Baby Ninja did 140kph on the track; 39 close range exclusive shots

07/10/2009 - 19:15 | Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Bajaj | Shrawan Raja

A late entry, but at least we get the Fuel Injected version with 33 PS

Bajaj Auto has finally introduced the baby Ninja, the 250cc twin cylinder sports motorcycle to the roads of India. Many will agree that the entry is late, but better late than never, we say.

India also gets the more advanced Fuel Injected version as opposed to a carbureted one which sells in some other parts of the world. Present on the launch today were the MD Mr Rajiv Bajaj and Mr Eric Vaz President (New Projects) who were visibly thrilled to showcase such a product to the performance bike-starved Indian customers.

The Ninja is priced at Rs 2,69,970 Ex Showroom Delhi. After the frugal Discover, Bajaj now has got into the the performance mode and the Ninja stands as its flagship model which was earlier held by the Pulsar 220. The KTMs are also coming in three month' time and they should prove even more interesting.

The stunning looks of the baby Ninja is going to thrill many enthusiasts who have been waiting for a very long time. Assembled at the Chakan Plant, the CKD units are procured from Kawasaki in Thailand. Sold and serviced exclusively at Probiking stations, the Ninja would be available at a booking amount of Rs 40,000.

We also got our hands on the Ninja at the Bajaj Chakan test track and at the end of the short session, we were left with no words. The sheer power that the machine develops and the aerodynamic shape cuts the Ninja through turbulently approaching wind like a hot knife through butter. For the record, we touched 145kmph on the speedo and the Ninja could have easily done more, if we had a longer stretch.

To sum it up Bajaj' new kid on the block is very hot. But the question that needs to be answered is can it put up against Yamaha and Honda if they bring in the 250 Fazer and 250 Hornet?