As reported earlier, Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki is rumoured to make a production model of a quarter-litre inline-4-cylinder engine in the 250cc class and that the engine was already ready in the prototype form. According to a media report, the bike with the aforementioned engine is ready and is expected to debut this year at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The new motorcycle is likely to be named Ninja ZX-25R and will possess the new inline-four-cylinder engine which is currently in its prototype form. Other motorcycle brands such as Honda, had the production models in the 1980’s, in the similar 250cc 4-cylinder configuration and were quite popular in the past.
The motorcycle is expected to feature a modern-day aerodynamic supersport design similar to the current Ninja 400 and is expected to host features like LED headlamps and taillamps, a fully digital instrument console, a ride by wire system, upside down front fork, fully adjustable link-type rear monoshock and riding modes. The bike is expected to come with a single hydraulically operated disc brake equipped with a ABS system on both the front and rear wheels.
The engine output figures on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R are not available at the moment, but for comparison the current Ninja 300 which is powered by a 4-stroke, twin-cylinder engine with a displacement of 296cc produces 39 PS of power and 26 Nm of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed transmission. The Honda CBR250RR which is also powered by a quarter litre twin-cylinder inline 249.7cc engine produces 38.7 PS of power and 23.3 Nm of torque coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. The Inline-four engine on the Ninja ZX-25R will be more capable in terms of output, and it will be able to rev higher in the range. The engine is expected to be EuroV/BSVI compliant.
If Kawasaki launches the bike in India, it is expected to come via the CKD route to keep the costs in check, the bike will be priced at a premium and is likely to be placed above the Ninja 300 which is priced at INR 2.98 lakh ex-showroom.
The motorcycle is expected to be launched in the Indonesian market at the Kawasaki Bike Week next year.