Kawasaki has finally unveiled its much hyped about naked bikes in India. The Z250 and ER-6n have been launched today, at very Kawasaki-like prices. I won’t say the prices are too high, but they are definitely on the northern side, especially taking into account the competition. Here are the full details of both of these machines.
Kawasaki Z250: Price 2.99 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi)
Remember the Ninja 250? The first bike in India that started the performance motorcycling scene was recently discontinued, with the upgraded Ninja 300 taking its place. The Z250 is just a naked version of Ninja 250 at the heart, but looks a lot like a younger sibling of the Z800. Here are some tech specs of the Z250:
- 249cc liquid cooled parallel-twin engine
- 32 PS power
- 21 Nm torque
- Six-speed gearbox
- Diamond type steel frame chassis
- 37mm telescopic shocks upfront, monoshock at rear
- 290mm front disc, 220mm rear
- No ABS option
- Tail, exhaust, instrument cluster and alloys picked up from the Ninja 300
Overall, I think the Z250 is priced way too high to make any dent in the Indian market. With options like Duke 390 and RC 390 available with much better features and much lesser price, only pure Kawi fans and people with money to burn will go the latest little Z.
Kawasaki ER-6n: Price 4.78 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi)
The Kawasaki ER-6n is exactly what it sounds like, a Ninja 650 with the front fairing removed, although with a very weird and ugly name. The only other difference I noticed was the headlight, which now has only 1 section as against the twins on the Ninja. It definitely doesn’t look bad, but I really doubt if it will be as much of a head turner as the Ninja is. Here are the specs on this machine:
- 649cc liquid cooled parallel-twin engine
- 72 PS power
- 64 Nm torque
- Six-speed transmission
- Tubular diamond type frame
- 41mm telescopic forks upfront, preload adjustable monoshock at rear
- 300mm dual disc upfront, 220mm rear
- No ABS option
- Slightly more upright riding position as compared to the Ninja
So yea, nothing too exciting here either. I’m still shocked that ABS is not even an option on these bikes, since I’ve heard rumors of even the Duke and RC 200 will be getting ABS as optional soon, at a premium of about 25,000 bucks. Not exactly sure what the Japs are thinking, but I really hope they know what they are doing! 2 other similar spec machines are available outside India, The Versys 650 tourer, and the Vulcan S cruiser. Hopefully Kawi will bring these beauties to India we well sometime soon!
I also don’t really know what color options are available on these 2 bikes as of now, looks like the Z250 will get black and black+green, while the ER-6n will do with only black, and maybe green in future.. Hopefully that ghastly yellow is not launched in here! Booking amount 30,000 bucks, waiting period 3 months.
Although Z250 is certainly going to be bonkers, ER-6n could’ve made an even stronger statement had it been priced 25-30 grand below its current retail price or, as you’ve mentioned, ABS was provided. But even the current price of Rs. 4.8 lacs approx. for a 649cc machine is just in that sweet spot as per Kawasaki’s standards.
Kawasaki’s standards are just too damn high!
Grrrrr… FU Kawasaki, I was waiting for Versys 650 not Kawasaki ER-6n. :@
Hopefully that’ll come along too soon Swadhin, but no news as of now.