Kawasaki Z250sl
KAWASAKI Z250SL
IGNITION
NEWS
TWO VERSIONS OFTHE NEW KAWASAKI Z250SL ARE SOLD IN ASIA: FULLY FAIRED AND NAKED
Single-cylinder Ninja headed our way?
Motorcycle markets in Southeast Asia, India, and China are growing so fast that almost every major motorcycle manufacturer is either developing bikes for these areas and/ or building motorcycles there to avoid tariffs. One of the most interesting bikes we've seen lately is a 250cc Kawasaki single, the Ninja Z250SL.
Why would Kawasaki develop a new single in these markets instead of sticking with the existing parallel twin? A single, with fewer moving parts, is typically significantly less expensive to manufacturerthan a twin, and pricing is critical to success in these countries.
This new liquid-cooled, fuelinjected powerplant produces
a claimed 27 hp at 9,700 rpm and 17 pound-feet of torque at 8,200. The chassis has a trellisstyle frame with a 37mm fork and a single Uni-Trak shock, while a 290mm front and 220mm rear disc are clamped by twin-piston calipers. Seventeen-inch wheels are shod with a110/80fronttireanda130/70 rear. Claimed dry weight forthe faired version is 333 pounds.
So what are the chances of this lightweight bike heading Stateside? With most motorcycles being built for international markets and Kawasaki no longer making a 250 Ninja for ours, the Z250SL could be just what Team Green needs to fill in the lineup below the higher performance Ninja 300 twin.
-Blake Conner
A MOTOGP RIDING TIP
ALVARO BAUTISTA
EVERY CORNER, YOU TOUCH YOUR ELBOW. IT’S ANOTHER REFERENCE POINT.”
BMW CONCEPT ROADSTER
If BMW’s new R nineT pulls at the heartstrings of riders seeking nostalgia, then the Concept Roadster shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como is the antithesis. This boxer-powered beast has a minimalist chassis formed by a space frame with a single-sided Paralever swingarm and Ohlins fork. Standout features include the one-piece aluminum tailsection, MotoGP-style exhaust, and bare-bones LED headlight. BMW: Please putthis bike into production! -BC
