Kawasaki Lets The Good Times Roll By kz1000st (Read 491 times)

[kz1000st]

www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/9134/Motorcycle-Article/Honda-CBR250R-vs-Kawasaki-Ninja-250R.aspx

Two cylinders beats one every time. Carburetors rule.

[zugzug]

I was wondering when they were going to do a shootout on them. I think they both are pretty impressive for 250's. Even though the ninja out performs by a bit the cbr probably fits the targeted market better.

[kz1000st]

I don't know who the targeted audience will be but it will want to commute to work on highways and have the ponies to pass and get up to 60 in a hurry from a traffic light. Not only that but the Ninja has the name. I'm betting Honda will rethink this single cylinder thing in a year or two and build a twin again. The CBR doesn't sound much better than my wife's Rebel.

[mauiboy]

They just need to bring back the 400 to the us market. Its the perfect first real bike (coming from a country where you had to learn on a 125 or under), reliable as hell, fast enough without being stupid, fairly comfortable, basic enough to wrench and cheap to buy. Right now what are your options, the 250's or the suzuki's (400 & 500 right?) then 650's, only suzuki cover the midrange, the rest are obsessed with 1400cc coffin stuffers.
Just finished reading it, great write up, I'd have to go for the kawaka, just a great bike!

[kz1000st]

Sorry EM. This is just a continuation of a topic we covered a while ago. We wondered how the two would compare and now we know. You came along after the first installment.

www.scooterdoc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=2211

[mauiboy]

In thr us market the ninja had that segment to itself for so long, maybe the cbr will push them into adding efi to the twin ? The kawaka just looks so much nicer (in green of course!)

[kz1000st]

They just need to bring back the 400 to the us market


What would have been a good idea would have been building a standard model out of the 500 Vulcan. Great engine, solid ride but who needs a bigger, little cruiser?

[mauiboy]

There is definately a market for something that does 50mpg, can do 110mph, can comfortably do a long trip and can do a commute day in day out, reliable and simple. The 400 4, cb400 is that. Quick, simple, reliable , economical and agile. The only similar thing in this market right now is the suzuki and frankly I'd be much happier with the honda or a kwaka version.
I guess the market is pushing towards insane rockets or mobile sections replete with microwaves, porta potties and flat screens.

[kz1000st]

I guess the market is pushing towards insane rockets or mobile sections replete with microwaves, porta potties and flat screens


It's my theory that's it's not the public's fault, but nutty magazine editors. Whenever they road test something they tell you how soon it drags metal or how the shocks and brakes work at 95 mph. Like who drags the undercarriage of their bikes? So the manufacturers build what makes them happy and, by golly, the finished product is a race bike. You can't ride it any further than three miles without getting a cramp, but heck, most race tracks aren't any longer than that anyway.

[mauiboy]

Very true, same is true in the 4 wheel world. Top gear used to be pretty good at normal reviews until they went silly and drove to the north pole (which to be fair was impressive) and now only review zonda's.
Seriously, if you want a normal, cheap, sensible reliable bike your only option is a suzuki, god help us. I fancy a bonneville or a speed triple instead. An old thunderbird would be fun but parts are a pita, failing that a commando would be good. In the absence of a sensibly choice you may as well pick a fun daft choice.

A 1400 is not, in the real world, going to be significantly better at anything other than destroying rubber and gas than a decent 750 or even 900. Riding ability would easily make up for any difference. Yes a busa might top a few extra mph but seriously, outside of a track, whats the point. Many of the owners dont get over a ton and only then for bragging rights. Life at over 140mph might be fun but only in the reinforced pants department.

Ah well , back to drooling over classics lol

[zugzug]

The reason I say the cbr fits the market better is because the market that its made for is new riders. As soon as ya push the start button its ready to go, easy clutch and easy shifting trans, more torque down low and is geared lower so its easier to handle at low to mid speeds. I dont know many new riders that are too worried about passing cars on the interstate at 70+.

Theres a reason why theres a big jump in engine size. They want you to buy the little bike and then upgrade. If you could buy a 400-500cc bike then you would probably just purchase the one bike since its small enough to handle but enough power to do most types of riding. Thats why you dont see the 250 or the 400 I4 honda makes and sells in other countries.

[mauiboy]

Very true. Gits. Ah well, another good reason to buy a triumph!

[kz1000st]

I don't know Zug. When we were looking at bikes for my wife she wouldn't even sit on a 250 Ninja. "Too uncomfortable looking". Now while her Rebel is too small and busy sounding for me she likes it. No hanging over the gas tank, no foot pegs under your butt and no Johnny Racer styling. Beginners don't need to be Valentino Rossi look a likes, they need bikes like the Honda 250 Nighthawk with a little more punch. If the CBR motor is so great they should have put it in a standard style bike for new riders, not some road racer replica to entertain magazine editors.