Kawasaki Z250 review, test ride

The Z250 is a stable bike in a straight line. Braking on the Z250 is good, with strong enough bite. We managed to bring the Z250 to halt from 80kph in 30.25 meters. It’s a shame that Kawasaki will not provide ABS brakes on the Z250 in India, neither standard nor as a paid option.

The Kawasaki Z250 is styled to guarantee a second look, and its top quality feels more than an added bonus here as well. Manageable weight and city friendly handling gives the Z250 an edge over segment rivals. This is a bike that aims to deliver everyday usability and sporting flavor in equal doses. While it embodies the traits expected of any top flight Japanese motorcycle, the Z250 lacks the torquey power delivery required for stop and go urban riding in India. Priced at Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Z250 is flanked by the potent KTM Dukes on one side as city slickers, and its own versatile, alluring sibling, the Ninja 300 on the other more sporty side, which does make the Z250 feel like it is sitting between a rock and a hard place in some ways. 

Specifications

Price                                  Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

On Sale                              Now

L/W/H                                2010/750/1025mm

Wheelbase                          1400mm

Fuel tank capacity              17 litres

Kerb weight                       168kg

Engine layout                     Four-stroke, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled

Displacement                     249cc

Power                                 31.1bhp at 11000rpm

Torque                                2.2kgm at 10000rpm

Specific output                  124.9bhp per litre

Power to weight                185.1bhp per tonne

Gearbox                             6-speed, 1-down, 5-up

Front suspension                Telescopic forks

Rear suspension                Monoshock, box section swingarm

Front brake                        290mm petal disc

Rear brake                         220mm petal disc

Wheels                               5-spoke alloy

Rim size (f-r)                     17inches

Tyre size (f-r)                    110/70 x 17- 140/70 x 17inches