ZX25R ANNOUNCED!!!!

[Daschicken]

HOLY **** GUYS! Its here! Its finally here!

https://www.visordown.com/news/new-b...kyo-motor-show




For those not in the loop: Why am I so excited? Because this is a bike that throws value out the window in favor of creating an actually usable inline four cylinder bike! 250cc Inline four! The last bikes with this engine configuration were made in 2004, and were detuned naked bike versions of the sport bikes that came before them. None were equipped with fuel injection.

I own a 250cc Inline four. It is from 1988, I got it for $2500. I did not buy it because it was a good deal(which it was..), I did not buy it because I love carburetors....I bought it because it was the ONLY reasonably attainable bike I could find that would let me experience the true joy of a tiny screaming inline four.


Sounds like it will be available in Indonesia and Japan so far, no word on U.S. yet. Hopefully the small but vocal group of mericans' who desperately want a baby screamer speak up and make Kawasaki consider release in the U.S.. My wallet is ready, I will gladly pay $13,000 for a screamer that I can actually use. Allegedly has a steel frame, so hopefully that means they did sufficient cost cutting to position it in their lineup in a way that they can actually market it. Not everyone is as dedicated as me to have a usable screamer. I really don't want a reason to restart the 25 year clock on importing, already have plenty of bikes tempting me, yet so far away!

I've seen power figures quoted between 45 and 60 horsepower, probably gonna be around 50, being realistic here. I'm not hung up on power, I just want my damn screamer with fuel injection and parts availability.

Even if it doesn't come to the U.S. I would probably import one for a track bike.

MPG isn't really the strong suit of a miniature four cylinder bike, probably gonna get low 50 MPGs with the average rider.


I bet Honda is really regretting making a neutered version of the true CBR 250RR right about now..

[19bonestock88]

I’d ride that! Well, if I could ride anything that is...

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

I’d ride that! Well, if I could ride anything that is...

Physical or mental handicap?


Something not really discussed yet is how high it will rev. The 90's era bikes pretty much all said they revved to 19,000 RPM, when they actually did a little bit over 17,000. Hopefully Kawi both tells the truth on the tach, and is able to improve on those numbers.

[19bonestock88]

Damn, never questioned my handicap lol... really I don’t have the financial means to also dabble in two wheeled transport mostly for fun, never mind the lack of a place to park one. My friend who rides a couple vintage BMW bikes keeps trying to convince me to grab a bike of some kind to play with. Maybe some day?

[freebeard]

Good sales numbers will lead [inexorably] to pieces and parts. I'm curious what other situation could benefit from a new small modern inline four.

UTVs, Fad Ts, small boats?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Even though I wouldn't really deem it cost-effective in Brazil, I'm sure there would be some reasonable marketing perspectives if the local branch of Kawasaki takes it seriously. With so many novice riders picking a 4-cyl just to show-off, and some rumors about a tiered license scheme on its way to get implemented here, it doesn't seem so unlikely to happen...

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'm curious what other situation could benefit from a new small modern inline four.

UTVs, Fad Ts, small boats?

When I was 13, I used to daydream about fitting a 250cc 4-pot (from the JDM Honda Hornet 250) to a buggy. I'm now almost 30, but I can't deny sometimes I still think about it...

[freebeard]

I [day]dreamt about a Fad T with an Indian air-cooled 77"(~1200cc) inline four and an empty chrome radiator shell with a fancy (Motometer?) radiator cap.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I [day]dreamt about a Fad T with an Indian air-cooled 77"(~1200cc) inline four and an empty chrome radiator shell with a fancy (Motometer?) radiator cap.

Not sure about that Indian engine specifically, but I'm sure this Kawasaki 250cc if backed by some very low gearing to match the RPM at the wheel and the multiplied torque might easily outperform some small car engines, such as the Beetle's or even the low-compression 1.0L version of the Opel Family 1 engine which was fitted to the Corsa which I learned to drive on. It makes me wish a ZX25R even more but, after I spent one week taking care of a French bulldog for a guy who had a motorcycle crash and broke 6 ribs, I'd rather pick just the engine of that crotch-rocket to use in some other application...

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I'm curious what other situation could benefit from a new small modern inline four.

UTVs, Fad Ts, small boats?

Just did some thinking on this, and snowmobiles sound like a possible candidate. Probably a little weak though. Something like a jet ski could be another application, but boats take a lot of power to move, and they tend to be built to a price point. I rode a rental jet ski out in florida, and it would do 43 mph with its 100 horsepower inline 3, plus they cost $6900 brand new.

They would have to put it in one of those stand up jet skis if it was going to be a sensible option.

[Doldrums]

This is what I have been waiting for, now that's what I'm talking about.