New Rider... Same Ole Questions

JeepMayne · 11-27-2012, 05:01 PM

Hi I'm looking to pickup my first bike. Long story short I know getting a 600 to start on is stupid, but I can't find any within reasonable prices. All I see are 06+ Ninja 250's that people want 3k+ for. Though why buy a smaller bike at more expensive price and lose out with depreciation. In my area I can find an R6 or CBR 600 F4i or even GXSR 600 for cheaper. Granted a few years older 00-06 but still.

I'm wheelin and dealin on some 600's for around 2k in good shape. What are some of the other 250 bikes to look at? I'm not gunna pay 3K for a 250 when I can buy a comparable 600 for cheaper?

Brock · 11-27-2012, 06:07 PM

Get like a 02 ninja 250.

Have you looked at ninja 500s?

Maybe even a 650?

Trust me dude, even if the 600 is cheaper than the 250 you will be way safer on the 250. You will be glad you started small. Even if it cost you extra.

Also, ninja 250s won't depreciate fast. You'll be able to sell it for what you paid for it most likely.

Have you ridden a 600 before? How much riding experience do you have?

drummer92 · 11-27-2012, 06:11 PM

Get an sv650 or ninja 650

JeepMayne · 11-27-2012, 06:23 PM

Go ahead and laugh... No experience. I'll have to look at the 500's closer. As far as earlier 250's there really isn't any on local ads yet. More or less waiting till snow falls and hoping the prices fall with the snow significantly. Also are the 250's smaller in size? I don't want a mini bike lol

OldSchlPunk · 11-27-2012, 06:28 PM

Depreciation on a 250 is nearly nothing. Insurance on your $2k 600 could easily be more than half of what the bike cost you to begin with. People aren't bullshitting when they say that a 600 is not a beginner bike, you'll learn more faster on a 250.

My '02 F4i was the factory racebike in it's day. Even today it is quite potent. It will do 70 in 1st gear and nearly 100 in 2nd. The brakes will put you on your head.

Can you survive a bike like that? You probably could. And yes, you could get hurt on a 250 too but it is more forgiving of the input errors you will give it. Starting out, you have no idea how much you don't know.

Do yourself a favor and get serious with the 250's or even a 500. You have the rest of your life to enjoy a bigger bike once you know how to ride.

Brock · 11-27-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepMayne

Go ahead and laugh... No experience. I'll have to look at the 500's closer. As far as earlier 250's there really isn't any on local ads yet. More or less waiting till snow falls and hoping the prices fall with the snow significantly. Also are the 250's smaller in size? I don't want a mini bike lol

No need to laugh man. I totally hear where you are coming from. I'm a new rider also. And I'm glad I started small.
Check Craigslist and check mautofied.com ,

The 250 is pretty much the same size as a 600. It actually sits up a little higher I think.

Anyway man not tryin to scare you or be rude of anything. Just that you'll have more fun learning on a smaller bike.

Keep us updated!

JeepMayne · 11-27-2012, 06:53 PM

I'm guess I'm more or less just venting I can't find a decent deal on a 250 -_- As much as a 600 sounds cool and all I'd prefer to start on a small bike... Just want one more reasonably priced as I know it'll get laid down learning. I also tossed the idea around of getting some $500 el cheapo 80/90's motorcycle.

jeffo8 · 11-27-2012, 07:02 PM

unless you have some wrenching skill, or seriously want to learn and want to be thrown in the deep end. a 500 dollar bike will not be as cheep or fun as a 3,000 dollar 250.

i started on a 500$ fz 600. read threw my first few posts and see how much work i had to do, just to get it running.
1987 yamaha fz 600

Brock · 11-27-2012, 07:03 PM

I hear ya man. It took me a while to find my bike. Just keep checking everyday.
You could try posting a wanted ad on Craigslist in the for sale section under motorcycles, and put what your looking for and how much you are looking to spend.

JeepMayne · 11-27-2012, 07:22 PM

Ya I may try posting a wanted ad. Had some good result before buying/flipping cars doing that. As far as wrenching goes I've got that pretty well covered. By no means an amazing mechanic but I've done stuff as simple as brakes all the way to engine rebuilds, clutch jobs, etc... Actually in the middle of replacing the exhaust manifolds/cats on my 2000 328i. Talk about a serious pain in my ass!

Brock · 11-27-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepMayne

Ya I may try posting a wanted ad. Had some good result before buying/flipping cars doing that. As far as wrenching goes I've got that pretty well covered. By no means an amazing mechanic but I've done stuff as simple as brakes all the way to engine rebuilds, clutch jobs, etc... Actually in the middle of replacing the exhaust manifolds/cats on my 2000 328i. Talk about a serious pain in my ass!

Did you have to drop the subframe or anything to get to them
It's and inline 6 right? I like bmws man they are nice. I'd love a 98 m3!

Jim Moore · 11-28-2012, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeepMayne

I'm wheelin and dealin on some 600's for around 2k in good shape.

Sorry bro. Nobody sells a 600 for $2000 if it's in good shape. Maybe something from the early 90s, but that's about it. I'd be very careful with those bikes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Tony216 · 11-28-2012, 05:38 AM

Expand your search area and you'll find what you're looking for. Maybe some people in CO are having difficulties in their decision making these days...

There are a lot of other bikes worth considering, but they aren't as cool as the Ninja 250. The Ninja 500/EX500, GS500, Nighthawk 250, Interceptor 250, DRZ400(s or sm, if you're tall), SRX250 (might be hard to find at this point). There are many, many more. Just stick to the Japanese brands. The quality on the Chinese and some Korean brands just isn't there yet.

Edit:
Kawasaki Ninja 250

uncalcetindelana · 11-28-2012, 12:16 PM

Several chances to get you riding:

1999 Ninja 250 Kawasaki yellow 13k miles

2000 Ninja 250 Kawasaki GREEN only 9k miles SWEET bike!

2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250

LOOK...Mint..2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Asking $3,500.00 o.b.o.

And perhaps IF you have prior riding experience on dirt:

07 Suzuki SV650 S

JeepMayne · 11-28-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Did you have to drop the subframe or anything to get to them
It's and inline 6 right? I like bmws man they are nice. I'd love a 98 m3!

Ya its the inline 6... had to remove part of the subframe and the passenger side motor mount

. New gaskets on the way in the mail so soon I can get it back running!