[FunnyBone]

Hello,
I have kicked the idea around for years, getting a streetbike that is, and now I have finally become fixated on the idea

party because a good friend of mine has decided to make the plunge as well, he lives in New Zealand, so he is limited to 250cc for 18 months, I do not have that problem being in Florida, but I am still considering it, just in the interest of doing things "properly"

However, there is always a twist eh?, I am experienced on two wheels, I have grown up on 2-stroke dirtbikes and 4-stroke quads, I am very comfortable with the control scheme of a bike, likewise I very recently rode my first streetbike, a friends 05 R1, long story short I felt very confident.. even while fully aware of the powerful liter bike beneath me

though I still feel a certain draw from the little Ninja 250R, which is what i am considering.. the problem is one of size, my aforementioned friend in NZ opted for the Hyosung GT250R, he felt the Ninja was too small, we are both over 6' while i have a big weight advantage over him, or is it disadvantage, hes a 145lb beanpole, im pushing a solid 230lbs

anyhow.. on to the meat n' potatoes as it were, I have been completely unable to find an 08+ Ninja 250R locally too sit on, and I keep hearing everyone say its VERY small... most of these people have never sat on one either -.-, when I look at the dimensions from websites, the seat/overall height, length and wheel base seem.. near as makes no difference the same as even more liter bikes, i realize they are a lot lighter and more narrow

what gives? can anyone who possibly has an 08+ Ninja 250R, as well as access to a "larger" bike enlighten me? do people just assume because its only a 250cc that it must be smaller than say, a 600cc? I understand the fact that all sport bikes are going to be somewhat small for someone like me, and even an inch difference will add up overall.. but still, some people will have me believe the 250R is closer to a BMX than a 600

sorry for the long, convoluted question for a first post, I just fell in love with the look and most importantly the sound of the 250R.. almost boxster engine-esque, and I like the light nimble somewhat underpowered aspect, i am the same way about cars

anyhow.. hopefully I have not brought down the flaming wrath of this forum, as I did not make much of an attempt to look for my answer... so forgive me if I could have found it with a quick look around, its 12:30 and im dead tired

 

[binx_19]

anyhow.. hopefully I have not brought down the flaming wrath of this forum, as I did not make much of an attempt to look for my answer... so forgive me if I could have found it with a quick look around, its 12:30 and im dead tired

yep so am i, so i am too lazy to answer your questions or support your attempt to justify a 600cc.

 

[78chevyNOVA]

yep so am i, so i am too lazy to answer your questions or support your attempt to justify a 600cc.

thats not what he was trying to do. read his post. but to the OP, as you stated people do usually think that just because the engine is smaller the bike is also smaller, which is not true. many people on here who are b***** then you get around on a 250 just fine. your going to feel big on most of the sportbikes you sit on

 

[binx_19]

thats not what he was trying to do. read his post. but to the OP, as you stated people do usually think that just because the engine is smaller the bike is also smaller, which is not true. many people on here who are b***** then you get around on a 250 just fine. your going to feel big on most of the sportbikes you sit on

you havent been around long.

 

[78chevyNOVA]

you havent been around long.

which has nothing to do with the size of bikes

 

[binx_19]

which has nothing to do with the size of bikes

it has everything to do with understanding the questions asked in this section.

 

[78chevyNOVA]

it has everything to do with understanding the questions asked in this section.

and im pretty sure his questions were about the size of bikes.

 

[binx_19]

and im pretty sure his questions were about the size of bikes.

i will break it down for you here:

First: he is being lazy and not searching past posts.
Second: he says "friend" has to start small, "so he wants to" :rolleyes
Third: he references "quads" typical reference to justify starting big
Fourth: he "rode" 2-stroke dirt bikes, claiming to be experienced on 2 wheels.
Fifth: Rode friends 05 R1 and "felt confident". :rolleyes
Sixth: i am bored as fuck
Seventh: He is over 6' and pushing 235.
Eighth: i am an asshole that owns both sized bikes he is questioning and he is being too lazy to search for the answer and i dont want to give it to him.

 

[rockscaler]

anybody concerned about physical size should forget racer replicas they are smaller that the "slower" bikes. The "faster" bikes are only faster with lots of experience and then skill. anybody who had .1% of the experience that one should have to ride these RRs would not have to ask any of these questions.

Get a 10 year old standards give it a whirl for at least a year. Better yet wear out 2 sets of tires
Jump ahead and it will cost more with less enjoyment since you will have a fast bike but be a slow rider. A good rider on an '96 F3 could kill a guy at the end of his first year riding with the newb on a new 600rr. Its embarrassing. The F3 could match top end but unless you plan on pinning the throttle for minutes at a time it wont make a difference.
The F3 is worlds more comfortable.
I am using the F3 as an example there are plenty of options

 

[FunnyBone]

an amazing response I must admit, did not expect that one bit, I did a little searching since I felt bad about posting before looking, because I know how busy all you fine gents are.. must take so much effort to answer questions that have already been answered a million times... always loved that aspect of forums, few people can be bothered to show a little kindness.. so easy to be a jerk with anonymity

anyhow, I appreciate the helpful replies free of... whatever you call that display "binx_19" is putting on, by the way I saw your thread with the 250 next to the 600 in the same picture, that was very insightful, so even though you saw fit act in such an immature way, I thank you for the help

as for what you think I am attempting to do, I can only say to each his own, I made it clear what I wanted in my first post I thought, believe it or now I actually WANT a 250, I have little desire to own a liter bike myself, and I do not claim to be an experienced rider on the streets, but the fine motor skills needed to control a motorcycle are the same, sure they have vastly different handling characteristics, but I felt comfortable laying my shoulder into a turn and getting my knee down my very first ride round the parking lot, maybe I lack the experience to know the limits of grip on a street bike... but everyone has to learn sometime

though, maybe I will go out and get a liter bike for myself, just to prove to you that I am capable enough to ride one, congratulations, you may have just gotten a fellow human being killed

though im sure you woulddn't care, another SQUID in the dirt eh

if only I were immature and insecure enough to be bothered


ok enough of that, another thing i have taken note off, if the Ninja 250 is roughly the same size as a 600cc bike, 30" seat height ~80" overall 55/56" wheelbase... how come everyone says the GT250R is a larger bike built for people 6'+, when the dimensions are for all intents and purposes, the same as the Ninja?

though if I follow this logic.. I should go find a ZX6R and see how it feels to sit on, since they are very similar in size it would seem, I just don't want to order the 250 without having either sat on one(or something the same size), or gotten an experienced opinion from someone about the matter

 

[Stick N Move]

No dissrespect to your friend but... Where are all these newbs comming out of wanting R1's?

Now to answer you. Yes, your a little overweight... but the ninja 250 really doesnt care until your 250 yourself. There are many other options you can look into if you think your gonna gain more weight and hurt the poor little ninja. You can look into a ninja 500 or even a gs 500. Im suprised no dealers have 250's near you. Maybe they sold out quick? Either way if you want to sit on one a dealer is a good place to start.

 

[Stick N Move]

There are guys on here that are 6'6" riding ninja 250's

 

[binx_19]

an amazing response I must admit, did not expect that one bit, I did a little searching since I felt bad about posting before looking, because I know how busy all you fine gents are.. must take so much effort to answer questions that have already been answered a million times... always loved that aspect of forums, few people can be bothered to show a little kindness.. so easy to be a jerk with anonymity

anyhow, I appreciate the helpful replies free of... whatever you call that display "binx_19" is putting on, by the way I saw your thread with the 250 next to the 600 in the same picture, that was very insightful, so even though you saw fit act in such an immature way, I thank you for the help

as for what you think I am attempting to do, I can only say to each his own, I made it clear what I wanted in my first post I thought, believe it or now I actually WANT a 250, I have little desire to own a liter bike myself, and I do not claim to be an experienced rider on the streets, but the fine motor skills needed to control a motorcycle are the same, sure they have vastly different handling characteristics, but I felt comfortable laying my shoulder into a turn and getting my knee down my very first ride round the parking lot, maybe I lack the experience to know the limits of grip on a street bike... but everyone has to learn sometime

though, maybe I will go out and get a liter bike for myself, just to prove to you that I am capable enough to ride one, congratulations, you may have just gotten a fellow human being killed

though im sure you woulddn't care, another SQUID in the dirt eh

if only I were immature and insecure enough to be bothered


ok enough of that, another thing i have taken note off, if the Ninja 250 is roughly the same size as a 600cc bike, 30" seat height ~80" overall 55/56" wheelbase... how come everyone says the GT250R is a larger bike built for people 6'+, when the dimensions are for all intents and purposes, the same as the Ninja?

though if I follow this logic.. I should go find a ZX6R and see how it feels to sit on, since they are very similar in size it would seem, I just don't want to order the 250 without having either sat on one(or something the same size), or gotten an experienced opinion from someone about the matter

well you were being lazy in your first post and admitted it, so i responded to you that i was being lazy.

i just felt like being a jackass to the other guy no offense to you.

 

[binx_19]

i am 6'1" about 180, add about another 125-130 for my fiancee and that 250 still rides good, not great, but good. the springs are really soft, if only they put a stiffer suspension on the bike, but then again i am trained on a ZX6R with really stiff sporty suspension. at the track, when i was riding the 250, i kept hearing guys complaining about it being rough in turn X, i was thinking they were hitting the turn in the wrong spot, well when i switched to the 6R, i found out what they were complaining about, the 250 was like a Caddy going around the track, just gliding over the bumps smoothly.

 

[78chevyNOVA]

well you were being lazy in your first post and admitted it, so i responded to you that i was being lazy.

i just felt like being a jackass to the other guy no offense to you.

dick :twofinger

 

[binx_19]

dick :twofinger

cant deny that. but it is true the longer you are around the more you will understand where i am coming from.

 

[FunnyBone]

No dissrespect to your friend but... Where are all these newbs comming out of wanting R1's?

Now to answer you. Yes, your a little overweight... but the ninja 250 really doesnt care until your 250 yourself. There are many other options you can look into if you think your gonna gain more weight and hurt the poor little ninja. You can look into a ninja 500 or even a gs 500. Im suprised no dealers have 250's near you. Maybe they sold out quick? Either way if you want to sit on one a dealer is a good place to start.

The friend who has the R1 is a long time rider, started in the 80s when he turned 17, I have learned a lot from him so far, once I expressed the desire to start riding on the street, he is pushing me to get a larger bike, something along the lines of an SV650

I just cant get excited about the SV650 or other such bikes.. personal preference is a pain

as for the weight, I can drop a little but I cannot go below 215, I wont put any weight on though, so I suppose I will be alright?


I was unable to find any 08+ 250s around here, the nearest dealer told me to check back after Christmas, I could check some other places further out, hadn't considered looking for a used 250 though


Edit:

well you were being lazy in your first post and admitted it, so i responded to you that i was being lazy.

i just felt like being a jackass to the other guy no offense to you.

no hard feelings, but I still feel its a little lowbrow to respond with a "search first noob" or anything to that effect, the purpose of a forum is communication.. if EVERYTHING were answered in a sticky, things could get boring

but I understand where your coming from

 

[rockscaler]

The race rep are much less forgiving of mistakes be it on throttle, brakes, or just cornering. It doesnt matter how cautious you are, it lack of experience which exponentially inflates your chances of being seriously injured

sticky that as automated answer to the newbs with more balls than brains

how ugly is any bike after a wreck, they can start their fashion show after they become competent, right?

I guess thats the question

do you want to look good or be good?One answer makes you a poser

theres no "need" for a 650 a 500 gets out of the way very nicely and has enough top speed to last in jail.
a 650 is very nice but if your looking for a bike to ride and nothing more then the 500 will keep you entertain if you stay away from the highway roadracers, that think they are in the matrix

learning curve will be faster on the 500 and being around forever can get one cheap then trade up when you need more top end and kneedragging angle stability
the value will drop less during his ownership on a 5+year old 500 than any of the 650

 

[binx_19]

The friend who has the R1 is a long time rider, started in the 80s when he turned 17, I have learned a lot from him so far, once I expressed the desire to start riding on the street, he is pushing me to get a larger bike, something along the lines of an SV650

I just cant get excited about the SV650 or other such bikes.. personal preference is a pain

as for the weight, I can drop a little but I cannot go below 215, I wont put any weight on though, so I suppose I will be alright?

I was unable to find any 08+ 250s around here, the nearest dealer told me to check back after Christmas, I could check some other places further out, hadn't considered looking for a used 250 though

you cant get under 215 or you dont want to?

 

[LovemyKawiZX6R]

cant deny that. but it is true the longer you are around the more you will understand where i am coming from.

Its not like u had to post anything in the first place.