If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
im going to be buying my first bike in the spring. although the kawasaki zzr600 looks really nice i think im going to heed the advice of the more experienced riders and start off a bit smaller. I was thinking a ninja 250 or 500...maybe even a 650r?....or a suzuki katana 600 or gs500f?....which of these do you think would be best to start. i know for sure i will have to keep it for a while cuz i am paying for school and wont have enough money to buy an upgrade when i am ready...so keep that in mind. also are there alot of aftermarket parts for the ninja 250...i would think not to many...but let me know...i assume the rest of the mentioned ones have enough aftermarket accesories to keep me busy if i so choose...but the 250 is only 3k brand new so......ok sorry for the long post but please get back to me...thanks
Ninja 250, 500, or gs500. Ninja 650 will likely be new and others could be found used. Katana is too heavy and top heavy IMO. Plenty of aftermarket for all of the above.
Broken record: take the msf course first, get proper gear, and get an insurance quote before you buy.
__________________ Moderator - Help me fix it and riders' gear. Send me a PM with questions, suggestions, or issues.
Never out-ride your ability to react (even stop) within the distance you can see (at least on the street).
you really can't go wrong with the ninja 250
it does every thing and has a top speed over 100
and gets 75 mpg
I have one to run errands with it 's a blast
and the general public has no idea what size the engine
is behind the fairings
aftermarket stuff , there are a few things
the bike has been around a while
exhaust , seat, windshield , etc are available
also check out ninja250.com
tons of info in the FAQ
and when you think your done with it
it will be an easy sell, very high demand for it.
good luck
BKG
__________________
Midskier = Midwest American Skier Boats
BKG = Busted Knuckle Garage
Barefooting = water skiing without Skis. www.footngear.com
Buy a used 250 then sell it for what you paid for it in 6 months....thats what I did! By the way it is an awesome bike.I am sorry that I got rid of mine for the anchor that I have now!!!
Posts: 420
Casino Cash: $250
Sportbike: '03 ex250 and zx6r
No need to spend money on aftermarket bits for a 250. Rev the piss out of it, and save your money for your next bike. Well, a 15T sprocket for highway riding maybe, but those are about $15 so it doesn't really count. Buy a shop manual for it too.
It's FUN to shift at 10K coming off a stoplight (checking before hand for red light runners of course) and still leave the kid in their riced civic behind. Plus it's very maneuverable, cheap to insure, and they are so cheap it'll be perfect to keep as a commuter/beater once you have a more expensive bike.
Besides, when I get the urge to go WOT I am not guaranteed a ticket. ;)
This is probably gonna be my first bike as well. Either that or the Hyosung 250, I've been hearing some good things about that one lately. But yeah, great starter bike(s). I'll probably end up with the Ninja 250 just 'cuz it's cheaper and I'm thinking parts are probably cheaper seeing as how it hasn't changed in 20 years.
No need to spend money on aftermarket bits for a 250. Rev the piss out of it, and save your money for your next bike. Well, a 15T sprocket for highway riding maybe, but those are about $15 so it doesn't really count. Buy a shop manual for it too.
It's FUN to shift at 10K coming off a stoplight (checking before hand for red light runners of course) and still leave the kid in their riced civic behind. Plus it's very maneuverable, cheap to insure, and they are so cheap it'll be perfect to keep as a commuter/beater once you have a more expensive bike.
Besides, when I get the urge to go WOT I am not guaranteed a ticket. ;)
+1 to this and the above posts....the Ninja 250R is a GREAT bike.
I've been riding on the street since 1975, and have owned a couple dozen bikes. I currently have several vintage 2-stroke Cafe Racers and an '03 Z1000 for long trips, but my Nephew's '95 Ninja 250 is among my very favorites.
He had a minor crash last summer, and the last few months I went out and found the used parts to put it back together. I got it re-titled Naked, I had the $$ but decided not to replace the fairing. I can hardly believe just how flickable that bike is, what a great handling chassis....hell even though the suspension's not really set up for me, it still rails beautifully. I took it out yesterday for the first real good shakedown ride in the twisties since getting it back together, and it was an awesome bit of fun! Little bikes ROCK. What I find amazing it the powerband is like an old 2-stroke, happiest between 7-11k rpm.
You just can't go wrong with these. I guarantee it will make you into a better and more confident rider.
Posts: 420
Casino Cash: $250
Sportbike: '03 ex250 and zx6r
Yes, if you accept them for what they are you will love them. If you keep on trying to turn it into a bigger sportbike, you will not. The only reason I'm considering maybe getting a second bike is so I can turn it into a sport tourer. I'd like something with just a little bit more acceleration on the highway if I'm going to be modifying it for that purpose. If it's just a general purpose bike, then the 250 is fine. Mine has seen plenty of highway time.
ninja 250 aftermarket
Linear Mode
