kawasaki ninja 250r

[garrettej8]

I'm thinking about picking up an 08 ninja 250r. they're like $3500 brand new which is a really good deal and they're completely redesigned. I want something with low power that I can learn on but at the same time not have to worry about replacing expensive parts if I drop it. I'd also like one for cruising and saving on gas. I'd probably get either red or black, but here's a picture for reference:


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h105/pinto_amg/2008_Ninja250R_Right.jpg

sure it's only 250cc but I'm only 150lbs so I think it should get up pretty well.

so what do you guys think of these bikes?

[twistedlanes]

I love the new look...I'd say go for it but others would say dont waste your time..get at least a 600 which I dont wanna hear.

[supraghost]

great bike especially if your not concerned abotu going fast and you want good gas mileage...


probably on e of the only 250cc bikes that will do ok at highway speeds!

and you cant argue with 70mpg:)

[boostedfury]

yea man get it and I want a ride on it.. i went last yr and asked about them and its pretty stout to at least get a yr or 2 experience on, and like all previous yr 250s when you go to sell you wont lose much money at all.

[JPolito830]

My roommate had the same bike until he laid it down in a field at school. He loved it though, especially for the gas mileage. Nothing is better than riding on a nice sunny day. Go for it dude

[marshallpre1]

Good choice. There is no point getting a 600 race bike when you're just learning to ride. I'm planning on picking up a learner bike too. I don't want to kill myself. Probably gettin a 400... or more mods to the Supra LOL

[agoodall]

what type of speed can you get out of a 250cc? 90-100mph? more or less? everytime i think about getting a bike i am hit with two questions. Can the bike get up to 90+mph quickly? And is buying a 600cc bike smart when you have limited experience?

I dont need a 120+mph bike,but i would want my bike to be quicker then my car (240sx) and my experience is limited to sitting on friend's bikes pretending i am moving

[poisonivory]

250 is fine if you're just learning to ride. It'll be a great starter bike and you can priogress to a 600 or 750...I hate seeing guys that can barely ride going out and buying 1100....its not safe.

If you get it, enjoy it and be safe bro. Deinitely a nice bike.

[poisonivory]

what type of speed can you get out of a 250cc? 90-100mph? more or less? everytime i think about getting a bike i am hit with two questions. Can the bike get up to 90+mph quickly? And is buying a 600cc bike smart when you have limited experience?

I dont need a 120+mph bike,but i would want my bike to be quicker then my car (240sx) and my experience is limited to sitting on friend's bikes pretending i am moving

600's arent THAT bad if you're still learning. But a Ninja 250 is a nice place to start to gain the feel and gain your confidence. Starting out on a big bike that initimidates you is never good thing, nor is it safe. The only problem with some people, beginners or not, is their size. I'm 6'3ish....if my tall ass sat on on a 600, i'd probably look like i was riding a pocket bike. lol

[Silver04STi]

Wow, the new 250 looks really good. a 250 is a great learner bike. its light, nimble, and gets good gas mileage. i say go for it.

[twistedlanes]

Good advice FTW! oh and it looks very sexified this year so good luck with it.

[agoodall]

i am selling my 240 this weekend, and i was goin to hold on to the money for a couple weeks till i was ready to a newer car, but now i am thinking of using the $3k to buy a 250r and buy a cheaper car in a couple months...DAMN YOU garrettj8 for posting affordable fun toys!!!!*shakes fist*:)

[Blue32]

If I were you i would try to get one used.. once your used to ridding your defiantly gonna want a faster bike and your going to want to sell that 250 and your going loose out on some money.. Thats a good bike to learn on but you will out grow it very very fast..

[driftingrx5.7]

i agree with the growing out fast but if your looking to learn and just run around and get good gas miles thats perfect for you. i am a big dude so i started out on a 750 and i out grew that fast and now i am on a 1000 and its perfect for me! it all matters on what you want and what you want to get out of it!

[agoodall]

I am 5'11" and 180lbs, am i in range for a 250 or should i look at a 500?

[Vypurr]

I personally would not buy a 250 for myself. i am 6' and about 185. The 250 just isn't enough bike for me to learn on. I would start on a used 600 (which can be had in the price range you are looking at). I want mine for highway cruising, and typically a 250 is not fun for that!

[garrettej8]

what type of speed can you get out of a 250cc? 90-100mph? more or less?

they can go about 120mph as far as I know. the only thing with this bike is you have to rev the piss out of it because of the gearing.

thanks for the comments guys, I'd really like to get this bike soon. if I can gather about $1000 for a nice down payment the monthly payments would be like $100 and insurance is cheap as hell. I'd have it paid off in a year probably which would give me plenty of time to learn everything about it. I'd still probably hang on to it for the gas mileage (somewhere around 60mpg with a 4.8 gal tank.) it's a nice commuter bike and for cruising on those nice days.

[4G64T]

I know some one in school with this, its a very small 1st bike. Great for a beginner your right it tops out at 120 which is more then enough especially for someone new. I am considering the same bike also i sat on it and it fits like a glove and im your size in build also so its a very easy bike to handle. Every one keeps telling me to get the 600 but im not killing my self for anyone. Learn on this man for the time being.

[OMGz Turbo]

Nice choice, I however will be looking into a 600 or 750 for my first bike. Even though im a bigger guy i have ridden bikes before but i just wanna feel more comfortable first.

[drew32]

I actually really like this bike! The price is right and though its only 250cc i'm sure it would be great for someone like me who has very limited expirence on bikes. I might have to buy this

[tcturbo91]

when this thing first came out i was all over it. i think it would be a great bike to learn on but still look good (unlike the old 250r). Plus in a year when i'm ready to buy these things will be cheap on the market.

[Blue32]

im not killing my self for anyone. Learn on this man for the time being.

you can kill yourself on anything doesn't matter whats CCs it is... its all about common sense and not being stupid... what you learn on a 250 you can learn on a 600 just the same... but you will get more long term use and enjoyment out of a 600...

[peteyturbo]

no matter what they look like it is still a single cylinder motor, which totally takes away from the "crotch rocket" fun factor..It can be slow as balls but if it had 4 cyl. it would be way more fun to ride.

[garrettej8]

I think it's 2 cylinder but either way it's still a fun bike. we'll see though, I've got some time to make a decision.

[93EGY8]

the best advice i can give you is to at leats go with the 500cc the 250 is no good and if u get it i would be my yearly salary that u would be annoyed by the lack of power withitn the first 3 months of ownership..dont make the same mistake everyone else makes

[420sx]

Its a great bike to learn on, but past the parking lots and figure 8's, its not as practical as something above 500cc. Especially in a suburban environment where you might actually need to go on a highway, youll be glad to have a few more cc's under your seat. I recommend the SV650. I ride one, it was my first street bike. Very linear power, nice and torquey- not intimidating at all. Its light, about 340lbs, and still has the balls to move down an on-ramp when it needs to go.

My mom just got her first street bike recently. She got a Suzuki Boulevard 650cc... (cruiser style, but you see what I mean). Youll be glad to have the extra power after youve ridden for a week or two. I have a few friends who started on 250's and moved up within a few months.

[4drstunner]

Well let me start off by saying thats the first 250cc bike i've ever seen and actauly liked. Now with that said I think its to small. A 500 or 600 would be fine. Espically if its used you might be close to the same price range and be a hell of alot happier.

Im a big guy 6'1" 250 and I learned on a Honda CBR 600rr and that was more than enough bike for me. I even started to mod it because i was starting to fell comfortable on it after almost a year. Then someone liked it so much they thought they would make it theres. So they stole it. Well I purchased a CBR 1000rr and love it.