Kawasaki 2008 Ninja 250R test

Al's been in Barcelona testing the new-for-2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Here's how he got on. ...

It's not often you go on a new bike launch having basically ridden the bike before. Even less common that you rode the bike almost 20 years ago. But that's how I feel having ridden the Ninja 250R. Because it's very similar to the Kawasaki GPX250R I rode back in 1991. That bike belonged to my then-girlfriend Nicky Neef (who loved it dearly), and it's very similar to the 'new' bike. They share virtually the same parallel-twin engine, steel tube frame and budget running gear, with some sharp styling that apes its bigger siblings.

The new bike is different of course – it has fuel injection, overhauled engine internals, 17-inch wheels, and is made in Thailand rather than Japan. But it feels very similar to ride. The motor is designed down to the 33bhp limit, and it makes that statutory power in a pretty asthmatic, revvy fashion.

The chassis is similarly low-spec, although the suspension is better than on the GPX, with firmer damping. The brakes are good (like on the GPX), but the budget IRC tyres are dire, with little feel or grip on the (admittedly worn) Barcelona Tarmac.

Out of town, it was more of a laugh, and the little green Kawasaki carved its way through the twisty backroads behind Barcelona with a reasonable dose of elan. Those tyres were a constant worry though.

Kawasaki is aiming the Ninja at young riders, women and folks looking for a budget lightweight sportster, and I'm sure they'll sell a load of them. It's cheap, at £3,295 – but then so it should be, being made in Thailand, with a near-twenty-year-old basic design, and limited spec.

The 250R is in the shops now.