EICMA 2010: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and Ninja 250R

Continuing our coverage of the Milan Moto Show this year, we turn our attention to a couple of models from Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki. The bikemaker has brought the 2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R as well as the brand new 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R to the event.

The 2010 Kawasaki ZX-6R returns with the same 599 cc four stroke, liquid cooled DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline four-cylinder engine. The chassis features the same “Big Piston” forks. This system makes use of a large diameter internal piston that is much better under hard breaking especially during the corners.

The 2010 ZX-6’s exhaust layout has the same short side muffler with an exhaust pre-chamber that reduces weight and improves mass centralization.

Braking is done using a 220 mm rear disc in the back (10 mm larger then the older model) and two 320 mm ones in the front. Kawasaki only specs the 599cc engine for 2010 but the bike is now painted in more attractive colors and has a price of $10,499 ( EUR7,500).

With the 2011 Ninja 250R, Kawasaki hopes to make the ultimate entry-level motorcycle for its fans. The bike has a lot of styling features in common with the ZX-6R.

Power comes from a 249 cc, liquid-cooled parallel twin engine. Compression  ratio is 11.6:1 for the baby ninja. The bike is very light at only 376 pounds (170 kg). Stopping power comes from a pair of 290 mm front discs and a single 220 mm one at the back.

The most attractive features are the entry-level bike’s ridiculously low price of $3,999 (EUR2,850), as well as its low running and maintenance costs.