When we got word that Kawasaki was releasing an updated Ninja 250 (finally), images started popping up of the baby Ninja complete with racing bodywork and an aftermarket exhaust system. The previous version of the Ninja 250 gained a cult following and has been (and continues to be) Kawasaki’s best selling motorcycle, period. And with that many units being sold it was only a matter of time before people started racing them. In fact, the series was extremely popular with club racing organizations in many parts of the country. With word of a new bike being released, a renewed enthusiasm for “Ninjette races” started to grow. After riding the standard version at the intro in San Diego, I honestly had reservations about actually racing one of them. I had been used to running around racetracks on 600cc and 1000cc machinery.

But that all changed on a fateful day at Infineon raceway in Sonoma, California. While sampling a large portion of Kawasaki’s sportbikes, Ari Henning of Motorcyclist magazine challenged me to a battle royale around the undulating track on the little Ninja. Not one to back down from a challenge, I accepted. Though officially a trackday, Ari and I had the red mist in our eyes; we were sure there was a trophy waiting for us back in the pits, and while he put up a great challenge I eventually won the journalist-GP on the 250. Sadly, there were no trophies waiting for me, only boosted egos.

The high from that day carried over to the following work week and phone calls were immediately put in place to get a race-prepped Ninja 250 in the works. It was also around this time that the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (my local track) just announced a new series specifically for Kawasaki’s latest hit. Perfect. After all the leg work was finished, the result is the green machine you see above. Be on the lookout for a future issue of SR with details regarding the bike and our subsequent races, but I can tell you this; for a smidge more than five-grand you can have a brand new racebike, including the cost of the bike itself! Not only that, but maintenance costs are inherently lower throughout the racing season compared to bigger bikes. Tires last multiple race weekends, fuel costs are drastically reduced (pump gas, anyone?) and engine modifications are forbidden. 

Without giving too much away, it’s was hard not to chuckle inside my helmet while riding this thing. The racing was action packed (albeit pretty slow) and usually was the highlight of the race weekend.    

So what do you think? Is little bike racing up your alley, or are big bikes the only way to go?