Ninja 250 Models

A Note to Canadian Consumers:
Kawasaki Canada has published what appears to be an incorrect model number and incorrect specification sheet for the 2001 model year Ninja 250R. I believe the specifications at the bottom of this document to be correct. The version on Kawasaki's web site was right last year; but this year it appears to be a blend of the EX250-H (correct) and EX250-F (US model) specifications.

A Note to Australian Consumers:
Kawasaki Australia has published what appear to be incorrect tire sizes for the 2001 model year GPX 250R. I believe the specifications at the bottom of this document to be correct.

Quick tour of the EX250 models (also known as "Ninja 250R"):

The EX250-E was introduced in Japan, the US, and Canada in 1986, and produced through the 1987 model year. In Japan, the UK, and Australia, this bike is known as the "GPZ 250R".
The EX250-F was introduced in the US and Canada in 1988, and available in the UK, Japan, and Australia as the "GPX 250". It was discontinued in Canada as of the 1999 model year. I'm not sure when it was discontinued overseas (1997?), but as of 2000 and 2001 is only available in the US. 2001 MSRP: $3,299 US.
The EX250-H was introduced in Japan, the UK and Australia in 1992 as the ZZ-R250. It was introduced in Canada for the 2000 model year. 2001 MSRP: $6,199 CDN.

The F is a mild redesign of the E series -- to make it look nicer and cost less. The body & seat were changed, a lower cowl added for the F, lost the preload adjustment in the rear shock, the carbs were changed from 32mm to 30mm Keihins, the wheels were changed (front rotor-side, spoke type), prime position removed from petcock, very minor motor/transmission tweaking.

The H series is a fairly major change from the F series. The bodywork was seriously upgraded to not look as cheap -- nicer lines, and a black "lining" on the inside of the upper fairing so the rider can't see all the nuts and bolts. (Like most modern bikes; think of a CBR 1100XX). The power plant remains the same, but the ignition was upgraded from CDI to digital TCBI. The frame has been altered to a newer (1992!) design and is now aluminium instead of steel. The wheels were changed from coloured 16" to brushed aluminium 17", for better tire selection and better looks. Other less important features have also been added, too -- adjustable rear pre-load, prime position on petcock, extra helmet lock, fairing-side storage compartment, etc. Finally, the H series is about 20 lbs heavier, with wheel base about ¼" longer, than the F series.

Differences within a series are very, very minor -- paint colour, bold new graphics, and exhaust (black/chrome).

Finally, there is another bike which may be marketed as a Ninja 250 -- the Kawasaki ZXR-250, which is an inline 4, and not imported to North America (or any other 1st-world country besides Japan that I am aware of). This bike does not meet emissions requirements for the US or Canada. If anybody can confirm what this bike is marketed as, or exactly where it is available (besides Japan, Argentina, and grey-market Australia) I would appreciate the information.

Here is a collection of specifications which I have gathered from Kawasaki's various web sites and paper publications, colated in a usable manner with common Canadian units of measure

	EX250-E	EX250-F	EX250-H
Engine Type	DOHC, 4-valve, 4-Stroke, Parallel Twin	DOHC, 8-valve, 4-Stroke Parallel Twin	DOHC, 8-vavle, 4-Stroke, Parallel Twin
Displacement	248cc	248cc	248cc
Bore × Stroke	62.0 × 41.2mm	62.0 × 41.2mm	62.0 × 41.2mm
Compression Ratio	12:1	12.4:1	12.4:1
Cooling	Liquid	Liquid	Liquid
Carburetion	Keihin CVK32 × 2	Keihin CVK30 × 2	Keihin CVKD30 × 2 with High-Velocity Induction Technology (H.I.TEC)
Ignition	CDI (electronic advance)	CDI (electronic advance)	Digital TCBI (computerized advance)
Transmission	6-speed with Positive Neutral Finder®	6-speed with Positive Neutral Finder®	6-speed with Positive Neutral Finder®
Top Gear overall drive ratio	8.268	8.859
Final Drive	Chain (42/14)	Chain (42/14)	Chain
Suspension, front	Hydraulic telescopic fork (35mm)	Hydraulic telescopic fork (36mm)	Hydraulic telescopic fork (37mm)
Suspension, rear	UNI-TRAK® system with single shock and adjustable preload	UNI-TRAK® system with single shock	UNI-TRAK® system with single shock and adjustable preload
Wheel travel, front	5.5"	5.5"	4.9"
Wheel travel, rear	5.1"	5.1"	4.3"
Brakes, front/rear	B.A.C. disc/disc	B.A.C. disc/disc	B.A.C. disc/disc
Ground clearance	5.3"	6.1"
Rake/trail	27°/3.3"	27°/3.3"	26.5°/3.3"
Frame Type	Tubular, Diamond	Tubular, Diamond	Aluminium double box-section diamond frame
Max. Horsepower (crank)	37.4 HP @11,000 rpm .au spec is 39.5HP @12,500 rpm	37.4 HP @11,000 rpm .au spec is @12,000 rpm	39.5 HP @12,500 rpm
Max. Torque	18.1 ft·lbs @10,000 rpm .au spec is 17.4 ft·libs @11,000 rpm	18.1 ft·lbs @10,000 rpm	17.4 ft·lbs @10,000 rpm
Dimensions (l×w×h)	78.1" × 27.4" × 42.3"	80.1" × 28.0" × 43.1"	80.7" × 27.6" × 44.3"
Seat Height	29.3"	29.3"	29.9"
Front Tire Size	130/80-16	100/80-16	100/80-17
Rear Tire Size	130/80-16	130/80-16	140/80-17
Wheelbase	56"	55.1"	55.3"
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.6L (3.2 US gal)	18L (4.8 US gal)	18L (4.8 US gal)
Dry Weight (claimed)	305 lbs	304 lbs	326 lbs
Centrestand	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tachometer	Yes	Yes	Yes
Photo (click to enlarge)

wes@ninja250.kingston.net

Last modified: Sat Mar 10 17:49:53 EST