Kawasaki Z250SL India launch in late 2015

Kawasaki is planning to expand its Indian product portfolio. According to reports, Kawasaki will launch the Z250SL in the Indian two-wheeler market by end of the year. The Kawasaki Z250SL was especially developed for the Indonesian market and was launched in May 2014. What makes the new Kawasaki motorcycle is the fact that it is powered by a 249cc displacement single-cylinder motor unlike the parallel twin 250cc mill as seen on the Kawasaki Z250 that is on sale in India. The fact that it uses one cylinder less, the Kawasaki Z250SL would be the cheapest Kawasaki motorcycle on sale in India when it makes its debut later this year. The Kawasaki Z250SL would be brought via the CKD route and expect it to be priced around Rs 30,000 cheaper than its twin-cylinder offering that retails for Rs 3.11 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 

Another aspect that would be vital for the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer is localisation off its parts. If Kawasaki is able to source more than five per cent (current localisation for the Z250) of the parts from Indian vendors it could further slash the price of the Z250SL in India. It is expected that with additional localisation the Kawasaki Z250SL could be sold for around Rs 2.5 lakh in the Indian two-wheeler market. It is also likely that the new Kawasaki Z250SL will replace its twin-cylinder sibling from the Indian market. When ZigWheels contacted Kawasaki India officials about the launch of the Kawasaki Z250SL they declined to comment. Given our past interactions, it is safe to assume that the launch of the Kawasaki Z250SL in 2015 is almost confirmed.

The Z250SL is a quarter-litre street bike offering and the SL moniker stands for “Sports Light”. The Kawasaki Z250SL tips the scale at 148kg for the standard (non-ABS) version, and 150kg for the ABS version. The overall design of the Kawasaki Z250SL with minimal panels is in sync with traditional streetbike styling. The bike features a chiselled, single unit headlamp at front whereas the neatly sculpted fuel tank with shrouds and the exposed trellis frame add muscle to the overall profile. The tail section, exhaust and the Y-spoke wheels have been carried forward from its faired sibling. 

Powering the Kawasaki Z250SL is a 249cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor churning out 28PS at 9,700rpm and torque rating stands at 23Nm at 8,200rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a six-speed gearbox. The Kawasaki Z250 with its parallel twin powerplant produces 32PS and 21Nm of peak torque. The Z250SL features an all-new steel trellis frame, which the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer claims has been designed to endow the bike with good handling dynamics and easy manoeuvrability. Since the Z250SL is a street bike, the riding position of the bike is more upright and it features a flat and wide handle bar. The revised handlebar will provide the rider with a comfortable riding posture, which will be a boon while touring or flicking the bike through city. The Z250SL sports 37 mm telescopic forks at front and monoshock at rear with five-setting preload adjustable along with a Uni-trak linkage, comprises the suspension setup. 

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Braking is done by a 2-piston caliper 263mmdia  single disc brake at front and a single caliper 193mm dia disc brake at rear. ABS is an optional extra on the Z250SL but it remains questionable whether it would be offered in the Indian-spec model. In terms of pricing, the Kawasaki Z250SL retails for Rs 2.03 lakh for the standard version, while the ABS version will retail for Rs 2.34 lakh in the Indonesian market.