2013 ninja 250 revised

[lars]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/630/13903/Motorcycle-Article/2013-Kawasaki-Ninja-250R-Revealed.aspx

The new ninja is updated, who knows if we merica's actually get fuel injection, but the question remains.
is the 2013 ninja eligible for racing in the 250 cup?

[T Baggins]

Hey Lars!

Bored yet.....? Hope you're hangin in there ok. Still plan to come by and harrass you at some point.

I see no reason not to let the 2013 in... that would free up a few of the older ones for racers who want to try the class without spending a ton of dough.

[KFinn]

Sounds hopeful!!!! Makes me really want to get one if everything comes to the US market. Some things I found hopeful are:


The tank and tail section is more chiseled nowHoping my taller legs can stay tucked under the ridge of the tank than the 09-12


new wheels with a slightly wider 140mm rear tire (compared to 130mm in 2012).


all-new DOHC Parallel Twin with new pistons, cylinders and crank cases. The new design aims to give the Ninja 250R more torque in the low to mid ranges. Kawasaki redesigned many of the major engine components, adding a larger oil pan and anodized pistons.


They’ve claim to have firmed up the chassis with more rubber bushings that cut down on vibrations.


changed the shape of the mainframe and updated suspension settings to better match up to the revised frame


Digital Fuel Injection, but it states that the option will only be available in certain markets


Kawasaki claims the new ABS control unit is the “world’s smallest” and should boost the overall stopping capabilities of the dual-disc braking packageNot loving the ABS factor but dual disc if it comes on the non ABS models could mean later breaking! :-)

[kitten]

Brake? What are you talking about?

[KFinn]

Sure there are one or two places with braking? Turn 6 or 8 and 1?

[lars]

Tony-in a word....yes. very bored. the doc is going to xray the leg today and see if i can return to life. currently me and the couch have become very good friends.

I am very curious to see how the specs come out for the 2013. on paper it looks substantially improved......

and if you dont want to use the brakes you can always put a foot down.

[lars]

I see no reason not to let the 2013 in... that would free up a few of the older ones for racers who want to try the class without spending a ton of dough.


umm, the new article i just read says the ninja is a ninja 300 now.....

[T Baggins]

post the link...

[lars]

Just reread the article, kawi will have a 250, 300 and 400 next year.
250 remains!
Hope it's easy to tell the difference between them:)

[T Baggins]

wonder which of those will come to the US though...?

[lars]

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/08/epa-document-reveals-2013-kawasaki-ninja-300-636cc-zx-6r/

Hmm,
Of course not all the info but looks likud we might get all of them.

[T Baggins]

I found the article.

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/motorcycles/kawasaki-adds-ninja-300r-400r-global-line-2013-61424/

Looks like the 300R will eventually (like as early as 2014) replace the 250 and the 400 is a scaled down version of the Ninja 650R. The 300R is a "real bike" that has been available abroad and in Canada since 2011.

They are expecting competition from KTM in the form of a Duke 350 and Duke 390 in 2013 as well.

Sounds like maybe we need to look at the following for 2013:

Production Cup 250 / 300

Two waves, 300's in front. Same rules as 250 prod now.

Forward looking, maybe it becomes Prod Cup 300 / 400 and we allow 250's to make additional mods to compete with the 300's?

Current 250's make 30hp in racetrim. Per the website the new 300's make 39hp at high rpm, 400's make 43hp at a much lower, more reasonable touring rpm.

Actually pretty damn cool, as this would maybe make the production class more appealing to a larger audience.

[Fastt Racing]

I'll take a 300R. Where do I buy one in Canada? I'll have Jeff Healy pick one up for me! P.S. 400R is said to make a smoother 43Bhp in your own article you linked not 49Hp.

[T Baggins]

I'll take a 300R. Where do I buy one in Canada? I'll have Jeff Healy pick one up for me! P.S. 400R is said to make a smoother 43Bhp in your own article you linked not 49Hp.

yeah, typo on my part. 39 & 43 is correct. Wonder if the 400 would be trackworthy or really "better" than the 300 for our purposes.

[asp125]

With the 400 essentially being a sleeved down Ninja 650R, one wonders if the heavier chassis, lower power will equalize it against a lighter Ninja 250 with an addtional 50ccs in the 300.

[T Baggins]

with that in mind, maybe this:

Production Cup

400
&
250

two wave.

and the 300's would ride with the 400's since they seem to be on a similar playing field.

If Honda, KTM and some others start tossing 350's and 400's at the market, how cool would THAT be!!??

I will make the suggestion in the rules thread because I think we need to be prepared to allow those bikes if they actually do come.

[lars]

sounds fun!