[bluenicotine]

Before I begin to describe my ownership, I must first thank Honda Motors profusely from the bottom of my heart because if it was not them, I would have never bought the Ninja 250r!!!

The search for my next bike began in the month of April 2011 when after 8 successful years with my Pulsar 150 I had decided to go for a new one. I wanted a 200+ cc and it was easy to boil down the options. I did not want to take a Pulsar again so the P220 was out right off the list. Avenger being a cruiser is not my kind of bike. Did not want to go with HH Karizma for some reason I don’t know RE CL500 was on a 9 months wait!!!

I was following the TBHP blogs for the CBR 250R and that’s when few of the members started getting their CBR 250Rs delivered. The reviews at first were good from excited owners and the bike looked good too. All excited, went ahead for booking a CBR 250R in June at Fortune Honda near Naredmet, Secunderabad. OK what did Honda do here? The sales guy was least interested when I was enquiring about the vehicle. He did not have answers to my many questions and only kept saying “it’s a good bike”!! I was “DUH”!!! He was not sure about parts availability and the least about servicing. And the showroom guys called him CBR 250R specialist!!! I did not let that dampen my spirit as I had already done my homework and just asked him questions to see how good the sales guys could get! Finally when I asked to book the bike, he acted as if I was booking a TVS Champ or something!!! Paid 5k and the booking for CBR 250R with ABS was finally done. Delivery was promised in second week of August. This whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth and I was not as happy leaving the showroom like I entered.

Meanwhile still following the blogs and TBHP forum, many CBR 250R owners now complained about parts availability and engine problems. Moreover, one colleague of mine actually got his black CBR 250R replaced with a red one within a week of purchase as the black one had some valve clearance issues, from the same Fortune Honda where my booking was. When enquired on purpose, the sales guy denied the exchange whereas I saw my colleague riding two different colors in 2 weeks and he definitely owns only 1. Felt things going real creepy with the entire deal.

Sometime during the last week of July, I went to a different showroom for a test drive as the Naredmet showroom was not doing test drives. Boy, what they gave me was a beat up bike. It was clearly evident that every tom, dick and harry test drove it like there was no tomorrow. So evidently the TD was not thrilling. The bike seemed like it would fall to pieces any moment.
Made up my mind just before a week of delivery (first week of August) to cancel the booking as I was not convinced with how Honda was putting up the whole business. First, the sales guy was a nut, and then engine problems and finally parts not available (read about oil filters shortage on TBHP). The best thing was cancellation. The guys at the showroom never even bothered to ask why I was cancelling. So much for their flagship model!!!

Last week of August, on my way to work one day I happened to stop at Bajaj Probiking to check on the Ninja 250r. I don’t know why I did that but just went in to enquire about the bike and the price. The sales guy was very courteous and answered all the questions with confidence which I threw at him. Was not pushy and gave me his contact number in case I required any further information. I thanked him saying I would think about the purchase. At first, I had no intentions of getting one. Later when I actually pondered about the deal, there was just a 1.2L difference between the CBR 250R and the Ninja 250r. When I could pull myself to 1.8 for a CBR 250R ABS why not stretch to Ninja 250r? I had to justify the 1.2L extra I was to spend on a bike for which there was no test drive!! Embarked on another research on TBHP and other forums and was pleasantly surprised to find absolutely no complaints about the bike (barring few who were nit-picky about the speedo console not being digital or fuel gauge missing etc.). Absolutely no complaints about engine or parts availability!!! Further I went to the Bajaj Service Center to see the Ninja 250r mechanic and even he gave a positive feedback. That was enough to get me straight to the Probiking and book the Ninja 250r. I paid the required amount for booking and asked for a black color. This was during third week of June and delivery was promised in first week of December. I will skip the painful waiting time during which I soaked up all the info I could find on different website and YouTube about the bike, its mods and accessories and of course reviews. Most watched reviews were the comparison between Ninja 250r and CBR 250R!!!

Meanwhile during November, the sales guy who was handling my sale had quit to join a different org. When I called to enquire about the status I was surprised to hear one of my colleagues who had earlier worked with me joined Probiking!!! He confirmed the arrival on the scheduled time and delivery would be first week of December. He also informed me that a green color booking was cancelled and it was available for delivery. I said I would still stick to black. Last week of November was a week of dilemma. My friends strongly, and I mean strongly suggested I go for green. I went around asking everyone at my work place what they would have preferred and I got a 50-50 vote for black and green!!! Whoa!!! Delivery was decided on 5th Dec. and till 3rd Dec. I was in confusion for color. Went to meet my friend at the Probiking and confirmed the green color. Why? What’s the fun when you are spending almost 3L on a bike and people don’t notice you? Black was pretty and stealth looking but I decided at the last moment to go for green, the decision which I won’t regret.

On 5th December I arrive at the showroom with my cousin and brother in law and a DSLR camera. Balance amount paid, documents signed and bike was taken out for PDI. All was OK. While the showroom guy was away to get the TR and insurance done, I had a good time with the bike clicking pics. Finally the keys were handed over and it was Ninjaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Timeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Out on the road, this boy simply screams for attention and he gets it too. Bikers specially drive up parallel to ask three things: 1. Mileage 2. Cost 3. Engine Capacity. When they hear this, they either give me a pleasant look of admiration or a disgusted look as to which moron would spend a bomb on a 250cc bike like this!!! Well, to each their own opinion. Bikers coming from the opposite side and by standers keep reminding that the head-light is ON. This kind of gets annoying at time and I guess I will learn in time to ignore their ignorance!
Waiting for the 1600km run-in to finish which looks like a long way to go.
So did I make a right decision and choice? Oh yeah, every rupee was well spent!! I got what I was looking for. The search which started in April ended in December, the 9 months gestation resulting in the delivery of the baby kwacker

[Kimified]

Nicely written. Let me be the first to congratulate you on the Ninja! Looks absolutely smashing in Green. I like the way you say 'only 1.2L more'. Isn't 1.2L 66% of CBR 250's cost

Noticed that its your first post on Team-BHP. What a way to start. Hope you keep this thread updated.

I keep seeing these Ninja's on the roads in Bangalore and keep admiring them. Hope to own it someday
Whats the on road price difference between the 250 and 650 ? Are the wait periods the same in all the cities ? Even on the 650 ?

[a4anurag]

Congratulations bluenicotine!

Bike looks ravishing in green and demands attention from every person on the road.

Since your from Hyderabad I shall be waiting to meet you for a ride on the green mean machine! Where do you stay?

Happy and safe riding.

[RIC.BURNS]

Congrats on the Kwaker bluenicotine!

It looks better in its signature color, is it CKD or CBU that makes more expensive than CBR?

[mobike008]

Bluenicotine, Welcome to Team-BHP and congrats on the baby kwacker. Its one mean machine for sure and can give you almost the same thrills of SBK at a much lesser price. Great way to progress towards a SBK in future

Btw, do join the first TBHP ride meet on Jan 8th and you can meet another baby kwacker that day.

Check this link which is for Hyderabad TBHP meets which is usually brimming with activity and a must visit each time you visit TBHP

Do post your confirmation there if you can join up for this ride

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-b...012-meets.html

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Since your from Hyderabad I shall be waiting to meet you for a ride on the green mean machine!

Anurag, you never joined a meet till date. Would you like to join the Jan 8th meet?

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Anurag, you never joined a meet till date. Would you like to join the Jan 8th meet?

Mobike008 Bhai!

I'm 80% confirmed for the Jan 08th meet. Will confirm it by tomorrow for sure. Will post my confirmation in the designated thread by tomorrow.

[avinfine]

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

Out on the road, this boy simply screams for attention and he gets it too. Bikers specially drive up parallel to ask three things: 1. Mileage 2. Cost 3. Engine Capacity.

Congrats dude. That's definitely Neighbor's envy Owner's pride.
The question still remains, Cost?

[_raVan_]

Congratulations on your green mean machine. What a way to post the first post on T-Bhp!

I would recommend you to go for a better helmet and riding gloves. Checkout the helmet thread and fellow Ninja ownership threads for recommendations and maintenance.

Eg: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...portsbike.html

[Shrek_924]

Congrats bluenicotine! Hoping to see updates on your rides and ownership experience. And thanks for the descriptive experience of deciding and booking the bike. Sent the link to some of my friends who are sitting on fence deciding on CBR or Ninja.

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

.... This was during third week of June and delivery was promised in first week of December. ..

Assume you meant September, as you cancelled the CBR booking in August and the black color has waiting period of 90-120 days.

[n_aditya]

Congrats bluenicotine. Wishing you many happy miles on your ninja.

I've clocked over 17k kms on my bike in just 1.7 yrs (the highest ever in such a short time compared to any other vehicle in our garage) and i will never get bored with this bike. Brings a grin on my face every time i ride out.

I hope you have invested in a good set of riding gear. Do give us a shout if you need any help.

[raihan]

bluenicotine, congrats on getting the Ninja.

Originally Posted by bluenicotine

All excited, went ahead for booking a CBR 250R in June at Fortune Honda near Naredmet, Secunderabad. OK what did Honda do here? The sales guy was least interested when I was enquiring about the vehicle. He did not have answers to my many questions and only kept saying “it’s a good bike”!! I was “DUH”!!! He was not sure about parts availability and the least about servicing. And the showroom guys called him CBR 250R specialist!!!

@ Honda motorcycle India -any salesman who says 250cbr is a good bike; is a specialist?

[djay99]

Originally Posted by RIC.BURNS

Congrats on the Kwaker bluenicotine!

It looks better in its signature color, is it CKD or CBU that makes more expensive than CBR?

Ninja 250R and 650R are bought via CKD and assembled in Bajaj's chakan plant in pune.

Congrats Bluenicotine Thats a wonderful bike. Drive safely.

[abhinav.s]

Congrats on the greenie buddy!! Ride safe. Its now time to have look at the riding gear thread here. Do invest in a good helmet, riding gloves and jacket to start off with.

Have fun! Wishing you many happy miles with the Ninja

[bluenicotine]

Originally Posted by Kimified

Nicely written. Let me be the first to congratulate you on the Ninja! Looks absolutely smashing in Green. I like the way you say 'only 1.2L more'. Isn't 1.2L 66% of CBR 250's cost

Noticed that its your first post on Team-BHP. What a way to start. Hope you keep this thread updated.

I keep seeing these Ninja's on the roads in Bangalore and keep admiring them. Hope to own it someday
Whats the on road price difference between the 250 and 650 ? Are the wait periods the same in all the cities ? Even on the 650 ?

Thanks Kimified! That 66% is definitely worth it! The onroad price here in Hyd is 3.1 for the 250 and 5.3 (if my memory does not fail me) for the 650. Wait period is the same.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Congratulations bluenicotine!

Bike looks ravishing in green and demands attention from every person on the road.

Since your from Hyderabad I shall be waiting to meet you for a ride on the green mean machine! Where do you stay?

Happy and safe riding.

Thanks Anurag. I am waiting to meet all you folks. I stay in ECIL.

Originally Posted by RIC.BURNS

Congrats on the Kwaker bluenicotine!

It looks better in its signature color, is it CKD or CBU that makes more expensive than CBR?

Thanks Burns. CKD makes it expensive as the unit is assembled in Bajaj's chakan plant in Pune. djay99 quoted that already.

Originally Posted by mobike008

Bluenicotine, Welcome to Team-BHP and congrats on the baby kwacker. Its one mean machine for sure and can give you almost the same thrills of SBK at a much lesser price. Great way to progress towards a SBK in future

Btw, do join the first TBHP ride meet on Jan 8th and you can meet another baby kwacker that day.

Check this link which is for Hyderabad TBHP meets which is usually brimming with activity and a must visit each time you visit TBHP

Do post your confirmation there if you can join up for this ride

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-b...012-meets.html


Anurag, you never joined a meet till date. Would you like to join the Jan 8th meet?

Thanks Mobike. Yes it is actually thrilling....Thanks for the invite buddy. I wish I could join you folks on 8th as I am going to Chennai on 7th and will return only on 9th. I will keep checking the link for further meets. If possible, is there a way you can add me to the list so that I know somehow about the meets?

Originally Posted by avinfine

Congrats dude. That's definitely Neighbor's envy Owner's pride.
The question still remains, Cost?

Thanks avinfine. Cost is secondary, mileage is what everyone is eager to know.

Originally Posted by _raVan_

Congratulations on your green mean machine. What a way to post the first post on T-Bhp!

I would recommend you to go for a better helmet and riding gloves. Checkout the helmet thread and fellow Ninja ownership threads for recommendations and maintenance.

Eg: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...portsbike.html

Thanks raVan. Helmet, jacket and riding gloves are on the way.

Originally Posted by Shrek_924

Congrats bluenicotine! Hoping to see updates on your rides and ownership experience. And thanks for the descriptive experience of deciding and booking the bike. Sent the link to some of my friends who are sitting on fence deciding on CBR or Ninja.


Assume you meant September, as you cancelled the CBR booking in August and the black color has waiting period of 90-120 days.

Thanks Shrek. I will continue to post regularly about my rides and experience.

And you got it correct, I meant September.

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Congrats bluenicotine. Wishing you many happy miles on your ninja.

I've clocked over 17k kms on my bike in just 1.7 yrs (the highest ever in such a short time compared to any other vehicle in our garage) and i will never get bored with this bike. Brings a grin on my face every time i ride out.

I hope you have invested in a good set of riding gear. Do give us a shout if you need any help.

Thanks Aditya. Your thread gave me a lot of info. I must thank you for that as well. I am yet to invest in a riding gear. And you aptly said, one can never get bored of this bike and yes, it brings a smile (many times grin) every time I take it out for ride or a spin.

[quote=raihan;2631974]bluenicotine, congrats on getting the Ninja.

Thanks raihan.

Originally Posted by djay99

Ninja 250R and 650R are bought via CKD and assembled in Bajaj's chakan plant in pune.

Congrats Bluenicotine Thats a wonderful bike. Drive safely.

Thanks djay.

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

Congrats on the greenie buddy!! Ride safe. Its now time to have look at the riding gear thread here. Do invest in a good helmet, riding gloves and jacket to start off with.

Have fun! Wishing you many happy miles with the Ninja

Thanks abhinav. Will surely post the pics of my riding gear once I get them. Looks like I will have to wait for sometime. You see we are in tax months

[bluenicotine]

Now I am on the next level of RPM. 0-800 kms 4K RPM and 800-1600 kms 6k RPM.

Actually staying on the 4k RPM for the first 800 kms was not as bad as I thought it would be. The bike would cruise easily at 60 kmph at 4k RPM and given the Hyderabad traffic, I couldn't complain. But all through the 800 kms, I could feel that there is more power I am sitting on. Many a times while returning back from work at early morning 3AM, I was tempted to cross the 4k mark but I waited! The bike is by all means smooth. There is enough torque to pull the bike even at higher gears and downshifting is not required if the bike is at optimal speed.

Yesterday, when I was all set to go home from work, I saw the ODO showing 780 kms. I stay 35 kms away from my office. OK another 20 kms more to go and I very well knew I would finish it mid way home. The moment I completed the 800 km, I stopped the bike for while. Looked around, no soul except the trucks running at early morning. Started again and this time I revved the bike a little higher and oh!!! What sweet sound to the ears. Power is not the word, we need to invent a new word to explain what it beholds!!! This one mean machine actually listens to the rider and talks back even! Does what its told to do and grins back asking " is that the max you can revv me?" While at 6k RPM the bike manages to touch 80 kmph and cruises with ultimate ease on the 5th gear. Yes, 5th gear and there is one more to go. It does not grunt or whine or haggle! I tried the 6th gear and immediately the throttle opens to 1/4 with 3/4 play remaining and the bike is still at 80 kmph. I am only left to my wild imagination what if I open the remaining 3/4. Suddenly the bike's sweet engine sound sounded as if the bike is laughing its guts out at me. I only replied, "wait till you finish 1600 kms boy and then we will play".

Coming to the mileage (for the Indian in us) - Initially the showroom gave 4 liters while delivery. I immediately topped it with another 10 liters with Indian Oil unleaded fuel. When the bike's fuel indicator glowed, meaning it had 4 liters, i divided the kms run by 10 and it showed 25 kmpl. I topped it this time with Xtra Premium 10 liters and this time it delivered 30 kmpl. Sweet!!!

This bike is an addiction. Whenever I take it out, I can see people from kids to oldies ogling/pointing at it. Oh what a celebrity feeling when people are looking at you! For a few days I was on cloud nine. I knew everyone who could spot the bike was looking at "me". When one day I went out on my Pulsar for an errand only to realize that no was looking at me and then the hard reality stuck me. It was not "me" but my bike people were looking at and I was back to what cloud there is below nine Nevertheless I still enjoy the looks people give/share when they spot the green on the road. The slower I go, more the attention I get. College kids showing off on their R15s, pulsars and FZs often coax for a race. I just give them a sly smile saying to myself "Forgive them dear Lord for they do not know what they calling for a race!!!"