250 Ninja

[spraypilot]

Does anyone know when the 2008 Ninja 250 is going to be on the showroom floors?

[robrm250]

March

[cultureslayer]

They keep on moving the ship date, and even then finding one that's not sold and sitting around on a floor will be hard.

[spraypilot]

I would like to sit on one and see if I can fold my 36" legs to fit! Looks like it might be a fun around town-short tripper! Mabye even a cross-country machine if they will ever put them on the showroom floor!

[Squareman357]

You're not the only one waiting for them.  My son wants one, and possibly the spousal unit.  She currently has a GS500F, but I really think she'd be a bit more comfortable on the new Ninja 250.  Can't wait to see them in person.

[panther289]

Sat on one at the NYC IMS. I fit pretty good on it(5'9" 32in inseam). Want to get one out for a test ride. I have a 50 to 75 mile commute, so comfort is important.

[cyclopathic]

I would like to sit on one and see if I can fold my 36" legs to fit! Looks like it might be a fun around town-short tripper! Mabye even a cross-country machine if they will ever put them on the showroom floor!

From what I heard it is worse fit for big guys then pre-08 is, the tank cut out hurts knees.. Now the old one was good enough to finish IBR, so if you're looking for a cross-country machine go for it

[Boxerdawg]

Does anybody know how the new motor's power & torque specs compare with the old version?  Any kind of ride reports been done in the MotoPress?

[Squareman357]

Does anybody know how the new motor's power & torque specs compare with the old version?  Any kind of ride reports been done in the MotoPress?

From what little info I've been able to find, HP has been bumped up and torque.  HP numbers are supposedly near the 40s.  Can't find the direct link.  At this point, with HP just a bit below a Ninja 500, there has GOT to be an update coming for the 500, or they are going to eliminate it and make the 650R the next step up.  It still sucks that the FI version is only going to be overseas and we're still getting a carbed unit.  The current model is one cold blooded little beast.

[cultureslayer]

From what little info I've been able to find, HP has been bumped up and torque.  HP numbers are supposedly near the 40s.  Can't find the direct link.  At this point, with HP just a bit below a Ninja 500, there has GOT to be an update coming for the 500, or they are going to eliminate it and make the 650R the next step up.  It still sucks that the FI version is only going to be overseas and we're still getting a carbed unit.  The current model is one cold blooded little beast.

Those numbers were at the crank and not the wheel.  I've heard it's about the same as the current one, but I haven't seen a dyno sheet to confirm.  

The 500 is being phased out.  It's already not offered in a couple of states because it doesn't meet emissions requirements.  

[McRider]

On the Ninja 250 forum it looks like some people are already getting theirs.  

[gman97216]

Our shop got one in last week. Sold it the same day. We have another one sitting on the sales floor. Both green. Gorgeous little bike. I got to ride it. Better all around than the old one, but not by a huge amount. The biggest improvement is how it looks. When I walked into the shop and saw it, at first I thought it was a ZX-6. There are no model designations on the bodywork. The electronics package helps the lean running that the previous version suffered from. Easy to start on a cold day, didn't want to die when coming to a stop, no surging, quicker warmup time, etc. I didn't check the CO, but I'll bet it's lower than the old version. I think (not sure) that it has a catalytic converter, so that would allow the carb settings to be a little richer. We sold our last 2007 2 days before we got the 2008. Good thing. No one would have wanted the 2007 if they saw the new one.

[atadaskew]

From what little info I've been able to find, HP has been bumped up and torque.  HP numbers are supposedly near the 40s.  Can't find the direct link.  At this point, with HP just a bit below a Ninja 500,

No way, maybe 25hp at the tyre.  I've owned both an 04 EX 500 and an 07 250. The 500 is like the Millenium Falcon compared to the apple cart like 250.  The new 250 will barely be any faster than the old one.  Just like the new KLR650 vs the old one.  Tighter emmissions will take care of all that.

[cultureslayer]

Apple cart?  

Now that's just funny.

[Squareman357]

No way, maybe 25hp at the tyre.  I've owned both an 04 EX 500 and an 07 250. The 500 is like the Millenium Falcon compared to the apple cart like 250.  The new 250 will barely be any faster than the old one.  Just like the new KLR650 vs the old one.  Tighter emmissions will take care of all that.

I guess the number I was reading was a crank HP number.  I thought (correct me if I'm wrong) that the old gen Ninja 250 was only 27 HP at the crank?

[cultureslayer]

I guess the number I was reading was a crank HP number.  I thought (correct me if I'm wrong) that the old gen Ninja 250 was only 27 HP at the crank?

Old one was 25 to 27 at the wheel, depending on the day and dyno.

[Squareman357]

Old one was 25 to 27 at the wheel, depending on the day and dyno.

Ahh ok...so I guess that would equate to 35 to 40 at the crank then eh?  I guess it won't be any more powerful than the old one...but it shure do look pretty!      

[atadaskew]

Normally it's about a 10% less with a chain drive bike from crank to the wheel.  So you're looking at maybe 30hp at the crank.
32PS (31.56 hp) at 11,000rpm
21.7Nm (16 ftlb) at 10,000rpm

FYI it is also 30lbs heavier than the old model and does not have a centerstand.

from ninja250.org:
rear wheel hp readings:
2008 26.8 hp
2007 28.2 hp.
So, the 08 is heavier with less motor.