Kawasaki launches two sport nakeds in India

After a quiet few months, Kawasaki is back in action with two more launches. The Japanese bike maker has launched two nakeds, the ER-6n and the Z250, at Rs 4.78 lakh and Rs 2.99 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Both motorcycles are being locally assembled (Kawasaki has claimed 40 per cent localisation on the Z250, and 30 per cent for the ER-6n), but the steep pricing does suggest otherwise, especially when you put into perspective the pricing of their competitors.

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The ER-6n is Kawasaki’s 650cc naked, and is the un-faired version of the Ninja 650[/caption]

The Kawasaki Z250 is in essence, the Ninja 250, though without the fairing. It is powered by the same 249cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine as the Ninja 250 was, producing 32bhp and 21Nm of peak torque. While underpinnings are shared with Ninja, the bike borrows design cues from the aggressively styled Z800.

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The Kawasaki Z250 is in essence, the Ninja 250, though without the fairing[/caption]

With an ex-showroom price of just under Rs 3 lakh, the Z250 is the cheapest Kwacker in India. However, its Japanese rival, the Suzuki Inazuma costs about Rs 90,000 less, while KTM’s Duke twins cost Rs 1.3 lakh and 1.9 lakh, for the 200 and 390, respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi). When Suzuki’s Inazuma was launched in India for Rs 3.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), buyers were too put off by the high price to appreciate the naked bike. Eventually, Suzuki had to slash prices by a lakh to gain any traction in terms of sales.

The ER-6n is Kawasaki’s 650cc naked, and is the un-faired version of the Ninja 650. Considering that the Ninja 650 is already assembled here, launching the ER-6n was a logical decision. The ER-6n uses the same tried and tested 649cc parallel-twin motor with its faired cousin, developing 71bhp and 64Nm of torque. The engine and the bike itself are known to be quite versatile as the Ninja 650 is a good daily commuter, though it can change character to suit track days or long distance touring too.

Costing Rs 4.78 lakh, the ER-6n is almost a lakh dearer than its only rival in the Indian market, the Hyosung GT 650N, which has only received a lukewarm response from enthusiasts. We think Kawasaki’s reputation as a premium bike maker should help the ER-6n do better though.

Specification

ModelZ250ER-6nEngineLiquid-cooled, parallel-twin, 249ccLiquid-cooled, parallel-twin, 649ccTransmission6-speed manual6-speed manualPower32bhp @ 11,000rpm71bhp @8500rpmTorque21Nm @10,000rpm64Nm @ 7000rpm0–100kmph7 seconds (est.)4.6 seonds (est.)Weight168kg204kgFuel efficiency22kmpl (est.)19kmpl (est.)Price (ex-Delhi)Rs 2.99 lakhRs 4.78 lakh