Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R: Bikes We'd Like To See In India

A 250cc inline-four motor that puts out 51PS! What more could you possibly want?

The Kawasaki ZX-25R has been the talk of the town ever since it was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show last year. The bike stands out from the rest of the pack thanks to its unique 250cc inline four-cylinder motor. It’s currently the only production bike to have one and even gets a couple of electronic rides aids to go along with it. We’re in complete awe of the bike and hope it makes it to India someday. 

Why It Makes Sense:

The 250cc space in India has been witnessing a sudden boom in demand. Bikes such as the Suzuki Gixxer 250 twins, Husqvarna twins, Bajaj Dominar 250, KTM 250 Duke, Benelli Leoncino 250, and the soon to be launched BS6 FZ25 come with unique flavours and numerous options. Kawasaki currently seems to be missing out on the action and we believe the ZX-25R could be the perfect fit here. Goes without saying that it’ll be positioned as a premium product but it will also open up new avenues in the 250cc segment.

Feel Factor And Bragging Rights

The Kwacker uses a unique 249cc inline four-cylinder motor that makes  51PS at 15,500rpm and 22.9Nm of torque at 14,500rpm. It’s a screamer alright, and a lot more powerful than the bikes in its segment. The ZX-25R even manages to trump faired bikes in the sub-400cc class including the KTM RC 390, TVS Apache RR 310, Ninja 300 and Ninja 400. Dial-in the inline four-cylinder howl and you’re bound to draw some attention.

Also Read: Which 300cc-400cc Bike Gives The Most Bang For The Least Buck?

Good Learner’s Bike

The performance though won’t be overwhelming for newer riders and could make for a good learner’s bike. Electronic rides aids like different power modes and traction control will not only help you ride better but also keep you safe. 

Why It Doesn't Make Sense:

Expensive Proposition

A starting price of IDR 96,000,000 (Rs 4.99 lakh) in its home country of Indonesia, isn’t what we’d call cheap. The standard ZX-25R itself is as expensive as the Ninja 400. The Special Edition model retails at IDR 112,900,000 (approximately Rs 5.87 lakh) on road. 

No Scope For Localisation

The bike is built ground up in Indonesia and doesn’t share any parts with the Ninja 300 or Ninja 400. Plus, manufacturing a complex inline four-cylinder engine would require a huge investment and make it a costly affair. 

Importing the bike via the CKD route also seems unlikely given the low sales volume. We also don’t have an FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with Indonesia, a treaty that would have eliminated tariff costs, thereby reducing the price of the Ninja ZX-25R.

Displacement-centric Market

Shelling out almost Rs 5 lakh for a small 250cc bike won’t appease a displacement-centric market like India, resulting in fewer takers and creating a niche for itself.