Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Discussion area for Newer Riders and LAM's bikes including the Ninja 250

Moderator: Six Addict

Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Kermit » Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:21 am


CBR250R for USA Market

After almost 20 years of being absent in the USA 250cc sportbike market, American Honda is coming back with the aggressively styled liquid-cooled CBR250R and CBR250R ABS. Although pricing hasn’t been released, there are plenty of details that may make Kawasaki — makers of the outstanding $3999 Ninja 250R — nervous about its USA sales (which have been tremendous).

The new CBR is clearly aimed at the smallest Ninja. The motor is a 249cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve dual-overhead-cam Single, smoothed out and sophisticated with fuel-injection and a counterbalancer. The frame appears to be tubular steel, and the bodywork — love it or hate it — seems heavily influenced by the controversial new VFR1200. Wheels are 17-inchers, shod with radial tires (the back tire, a 140/70-17, is 10mm wider than the Ninja’s), and braking is handled with a two-piston caliper and 296mm disc in front. ABS is available. Seat height is .4 inches higher than the Ninja’s at 30.9 inches, but the seat looks very narrow at the front, negating that difference. Curb weight is a claimed 359 pounds, 15 pounds lighter than the 250R (add 9 pounds for ABS). Tank size is smaller than the Ninja’s 4.8 gallons at 3.4 gallons of dino-milk, but I’m guessing the FI Single might best the parallel-twin Ninja on range thanks to better fuel economy.

The theme in the moto-press for 2011 will be how the two bikes compare. It looks like the Honda will be a more nimble performer (both bikes have monoshock suspension and 37mm forks) thanks to its lighter weight and shorter 53.9-inch wheelbase. However, the motor could fall short in performance — it’s not the zesty, big-power mill out of the CRF250R motocrosser, but an all-new unit with lower compression and longer stroke, probably tuned for torque and newbie-friendliness. If the Ninja puts around 26 horsepower on the ground, expect the CBR to do somewhat less — although it may best it on torque.

But the main issue will be price. Honda usually prices its products at a slight premium over the competition, which means the base model could be $4500 or more and the ABS-equipped version could be over $5000. But will the sporty styling and Honda nameplate be enough to lure customers away from Kawasaki’s best-selling sportbike? Whatever the results, 2011 will be doubly interesting to small-displacement sportbike fans.



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/10/cbr250r-for-usa-market/

Image
Image
User avatar
Kermit
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1651
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Sydney
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby robracer » Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:54 am

Ugly.... don't like the like hit by a bus squashed looking front end look in the second shot.... it has wings?
User avatar
robracer
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 15251
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 8:23 pm
Location: Port Macquarie
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Smitty » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:13 pm

robracer wrote:Ugly.... don't like the like hit by a bus squashed looking front end look in the second shot.... it has wings?


with ya there....

its styling is based on the fugly VFR1200...which hasnt won any design awards :roll:
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!
User avatar
Smitty
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10900
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
Bike: ZX12R
State: Victoria

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby tim » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:55 pm

agree as soon as i saw the front end didn't like it... The fairing is too short or something.... Has a bit of a dirt bike look to it....
2008 ZX6R Special Edition
User avatar
tim
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 5815
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:12 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby MickLC » Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:46 pm

Bet they must be spewin' about how many sales they've lost to the Ninja 250 already :twisted:
'13 Z1000, '76 Z650+,'91 KLR250, '95 ZX6R Racebike
User avatar
MickLC
Team Crim
 
Posts: 5429
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Bike: Z1000
State: ACT

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Glen » Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:18 pm

Looks like it's back to the days of actively marketing reasonable 250's. I can't understand why they've been so slow on the uptake. It's an ugly little sucker though

When I were a lad you had the Z250, GSX250, the CB250 Honda Hawk. Looks like not much has changed at Honda
It's really all about standing around drinking Dave's beer.
2008 ZRX1200 Greeeeen Roadie
2016 KTM Superduke 1290 Oraaaaange
2016 Seadoo RXTX300
Too many toys.......work is getting in the way!!!!
User avatar
Glen
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 7268
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Kellyville
Bike: ZRX
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Strika » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:15 pm

I am not sure how they can assume that the Honda will have better fuel consumption than the little Ninja?? After all, the twin will usually not be working as hard for any given road speed. The single would have to be geared taller as it won't rev as hard, thus it would most likely be well loaded at 100-110kph. It will be interesting to see it in reality.

I also think the twin cylinder would be a much nicer engine to live with day to day than a single. Even with a multitude of balance shafts they still vibrate enough to rattle your fillings out.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
User avatar
Strika
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 8373
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 8:02 am
Location: Melbourne
Bike: Yamaha
State: Victoria

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby shinya56 » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:24 pm

what a ugly looking bike !!! looks like honda going backwards with this one :roll:
shinya56
KSRC Member
KSRC Member
 
Posts: 108
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2010 7:53 pm
Bike: Suzuki
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby aardvark » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:50 pm

Smitty wrote:its styling is based on the fugly VFR1200...which hasnt won any design awards :roll:


The tremendously uninspiring VE Sportwagon won a design award. Which only goes to show you how much credence you should give "desgin awards".

I for one think the VFR1200 is an impressive looking piece of kit.
User avatar
aardvark
Apprentice Post Whore :-)
Apprentice Post Whore :-)
 
Posts: 5766
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2004 6:45 pm
Location: Adelaide, S.A.
Bike: Yamaha
State: South Australia

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Kermit » Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:25 pm

The old CBR250RR, has double the hp & doesnt require a keg of beer to make it look pretty in comparison to its successor, this is a let down for Honda enthusiasts.

Has honda done this purposefully as this is the R model and not RR? Therefore the successor to the old RR will be a better package?

Either way honda have given themselves the hard task in marketing it, perhaps Koichi KONDO was drunk when he signed off on it.
User avatar
Kermit
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1651
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Sydney
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Smitty » Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:50 pm

aardvark wrote:.............
I for one think the VFR1200 is an impressive looking piece of kit.


well here it is

Image

and I just dont get it...looks like it has already run into something :)
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!
User avatar
Smitty
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10900
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun
Bike: ZX12R
State: Victoria

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Reedy » Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:27 pm

Friends don't let friends ride hondas! :kuda:
User avatar
Reedy
KSRC Member
KSRC Member
 
Posts: 491
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:02 pm
Location: Sydney
Bike: Honda
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby GPZ_Jim » Fri Oct 29, 2010 12:39 am

Seems a bit weird to come up with a 250 single for the usa market where they have no novice restrictions.. surely the only ppl that would consider it would be potential CBR 125 customers.. also 5K is a lot of $$ considering the retail for a ninja twofiddy is like 3.5K in the us? that would mean 10K+ or so here?? Almost the cost of a Ninja 650.. :lol: :shock:

So much for progress eh! :kuda:
GPZ_Jim
KSRC Member
KSRC Member
 
Posts: 470
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:15 am
Location: Newcastle/ Lake Macquarie
Bike: GPz500
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Kermit » Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:12 am

User avatar
Kermit
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1651
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Sydney
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: Ninja 250R has a new competitor

Postby Kermit » Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:08 am

More photos

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
Kermit
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1651
Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Sydney
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Next

Return to Newer Riders and LAMS Bike Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests