawasaki