Short answer
Pick the Yamaha YZF-R25 if it is your first sport bike: it pulls evenly from the mid-range and forgives mistakes. Pick the Kawasaki Ninja 250 if you want the most relaxed pull of the three for overtakes and mountain roads. Pick the Honda CBR250RR if you love revving an engine and want the sharpest, most precise feel. All three are manual 249cc twins for riders who already handle a clutch confidently.
- Updated: 10 October 2026.
- Written by Iron Rent, renting motorcycles in Bali since 2019 from our office in Kerobokan.
- Weights, seat heights and tank sizes are approximate manufacturer figures; prices in the table are per day on a monthly rental and follow our current rates.
- Price: scooters from 200,000 IDR per day; the longer the rental, the lower the daily rate, and a month never costs more than the monthly rate.
- Included: two helmets, a phone holder, servicing in our own workshop.
- Delivery: free within 20 km of the Kerobokan office on rentals of 3+ days; the airport costs 200,000 IDR.
- Deposit: refundable, returned in the currency it was paid in.
- Documents: a passport is enough to rent; to ride legally you need your national licence with the motorcycle category plus an IDP.
- Protection: optional damage protection for the rented bike (levels MAX and MIN).
At a glance
| Model | Engine | Power | ABS | Type | Monthly rental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki Ninja 250 | 249cc | 39 HP | Yes | Sport bike, parallel-twin, manual | from 167K IDR/day |
| Honda CBR250RR | 249cc | 38 HP | Yes | Sport bike, parallel-twin, manual | from 167K IDR/day |
| Yamaha YZF-R25 | 249cc | 35 HP | Yes | Sport bike, parallel-twin, manual | from 117K IDR/day |
On paper the three are close: faired 249cc parallel-twins with a manual gearbox, a forward-leaning sport position and a tank of about 14 litres (about 14.5 on the Honda). The Ninja weighs about 165 kg, the CBR about 168 kg and the R25 about 170 kg; seat height is about 790 mm on the Honda and about 780 mm on the Yamaha. We also rent the CBR250RR SP QS, with about 41 HP and a quickshifter. Most of our R25s have ABS, but one colour version does not, so tell us if ABS matters to you.
Riding in Bali traffic
In the queues of Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta none of these is as easy as a scooter. The sport position puts weight on your wrists, your clutch hand works constantly in stop-and-go traffic, and on a hot afternoon a faired bike gets warm around your legs. Plan your daily errands accordingly: these bikes are for riding, not for the shop run.
Of the three, the Ninja carries its weight low and never feels intimidating in a jam. The R25 is predictable and forgiving at low speed, though the forward lean tires your wrists quickly. The CBR is the most eager and wants revs, which is fun on an open road and a little busy in traffic. All have ABS (except one R25 colour version), which helps on wet painted lines and sand near the beaches.
Two-up and luggage
All three have a small, raised pillion seat. A passenger is fine for a ride to dinner or a beach club, but after an hour on the road they will feel it. There is no under-seat storage worth mentioning, so luggage means a backpack. Two helmets and a phone holder come with every rental.
If you will ride two-up most of the time, or travel with bags, a sport 250 is the wrong tool. The Honda CB500X, the Kawasaki Versys 650 or a maxi-scooter such as the Yamaha XMAX 250 are far more comfortable for both of you.
Hills, Kintamani and long rides
This is where the 250 twins make sense. On the sweepers of the Bukit towards Uluwatu, and on the climbs to Bedugul, Munduk or the Kintamani rim, all three pull well solo if you keep the revs up and pick a lower gear before the bend. The Ninja delivers its power most evenly and overtakes trucks calmly. The CBR comes alive near the top of the rev range and feels precise in corners. The R25 pulls cleanly from the mid-range, but a confident overtake needs a downshift first.
On long stretches the sport position is the limit, not the engine: plan a break every hour or so. Going down, use engine braking in a lower gear and both brakes; mountain bends can carry wet leaves, gravel and sand after rain.
Who should rent which
- Rent the Yamaha YZF-R25 if this is your first sport bike, or if you want a bike that forgives a late gear change or a clumsy line.
- Rent the Kawasaki Ninja 250 if you want an even, calm pull for overtaking and mountain climbs, with a bike that still feels light in town.
- Rent the Honda CBR250RR if you enjoy a high-revving engine and sharp handling; choose the SP QS version if you want the quickshifter.
These are manual motorcycles with a clutch and gears. Rent one only if you already ride a manual bike confidently; Bali traffic is not the place to learn. To rent you only need a passport. To ride legally in Indonesia you need a national licence that includes the motorcycle category and an International Driving Permit; we can help arrange the IDP through our partner International Drivers Association. Delivery and pickup are free within 20 km of our Kerobokan office on rentals of 3 days or more. If you want to try another of the three mid-rental, a swap costs 100,000 IDR for washing and preparing the bike; moving to a pricier bike means paying the difference.
Fuel and running
All three are 250cc twins, so they need at least Pertamax 92. Pertalite is not allowed on any of our bikes. Fill up at Pertamina stations rather than roadside bottles, especially before heading into the mountains, where stations are further apart.
With tanks of about 14 litres, a day trip to Kintamani and back is comfortable on one tank, but fill up before you leave the south anyway. Servicing during the rental is done in our own workshop in Kerobokan; message us on WhatsApp if a warning light comes on or something feels wrong.
FAQ
Which is easiest for a first sport bike, the Ninja 250, CBR250RR or R25?
The Yamaha YZF-R25. Its engine pulls evenly from the mid-range and it forgives mistakes. You still need to ride a manual motorcycle confidently before renting any of the three.
Which of the three has the most power?
The Kawasaki Ninja 250 with 39 HP, then the Honda CBR250RR with 38 HP and the Yamaha YZF-R25 with 35 HP. The CBR250RR SP QS version has about 41 HP and a quickshifter. On Bali roads the character of each engine matters more than the small difference in numbers.
Can I ride a 250 sport bike with a passenger in Bali?
For short rides, yes. The pillion seats are small and raised, so longer trips tire the passenger. For regular two-up riding, the Honda CB500X, Kawasaki Versys 650 or a maxi-scooter is more comfortable.
Do all three have ABS?
The Kawasaki Ninja 250 and Honda CBR250RR in our fleet have ABS. Most of our Yamaha YZF-R25s do too, but one colour version does not, so ask us when you book.
What fuel do the Ninja 250, CBR250RR and R25 need?
At least Pertamax 92. Pertalite is not allowed on any of our bikes.
Need help choosing?
Send your dates, Bali area and riding style. We will suggest the right scooter, sport bike or big bike.