Kawasaki Ninja 125: Top 5 Highlights

The Kawasaki Ninja 125 is an entry-level supersport bike built specifically for beginner riders and A1 licence holders. Yes, European markets have skill-based license tiers wherein riders will have to start off with A1, which allows riders only to ride 125cc bikes. Starting at GBP 4,699 (around Rs 6,08,189), it mimics the sharp styling and racing DNA of Kawasaki’s larger faired bikes.

An engine that likes to be revved

• The liquid-cooled single makes 14.14PS at 10,000rpm and 11.7Nm at 7,700rpm. Liquid-cooling tech, along with a larger bore (when compared to the stroke), allows the engine to push further when compared to an air-cooled engine with the same displacement. It works alongside a 6-speed transmission, which should help in getting the most out of the motor. 

Sporty ergonomics

• The slightly rear-set footpegs and clip-on handlebars are meant for a sporty riding posture. That said, it is not overly aggressive as the clip-on handlebars are a bit raised. 

• At 785mm, the seat is pretty accessible too, but if you’re a taller rider, you have the option to go for a 20mm higher seat. 

• The pillion seat, however, is meant only for short commutes. But then again, such is the nature of faired bikes, so you can’t expect the best comfort there anyway. 

No-nonsense underpinnings

• The chassis is built around a tubular steel trellis frame, painted in green in a typical Kawasaki fashion.

• It holds the front telescopic fork and the rear linked monoshock. While we’d have liked to see a more premium inverted fork, a well-tuned fork will suffice in most use cases anyway. 

• Of course, you get disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS to ensure maximum safety. 

Old-school Ninja design

• Nowadays, almost all Kawasaki Ninjas come with a similar-looking design with slight deviations here and there. 

• Interestingly, Kawasaki hasn’t updated this bike’s design, and it still has the old-school single-pod halogen headlight complementing the sharp fairing. 

• While it may feel dated to some, we quite like it as it gives this baby Ninja a unique look, as most of the other bikes in the Ninja family look like clones of each other. 

• The console is also retro - an orange-lit LCD unit without any connectivity. You can opt for a smartphone holder that will cost you extra, though.

Kawasaki Ninja 250 Price And Variants

• Kawasaki sells the Ninja 250 in two variants: standard and Performance.

• The latter adds an Arrow exhaust with a carbon-fibre tip. This exhaust is Euro 5+ compliant too, while being lighter and looking cooler than the stock exhaust. 

• The Performance variant also gets a pillion seat cowl, frame sliders, smoked windscreen and a tank pad - all factory fitted.

• That said, if you’re looking to have only some of these, you can opt for them from the accessory catalogue.

• The standard variant costs GBP 4,699, whereas the Performance variant is pegged at GBP 5,499