Razor-sharp new Kawasaki harks back to the screamer era
Kawasaki shake-up small-capacity sportsbike class with all-new Ninja ZX-25R
The UK’s small-capacity sportsbike market is now dominated by a selection of competent, but comfortable single and parallel-twin cylinder machines, capped at 47bhp.
Practical, frugal and userfriendly, they are a far cry from the rev-happy 250 and 400-screamers of the 80s and 90s, which pinged off the red lines of their analogue tachos at the fat end of 20,000rpm, whilst mimicking the styling of their larger, more powerful stablemates. However, as the appetite dwindled, these mini exotics were consigned to the history books, with tidy used examples now fetching big money.
Kawasaki could be about to change all that with a new fourcylinder 250 introduced to parts of the Asian market. Called the Ninja ZX-25R, it boasts a claimed 50.3bhp at 15,500rpm from its 249.8cc inline-four, weighs a measured 182.2kg (minus a few road going bits and some added R&G crash protection) and features styling pinched straight from the ZX-6R. Japan market models make 44bhp.
Although not quite falling within the A2 licence band without restriction, or being officially brought to the UK (see right), the ZX could be the perfect antidote to the ever-increasing roster of 200bhp litre bikes.
We arranged a UK exclusive test on what’s believed to be the only ZX-25R in the country. Firing it up, you are greeted by a sedate purr from its stubby Ninja-mimicking end can. With two glowing LED headlights shining back brightly, supersport lines, broad shoulders and USD 37mm Showa forks, it looks far more exotic than any UK-friendly alternatives and commands admiration from all-comers.
With gently set bars, a 785mm seat height, roomy foot pegs and easy turning circle, what really sets it apart from the A2-crop is its fantastic engine. Equipped with an up/down quickshifter and a 17,000rpm redline, the 25R screams along, producing a cracking induction roar. But you have to be ready to work the engine hard as there’s almost no pull below 10,000rpm.
Brilliantly, you can also enjoy all of it legally – making all the right superbike noises without risking your licence. In our speed camera-saturated landscape, it makes total sense, but we are unlikely to ever see it grace our shores officially.