Sportbikes
1996Kawasaki ZXR 250
32 fields on record
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 is a Japanese sports bike powered by a 249cc liquid-cooled inline four making 45 hp and 24.5 Nm. It weighs 141 kg dry and has a 6-speed gearbox and a 15-litre tank.
- Capacity
- 249.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 141.0 kg
- Seat height
- 735 mm
- Power
- 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 15000 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Sport bike built for its class - everyday, practical use.
- Built for
- A sport bike from Kawasaki, built around a 249cc engine - a real production model, but this profile is formula-generated from its class and spec sheet rather than individually reviewed.
- Not ideal for
- Not for serious performance or off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →32
out of 100Below average
The Kawasaki ZXR 250 passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 77.2% of the time, 4.5 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 32% of models.
This covers every year of the model.
77.2%Passed first time
12.3%Failed outright
10.5%Fixed during test
24,000Typical miles
114Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Against its rivals · ranks 4 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aprilia RS 250 | 63 Good | 5,956 |
| 2 | Yamaha RD 350 R YPVS | 53 Average | 1,133 |
| 3 | Suzuki RGV 250 | 46 Average | 3,226 |
| 4 | Kawasaki ZXR 250 | 32 Below average | 114 |
| 5 | Kawasaki ZXR 400 | 24 Below average | 14,183 |
| 6 | Kawasaki Ninja 250 | 22 Below average | 365 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 249.0 ccm
- Power
- 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 15000 RPM
- Torque
- 24.5 Nm (2.5 kgf-m) @ 11500 RPM
- Engine type
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.3191 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 49.0 x 33.1 mm
- Compression
- 12.2:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
- Clutch
- Wet, Multi-disc, Manual, Cable-actuated
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1360 mm
- Overall length
- 2000 mm
- Overall width
- 685 mm
- Overall height
- 1090 mm
- Seat height
- 735 mm
- Dry weight
- 141.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 15.00 litres
- Ground clearance
- 141 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Frame
- Perimeter, pressed aluminium
- Front suspension
- Telescopic forks
- Rear suspension
- Uni-track, Swing arm
- Front wheel travel
- 120 mm
- Rear wheel travel
- 113 mm
- Rake (fork angle)
- 24.0°
- Trail
- 85 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- 2x discs 2 piston calipers
- Rear brakes
- Single disc 1 piston caliper
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1989 | 1991 | 1994 | 1996 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 250 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc |
| Dry weight | — | 141 kg | 141 kg | 141 kg | 141 kg |
| Seat height | — | 735 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm | 735 mm |
| Fuel capacity | — | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L | 15 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Kawasaki ZXR 250?
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 has a Capacity of 249.0 ccm (15.19 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Kawasaki ZXR 250 have?
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 has a Power of 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 15000 RPM.
How many gears does the Kawasaki ZXR 250 have?
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Kawasaki ZXR 250?
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 has a Torque of 24.5 Nm (2.5 kgf-m or 18.1 ft.lbs) @ 11500 RPM.
How much does the Kawasaki ZXR 250 weigh?
The 1996 Kawasaki ZXR 250 has a Dry weight of 141.0 kg (310.9 pounds).
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