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Comparison test: Honda CBR 250 R against Kawasaki Ninja 250 R

250cc super athlete for beginners

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Honda’s CBR 250 R and the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R occupy supporting roles and are in the shadow of the stars. But like in Hollywood, characters from the second row are often underestimated. A huge mistake!

Just a few weeks ago, the testers at the PS Bridgestone Tuner GP hunted real rockets over the Hockenheimer slope. In the case of the fastest bikes, well over 200 stallions tugged on feather-light chassis, and the power-to-weight ratio was well over one hp per kilogram. And today? The other extreme! In this comparison test, a small engine from the schnapps glass league with measured 26 hp and a vehicle weight of 166 kilos in the Honda CBR 250 R. It doesn’t look much different with the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R from: 31 hp, 173 kilos.

A tough cut that even experienced testers have to get used to. But then the 250 reveals qualities that beginners or those returning to the sport can look forward to. And even appeal to experienced cable pullers who are looking for a speedster for the city or for easy going: extremely light-footed handling, excellent controllability, low costs.

Honda CBR 250 R..

In this respect, the CBR 250 R shines. With 4490 euros, Honda calls for around half a thousand less for its little sweeper than the Greens for the mini ninja, which rolls out of the dealer for 4995 euros. Even though the CBR brakes with ABS as standard. For the Kawa there is no blocking preventer even for an extra charge. The higher price of the Kawa is mainly due to the design of its engine. In contrast to the Honda, in which a single cylinder works, a prestigious two-cylinder fires the little ninja. This means a greater technical effort and thus higher costs.

But does the twin really have advantages? Yes, on paper, because the Kawa sends five more horsepower to the clutch than the CBR. It’s a small world in this performance class. In practice, however, the ninja benefits only marginally from the extra power.

Kawasaki Ninja 250 R.

The biggest difference is in the top speed. There it stands 158 to 140 km / h (each factory specification) in favor of the Kawasaki. But when sprinting from 0 to 100 km / h, the Honda hums it with 7.5 to 8.0 seconds, just half a second. The small difference results from the performance of the Kawa. You first have to torment your way through the low speeds before the engine starts at around 9,000 rpm and generates maximum output at around 11,000 rpm.

The excellent engine characteristics are mainly the result of the small individual cubic capacities. The CBR is different. Power and torque are available much earlier with the stew. But when the Kawa begins to really bite, the Honda has long since given up. So two very different characters, each of which fascinates in its own way and at most unites their great smoothness and the pleasant bubbling sound. In everyday life, the Honda single has slight advantages with its nature – it simply delivers more bang in the lower rev range.

Despite the wider rear wheel rim and correspondingly larger tires, the CBR is quite handy.

Get out of everyday life and into the wonderful world of curves! It’s amazing how easy the 250s are even through the tightest of meanders. The thought of an incline is enough, and hops, the two sweep the arches. Despite the wider rear wheel rim and correspondingly larger tires, the CBR scurries around the radii a tad more manageable than the Kawa. This is largely due to their slightly lower weight and the more handling-friendly geometry. The neutral driving behavior and the directional stability of the Honda in the corners are also impressive. Although the Kawa is also a real corner wetter, it seems a bit more nervous than the CBR when it comes to bending and sloping.

More power? The Kawasaki Ninja 250 R reaches a top speed of 158 km / h.

When it comes to the brakes, however, the ninja shines. Wonderful to dose, with a crisp pressure point, crystal-clear transparency and excellent effect, the stoppers leave nothing to be desired. The Honda catches, on the other hand, seem a bit blunt and require a comparatively large amount of hand strength. The highlight of the Honda stopper is undoubtedly the combined ABS, which also activates the front caliper when the rear brake is activated. If you don’t anchor in the last groove, all you need to do is step on the brake pedal. When decelerating to the limit, both the CBR and the Ninja have a powerful fork that prevents shorter braking distances.

This is just as unfortunate as it is unnecessary, because adjusting the forks so that they do not block and still work comfortably doesn’t cost a cent! On the other hand, the rear sections of the two 250s spring and dampen more convincingly. Equipped with suitable springs, the monoshocks do not hit through even in poor terrain and respond adequately. So it would actually be a mistake to underestimate bikes from the second row.

PS measurements

The power delivery of engines with the same cubic capacity could hardly be more different. On the one hand the Honda CBR 250 R, which grips a little more powerfully up to 5000 rpm than the Kawasaki Ninja 250 R, and from 5500 rpm even delights with an extra kick. But from 8000 rpm it looks listless and continues to turn very slowly. On the other hand, the Kawa, which only really wakes up from 9500 rpm and runs into the limiter at 13,500 rpm. However, not much is possible with her until shortly before the five-digit range. If you want to keep up with the ninja, you have to turn it mercilessly. In terms of performance, due to the low top speeds, we exceptionally give values ​​of up to 140 km / h instead of the usual 150 km / h.

Modern styled information center with analog tachometer and digital speed display on the Honda CBR.

drive 
Single-cylinder engine, four valves / cylinder, 19.4 kW (26 HP) at 8500 rpm *, 23 Nm at 7000 rpm *, 249 cm³, bore / stroke: 76.0 / 55.0 mm, compression ratio: 10.7: 1, ignition / injection system, 38 mm throttle valve, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, G-Kat, chain

landing gear 
Steel tubular space frame, steering head angle: 65.0 degrees, caster: 95 mm, wheelbase: 1369 mm, conventional fork, Ø fork inner tube: 37 mm, not adjustable. Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in the spring base. Suspension travel front / rear: 130/104 mm

C-ABS: on board as standard and works perfectly.

Wheels and brakes 
Light alloy cast wheels, 2.75 x 17 "/ 4.00 x 17", front tires: 110 / 70-17, rear: 140 / 70-17, first tires: IRC Road Winner RX 01, 296 mm single disc brake with conventionally attached three -piston floating caliper front, 220 mm single disc with single-piston floating caliper at the rear, C-ABS

measurements and weight 
Length / width / height: 2050/840/1130 mm *, seat / handlebar height: 780/940 mm, handlebar width: 665 mm, 166 kg fully fueled, v./h .: 47.9 / 52.1%

Rear wheel power in last gear 
16 kW (22 PS) at 130 km / h

consumption 
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 3.0 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 13 liters, range: 433 km

Base price 
4490 euros (plus additional costs) 

The clutch of the Kawasaki Ninja needs a lot of hand strength for a 250cc.

drive 
Two-cylinder in-line engine, four valves / cylinder, 24 kW (33 PS) at 11,000 rpm *, 22 Nm at 8200 rpm *, 249 cm³, boron / stroke: 62.0 / 41.2 mm, compression ratio: 11.6: 1, ignition / injection system, 28 mm throttle valve, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, G-Kat, chain

landing gear 
Steel bridge frame, steering head angle: 64.0 degrees, caster: 82 mm, wheelbase: 1400 mm, conventional fork, Ø fork inner tube: 37 mm, not adjustable. Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in the spring base. Suspension travel front / rear: 120/130 mm

Clear cockpit with shaft controlled speedometer and mechanical trip meter.

Wheels and brakes 
Light alloy cast wheels, 2.75 x 17 "/ 3.50 x 17", front tires: 110 / 70-17, rear: 130 / 70-17, first tires: IRC Road Winner RX 01, 290 mm single disc brake with conventionally attached two -piston floating caliper front, 220 mm single disc with two-piston floating caliper at the rear

measurements and weight 
Length / width / height: 2080/810/1100 mm *, seat / handlebar height: 775/940 mm, handlebar width: 650 mm, 173 kg fully fueled, v./h .: 48.0 / 52.0%

Rear wheel power in last gear  
19.4 kW (26 PS) at 146 km / h

consumption 
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 4.1 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 17 liters, range: 414 km, base price 4995 euros (plus additional costs)

HP conclusion

 

Kawa or Honda? Both speedsters definitely cut a fine figure. But in practice the 250cc super sports car from Honda clearly scores.

Honda CBR 250 R engine, Chassis, price: The small Honda delivers a very coherent overall package and wins the comparison of the lively sweeps. Your ABS provides newcomers and those returning to the market with a purchase argument that should not be underestimated.

Kawasaki Ninja 205 R. On the market for three years, the little ninja has to admit defeat to the brand new CBR. The higher peak performance offers few advantages in practice.    

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