MCN Award for 2010 Best Machine for New Riders Goes To...Kawasaki Ninja 250R

A firm favourite with motorcycle beginners and enthusiasts for over twenty-five years, it comes as no shock that the original is still the best. 

 Despite it's long standing presence in the motorcycling world, the Ninja 250 has rarely been changed and never had so much of a whiff of a total overhaul. One of the most resonant changes however is the 2009/10 change of engine bringing the Ninja 250 into the 21st century. It's always been in a class of it's own, yet now the ZZ-R/GPX 250 engine is a distant memory, and has instead been replaced by a much more environmentally friendly 250 engine which is as easy to use as a bicycle. 

 An agile machine that makes the most of it's narrow tyres and light frame, it has often been compared to that of a 125cc learner's bike with more sophistication and that much sought after 'oomph'. With a suspension system hailed as being 'sheer perfection' it's no wonder the Ninja 250R is regarded as being second to none with beginner bikers.

 What the judges said: "Kawasaki's Ninja 250R is styled like a 'proper bike' and gives that all-important big bike feel to new riders. It's a magnificent machine for the money."

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