Ninja 205R - Kawasaki's best selling bike

[fallclassic02]

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

The baby Ninja is a fun bike. And I loved my old KZ. And with roots like the Z1, there is simply no reason why the bigger sportbikes shouldn't be well into the hunt. Maybe its time to rethink Garish Green as a brand image. Or something...

What makes you think that the supersports, superbikes, hyperbikes and sport-touring bikes KHI produces are anything less than as you say, "well into the hunt?"

I personally believe the real differences in a bike are the technical setup / aftermarket parts and the skill and knowledge of the operator.

[DaleCaliente]

There is really just no part of me that wants a Ninjette.

Why would I want to have to beat the hell out of a bike to elicit minimal torque/HP.

[jim schmidt]

Originally Posted by fallclassic02

What makes you think that the supersports, superbikes, hyperbikes and sport-touring bikes KHI produces are anything less than as you say, "well into the hunt?"

I personally believe the real differences in a bike are the technical setup / aftermarket parts and the skill and knowledge of the operator.

The OP said the baby ninja was Kawi's top selling sportbike. If that's so, the bigger ones aren't selling well. I agree they work just fine. If they are selling so poorly, it's a marketing issue.

[ScreaminKaw]

Originally Posted by DaleCaliente

Why would I want to have to beat the hell out of a bike to elicit minimal torque/HP.

Because that's half the fun of it. Same reason why guys like driving golf- and go-karts: you drive them to their limits but there aren't any consequences.

Like they say, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow. Unlike our SS bikes, you can go all out (to a point) without getting in trouble.

I think that's why a lot of guys who already have SS's, add a 250 (or similar) bike to their lineup. I know I will.

Different strokes for different folks.

[jim schmidt]

Originally Posted by ScreaminKaw

Because that's half the fun of it. Same reason why guys like driving golf- and go-karts: you drive them to their limits but there aren't any consequences.

Yea, don't knock it until you've spent an afternoon trying it.

[Katana_99]

The Ninja 250 was my first bike. They are SSOO easy to handle that you are able to just fly anywhere. Its more like a suped up scooter! lol My friends has an 89 Ninja 250 that is still running perfect. No matter who you are, if you ride a 250 youll love it.

[LDS]

Originally Posted by Ozy

Cliff notes, you cant loose you're license on this pile of shit.

Maybe not, but there are tracks where you can turn a better lap time on one than some of the guys on 600s.

If you can ride, that is.

[fallclassic02]

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

The OP said the baby ninja was Kawi's top selling sportbike. If that's so, the bigger ones aren't selling well. I agree they work just fine. If they are selling so poorly, it's a marketing issue.

It is not necessarily true that since the 250 is the best seller that the other bikes don't sell well.

It would be interesting to see the sales numbers for North America on 600 and 1000cc sportbikes from the big four. That said, I am sure Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki (street, not Suzy moto) outsell Kawy.

[baldheadeddork]

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

If the baby Ninja is now their top selling bike, I'd be wondering about the decline in popularity of the brand. The conclusion I'd draw is that they're only competitive (today) in the category with no competition.

The baby Ninja is a fun bike. And I loved my old KZ. And with roots like the Z1, there is simply no reason why the bigger sportbikes shouldn't be well into the hunt. Maybe its time to rethink Garish Green as a brand image. Or something...

I wouldn't worry too much about it, Jim. The Ninja 250 and the EX500/Ninja 500 have been at the top of Kawasaki's sales chart for the last 20 years, and they've been close to the top selling Japanese streetbikes for most of that time, too. They're not just outselling the bigger Ninja's, they're also outselling the GSXR's, R1/6, all of the CBR's except for the 600 in some years, and almost all of the cruisers, too.

Kawasaki has made a fortune off of those bikes. The tooling and R&D were paid off when the last Bush was in office and the marketing/advertising costs are practically zero.

[AWDimprezal]

long live the 250, i'll bet this new one will break old sales records of the old bike, with gas prices rising, and the fresh new look!

[driftin240]

Originally Posted by AWDimprezal

long live the 250, i'll bet this new one will break old sales records of the old bike, with gas prices rising, and the fresh new look!

x10000000

[F4sSprintST]

[#1 Moses]

Great little fun Bike I love mine. I love Ninja 500 also along with my Katana 600, All grat machines. The new ninja is real nice they wont be able to keep them on the show room floors!!! Just saw a used 250 ninja low miles $1,500 Buck what more can you ask for. to get starting riding?

[CXTKRS1]

I love the new Ninjas, probably gonna pick one up next week for my first bike.

[JoshHart]

My dad rides a ninja 250 cause he doesn't care that much about super performance and he loves that it gets amazing gas mileage and he keeps up fine with me when we go riding, when I was on my GS500F. I'm sure he could have passed me in most of the twisties, the thing handles like a champ, and these new ones look amazing, if you see them in person they look like any other repli-racer. People that put them down as chick bikes are just weak. Who cares what other people ride, you don't have to ride it if you don't want, no need to put them down. I'll put a hand down to anyone on 2 wheels