A lot has been said about this Bike. This will be more of a story than an ownership thread. Kindly bear with me.
Prologue:
It all started a few years back. 2009 I guess. I saw the Ninja on the road. It was something else to see her in flesh. I was awestruck and spent the next half an hour collecting the pieces of my jaw from the road. I knew this was the best 250cc bike in the world. So much praise on the internet, so many people in awe. People upgrading to litre class and still keeping the bike. I knew she was special.
I started dreaming. But 3 Lakhs OTR, right? Did some calculations, looked at my behind, imagined dad hitting it with a kashmir willow bat lying at home, and dropped the idea.
So I would have to buy it with my own money.
Fast forward to Jan 2013. After number of attempts, I had cleared my CA (seriously, what's with the Institute? They invite us saying tangdi kabab will be served. Then we come to know that the tangdi is right now just an
anda. And we wait till it becomes a tangdi. Finally they serve the dish that too not properly cooked. What man).
Now I had a chance to earn and get my hands on what I dreamt of. I was super excited. Good days ahead indeed. (And some sleepless nights of course).
The dilemma, launch of the Ninja 300:
So, I got a job. I started saving. The moment I started saving, Kawasaki launched the 300, at a premium. I scratched my head, did some EMI calculations, looked at the empty fridge in my room and continued saving.
Few months later, when I had managed to save some moolah, I started to do the calculations again. Not buying was just not an option. Now it was between the new 300 and used 250. Because at 4 Lakhs OTR, it would have been another six months staring at the empty fridge and switched off television.
So I began scratching my head again.
Meanwhile, I found an almost unused 250. It was green. It had 3500 kms on the odo. I decided to check her out.
It was almost new, scratch less and genuinely 3500kms done. The owner, a rich dad's kid, had done a nice job maintaining the bike. Didn't take to college and all, good for me. Didn't know about the bike much of course, tried to sell me on 'The bike will shut off if it remains On for more than a minute'. Sigh, but god bless. I took a small test ride and that was it.
There was a connect. It feels silly but there was. I felt similar thing when i bought my Hunk in 2007 and had to select from three that were in the yard.
Visited the service centre, looked up the history and was satisfied.
So, I finally decided on the (un)used Ninja 250 R. I could finally see my fridge with some Real Guava juice inside. Whew.
Price you ask? 2.40 Lakhs. I feel I got a decent deal considering the condition and kms on the bike. It was total stock.
Now, the most difficult thing. Parents.
I had to convince my parents that even if she was not of the same caste and a bit modern with Japanese values, she would be a good
bahu.
Buying a
big bike is a task for most of us Indians. It's like inter-caste marriage.
NOT OUR CASTE??!! equals to 2.5 LAKH??!!
EATS NON VEG??!! equals to ONLY 25KMPL??!!
YOU CAN GET BETTER OF SAME CASTE!! equals to YOU CAN GET A CAR AT THIS PRICE!!
What man.
So, after a successful moulding of their minds and some
I won't ride fast assurances, I got Her Highness home in August 13.
The Bike:
This the 2012 Model.
It had the first service done. I changed the oil to Motul 300V after a week of getting the bike.
What can I say! One can't just wait for the open roads and once you get there, it's something surreal. The bike has an okayish low end. But the mid range and the top so so good, you end up having an absolute blast each and every time you take her out. Ducking behind the shield and riding gives you a high. Right shifts at right time and you grin whole day like Salma Hayek gave you a kiss.
It's something to experience. My usual rides would be JVLR, Eastern Express Highway, Palm Beach and Western Express Highway. Palm Beach is my favorite, for obvious reasons.
After a week of getting the bike, I accidently rode over broken wind shield glass at night. The rear IRC got multiple punctures and the sidewall got badly damaged.
I hunted PSDs for a week, later settled for ContiGO due to non availability of PSDs. Conti Go is such a crappy tire. The ride became very hard, the grip was real bad. It improved a bit after 15-20kms of riding, but not that great either. Waiting for PSDs would have been a sensible option.
I got an AGV Helmet from Harbans, Ghatkopar. He is a good fellow, gives a good rate too. He supplies to most of the retailers and keeps a good stock of AGVs. I got a cover, chain lube, cleaner and polish from Goregaon west.
I rode quite a lot in the city and in Heavy traffic too. The riding posture lies in between that of R15's and CBR250's. It's perfect for me, not too sporty and not too relaxed, just perfect.
The bike heats up a bit in traffic, the radiator does its job well.
When standing still, the heat does get up all over your legs, but its certainly manageable.
The second service was due on 6K, so I had few miles to put before I could get her serviced.
Occasional washing and shampoo till the service
I did the second servicing due at 6K. Changed the oil filter and oil of course. Removed the number plate and put up a sticker on the front mud guard. The clutch felt tight, so had the guy have a look at it.
It was brand new all over again.
One amazing thing about this bike is the build quality. Never did I hear any sqeak. Never did I hear any vibrations. Everything is top notch.
The Ride:
The bike is rock solid at any given speed. The straight line stability is unbelievable, so is the cornering. You get addicted to the corners. One doesn't buy this for the straight roads anyway.
It's pure bliss to ride to Lonavla and up till Amby Valley. The corners are super and you get to see a new side of the bike. Exiting the corners is so much fun!
The bike hugs the road, absolutely planted and well behaved in every way. Well cultured Japanese indeed.
I think 0-100 is about 7 seconds. It sure feels quicker when you actually try that drag. Insane acceleration. Max I have clocked is 160 on a straight deserted patch. 100-120kms continuous ride is a piece of cake for this bike. Feels too slow. But sadly, even 100 is not safe for our road and traffic conditions.
A few snaps: 
Love these lamps more than the ones on 300
A shiny night shot
The One. Bike of course
The first thing that happens to you when you buy a Ninja is
'Bhaiyya aapka light chalu hai!'
It is okay in the beginning but eventually gets on your nerve.
For eg:
He: Aapka light chalu hai (The headlight is on)
Me: Band nahi hota (Can't switch it off)
He: Kyu? Itni mehengi gaadi lete aur light band nahi hota? (You buy such an expensive bike and can't even switch off the light?)
Me: Sorry uncle.
Once I was on my way home, got a green signal at a square, suddenly a lady policeman jumped in front of the bike, just to tell that the light was on. Crazy.
Then there are kids who touch and feel the bike in awe. But that's okay, as I did the same when I was a kid. So I let them.
Judaai:
Merely after riding for four months and putting just 6K on the odo, I get to know that I will have to leave the country for work and this love story might just end. But I wont let it end. There is no question of selling the bike. It will be with me till I breathe my last. I kept the bike in covers and left the country, hoping to come back again and kiss the corners with her.
After every ride, The Mean Green sure Leaves a Grin. :D
It was love that was inexplicable,
I was there, and under the sun, stood you..
I couldn't move a muscle,
I just went blue..
Then I thought I could have you,
I could love and care,
In my mind, a thought I started to sew..
The dream was realised and you were mine,
The journey began and gone was my whine,
At times I cut lose,
Only to realise how precious was your shine..
But then I was woken up,
It was yet to sink in,
The dream was short lived,
Shorter than a hiccup..
I still remember you,
Shining under the sun,
I still remember those wheels that you spun,
All the corners and every turn,
Leaning with you was such fun,
I'll come back for you, someday I will,
We'll elope, we'll be on the run,
I'll miss you baby,
We Had A Good Run.
Cheers to riding.
PS: Thank you n_aditya for patiently answering my queries during the purchase.
You've got a cracking sense of humor driveanddrive, very well written. It made laugh and I enjoyed reading it twice. Keep the posts coming.
I was reading about the 300 a few days ago and this is a good perspective on the 250. That's a unique color but somehow goes with the Ninja.
Superb write up. Congrats on the 250! I too personally love its looks more than the 300's. And congrats for clearing the CA Finals. From one CA to another; i know exactly how that feels. FM & Costing made my life hell. If they'd put both of these in the same group; I'd never have been able to clear that Group. Heh Heh :D.
I lusted after the 250. I still do. Maybe I will be able to buy it (or the 300) some day. You must absolutely love wide sweeping corners on that. Enjoy the mean green machine!!!
It is lovely reading the posts.
I am contemplating my first bike in US and budget constraint and posts like these are pushing me for Ninja 250. I am getting them used for about $3000, run for about 3000 miles. Would that be a good deal?
Also, if I want to ride two up on freeways at speeds of 120+, would the vehicle be comfortable?
Lastly, what kind of mileage figures shall one expect at those cruising speeds?
Appreciate the expert help.
Regards
Himanshu
Hats off dude..
Brilliant write up.
Question - how much would it cost for the service of the ninja 250 and what is the difference in servicing prices for this bike and the ninja 300?
