You most probably have a shorted or burnt out wire in your wiring harness, in or on your handlebars between your kill switch and your starter button. The kill switch on most Ninjas sends a current to a solenoid that controls the flow of current to the coil. Evidently your kill switch and start button wires are crossed together some place where they are in close proximity. If you are not proficient on electrical troubleshooting and repair, take it to a shop. Explain the problem to the Service Manager. It is most probably a simple fix, after he finds the problem. Most often the problem is in the handlebar area. If that is the case it is a simple fix. If it is farther along the wiring harness than that, he may have to remove some panels, side covers, maybe the gas tank to find and fix the problem. If you own and understand the use of a continuity tester and a multimeter, can solder a good wiring splice and can use shrink tubing and a heatgun to reinsulate the splice(s) you can do the job yourself. You should also make sure you have a wiring diagram for your motorcycle. The easiest way to get one is to buy either the applicable Kawasaki Shop Manual, or if your Dealer's Shop does not stock an 8 year old manual, you probably can get a Clymer or Haynes Manual from a non-Dealer parts and accessories store. Shop is best, Haynes is second, Clymer is third. but all three are good enough. I want to stress again, do not try this unless you are good withe electricity and wiring repair. One, electricity is slightly dangerous. Most probably will only shock you slightly, but that can make your arm twitch and break something else that will cost you more money to fix, Two, unless you know what you are doing, you can cross the wrong wires. Worst case scenario, an electrically started fire, more probably a motorcycle that won't run at all. Take it to a shop if you have any doubt at all about working on the wiring. Better safe than sorry. Lastly, get this fixed as soon as possible. You have some broken wiring in the general area of your gas tank. Fried is for chicken, not motorcycles and their riders. Best of luck, those 250s were great bikes, and still better than a lot of newer ones.
Answers & Comments
You most probably have a shorted or burnt out wire in your wiring harness, in or on your handlebars between your kill switch and your starter button. The kill switch on most Ninjas sends a current to a solenoid that controls the flow of current to the coil. Evidently your kill switch and start button wires are crossed together some place where they are in close proximity. If you are not proficient on electrical troubleshooting and repair, take it to a shop. Explain the problem to the Service Manager. It is most probably a simple fix, after he finds the problem. Most often the problem is in the handlebar area. If that is the case it is a simple fix. If it is farther along the wiring harness than that, he may have to remove some panels, side covers, maybe the gas tank to find and fix the problem. If you own and understand the use of a continuity tester and a multimeter, can solder a good wiring splice and can use shrink tubing and a heatgun to reinsulate the splice(s) you can do the job yourself. You should also make sure you have a wiring diagram for your motorcycle. The easiest way to get one is to buy either the applicable Kawasaki Shop Manual, or if your Dealer's Shop does not stock an 8 year old manual, you probably can get a Clymer or Haynes Manual from a non-Dealer parts and accessories store. Shop is best, Haynes is second, Clymer is third. but all three are good enough. I want to stress again, do not try this unless you are good withe electricity and wiring repair. One, electricity is slightly dangerous. Most probably will only shock you slightly, but that can make your arm twitch and break something else that will cost you more money to fix, Two, unless you know what you are doing, you can cross the wrong wires. Worst case scenario, an electrically started fire, more probably a motorcycle that won't run at all. Take it to a shop if you have any doubt at all about working on the wiring. Better safe than sorry. Lastly, get this fixed as soon as possible. You have some broken wiring in the general area of your gas tank. Fried is for chicken, not motorcycles and their riders. Best of luck, those 250s were great bikes, and still better than a lot of newer ones.