Kawasaki updated the webpage for the 2009 Ninja 250R… And not to to many people’s surprise, not much has changed.

What has changed:

Price is listed as $3,499 - $4099 (Pretty sure this is a misprint and should be $3,999-$4,099)

Colors are now: Metallic Diablo Black, Sunbeam Red, Candy Thunder Blue, Special Edition Lime Green / Metallic Diablo Black

There is a special edition version ( Lime Green / Metallic Diablo Black) Which also looks to get wheel stripes.

Updated the pictures, removing the pictures of the woman riding the bike. (Perhaps marketing shift?)

More details: Kawasaki.com

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Who loves ya? Mr. 2Fiddy loves yah! Thats who! Well, not just Mr 2Fiddy… Zartan the creator of the rad lil’ exhaust hangers for the Ninja 250R, must think y’all are pretty sweet too…

We’ll be giving away a Black Powder coated Steel Exhaust Hanger kit — But you Need to act Fast, as this Giveaway Ends @ Midnight on Sunday September 14th, 2008… And if you can’t wait: ORDER HERE. I know these guys are going fast, so don’t lolly-gag buying a kit.

And for a sweet writeup on these guys, check out KKims thread over at Kawiforums about it. (God bless KKim, he is the only person that can take a 10 Min DIY install, and turn it into a fraternity kegger…) And Yes, these are confirmed to work on both 2008 and 2009 Ninja 250R’s….

How to enter: Leave a comment here with your Favorite exhaust for the Ninja 250R. And give us a quick blurb why it’s your favorite. Example:

Mr. 2 FIddy Says: “I like the stock Exhaust since it is shiny, and is included free with the bike. I really like things that are shiny. They remind me of the Silver surfer and wet kittens… “

Zartan and I will choose one of the comments at Random to choose a winner. So make sure you use a real email address so we can contact you.

And Sorry Austrailia: This is open to US and Canada Only.

AND THE WINNER IS……..

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So Richard over at RaceBikeRentals.com sent in some great news. It looks like AFM and WERA (National) will be adopting the rules we run at WSMC for the Ninja Cup for the 2009 season. What does this mean? Time to start scowering the internet for 08’s to build yourself a track bike!

Don’t have the cash for a Track Bike? Don’t know if racing is for you? No Worries, RaceBikeRentals.com will be renting 250’s for these events.. Seriously.. How awesome is that?

Details:

• WERA and AFM will have a new Ninja Cup series with same rules as WSMC Ninja Cup –  [ Mods allowed: tires, exhaust, jetting, front and rear suspension)
• Kawasaki to pay year end contingency
• RaceBikeRentals.com to sponsor each race for WSMC, AFM and WERA WEST with a purse payout
• RaceBikeRentals.com to supply rental bikes at all events

Links: RaceBikeRentals.com, AMF, WERA

What mods or Parts are the best ones for the Ninja 250R? Which should I do First?

… Seems to be the first question to pop into mind for every new boy and girl as they wait for Kawasanta to bring them their shiny new 2009 Ninja 250R? (Or wait for a 2008 to show up on a dealers lot)

Granted this topic is completely objective.. The best mods are the ones you’re happy with — But to help steer you in the right direction, I’ll throw my $.02 into the ring, and feel free to do so yourself in the comments.

#1: Good Riding Gear - There are lots of new riders on this bike, so I know many of you will be starting from scratch… Spend your money on gear! Good gear will last you a long time, and save your butt when you need it the most! DO NOT SKIMP ON GEAR TO SAVE MONEY FOR PARTS!

#2: Needle Shim / Jet Kit - These bikes tend to be a bit anemic. Adding a jet kit or shimming your needles will give you the most bang for your buck of any ‘performance’ mod. (Unless you’re one of those lucky Bastards in AU, UK, Indo, Japan, etc. that has fuel injection…)

#3: Stainless Braided Brake Lines - The stock lines are just Squishy and don’t give much feedback… This is a decent 100$ mod that will get you lots of bang for your buck… Just make sure if you don’t know what you’re doing you get some help… Brakes are well.. You know.. Kinda important.

#4: Fender Eliminator - Sorry to everyone that lives in an area where these are illegal.. But the rear fender is horrible.. Chop that crap off, or find an aftermarket part.

#5: Rear Seat Cowl - This is both for aesthetics and safety. Two up on the 250R is a bit shady to me. I think it brings a lot of people out of their comfort zone for riding, and also the additional weight brings the 250R close to the limits of safe riding. The Seat cowl looks great, and makes 2 up riding a non issue.

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There have been Murmurs for the last day or so about 2009’s showing up at dealers. Although this has not been 100% confirmed, I got sooooo many emails about it, I decided to make a few phone calls. Here is what I found out:

This might actually be legit. One of the two people I talked to have deliveries scheduled in the next week that they were told contain these bikes.

More details to comes. I’ll update once I have 100% confirmation.

Update 1:

2009’s are officially being delivered in Australia. Reader Joel (Who Send a Shout out to http://www.kawariders.com.au/) just brought home a 2009 Lime Green (Remember Folks, No Lime Green in AU last year..)

Update 2:

This is officially confirmed. Yes, Fresh Ninja 250’s are hitting US Soil for the first time in over a month or two… There is a little confusion as to if these are “Rebadged” 08’s or actually 09’s. No one really knows yet — But it doesn’t make sense to me for Kawasaki to sit on stock for 2 months just for $500.. (Unless production costs went into the red, which would also explain why there is a price increase)

Either way, a few lucky few of you at the top of the waiting lists will get new bikes over the next week. Wether of not they are “true” 09’s won’t be known for 2 more weeks after the September dealer meeting.

First, I need to preface this post by saying — I try my hardest to deliver any news, advice, and information that has to do with the Ninja 250R — Good or Bad — And I try to do it as open minded and objectively as I can, and in return I let y’all respond with the same respect as I don’t moderate comments in any way.

That being said, there is one truth that might upset some people for me saying it — but I haven’t heard it yet — and I think people want to hear it because of the emails I have been getting lately so I’m just going to do it: (Y’all really do email me about some of the craziest stuff… Don’t get me wrong, I love it.. But the emails need to include more pictures of chicks, puppies, chicks with puppies, and fire! )

Here is the jist of about 4 emails I received this weekend with the name “John” used instead:

Dear Mr 2Fiddy,

[… blah blah … ] I went into my dealer this weekend looking at a new bike, should I trade in my 250, or wait? Is $x,xxx for a Ubermoto 10000 a good price? is $x,xxxx a Good price for a trade in? [ … Yadda, Yadda… ]

Thanks,
John

And now, here is my open response to the community:

Dear John,
If you’re thinking about trading in your lil’ Ninja for another bike, Now is the time to do it.

xoxo,
Mistah 2Fiddy

There, I said it… You pissed yet? Okay — Fine.. Lemme explain myself.

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What we Know:
All 2008 orders not shipped as of Aug. 05, 2008 (Today) are canceled
Colors: Black, Blue, Red (No more Kawi Green)
Price: $3999 USD

What we’re waiting to find out:
When they will be shipping.

My Thoughts:
I don’t think any of this is ground breaking news. It does suck that people who have deposits on 08’s @ $3499 might get bit for another $500 — That might even turn away a few prospective buyers — However, the used market is indeed picking up I’m seeing 250’s all over eBay and Craigslist. But — Unless we saw a YZF-250, CBR-250, GSX-250 or something similar hit the market, the price increase was pretty much inevitable. (And I have a hard time believing it’ll scare away enough buyers to hurt Kawasaki’s sales numbers)

I do think it’s pretty odd for them to drop green as a color. I would think that they would drop Red or Blue. However, since they did drop Green, it does leave the door open for a Kawi Green Special Edition… *shrug* Who knows.

Anyone have any updates on any physical changes? (No, there is not fuel injection on North American bikes. Please don’t ask…)

Hat tip JET for sending this in. Dealer Notice After the Jump..

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Guys… The Rumormill is Swirling… Searches for “2009 Ninja 250R” landing here are up 300% in the last 2 days…

I called my dealer and they said they heard July 2008. Called another Dealer and they said Aug 2008. None of which could comment on if they know of any changes. Neither of which have received a 2008 in over a month…

Anyone got any inside information? I’m sure some dealer out there has some information on when they will start to arrive. I’m just not getting my hopes up (yet) — Because if it was too be arriving soon, I’m sure that Kawasaki would update their website.. But I’ll keep watching — and if anyone hears anything — make sure you drop us a line over here!

Kawasaki updated their website this week to include the 2009 Ninja 500R. There was quite a bit of anticipation that the 500R would receive a similar face lift to the 250R. I guess now we know it is clearly not happening in the 2009 year.

I’m guessing that Kawasaki feels that it would be competing with it’s ZZR and ZX lines if it did a face lift on the 500R, or, they will upset the more conservative economical audience the 500R attracts? (Ie. Some people don’t like the ‘crotch-rocket’ look..)

I would personally put an Updated 500R as a nice upgrade path for 250R owners looking for a lil more freeway ooomph, without having to jump directly into a Supersport bike. I guess thats why the ZZR is still around, but at 2K less, a sexy 500 would be a nice option…

Thoughts?