Kawasaki Z 250 FT - [1980] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Kawasaki Z 250 FT - [1980]

Kawasaki Z 250 FT - [1980] image

Kawasaki Z 250 FT - [1980]

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Kawasaki

Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Kawasaki Z 250 FT
  • Year: 1980 | Type: Standard
  • Engine: 248 cc (15.1 ci) 4 Valve
  • Engine Type: Wankel | Cylinders: 2
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: SOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 6 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 167 kgs (368 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 153 kgs (337 lbs)
  • Power: 27 bhp (20 kW) @ 10000 rpm
  • Torque: 15.1 lb-ft (20.6 Nm) @ 8500 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 161.6 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 91.0 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 22.9 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 23.4 secs
  • Top Speed: 0 mph (0.0 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 0 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Kawasaki Z 250 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Kawasaki Z 250 FT is the 6 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1981 Honda CB 1100 R BB and the 1981 Suzuki GSX 1100 SX Katana.This particular Kawasaki Z 250 has a 248cc Air cooled, Two stroke, Wankel Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders and Carburettor.

Yamaha XSR 700 Twin - [2020] image

An alternative Wankel engine, Standard style motorbike includes the Yamaha XSR 700 Twin - [2020]

The 1980 Z 250 shares its Wankel engine and Standard style configuration with the likes of the 2020 Yamaha XSR 700 Twin and the 2018 Yamaha XSR 700 Twin. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the Z 250's Standard style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1988 Suzuki TV 250 Wolf | 1988cc.1978 Suzuki GT 250 Two Stroke | 1978cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 167 kgs (368 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki Z 250 FT in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT or the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally, give or take 50kg.

Honda MSX 125 Grom - [2025] image

The 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 shares the same bhp with the Honda MSX 125 Grom - [2025]

In terms of power the 248cc 4 valve Wankel 2 cylinder engine produces 27 bhp (20 kW) @ 10000 rpm similar to the 2025 Honda MSX 125 Grom [9.6 bhp (7 kW) @ 7250 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm].

The SOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 15.1 lb-ft (20.6 Nm) @ 8500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Honda MSX 125 Grom [7.6 lb-ft (10.4 Nm) @ 5500 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [17.8 lb-ft (24.2 Nm) @ 8100 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki Z 250 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 50 - [2007] image

The 2007 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 50 has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 FT.

The 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 FT has a Power to weight ratio of 161.6 bhp per ton and 91.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 Z 250 competing with the 2007 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 50 [185.8 bhp\ton] and the 2005 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder M 50 [185.8 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Kawasaki Z 250 generating around 91.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Yamaha SR 400 SOHC [116.0 lb-ft per ton] and the 2016 Yamaha SR 400 SOHC [116.0 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 22.9 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 23.4 secs, this makes the Kawasaki Z 250 FT similar in acceleration to the 2019 Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 MotoGP Edition (22.9 secs) and the 2018 Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 (22.9 secs). This Kawasaki Z 250 FT also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Honda CB 250 Two Fifty - [1995] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 FT and the 1995 Honda CB 250 Two Fifty

When talking about the performance of the 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 FT on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1995 Honda CB 250 Two Fifty (0 secs) and the 2018 Norton Commando 961 Sport MKII (0 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1980 version of the Kawasaki Z 250 FT has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Honda CHF 50 Metropolitan - [2013] image

Top Speed of the 1980 Z 250 equals the 2013 Honda CHF 50 Metropolitan

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1980 Kawasaki Z 250 FT then how about a 2013 Honda CHF 50 Metropolitan (35 mph) and the 2002 Honda CHF 50 Metropolitan (35 mph).

Related Links:

1980 Kawasaki Z 250 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Kawasaki

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Kawasaki Models:

Edition:

A1 250

AR 125

AR 50

AR 80

BJ 250

BR 250

EL 125

EL 250

EL 252

Eliminator 400

Eliminator 500

EN 400

EN 450

EN 500

ER-4

ER-5

ER-6

EX 250

EX 400

EX 500

F9 350

FX 400

G3-SS

GPX 250

GPX 400

GPX 600

GPX 750

Gpz 1000

Gpz 1100

Gpz 250

Gpz 305

Gpz 400

Gpz 500

GPZ 550

Gpz 600

Gpz 750

Gpz 900

GTO 125

GTR 1000

GTR 1400

H1 500

H2 750

KDX 125

KDX 175

KDX 200

KDX 220

KDX 250

KDX 400

KDX 450

KE 125

KE 175

KH 125

KH 250

KH 400

KH 500

KL 250

KLE 250

KLE 400

KLE 500

KLR 250

KLR 600

KLR 650

KLV 1000

KLX 125

KLX 230

KLX 250

KLX 300

KLX 400

KLX 450

KLX 650

KMX 125

KMX 200

KR 1

KR 250

KRR

KX 500

KZ 1000

KZ 1100

KZ 650

Ninja 1000

Ninja 125

Ninja 250

Ninja 300

Ninja 400

Ninja 650

Ninja 7

Ninja H2

RMX 250

S1 250

S2 350

S3 400

SL 250

Versys 1000

Versys 650

Versys-X

VN 1500

VN 1600

VN 1700

VN 2000

VN 250

VN 400

VN 500

VN 650

VN 750

VN 800

VN 900

W 250

W 400

W 650

W 800

W1

W2

W3

Xanthus 400

Z 1000

Z 1100

Z 125

Z 1300

Z 200

Z 250

Z 300

Z 305

Z 400

Z 440

Z 450

Z 500

Z 550

Z 650

Z 750

Z 800

Z 900

Z H2

Z1

Z2 750

Z7

Zephyr 1100

Zephyr 400

Zephyr 550

Zephyr 750

ZG 1000

ZG 1200

ZG 1300

ZL 1000

ZL 250

ZL 400

ZL 600

ZL 750

ZL 900

ZN 1300

ZN 700

ZN 750

ZR 1100

ZR-250

ZR-7

ZRX 1100

ZRX 1200

ZRX 400

ZX 1000

ZX 1100

ZX 400

ZX 600

ZX 750

ZX 900

ZX-10

ZX-12

ZX-14

ZX-25

ZX-4

ZX-6

ZX-7

ZX-9

ZX-R 250

ZX-R 400

ZX-R 750

ZZR 1100

ZZR 1200

ZZR 1400

ZZR 250

ZZR 400

ZZR 600


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Top Speed: 188 mph
Quarter Mile: 10.5 secs @ 0 mph


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Quarter Mile | Random Figures and Specs

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Quarter Mile Time
11.1 seconds
11.4 seconds
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Top Speed

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