[Tweek]

I love these threads. So much passion poured in to telling other people what they ought to do. Is there a sweeter wine on earth?

Perhaps a different poll is called for: Choose your prefered scenario:
a) n00bs trots down to their local Kawi dealer, scores a shiny (and finally sexy looking) 2008 Ninja 250 and rides it to his local starbucks hangout to show his friends for the Kawi forum.
b) n00b takes MSF class,passes with flying colors gets his license, drives his truck to his local Kawi store picks up a shiny new ZX10 (no Fing red - idiots) puts it in the bed, takes it home, spends an hour a day in the culdesac practicing MSF type stuff for a month, goes to a few track days with riding schools. Then finally after a month of hard work and practice rides it to his local starbucks to show his friends from the Kawi forum only to be greated with their disapproving looks.

of the two I'd prefer to ride with #2. You guys might approve of #1 b/c he bought a sensible bike and would prefer a hybrid of #1 & #2 (practice + 250cc) but I didnt offer that.

As I continue to get more experience my gut tells me more and more that the rider is the important feature in the equation. Yeah a 250 won't throw you on your *** for a dumb mistake. Take the full throttle corner exit strategy mentioned earlier. A ZX6 can spin up the rear tire under the right circumstances while it is leaned over and you're making the drive out of a corner. A 250 wont except in extreme circumstances. So your n00b rider goes to a track day and he does the turn #6 at MSR's new course (hair pin left going up hill). Bike lacks power so he rolls the throttle to the stop and holds it their. The bike wont accelerate until he hits the flat. n00b gets wise and buys a new weapon - a ZX6. Same turn, same n00b with early throttle skill, new bike - n00b learns to fly b/c his 250 didn't throw him on his *** for his lack of grace.

The claim that the 250’s margins are lower so it’s safer is a false sense of security. Once you get up to 30mph you are already in the danger zone. You whack a wall at 30mph you’re screwed. The speed at which you arrived at 30mph doesn’t really matter.

The only reason I’m participating in this is because I’m avoiding doing real work. Other than ticking off people who are passionate about this; I don’t care. I wouldn’t presume to recommend a bike to anyone (at least not in this context). I don’t care if we are talking about a 250, 600 or liter bike. The person is going to buy what makes them happy. What I will recommend to a n00b is going to school and learning to ride and spending a lot of time early on just practicing. You might look like an idiot weaving around an empty parking lot, but it might save your life. I’d also recommend doing a few track schools as soon as possible. People want to ride fast so you ought to learn how to do it properly.