The onset of twin cylindered quarter liter aggression has begun in India, it seems! The Suzuki Inazuma with its laidback and relaxed touring abilities, is considered to be a gentle option in the segment. The Hyosung GT250R, with its big bike looks appeals to the sports motorcycle loving junta and in comes a naked street-fighter which has been missing from the scene! Yes…the Kawasaki Z250 is here..
Launched today after a delay of few months, Z250 looks stylish from any angle you look at it. It is here to kill the competition, but will it be able to…? Here is a quick spec and price comparo of this quarter liter with the other twin cylinder motorcycles we have in India…
Z250 vs GT250R vs Inazuma
| Specification | Suzuki Inazuma | Hyosung GT 250R | Kawasaki Ninja Z250 |
| Engine | 248 cc, 2 cylinder, liquid cooled, SOHC | 249cc V-twin, oil cooled | 249 cc liquid cooled, parallel twin, DOHC |
| Max. Power | 26.4 PS at8500 rpm | 28bhp at 8000 rpm | 32 PS at 11000 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 22 Nm at 6500 rpm | 22.7Nm at 8000rpm | 21 Nm at 10000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6 speed | 5 speed | 6 speed |
| Seat Height | 780 mm | N/A | 785 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165 mm | 155 mm | 145 mm |
| Weight | 183 kg | 188 kg | 168 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 13.3 L | 17 L | 17 L |
| Price | Rs 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 2.76 lakhs (ex-showroom, Pune) | Rs 2.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) |
The Kawasaki Z250 is lighter than both the Hyosung and Suzuki by at least 15 kilos..we repeat..at least 15 kilos! One look at the power figures and well, you don’t need a genius to add two and two together and rate the Kwacker as the motorcycle with the best power to weight ratio in this list.
Performancewise also, we expect it to be a belter of a motorcycle and for all of you who have ridden the Ninja 250R, it doesn’t need any proof! All the three motorcycles produce about similar torque figures, however, the ‘Z’ produces it at significantly higher rpms. Inazuma, hence feels a much more torquey motor primarily because it has its torque peaking at as early as 6500 rpm.
The GT250R is the only motorcycle here which comes with a 5-speed gearbox, rest both the nakeds sport 6-speed transmission. At 17 liters of fuel tank capacity, Z250 will also have one of the highest travel ranges among these three motorcycles.
When it comes to looks, the Kawasaki again wins it hands down. Following the menacing design philosophy of its elder siblings Z800 and Z1000, it has the right level of aggression that is so required in a naked street racer. The piercing head lamps and forward set cowl, sets the pace for a mighty fast pull down the tarmac.
The only problem, a big one that is, seems to be the price. At Rs 2.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) the Z250 is costlier than anything you see here. The Ninja 250R when it was launched here in India back in 2009 sported a price tag of Rs 2.69 Lakh ex-showroom. And heck, it makes the Inazuma look real value for money. So, the next question, we know, is – how does it fare against the Single cylinder competition, primarily the KTMs..? We will share a comparo soon…
