Single Cylinder Kawasaki 250RR Mono: First Ride Impressions & Closer Look

Overshadowed by the revelations from the Auto Expo, there is a very important development brewing up in the quarter liter motorcycle space in the world.

New-Ninja-250RR-Mono-250SL-white

We had earlier reported in detail about Kawasaki’s renewed interest in the 250cc segment, this time with an entry level offering! Called as the Kawasaki Ninja 250 RR Mono, the new Ninja is the single cylinder version from the Kawasaki’s Ninja stables and was unveiled in Indonesia just a few days back.

We have some grave interest in the motorcycle and feel this is tailor-made for our growing Indian 250cc segment, if and when Kawasaki plans to launch it in the country.

Moving a step ahead, the guys at Motoupdate.com have taken the Ninja 250 RR Mono for a spin at a race track and let us take a look at the important pointers from the ‘What to expect’ hope-book along with taking an upclose look at what the Ninja 250 RR Mono has to offer.

New-Ninja-250RR-Mono-250SL-headlight

The single-cylinder, quarter litre Ninja has two monikers : Ninja 250 SL and the Ninja RR Mono. The usage from the two options depends on the country where the bike is sold; in Indonesia the new bike will be called the Ninja RR Mono and will replace the older Ninja 150 RR. In other countries like Malaysia and Thailand, the bike will be sold by the name of Ninja 250 SL.

The ride experience basing on which we are bringing in an opinion took place at the International Circuit of Sentul in Bogor West Java. Here are the prominent points :

HANDLING:

New-Ninja-250RR-Mono-250SL-side-red

Thanks to a shorter wheelbase and tighter rake and caster angles, the Ninja RR Mono is more agile as compared to the older twin-cylinder Ninja 250 R. The Ninja RR Mono is even 21 kilos lighter than the older Ninja 250R which should be helping the bike in manoeuvrability. This was vindicated by the fact that the Ninja RR Mono was able to maintain a significant lead over the Ninja 250R in both the small and large chicanes of the circuit.

ACCELERATION & GEARING RATIOS :

The single-cylinder character of the bike is prominent and unmistakable. At low revs, the torque spread of the bike is quite even. However, as it starts moving towards the higher ends, it does feel to run out of breaths very unlike the twin cylinder Ninja 250R. Nevertheless, the well sorted gearing ratios help in a claimed top-speed of 153 kmph. Till now, it isn’t clear what the redline RPM of the Ninja RR Mono is. The digital meter of the bike shows a thicker line adjacent to the 10.5k mark; hence it has been assumed as the redline RPM.

New-Ninja-250RR-Mono-250SL (10)

Here are the top speeds in each gear achieved by Motoupdate guys:

  • 1st – 46 km/hr
  • 2nd – 77 km/hr
  • 3rd – 103 km/hr
  • 4th – 121 km/hr
  • 5th – 153 km/hr ( Expected )

ERGONOMICS & RIDING QUALITY :

A striking thing is that the clip-on handle bars of the Ninja RR Mono are positioned under the triple tree clamp. This creates a more aggressive riding posture. In fact, the seat height is quite similar to that on the older twin-cylinder Ninja 250, but the positioning of the handle-bars helps create an even more aggressive stance.

New-Ninja-250RR-Mono-250Sl-speedo

In addition, the construction materials for the seat and the switch-gear are pretty plush at the price range of the bike. The digital console is itself a joy to look at, and it provides clear read-outs even in the daytime. However, some niggles have been reported about the gearbox being a bit notchier as compared to the older Ninja.

Ninja 250RR Mono is available in four colour options:

  1. Lime green
  2. Passion Red
  3. Pearl Stardust White
  4. Pearl Shinning Yellow

KAWASAKI NINJA RR MONO Specifications :

  • Engine type : Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke 1 Cyl DOHC
  • Displacement : 249 cm³
  • Bore x stroke : 72.0 x 61.2 mm
  • Compression ratio : 11.3:1
  • Valve/Induction system : DOHC, 4 valves
  • Fuel system :Fuel injection; ø38 mm x 1
  • Ignition : Keihin, Transistorized Ignition
  • Lubrication : Forced lubrication, wet sump
  • Maximum power 20.6 kW / 9,700 rpm
  • Maximum torque 22,6 N·m { kgf·m} / 8,200 rpm
  • Max Speed : 153 km/h
  • Transmission : 6-speed, return
  • Final Drive : Sealed chain
  • Primary reduction ratio 2.800 (84/30)
  • Gear ratios: 1st 3.000 (393/11)
  • Gear ratios: 2nd 1.933 (29/159)
  • Gear ratios: 3rd 1.444 (31/22)
  • Gear ratios: 4th 1.217 (28/23)
  • Gear ratios: 5th 1.045 (23/22)
  • Gear ratios: 6th 0.923 (24/26)
  • Final reduction ratio 3.000 (42/14)
  • Clutch : Wet multi-disc, manual
  • Frame type : Tube diamond
  • Rake/Trail : 24° / 90 mm
  • Wheel travel : Front 110 mm
  • Wheel travel :  Rear 116 mm
  • Tyre, front 100/80-17 M/C (52S)
  • Tyre, rear 130/70-17 M/C (62S)
  • Steering angle, left / right 36° / 36°
  • Suspension : Front telescopic fork
  • Suspension : Rear Bottom-Link Uni-Trax swing arm
  • Brakes : Front Single 263 mm petal disc; Caliper: dual-piston.
  • Brakes : Rear Single 193 mm petal disc; Caliper: Dual-piston.
  • Dimensions (L x W x H) : 1.935 mm x 685 mm x 1,075 mm
  • Wheelbase : 1,330 mm
  • Road Clearance : 165 mm
  • Seat height : 780 mm
  • Fuel capacity : 11 litres
  • Curb Mass : 151 kg

The Ninja RR Mono could make its way to our Indian streets, given the aggressive push of Kawasaki India in the recent times. Prices of Ninja RR Mono have not been disclosed yet, but speculations peg them at somewhere just over Rs 2 Lac in Indonesia when converted to INR.

So, will you prefer the Ninja 250RR Mono over CBR250R, if Kawasaki launches it in India?