Kawasaki Ninja 250R (GPX-250R) 1988-2007 Review - Specs, History, Riding Impressions

In this fun 1980's motorcycle review, we'll be looking at the 1988-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R or GPX-250R as it's called elsewhere in the world. Essentially unchanged throughout its 19 year production run, the Ninja was a starter bike for many motorcycle enthusiasts. We'll look at the history, specs and performance of the Ninja 250R. I'll also be giving my riding impressions of the baby Ninja. And we'll be attempting to answer the question: Is the Kawasaki Ninja 250R the best beginner motorcycle ever made? Let's find out together!

[@GPz84]

Nice to see the small bikes I grew up with getting some love.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I'm working on a Concours 1000 video as well. Cheers!

[@GPz84]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Ooooohh.... can't wait!

[@kikevallesoficial]

I got one like two years ago, i was struggling in a money situation. . I'm still amazed of that little bike can do. Now i have the money to buy a brand new bigger one and decide to keep my little Ninja jjjjjj. For me is the best conmute bike ever.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@rolandwheeler4842]

I raced with Willow Springs motorcycle club back in the day and the Ninja 250 class was very competitive. There was an unlimited mod class also and lots of R and D went into the performance upgrades for bikes in this class. The top guys (and gals) were running high 1.30 second lap times on the big track, and that is seriously fast on a track made for straight line speed over cornering ability.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Many racers got their start on a 250 Ninja. You've got to maintain cornering speed to be quick on one. They make a relatively inexpensive track day bike. Cheers!

[@kalaharimine]

Super condition, had a Z250 (27 bhp air cooled) in the early eighties. Brilliant bike for the mountains, touring and commuting, hoping to find one again and restore it

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool 😎!

[@leviefrauim1425]

I know someone who has a nice one sitting in his garage. I'm guessing he'd like to get rid of it as he never rides it. Let me know if you're interested.

[@kalaharimine]

@leviefrauim1425 thanks, bad timing ir seems as I'm currently moving continents.

[@henryhawk978]

Nice bike,Jon. Woul like to find it in the 750 cc. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! I haven't ridden the earlier 750. I did have a beautiful ZX-7R later, though. Cheers!

[@shawnlibby675]

I had a 2001 660 Yamaha Raptor...swaped with a healthy zx6 600 ninja motor on with twin dual Chrome Harley-Davidson exhaust added down the side of the side of the foot pegs it actually was set up really well and was not in the way.. at Oxford planes Speedway in Maine..some years ago.. I got it and Trail rode it in Sand Dunes also... it was very fast... everybody I came across loved it and always tried to race it and always lost❤... now my bit older I'd like to get a 250R that runs well.. and stick it on this 2004 Kawasaki Mojave 250 cc wheeler and give me the 10,000 RPMs that the wheeler don't make... etcetera what's your opinion on this motor fitting on the 2004 Kawasaki Mojave 250cc ​@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@shawnlibby675 Those sound like fun projects! As for the Ninja motor fitting in the Mojave, I'm sure there will be lots of engineering challenges along the way. If you have decent welding and fabricating skills, you may be able to make it work without too much trouble. Has anyone you know of done that swap yet? They would be a great resource. Cheers!

[@thenexthobby]

Did Ninjas come in white in the early ‘90s? I have a brief memory of 2 friends having them back then, back before K called everything under the sun “Ninja.” My infamy is riding one up and down my friend’s street once, at the END of his house party. I’m sure you’ll never guess what influenced my lack of judgement … I’d previously only ever commanded an old Yamaha enduro across my college campus once. And then a few decades later I learned how to ride. At least that is what my license’s M-designation claims. Everyone is born ignorant. But I do make an effort not to remain stupid. :)

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I seem to remember a white Ninja 500. With a 19 year production run, I don't remember all the colors the 250 was available in, so they may have come in white also. I'm glad you survived the party 🥳! Cheers!

[@straightchad8059]

The GPX has a cousin ZZR- 250 , though that looked bulkier .

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! We didn't get the ZZR-250 here. Cheers!

[@ricardoberterame5950]

Hola Jhon.. que buenos recuerdos an vuelto. Como te comente en los 90 trabaje en una agencia Kawasaki oficial(1991 al 2001) la ninja 250 era la moto mas vendida. Asi que ayude a armar cuando venian en cajon de.madera ( directo japon).GPX 250 como aai tambien las versiones americanas Ninja 250. americanas. Era el.modelo.mas vendido. Como bien dijiste es una linda moto para un uso diario. Los muy jovenes de esa.epoca la compraban como su primera moto. La sometian a un castigo de semaforo a semáforo con mucha intensidad!!! Luego venian las consecuencias!!ja.( valvulas ,cadena dw distribucion , balancines.etc etc!!! Lo unico que aburria que venian todas negras con gris!! Salvo alguna roja( pocas) y la de tu informe que no recuerdo ninguna por mis pagos( que año es la del vídeo?). Saludos jhon

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hola Ricardo, gracias por compartir los recuerdos! La moto de las fotos es del 2000 creo. Me gusta el esquema de color verde que tiene. ¡Salud!

[@FunniestFlicks]

Very clean example, most are pretty beat up even with low miles. Nice color and graphics too, the ones with flames look dorky in my opinion.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

My friend takes good care of his bikes! I agree with you that racing green is a great color scheme on this bike. Cheers!

[@user-sh5dy5tr9d]

Good morning Jon ☕️. Cool bike. I've never ridden one. In fact, I've never ridden or owned anything in the general smaller displacement streetbike class. I wish I knew and understood the various personalities of these bikes in the "progression" so to speak. I've ridden 600cc inline fours and 650 parallel twins, but nothing smaller, (except a Kaw 454 LTD) I suppose when I bought my first streetbike, the 81 XS1100 Special, my mentality was that I didn't want anything "less". Eric in NC

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hi, Eric! While I really enjoy the big bikes, the size, weight, and handling can be drawbacks. The smaller machines are often less intimidating to ride, handle easily, and are economical. Corner speed is where they make up time on the big bikes. A great compromise bike is the Versys 650. It's a confidence inspiring wheelie machine that handles brilliantly. I want another one in the garage. Cheers!

[@user-sh5dy5tr9d]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Thanks Jon. Yes, the Versys 650 is one of the bikes that I've considered. (I've spent quite a bit of time on a family member's Ninja 650 and thought it to have a smooth versatile powerplant on the road. I just browsed your Playlist and I'm interested in checking out many things there. (The Versys 1000 and Tracer 09 are also bikes on my radar) ***the triple probably intrigues me the most. 😉

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@user-sh5dy5tr9d Right on!

[@SebastianJones-e9s]

I turn 17 this year and I already have my intermediate license for a car so I can drive by myself and I plan on getting my motorcycle permit. My mom is planning on giving me her bike which is a 2005 ninja ex250 and I’m great full for that but I’ve always wondered my doesn’t the bike have a fuel gauge.

[@SebastianJones-e9s]

I turn 17 this year and I already have my intermediate license for a car and I plan on getting my motorcycle permit. My mom is planning on giving me her bike which is a 2005 ninja ex250 and I’m great full for that but I’ve always wondered my doesn’t the bike have a fuel gauge.

[@spaceflight1019]

Off topic here... I need everyone to look at the Cosentyx commercial and tell me if that's an XS Eleven in the garage.

[@obamacares1281]

Is it still worth buying a 1994 gpx250 as a first bike?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Yes, if it's in great running condition. Cheers!

[@obamacares1281]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 it has 400,000 kms I don’t know how

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@obamacares1281 I would pass at that mileage. Cheers!

[@shawnlibby675]

I figured these bikes are cheap.. if I could gain enough horsepower cheap out of it I would throw the motor onto a 2004 Kawasaki Mojave 250 CC ATV I have and have 10,000 RPMs to rip with

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@SebastianJones-e9s]

I turn 17 this year and I already have my intermediate license for a car so I can drive by myself and I plan on getting my motorcycle permit. My mom is planning on giving me her bike which is a 2005 ninja ex250 and I’m great full for that but I’ve always wondered my doesn’t the bike have a fuel gauge.

[@SebastianJones-e9s]

I turn 17 this year and I already have my intermediate license for a car so I can drive by myself and I plan on getting my motorcycle permit. My mom is planning on giving me her bike which is a 2005 ninja ex250 and I’m great full for that but I’ve always wondered my doesn’t the bike have a fuel gauge.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@SebastianJones-e9s That's a great question! Many motorcycles don't have fuel guages. The guages cost money, and in the super-competitive small bike market, low cost is king. Reset your odometer with every fill-up, and know your range to reserve. If you get gas before that mileage, it shouldn't be a problem. Cheers!