Twenty years ago, quarter-liter sportsbikes ruled the roost in many regions, offering a mix of racy looks, light weight and snappy performance. But in recent years, with all the other major players leaving the segment, Kawasaki has enjoyed unchallenged sales success with its sharp-looking, yet friendly Ninja 250. But the mini-ninja will soon face stiff competition from Honda’s totally re-conceived babyblade CBR250R, equipped with a 249cc single-cylinder, fuel injected engine, a tasty fairing that mimics the CBR1000RR and the first instance of optional ABS to grace the market segment. This will be a killer learner machine and a great introduction to the sport for legions of young riders. It’s good to … OAKLAND, Calif. (January 29 2011) – Team San Manuel/Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Haines City, won his second Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum before 44,394 fans and moved into the points lead. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle, of Holly, Mich., captured his first Western Regional Supercross Lites class race of the season.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., edged out TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed, of Tampa, Fla., for the holeshot in the Supercross class main event. Defending class champion Ryan Dungey started third and was quickly passed by Stewart. On lap two, Villopoto crashed … More