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-   -   Kawasaki Ninja 250R: another ownership review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/103586-kawasaki-ninja-250r-another-ownership-review-2.html)

For #1 and #3 you would need a rear wheel hugger.

For #2, you can source a carbon fiber sticker sheet (heat resistant) and stick it on the muffler to resist any further scratches. It'll look like a carbon fiber end can too if that makes a difference :)

#4: you can buy an aftermarket radiator guard. Its available for the bigger bikes but not sure of the same for the 250R.

Like I said before, I want something like the R15, not a hugger. I do not want to remove the current chain guard. #3 is about the bottom of the linkage, which touches the ground on big speed breakers.

The carbonfiber sheet is a good idea, although I'd like to leave the bike as stock as possible.

Have just heard about the radiator guard yesterday, and they are available for the bike. Will source one from somewhere.

Apologies, i missed that part. I'm not sure if anything is available to protect the linkage as you require. Till such time, take those big speed breakers at an angle and at crawling speeds and the bike wont scrape.

Do share more about the radiator guard.

Edit - here is a picture of the CF sticker on my rear tail pieces.



I got this to protect it from scratches as i use a tailbag which is strapped via bungee cords. Cost me INR 150/- at a local sticker shop.

Good job I've got the habit of crawling over speedbreakers already! Have had a couple of bad experiences with expensive cars :(

Will definitely inform about the radiator guard as soon as I know :)

Hey!!! congrats for the green devil and a nice review.

I got my black beauty sometime in mid Feb from PBK at kanjurmarg and have crossed 5k mark, found the guys there quite receptive and forthcoming with information and about delays too (i had some problems with my address proof documents), although the Ghatkopar workshop is quite a mess and pain to reach from south Bombay, but happy with overall service quality, availability of parts and boy they do adhere to their appointment schedules, but somehow always seem to be in a hurry.

Coming back to topic. I have only got a clear tank pad and black frame sliders on at moment and would like more info for films that can protect the fairings and the tank, although touch-wood haven't got any scars yet :) but would like to get protection as soon as possible.

Aditya,

Would it be possible to upload a couple of more pictures of thee CF sticker on your rear tail? please:

I was thinking on similar lines for the rear tail of my CBR 250R, IMO it would look good and even save the tail from tailbag scrubbing (planning to get the Cramster-Colt). Also, I might consider using it on the Heat Shield on the exhaust as the silver pain had chipped off, my ladies heal scrubbed against the sun dried muck which had dried off post a rainy ride.

Isodope,

How about working on making one? We can discuss this offline and see a possible solution to something like a RadGaurd, which is functional. :)

My pleasure. :) I have just one more that is clear. Hope it helps. :)

That was quick. Certainly helps!! :thumbs up

Just having a stripe would not be helpful I guess, so I will have the get the entire rear tail removed and then have this applied. Now, I need to start hunting for someone who stocks this sheet and is good with the installation part as well.

That really helps, thank you! But I've got the 2011 green one, so green panels, black pillion seat. Can't put those stickers on :(

I need to have a look at one in the metal first - I've only just heard about this, so I honestly have no clue about it. But then yes, my plan is to try and make these - the CBR will definitely have the same problem because of the short front fender and wide tyre.


I'm getting paint protection film this weekend, so looks like I'm sorted for the panels.

Hey can you provide more details on the paint protection film regarding costs, availability etc.

thanks.

Puncture sealant installed. Ride-On costs a pretty packet, but at least I can ride out with peace of mind now. Nitrogen was a free bonus. I'm still undecided on the benefits of nitrogen, but I saw them drain condensed water vapour from the compressor at regular intervals so at least I know there's less water vapour in my tyres, and that's a clear benefit, no matter how small.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tQ6hFqifE8

Number plates got ready on Sunday, couldn't pick them up. Will get installed next weekend.
The 'hugger' to protect the shock also goes on this week. Have got the smaller of the two rubber sheets that protect the Activa's insides. Now to cut to size.

PRS stocks radiator guards for the CBR250R but not the Ninja. Sigh.

Very short –simple and cool review about Ninja 250R, I enjoyed every bit of it. I liked how you moved away from CBR 250R to Ninja 250R. Smart installments have done the trick and I am glad that your biking instincts kicked in at right time to seal the deal. What surprised me is the Pro Biking customer service experience you have received. So far I have heard a lot good things about Pro Biking experience and may be this just one odd case else Bajaj have to pull their socks up! With the launce of Ninja 650R they must ensure that the customer service is top class.

Can you also share what kinds of accessories were available for you in Pro biking outlet? At least Honda had cut a sorry face when I got my CBR 250R in accessories department. I was also wondering if you thought of considering the bigger Ninja 650R. The reason I am asking this is, as you opted for installments there must not be much variation if you would have opted for this higher bike which is unbeatable value for money while Ninja 250R is little bit overpriced.

@On the move, sorry for the delay. I haven't purchased the film because it seems to not be available. I'll be ordering from the US at some point or simply getting touchup jobs done every now and again since I know a reliable, good and cheap painter.

@Nikhil: Oh, I don't blame the Bajaj sales guys entirely for the way they treated me. Just the other day I got asked which college I was in by someone who was teaching in a college and took the same trains that I do. Turned out he was my junior in school :D With my appearance like that it isn't hard to understand why initially they didn't take me seriously. By the time I got the motorcycle (two months and a few more trips to the showroom later) the sales guys were aware that I knew a wee bit more than they did, so I didn't get the delivery-time advice. Can't blame them again. The two times I ran into genuine Ninja customers (read: high net worth individuals) at the same showroom, I could see the change in the salesperson's attitude, and it was perfect for the kind of customer.


I didn't bother asking what accessories there were, but I'm told that there's a parking cover available for approx Rs 1k (it's got "ninja" written on it) and there's a rear seat cowl available for Rs 4500. They'll also offer you the usual teflon-coating nonsense if you ask them to, I'm sure.

I would have liked to own a Ninja 650, but two things held me back: one, I'd doubled my budget to get the Ninjette. Two, I could've got the 650 on loan as well, but my conscience wouldn't allow me to make such a big investment. I'd rather have a small bike and small car to ferry the family around than one big bike and no car :) I also fall into the 'high risk' category as far as insurance companies are concerned so zero depreciation cover is an unlikely chance for me even after talking to branch heads etc. The N250's spares and repairs are no joke: tip it over while standing and you're looking at Rs 8k-43k depending on the kind of accident. Crash it around a corner and you'll be looking at a bill of Rs 1 lakh. I got an almost-new R15 for Rs 70k (that's a whole new bike!), which puts a very sobering perspective to things.

I'm sure buying the 650 isn't much of a difference, but there are a big bunch of other reasons I'm glad I didn't buy it, chiefly the issue with spares pricing. Another is my riding ability - until a couple of weeks ago I thought myself a good rider, but I've been reading a couple of books since and have realised that there's an incredible amount I don't know. Plus there was the shock of sliding the Ninja's rear on the entry to a corner: nothing happened eventually, but it was a good reminder to leave my ego in the garage when I get on the bike. The 650 would, simply put, be beyond my current riding abilities. The 250 prepares you for power so much better than the R15 does. I wanted a buzzbomb, which the 250 is and the 650 isn't.

And lastly, one common thing I've noticed among everyone is that they get a heart attack when I tell them the price. Then I take them for a ride, introduce them to the redline, and when they're done shaking/grinning/laughing like crazy/pestering me to do it once more, all of them without exception have the same thing to say about the bike:

Worth every penny.

There is a shop that sells paint protection film here in Blore but it does not match up to the quality of those films sold abroad. The thickness of the film is lesser compared to the imported ones but otherwise it looks like it will do the job. A fellow rider in my group got it for his ninjette and i'm waiting for him to send me details of the shop.

Will keep you posted on the pricing etc. If you're interested i can procure it for you and courier it to your address.

+1. Apart from the bike cover and the rear cowl there are no other accessories available at the Pro Biking outlets. I was hoping that with the launch of the bigger ninjette, they would have made some investments in this area, at least on riding gear and some aftermarket parts.

One of the reasons why I've not let my temptation get the better of me. I'm still enjoying the 250 to the hilt and want to track the bike soon. Its gonna take a long time before i get bored of riding it. After close to 14,000 kms in a year and 3 months (exactly today) she still brings a smile on my face and is my pride and joy. All my worries are gone when i am riding it and she helps me clear my mind. What a way to refresh the brain. :thumbs up

I'll wait for a year or two and pick up a used 650 (or something else thats available in this bracket). That'll save me some money and hopefully i'll get to keep both the bikes.

Here are some books which might help.

1. Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well (David Hough)

2. More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride (David Hough)

3. Street Strategies: A Survival Guide for Motorcyclists (David Hough)

4. Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques (Lee Parks)

5. Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track (Nick Ienatsch)

6. Twist of the Wrist: The Motorcycle Roadracers Handbook (Keith Code)

7. Twist of the Wrist II: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding (Keith Code)

:) Do let me know the details. I might be coming to B'lore for the Metallica concert, so if I'm there then will definitely meet you and take a look at the film.

I've already got four of those books - am now working on educating myself on off-road techniques because that is invariably what we encounter in our country; plus two of my friends are getting a KTM and a Gypsy soon so I'm seeing a muck-filled future. I'm wondering how to work something out so that I can go riding when they go off-roading. Maybe I'll work on a RX135/Karizma dual-sport project. Who knows.

One thing I'm sure of, though; I don't want a bigger sportbike, and I definitely don't want something from Bajaj. Was washing the bike the other day and discovered that the wires that lead to the tail-lamp are open under the tail. Yes, I know they've got insulation and the connectors are covered but there's no way they're going to last as long as any other motorcycle designed with India in mind. Not done, Bajaj. The CBR's wires are routed differently and are safe from muck and water.