Unique features
- Aggressive Ninja styling
- Powerful parallel-twin engine
- Compact size and weight
- Low seat height

Engine
- 649cc parallel twin-cylinder, DOHC engine
- Most compact engine is the in its category, even smaller than the Ninja 500’s, which helps reduce the dimension of the entire motorcycle
- Tuned to deliver smooth, responsive power in the low-to mid-rpm range with exceptional roll-on response for negotiating city traffic
- Triangular crank and transmission shaft layout makes the engine very short from front to back, a semi-dry sump oil system reduces overall engine height, and the narrow pitch of the chrome composite plated aluminum cylinders reduce engine width
- Muffler with 3-way catalyzer and bullet-tip opening is mounted below the engine for a lower center of gravity and better weight centralization
- 180-degree crankshaft plus balancer shaft for extremely smooth engine operation
- Oil jets on the connecting rod big ends spray oil on the undersides of the pistons to aid cooling

Liquid Cooling
- Coolant is routed through the engine cases to reduce external hoses
- Maintains consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use
- Allows closer engine tolerances for more horsepower

Digital Fuel Injection
- Sub-throttle valves in 38mm Keihin throttle bodies provide optimum performance and rideability
- Located behind the main throttle valves, the sub-throttles are controlled by the DFI® system ECU to give a precise throttle response, similar to a constant-velocity carburetor
- Automatic fast idle system makes starting and warm-up easy
- Precise fuel injection plus exhaust catalyzer significantly reduce emissions

Digital Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI) System
- Microprocessor-controlled timing never needs adjusting and is ultra-responsive to engine requirements
- Spark plug mounted “stick” ignition coils are compact and help reduce weight

Six-Speed Transmission
- Cassette-style transmission with the transmission shafts and shifts in a single, compact layout that’s easily removed from the cases for maintenance

Trellis Frame
- High tensile steel trellis frame is small and light
- Optimum stiffness balance for better handling worked out in three-dimensional computer design analysis
- Narrow at the knees and feet for rider comfort and control

Single-Shock Rear Suspension
- Short, compact frame and engine design allows a longer swingarm and better overall handling
- Braced swingarm and offset, laydown single rear shock supplement the integrated visual flow from the steering head to the rear hub in the frame design

Triple Petal Design Brake Discs
- Petal rotor design –like its Ninja ZX™-6R and ZX-10R supersports brethren - offer improved cooling and warp resistance

Six-spoke wheels
- Six-spoke design uses the same engineering as the Ninja ZX-6R and ZX-10R and requires much less material between spokes for a thinner rim and a lighter wheel

Confidence-Inspiring Cockpit
- Low, narrow seat combined with the slim overall design allows riders to firmly plant both feet on the ground when stopped
- Carefully designed ergonomics present a natural, comfortable riding position
- Textured seat cover helps keep the rider planted

Bodywork
- Stylish full fairing with aerodynamic windscreen cuts through the wind and helps protect the rider
- Integrated front turn signals with clear lenses enhance appearance

Twin-cylinder 498cc Engine
- Compact parallel-twin design
- Superior engineering produces sport bike power with broad usable torque
- Good mass centralization for superior handling

Liquid Cooling
- Provides consistent engine temperatures for long engine life and sustained power during hard use
- Allows closer engine tolerances for more horsepower
- Includes temperature gauge

Auxiliary Cooling Fan
- Maintains optimum temperature for best performance, fuel economy and reliability

Four Valves per Cylinder
- Provides maximum valve area for optimum flow
- Better breathing for more power at high rpm and strong low-end torque
- Compact combustion chamber for increased compression ratio without detonation on today’s gasolines

34mm CVK Semi-flat Slide Carburetors
- Precise fuel metering provides uniform power delivery at all engine speeds
- Quick throttle response

Digital Ignition
- Microprocessor-controlled timing never needs adjustment
- Ultra-responsive to engine needs

Six-speed Transmission
- Translates into a gear for all speeds, excellent acceleration and relaxed highway cruising

Positive Neutral Finder
- A Kawasaki exclusive
- Just lift the shift pedal from first at a stop to find neutral easily, every time

Standard Half Fairing
- Offers rider wind protection for more comfort
- Incorporates large, easy-to-read instruments with two resettable trip meters
- Stylish lower fairing completes the Ninja® image

Double-cradle Steel Box-section Frame
- High-tensile steel perimeter frame
- Lightweight, with superior rigidity for more precise handling and better control

37mm Front Fork
- Large-diameter fork tubes with thin walls for light weight and exceptional rigidity

Dual-Piston Caliper Front Disc Brake
- Disc is drilled for better cooling and reduced unsprung weight
- Dual-piston caliper increases braking effectiveness

Bottom-link UNI-TRAK® Rear Suspension
- Lowers the center of gravity for better handling
- Progressive rate provides a smoother, more controlled ride
- Lightweight aluminum components provide quick suspension response

Rear Disc Brake
- Powerful and controllable
- Single-piston caliper

17-inch Wheels
- Wide, modern 17-inch rims fit low-profile, high-performance tires

Sidestand and Centerstand
- Permits easy parking, cleaning or servicing

Budget Friendly
- Affordable retail price

DOHC 249cc Parallel Twin-cylinder Engine
- Compact parallel-twin design offers good mass centralization for superior handling
- Tuned to deliver smooth, step-free power with an emphasis on low- and mid-range power for rider-friendly response
- Pistons feature reinforced heads and strengthening in the pin boss area for increased durability
- Thick piston (longitudinally) rings help minimize oil consumption
- Combustion chamber design optimized to maximize combustion efficiency and reduce emissions
- Ample high-rpm performance will please riders using the full range of the engine

Cylinder head
- Refined intake and exhaust ports contribute to good off-idle response and smooth power delivery
- Valve timing and lift were designed for strong low- and mid-range torque
- Direct valve actuation ensures reliable high-rpm operability
- Valves with thin heads and stems reduce reciprocating weight

Carburetor
- Twin Keihin CVK30 carburetors fine-tuned for good power feel and low fuel consumption

Exhaust system
- 2-into-1 system contributes to the Ninja 250R’s low- and mid-range torque and smooth, step-free power curve
- Slightly upswept silencer extensively tested to determine chamber size, connecting pipe length and diameter to achieve least noise and most power
- Meets strict emissions with dual catalyzers; one in the collector pipe and the other in the silencer
- Using two catalyzers minimizes the power loss
- Positioning the first catalyzer as close to the exhaust ports maximizes its efficiency as well

Reduced mechanical noise
- Cam chain tensioner with an automatic adjuster, like that on the KX™450F motocrosser, eliminates mechanical noise caused by a loose cam chain and reduces power-robbing friction loss
- Silencing mechanical noise allows the use of a freer flowing exhaust for a better sound quality
- Complex construction with reinforcing ribs helps eliminate airbox reverberation and reduce intake noise
- Air filter accessible from the side, for easy replacement

Liquid Cooling
- Latest generation Denso radiator offers superior cooling with minimal space and weight
- Ring-fan uses a quiet-running motor that also saves space
- Fins on the lower side of the crankcase further helps cool the engine

Six-speed Transmission / Clutch
- Involute splines reduce friction and backlash between gears and shafts for easier gear meshing and smooth shifting under power
- Spring-type clutch damper reduces jerkiness at very low speeds and minimizes shocks when rolling on and off the throttle for a smoother clutch feel
- Paper-base friction plates help increase clutch durability

Chassis
- Sturdy and durable diamond-style frame of thick-walled steel tubing offers confidence-inspiring stability at both high and low speeds
- Beefy swingarm bracket contributes to the frame’s rigidity and helps achieve an ideal chassis stiffness balance
- Square-tube swingarm with a 60 x 30mm cross-section further adds to rigidity

Suspension
- New 37mm telescopic front fork with firm settings contribute to the Ninja 250R’s smooth, stable handling and enhanced ride control
- Uni-Trak rear suspension compliments the rigid frame and re-tuned fork and provides great road holding ability
- Rear shock features 5-way adjustable preload, enabling ride height to be maintained whether riding solo or with a passenger

Wheels / Tires
- Features 17” wheels like its larger supersport brothers
- Low-profile sportbike tires on wide rims contribute to its easy, neutral handling at low speeds

Brakes
- Large-diameter, 290mm front petal disc and a balanced action two-piston caliper offers excellent braking performance and a natural, direct feeling at the lever
- Two-piston caliper grips the rear 220mm petal disc

Ergonomics
- Natural riding position with slightly forward-slanting seat and wide, raised handlebars

Bodywork
- Styling matches its larger-displacement Ninja supersport siblings
- Fit and finish of striking full-fairing bodywork on par with that of top-class Ninja supersports
- Aggressive dual-lamp headlight design, slim tail cowl and separate seats further enhance the supersport look
- Front cowling and windscreen offer the rider a substantial amount of wind protection
- Two helmet holders conveniently located under the rear seat
- Under-seat storage can hold a U-lock or similar device
- Two hooks under the tail and the rear passenger pegs provide anchor points for securing items to the rear of the bike

Instrumentation
- Instrument panel features an easy-to-read, large-face analog speedometer along with an analog tachometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge and warning lights