The introduction of the Kawasaki Z250SL to the Australian learner-approved motorcycle market is swamping an already well-watered market.
However, it’s great news for learners and novices with an amazingly wide choice of bikes.
The Z250SL comes in ABS and non-ABS format at $5299 and $5599 plus on road costs, and is available only in attractive “Candy Burnt Orange” paintwork.
The new single-cylinder Kawasaki joins the brand’s Ninja 300 which was the top-selling by in Australia last year as well as their new Z300 naked bike with ABS and a slipper clutch.
It also weighs in against a plethora of small-capacity LAMS bikes on the market from other Japanese, European and American manufacturers.
Kawasaki’s latest LAMS edition weighs a mere 148kg, hence the SL in its name which means super-light.
With its lightweight wheels, narrow tyres, sharp steering geometry and linkage-equipped Uni-Trak rear suspension with five-way rear preload adjustment, it is likely to have sharp and nimble handling.
It is powered by a 249ccc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single which Kawasaki says has strong low to mid-range torque and a quick-revving engine. They say the top end extends well into the over-rev without dropping off suddenly.
It features a flat-style handlebar, trellis frame, LCD digital instruments, petal disc brakes and twin-piston callipers.
For commuter comfort in the summer peak hour traffic the fan is behind the radiator to direct hot air down and away from the rider.
Kawasaki Z250SL tech specs
| ENGINE |
BX250AFF/BFF |
| Type
Displacement Bore and Stroke Compression ratio Valve system Fuel system Ignition Starting Lubrication |
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Single 249 cm3 72.0 x 61.2 mm 11.3:1 DOHC, 4 valves Fuel injection: φ38 mm x 1 Digital Electric Forced lubrication, wet sump |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Transmission
Final drive Primary reduction ratio Gear ratios: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Final reduction ratio Clutch |
6-speed, return Chain 2.800 (84/30) 3.000 (33/11) 1.933 (29/15) 1.444 (26/18) 1.217 (28/23) 1.045 (23/22) 0.923 (24/26) 3.000 (42/14) Wet multi-disc, manual |
| FRAME | |
| Type
Wheel travel: front rear Tyre: front Rear Caster (rake) Trail Steering angle (left/right) |
Tube diamond 110 mm 116 mm 100/80-17M/C 52S 130/70-17M/C 62S 24.0o 90 mm 36o / 36o |
| SUSPENSION |
BX250AFF/BFF |
| Front:
Rear: |
φ37 mm telescopic fork Uni-Trak with adjustable spring preload |
| BRAKES | |
| Front: Type
Caliper Rear: Type Caliper |
Single φ290 mm disc Dual-piston Single φ220 mm disc Dual-piston |
| DIMENSIONS (Ninja 250 SL) | |
| Overall length
Overall width Overall height Wheelbase Ground clearance Seat height Curb mass Fuel capacity |
1,935 mm 685 mm 1,075 mm 1,330 mm 165 mm 780 mm 151 kg (BX250A) 152 kg (BX250B) 11 litres |
| DIMENSIONS (Z250 SL) | |
| Overall length
Overall width Overall height Wheelbase Ground clearance Seat height Curb mass BR250E BR250F Fuel capacity |
1,935 mm 700 mm 1,015 mm 1,330 mm 180 mm 785 mm 148 kg 150 kg 11 litres |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Maximum power
Maximum torque |
20.6 kW {28 PS} / 9,700 min-1 22.6 Nm {2.3 kgm} / 8,200 min-1 |