The Kawasaki ZX25R is real: 250 cc, four-cylinder glory

Kawasaki ZX25R is propelled by a 250-cc liquid-cooled, four-cylinder engine. Now, the official power figures are yet to be revealed by we expect them to be enough to put a grin on a rider’s face. Also, the bike can rev all the way up to 17,500 rpm, which will make it one of the fastest 250 cc bikes in the world.

Highlights:

• The 249.8cc 4-cylinder bike produces 51 PS of peak power at 15,500 RPM
• The quarter-liter bike weighs 182 kg, which is a touch heavy.
• The bike will be inspired by bigger ZX siblings
• The new engine could produce more than 45bhp

310 mm 4-piston calipers are provided at the front, the top model gets ABS

Kawasaki ZX25R Specs:

The all-new Ninja ZX25R is powered by an in-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 249.8 cc DOHC engine, that produces a whopping 50 PS of maximum power at 15,500 RPM. That further increases to 51 PS at the same rpm, with RAM air.

It churns 22.9 Nm of peak torque at 14,500 rpm and therefore the motor comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. This makes it the most powerful commercially produced 250cc motorcycle in the world from any popular maker.

The mini-Super-sports bike is suspended on a trellis frame made from high-tensile steel. It gets 37mm upside-down telescopic forks at the front, while the rear has a horizontal back-link SWG, ARM suspension set-up.

The quarter-liter rocket weighs 180 kg for the quality variant, while the special edition version tips the scale at 182 kg. it’s a fuel tank capacity of 15 liters. In terms of dimensions, the length of the motorcycle is 1,980 mm, while it’s 750 mm wide. It comes with a wheelbase of 1,380 mm, with a ground clearance of low 125 mm.

 Kawasaki ZX25R sports an aggressive stance highlighted by a split LED headlamp cluster, muscular fuel tank, step-up style seats, and black aesthetics. The bike sits on a high tensile steel trellis frame and gets a compact exhaust.

The Kawasaki Racing Team logo on the side panels also alludes to the performance delivered by this bike. Kawasaki ZX25R comes equipped with a semi-digital control panel that has an analog tachometer and an alphanumeric display for other essential readouts.

The quality model gets dual-channel ABS but the SE variant gets different riding modes, a traction system, and a bi=directional quick shifter.

At the heart of the machine is a 250 cc, liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine that is coupled to a six-speed transmission and puts out 49 bhp with 30 Nm of peak torque. However, when fed with Ram air, the engine can develop 50 bhp.

 That’s a lot of power for a 250 cc bike and should offer exciting performance, especially given that the motorcycle weighs only 182 kg.

Kawasaki has also equipped the ZX25R with some impressive hardware – Showa sourced 37 mm separate function forks with 120 mm wheel-travel and horizontal back link mono-shock with pre-load adjustability and 116 mm wheel-travel.

 And handling the braking duties are four-piston 310 mm front and single-piston 220 mm rear disc brakes. 

Salient features:

• First off, the Ninja ZX25R makes 50hp (37.5 kW) with Kawasaki’s dubious “RAM Air” power rating, which in normal numbers should mean a 49hp machine 
• The second big piece of information is pricing on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX25R, which Team Green has set at 96 million IDR (roughly $6,700).
• Now, there is an up-spec version, called the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R ABS SE, which includes ABS and a KRT Livery option, and it pops for 112.9 million IDR (roughly $7,800).
• This news means that the Kawasaki Ninja ZX25R is spot-on with what we predicted for power (peak torque is rated at 16.9 lbs•ft (22.9 Nm), though the price tag is considerably cheaper than what we were expecting.
• The curb weight is set at 396 lbs (180kg) for the base model, with the ABS model tacking on another 5 lbs for the anti-locking brake equipment.
• Kawasaki ZX25R uses a 250cc (50.0 x 31.8 mm) inline-four engine, which revs to 17,000 rpm. It comes complete with a ride-by-wire throttle, with four riding modes.
• The suspension is handled by Showa, with 37mm separate function front big piston forks (SFF-BP), as well as a horizontal back-link rear shock with spring preload adjustment.
• The gorgeous-looking body is suspended on a Trellis frame with upside-down front forks. It gets features like Kawasaki Quick Shifter, frame slider, assist and slipper clutch, electronic throttle valves, etc.
• The Kawasaki ZX25R is powered by a liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder, 16 valves 249.8 cc DOHC engine. In the process, it becomes the only motorcycle to feature such a layout in the world at the moment.
• As a result, it produces a mind-boggling power output of 50 PS at 15,500 rpm and 51 PS with RAM Air (at the same RPM). It churns 22.9 Nm of maximum torque at 14,500 rpm. This unique motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox.

Kawasaki ZX25R engine specification:

Kawasaki Ninja ZX25R- Engine, Transmission

The Kawasaki ZX25R is heard to be powered by a 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC mill producing 45 HP and 33 Nm. Transmission duties are going to be done by a 6-speed unit.

Due to tax exemptions for motorcycles lesser than 250cc in markets like Indonesia, manufacturers are trying to find better ways to improve the segment.

For a company that built something as ‘outrageous’ as the H2 twins, a four-cylinder 250cc doesn’t look all that difficult. But it’ll be interesting to see how Kawasaki keeps the weight down.

About the author:  Michael Parrotte was the Vice President of AGV Helmets America, and a consultant for KBC Helmets, Vemar Helmets, Suomy Helmets, Marushin Helmets, KYT Helmets, Sparx Helmets. In addition, he is the founder and owner of AGV Sports Group.