250 Ninja for first bike ridiculous?

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I am seriously considering this for my first motorcycle. I know I want a "sport bike". I am not real concerned with speed and power. Is a 250 too small?

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated.

Why Ninja? The new body style is awesome and the price is also awesome.
 
I've contemplated this same thing. Ridiculous? No. I believe (especially for a 1st bike) that raw speed and POWA!! are not needed. (and I wouldn't want) The cool thing about this very bike, is the price. I've seen them go for dirt cheap. :smokin:

I would seriously consider this bike but not so much for anyone in a mountanis reign. Flat lander? yes, mountains? no.

Wonder what a set on knobbys would look like on one...:hhmm:






:flipoff2:
 
yes if I plan on riding on Highways?

Good for that or bad?
 
I've contemplated this same thing. No. I believe (especially for a 1st bike) that raw speed and POWA!! are not needed. (and I wouldn't want) The cool thing about this very bike, is the price. I've seen them go for dirt cheap. :smokin:

I would seriously consider this bike but not so much for anyone in a mountanis reign. Flat lander? yes, mountains? no.

Wonder what a set on knobbys would look like on one...:hhmm:






:flipoff2:

I am not concerned about mountains at all. It will be 98% flat land. I am very conservative and I really am not looking to race or do tricks on the free way. I just want to cruise but do not want a cruiser or enduro.
 
Not bad
Kawasaki_Ninja_250R_2008_st3pz.webp
 
I am not concerned about mountains at all. It will be 98% flat land. I am very conservative and I really am not looking to race or do tricks on the free way. I just want to cruise but do not want a cruiser or enduro.

Same reason I was thinking. Sorta like a "mans moped" :flipoff2:

fawk raw power (death) , cost, and the less mpg of a sport bike.
 
I just started poking around on the net. I think I am heading toward the 500R :D
 
whats that cool black Honda with the engine partially as the frame?

its in that thread....uhh...?
 
Don't buy new, especially a small displacement bike like that, you will not be out of the depreciation by the time you want to sell it for a bigger displacemtn bike. A used one would be a great first bike, IMHO.
 
I think a Ninja 500 would be better suited to you. Those 250's are pretty under-powered.
 
250 streetbike brings the raspberry
the EX500 (ninja 500 on newer models) is an okay starter bike, but don't buy one new, you can get one for a lot less that has no miles from either:
A/someone who bought it and realized that it wasn't enough right away
B/someone who bought it for their girlfriend, and failed to convince her

I would start with something more cruiser based, 650 nighthawk is a nice bike, as is a 750 shadow
more comfortable to ride, better position for a noob

you might also consider a street and trail(dual purpose), if it appeals to you, but it is hard to find a nice midrange size. IMO the 225/230 is a bit small to satisfy for long*, and the 650's are a bit large for a beginner... I think the drz comes in a factory streetable 400, that would be an awesome starter bike. xr400's can be streeted as well, but it is more effort (though it is a nicer dirt bike than the drz (from my reading))

the DRZ400 is also available in a factory motard edition, if you would be riding mostly street, they look fun as hell


*just my opinion, I know folks who are satisfied for years with their xt225 and ilk, but I recall being underwhelmed with a small bike in a short time, and 350+ dual purpose or 550+ street seem to be the breakover points**

**IMO***


***FWIW
 
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Gladly is right. The 250 is what you ride for the motorcycle safety course-or at least we did up here. Agile, and tiny, not enough snot to get you in trouble. If I were strictly in a city environment, it is enough bike. Highway and backroad riding will have you wanting a bigger bike quick. Sometime (think merging traffic) it is better to have the power when you need it.

I see 500 cc range bikes used for short money often. A 500 is plenty of bike for a first time rider, and buy it a few years old.
 
ok I can't find it. Is the 250 a single?...it has to be...?


edit: I'll be damned!


here we go! side by side specs!


Ninja® 500R : Specifications
 
My first street bike was a 1987 yamaha SRX 250
BikePics - 1987 Yamaha SRX 250

it lasted all of 2 weeks then move on to a Ninja 600R

the 250 was great for a beginner who had never riden
and was a flat lander but for turns or mtns.
for get it it just lacks the balls.

I had been riding dirt bike for a few years before i got
on a street bike though.

Let someone else take the hit on a bike by USED.
if you want the sport type bike get the comfort of a sport cruiser

remeber there are 2 kinds of rider those who HAVE gone down and those who WILL.

Be careful where a helmet/jeans/boot (leathers if you have them)

take a safety course available every where If you look.
 
It's good beginner bike...I started out with more forgiving Honda Rebel 450 and and thankful that bike is pretty forgiving...I probably won't last long starting out with a Honda 600RR :) But some riders are natural but if you want to play safe that's good bike to start.
 

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