Kawasaki has unveiled the much awaited Z250, the brand’s latest addition to the stable at the ongoing 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The Kawasaki Z250 is the naked street version of the Ninja 250. The Z250 looks very similar to its elder sibling, the Z1000 which is a good thing indeed. The Z250 is a descendant to the Z-series consisting of the Z1000, Z1000 SX and Z800 bikes. The front-end of the Kawasaki Z250 is unmistakably Japanese and indicates the possibility that this could be the firm’s new design language that would be incorporated on the next-generation streetfighter bikes in the company’s lineup.
The Kawasaki Z250 is powered by a 249cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine that is complemented by fuel injection technology which uses dual valve throttle that results in precise control of air intake and eventually increased efficiency. This engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The motor is borrowed from the Ninja 250 and thus produces 32 PS of peak power at 11,000 RPM.
The engine block gets sleeveless aluminium die-cast plating for better heat dissipation that translates into better overall efficiency. Increased torque is supposedly evident from low to mid-range RPM. The Kawasaki Z250 is 750 mm wide, 1025 mm tall while the wheelbase remains the same as the Ninja 300 at 1405 mm. It is also 4 kgs lighter than the Ninja 300. The Z250 is fitted with a wider handlebar providing a more upright and comfortable riding position.
Key features of the Kawasaki Z250 include a compact headlamp cowl, new speedometer with white LED light, redesigned side mirrors and a smaller rake angle. Chassis is made up of high-tensile steel in the form of diamond shape to provide higher stiffness and improved rigidity. Kawasaki is building their lineup for the Indian market steadily and we would not be surprised if this bike made its India debut at the 2014 Auto Expo. If launched in India, the Kawasaki Z250 will be priced around Rs. 3 lakhs.
