Kawasaki has officially launched its quarter-litre twins, the Ninja 250 and Z250, for the 2026 model year in Japan with mostly aesthetic enhancements and without any mechanical changes. Both motorcycles receive new colour options with updated graphics, meant to further spruce up their looks. The bikes go on sale from November 2025 in Kawasaki’s home market, thus perfectly executing Kawasaki’s plan to keep its 250cc twins fresh-looking, while preserving their basic engineering.
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2026 Kawasaki Ninja 250, Z250: What’s New
The 2026 models arrive with fresh paint jobs. The Ninja 250 wears bold dual-tone options: Metallic Carbon Gray with Metallic Yellowish Green and Galaxy Silver with Candy Persimmon Red. On the other
hand, the Z250 adorns the timeless Ebony With Metallic Carbon Gray scheme with more pointed graphic treatments. These visual changes are not dramatic but rather surgical in their intent to update the attraction without totally reimagining the models.
2026 Kawasaki Ninja 250, Z250: What Remains The Same
Kawasaki keeps the 248cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin mill for both models- Ninja 250 as well as Z250. This engine makes about 35 hp and 22 Nm of torque, mated to a slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox. There has been absolutely no change in the suspension, braking system, chassis geometry, wheels, or tyre setups from previous model year. There may be a cosmetic refresh but Kawasaki has retained the hardware as is, making sure of consistency in parts and service, as well as riding experience.
2026 Kawasaki Ninja 250, Z250: Availability And Pricing
In Japan, the 2026 iterations of the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and Z250 will available from next month. The Ninja 250 carries a price tag of 726,000 yen (roughly Rs 4.22 lakh), whereas the Z250 comes at 704,000 yen (around Rs 4.09 lakh).
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Significance And What To Watch Out For
Recent changes may be just skin-deep, but it highlights Kawasaki’s efforts to keep its 250cc line relatable in today’s competitive market. In markets such as India where the Ninja 250 isn’t available (replaced by the Ninja 300), this refresh signals a likely pivot of product strategy moving forward. Stick around with Times Now Auto for updates on localisation, pricing, and if these updated models are bound for more markets.
