20 Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Kawasaki Ninja 250R in Bajaj Probiking Showrooms soon..!!

Kawasaki Ninja 250R coming to your Bajaj Probiking Showroom.. Soon..!!

A Baby Ninja (250R) was strategically placed in the center and ahead from all the other Kawasaki products displayed at the Bajaj Pavilion.

If that's not hint enough, then a senior Bajaj Official present in the Pavilion told me that chances of the 2008 Ninja 250R coming to India is pretty high..!!

Isn't she a sight for sore eyes..??

Of late everything has been falling into place for me..

# Quit my I.T job in Bangalore (still can't call it "Bengaluru")

# Joined a company where my boss talks about doing stoppies on his Apache RTR 160

# I get access to Auto Expo 2008 on the day reserved for the press (thanks to my new job. Talk about being in the right place in the right time.)

# Only to be greeted by the news that Bajaj will bring the 2008 Ninja 250R in India

In one sentence, "Life is beautiful..!!

Just take a peek at three of my posts made in October 2007.. "Nostradamus" couldn't have done a better job I'd say.

• 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R..!! Bring this one to India please [October 14, 2007]



• I’d rather ride a 250-400 cc slowly through a pothole, than “Day Dream” of riding the R1 on the Golden Quadrilateral..!! [Oct 27, 2007]



• 30 BHP, 250 cc, Twin Cylinder Bikes are for Ladies..!! [Oct 28, 2007]

I still maintain that 250 cc, twin cylinder bikes are for ladies.. but considering my financial constraints, I can't think of a better way to age gracefully and lose the rest of my hair.


The Price hasn't been decided yet but the Ninja 250R is expected to appear in India by Mid 2008.

By the way, the 2008 Ninja is manufactured in Thailand and sold for $ 3,500 in the U.S. So if Bajaj could get the the Ninja 250 in "CKD" (Completely Knocked Down) or "SKD" (Semi Knocked down) kits (to ease the custom duties), then we could probably get the Ninja 250R for anywhere between 2.0 - 2.5 lakhs.

Tech Specs of the 2008 Ninja 250R sold in the U.S.A:

• Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin


• Displacement: 249cc


• Maximum power : 32PS (31.56 hp) at 11,000rpm


• Maximum torque: 21.7Nm at 10,000rpm


• Cooling: Liquid

• Carburetion: Keihin CVK30 x 2
  (The European 2008 Ninja 250R features "Fuel Injection" instead of Carburetion and produces slighty lesser peak power of 30 Ps)


• Transmission: Six-speed


• Final drive: O-ring chain

• Frame: Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel


• Wheelbase: 1390mm(NA Model) - 54.72 in


• Front suspension / wheel travel: 37mm hydraulic telescopic fork


• Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak with aluminum linkage / Preload Adjustable


• Front tire: 110/70-17


• Rear tire: 130/80-17


• Front brake: Single 290mm hydraulic petal disc with two-piston caliper


• Rear brake: Single 220mm petal disc with two-piston caliper

• Overall length: 2080mm


• Overall width: 710mm


• Overall height: 1115mm


• Seat height: 780mm


• Dry weight: 151kg

• Fuel capacity: 18 liters


• Color choices: Lime Green, Ebony, Passion Red, Candy Plasma Blue


• Price (for U.S): $3,499

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.