Is 250cc too small to start out on?

disque71 · 03-28-2005, 09:06 AM

I am thinking about picking up a local 250cc ninja for sale. The bike is older, but in good condition. I have riding experience but this will be my first bike that I have owned. Is a 250cc too small? Most of my experience is on a 600cc bike; I am worried that in a month I will be looking to trade up. But on the other hand I will probably be using the bike as a primary mode of daily transportation. What do you think?

jim schmidt · 03-28-2005, 09:10 AM

No. But you will likely want something bigger in a year. Make sure you get a good price. They can be hard to sell.

disque71 · 03-28-2005, 09:13 AM

What do you feel is a good price range?

GixxerJRG · 03-28-2005, 09:38 AM

If you can get a good price on it take it. I know you said you've ridden bikes before but the 250 would be a good bike to master basic riding skills on. And like you said after a while you will probably get bored with it. But if you get a good price on it you can resell it and put it towards another bike.

disque71 · 03-28-2005, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GixxerJRG

If you can get a good price on it take it. I know you said you've ridden bikes before but the 250 would be a good bike to master basic riding skills on. And like you said after a while you will probably get bored with it. But if you get a good price on it you can resell it and put it towards another bike.

This is what I am thinking. Right now I am in school. So resources are limited as far as maintenance, fuel, insurance, and road experience. The guy is looking to get 1500+ I may offer sub 1000(800-900).

obnoxious_600rr · 03-28-2005, 10:21 AM

what year is it?

jim schmidt · 03-28-2005, 10:22 AM

Depends on year and condition (and local demand.) They seem to lose about a third leaving the lot. A new one is about $3500. If you can get a reasonably new, fine one for $1500, that's probably good. $1,000 is probably a great deal for anything in reasonably good shape. You can probably also get an older GS500 in the same price range but it'll be more ratty.

BrownRob · 03-28-2005, 10:36 AM

How much experience do you have with the 600's? I don't think you'll get bored with it in a month or anything like that.. and it's probably a good choice because of insurance and the fact that you can possibly pick it up for $1000.. You can't lose because *IF* you do get bored with it in a year, you will be able to sell it for the same price you bought it for.

Nothing lost and you still gain experience riding..

Eyespy · 03-28-2005, 10:55 AM

I stronlgy encourage you to get the older used 250. They are inexpensive, they are generally very easy to sell at little to no monetary loss if you get it at a good price initially. Learn how to ride the 250 for a couple of years. Seek as much formal rider training as you can obtain. Take some track schools. The specific track school recommendation will be dependant on whether you wish to remain primarily a street rider looking to advance his skills, or wish to become as proficient as possible as a track rider. As tou gain experience and skill advancement, move up in power and displacement incrementally and gradually over time. Reapply the skills you previously developed and repeat gradually. As a generality, I would suggest a couple of years at the 250 level before moving to the middle-weights. You may never wish to go beyond the middle-weights, such as the 600SS class of motorcycles, especially if you show any proclivity for track riding. But if you do, then a couple of years at minimum refining your skills on the middle-weight is advisable before again making a move up in power and displacement.

ThRotLJnKy · 03-28-2005, 11:09 AM

Nothing wrong with starting small. A 250 is a lot safer bike to start off on than a 600. $1500 seems a little steep if it is an older bike, Istill don't think I cought what year it was, but either way it's probably a good bet to grab it if you can get it for a reasonable price.