Anyone Got the 2008 250R?

Necromancer · 06-12-2008

I am thinking about getting it. It will be a downgrade obviously, but the bike looks pretty good. I will need to see how I look though on it. I am 6'0" 200lbs, so I hope it can still drive me around.

Anyone got one or know of someone with one? Thoughts?

NCDave · 06-12-2008

What are you looking for in a bike? What's your riding style? HOW do you ride?

Generally you'll find the 250 lacking in power, and forget aftermarket pipes, they sound really bad on that bike (much like an old motorboat engine). 2 of my son's friends have them as starter bikes, and one has already done the exhaust upgrade. I've set on them. the size is good, and i'm about your ht/wt. I have not ridden them to speak of the power delivery though.

fitbmxseries1 · 06-12-2008

thought about maybe going to a 600? If your experianced on the 500 enough just step it up! or possibly find a used 650, the 650s look real nice and your still using the v twin engine so its not outragously powerful. you would end up buying somthing used for what a new 250 cost though.

Kangy · 06-12-2008

Agree with the above responses. What are you looking at getting out of the bike and how will you be using it. Going from a 500 to the 250 is a decent drop in power. I just moved from the 250 to a new 08 650 and it is a world of difference while commuting. Dont' get me wrong I loved the hell out of that 250 and it was fun to ride but daily long distance highway commuting got old fast. If your thinking about doing it for the economy, the 250 is actually higher in maint cost than the 650 and in real life driving I was getting around 55mpg on the 250 and I'm getting 50mpg on the 650 so not too much of a savings there.
The 250 needs alot more valve adjustments, carb syncing, and other maint that the 650 doesn't need (well it does need valves but not anywhere close to the same amount of adjustments as the 250 needs)

love2ride · 06-12-2008

If you have seen the Kawi Commercial, there is no tmuch difference in size between the Ninja bikes.

All sportbikes are small-er in size, especially the new ones.

The 97 GSXR600 I picked up is a little bulky but its an older model.

ervins · 06-12-2008

What is the motive for going to a 250? Gas...Ok that is good...But at your height...IMO it would look off. What's wrong with a 600...Some older 600s get 40mpg.

bennice · 06-12-2008

All very good points/questions above, but I have one major question...

Where are you going to find a 2008 250? Nobody can seem to locate one anywhere from what I'm hearing, and those who do are paying silly money for them well above and beyond MSRP.

As much as I love the 250 platform, there's no sense in paying 650R money for one.

Necromancer · 06-12-2008

I guess you guys are right. I will at least check out how I look on one. I am was primarily getting it for its fairing style and the gas mileage. My 500 has been jetted from a psycho (previous owner). Huge HP but low mpg (~28mpg currently). Among that and the other upgrades: exhaust, sprockets, raised back, etc., the bike just gets horrible gas mileage and is geared to run fast so lower speeds like sideroads is a huge pain the butt.

I think I will move up to 600 or 750.

Cave Man · 06-13-2008

Are you sure gas isn't leaking onto the street? My 1979 KZ1000 gets 38 mpg and I thought that was bad. Actually, I was thinking of going to the EX250 myself for the gas mileage, before realizing it really isn't all that great, when you consider the sacrifice with power. I am now looking for a 600 or 750 which can get me 40-50 mpg. and still have the power of my KZ1000. Take care.

zedx11 · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer

I will at least check out how I look on one.

good luck finding one in the showroom. all of the ones we ordered are already sold and we don't even know when we will be getting them in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer

I am was primarily getting it for its fairing style and the gas mileage. My 500 has been jetted from a psycho (previous owner). Huge HP but low mpg (~28mpg currently). Among that and the other upgrades: exhaust, sprockets, raised back, etc., the bike just gets horrible gas mileage and is geared to run fast so lower speeds like sideroads is a huge pain the butt.

I think I will move up to 600 or 750.

those mods cost half the average MPG I used to get on mine. that sucks.

keyda81 · 06-13-2008

For some reason they can't seem to even get those bikes on the showroom floor. I talked to a dealer about one, and they had one coming in July, then no more until August. What is up with that?

gameovergt · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyda81

For some reason they can't seem to even get those bikes on the showroom floor. I talked to a dealer about one, and they had one coming in July, then no more until August. What is up with that?

supply & demand

keyda81 · 06-13-2008

Kawasaki should have been aware of the big demand, along with dealers, high gas prices should have been their first hint. It seems alot of people are getting bikes due to this. It was partially my reason for getting one. I have a 69 Z, and can't even drive it. My truck isn't any fun to drive either, its the winter beat, so something had to fill the fun to drive void, plus I've wanted a bike for a long time.

ervins · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer

I guess you guys are right. I will at least check out how I look on one. I am was primarily getting it for its fairing style and the gas mileage. My 500 has been jetted from a psycho (previous owner). Huge HP but low mpg (~28mpg currently). Among that and the other upgrades: exhaust, sprockets, raised back, etc., the bike just gets horrible gas mileage and is geared to run fast so lower speeds like sideroads is a huge pain the butt.

I think I will move up to 600 or 750.

I saw the first new 250 on the road yesterday...After seeing it on the third lane going slow while everyone was going 80mph...My suggestion stands...Get some water on the face. Ask what you were thinking and get a 600.

zedx11 · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ervins

I saw the first new 250 on the road yesterday...After seeing it on the third lane going slow while everyone was going 80mph...My suggestion stands...Get some water on the face. Ask what you were thinking and get a 600.

after break in period these bikes will keep up with traffic unless it's going 90+ then you may be in some trouble. they really aren't the dog you think they are.

at 70+MPG it's a good bike

ervins · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedx11

after break in period these bikes will keep up with traffic unless it's going 90+ then you may be in some trouble. they really aren't the dog you think they are.

at 70+MPG it's a good bike

I hope so...Any 250 I see is on the slow lane out here...Unless they are splitting...I do not find that safe with as many on and off ramps exits we have here. Not that many out here that is for sure.

Kangy · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedx11

after break in period these bikes will keep up with traffic unless it's going 90+ then you may be in some trouble. they really aren't the dog you think they are.

at 70+MPG it's a good bike

I agree it doesn't have any problem keeping up with average highway traffic. But at those speeds the MPG is no where near 70. The best I ever got on my 250 was 61MPG and that was after a 200 mile easy going fun ride. Average from 90% highway commuting at 70-80MPH would get me around 55MPG.

Check out the ninja250.org forum and you'll see plenty of posts on gas milleage (all were getting close to that)

Sure it may get 70MPG if you put it along at 30MPH keeping it at low rev's but on the highway your dreaming if you think you'll get that kind of milleage cruising at 9k-10k RPM

The 250 is an amazing bike but for highway commuting there are alot better options. My 650 is getting 50MPG on the highway so I don't mind at all a 5MPG drop in exchange for the increased power I'm getting.

zedx11 · 06-13-2008

I have been told by several 250 owners that they were getting 70+MPG, no, they were not running over 70MPH but were still commuting with highway speeds.

evmo · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ervins

I saw the first new 250 on the road yesterday...After seeing it on the third lane going slow while everyone was going 80mph...My suggestion stands...Get some water on the face. Ask what you were thinking and get a 600.

Don't forget that these bikes more often then not are being ridden by beginners especially around here. That probably has more to do with why your seeing them in the slow lane. I've seen several myself lately, they are always being ridden by guys (although some had ponytails coming out the back of the helmet) in full gear at lower speeds, this makes me think that a slightly older crowd is feeling the gas pinch and opting for the 2 wheel option. Its hard to argue with 70mpg when the discount station down the block is selling 87 for 4.51 a gallon.

stevend135 · 06-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ervins

What is the motive for going to a 250? Gas...Ok that is good...But at your height...IMO it would look off. What's wrong with a 600...Some older 600s get 40mpg.

I'd definatley look at a older 600, I'm getting 48-50 MPG on my sv sure the 250 might get better mileage but I can cruise with traffic ease.

06-12-2008	#1 (permalink)
Necromancer Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA Posts: 9	Anyone Got the 2008 250R? I am thinking about getting it. It will be a downgrade obviously, but the bike looks pretty good. I will need to see how I look though on it. I am 6'0" 200lbs, so I hope it can still drive me around. Anyone got one or know of someone with one? Thoughts? __________________ 2002 Kawasaki Ninja EX500 Riding on four wheels is surviving, riding on two wheels is living.

06-12-2008	#2 (permalink)
NCDave Clark Grizwald Trainee BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 9,757	What are you looking for in a bike? What's your riding style? HOW do you ride? Generally you'll find the 250 lacking in power, and forget aftermarket pipes, they sound really bad on that bike (much like an old motorboat engine). 2 of my son's friends have them as starter bikes, and one has already done the exhaust upgrade. I've set on them. the size is good, and i'm about your ht/wt. I have not ridden them to speak of the power delivery though. __________________ NCDave Don't Blame Me, I Voted For The Hot Chick http://www.bikepics.com/members/ncdave

06-12-2008	#3 (permalink)
fitbmxseries1 Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 654	thought about maybe going to a 600? If your experianced on the 500 enough just step it up! or possibly find a used 650, the 650s look real nice and your still using the v twin engine so its not outragously powerful. you would end up buying somthing used for what a new 250 cost though. __________________ I could be a tall horse jockey but horses are too slow.

06-12-2008	#4 (permalink)
Kangy SCUBA Rider BTK Beginner Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 87	Agree with the above responses. What are you looking at getting out of the bike and how will you be using it. Going from a 500 to the 250 is a decent drop in power. I just moved from the 250 to a new 08 650 and it is a world of difference while commuting. Dont' get me wrong I loved the hell out of that 250 and it was fun to ride but daily long distance highway commuting got old fast. If your thinking about doing it for the economy, the 250 is actually higher in maint cost than the 650 and in real life driving I was getting around 55mpg on the 250 and I'm getting 50mpg on the 650 so not too much of a savings there. The 250 needs alot more valve adjustments, carb syncing, and other maint that the 650 doesn't need (well it does need valves but not anywhere close to the same amount of adjustments as the 250 needs) __________________ Submersion SCUBA 08 Ninja 650R - Red - R&G Sliders 72 Honda CB100 - Restoration Project

06-12-2008	#5 (permalink)
love2ride RideOrDieWarren Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newport News Posts: 630	If you have seen the Kawi Commercial, there is no tmuch difference in size between the Ninja bikes. All sportbikes are small-er in size, especially the new ones. The 97 GSXR600 I picked up is a little bulky but its an older model. __________________ 2006 Ninja EX250 - On Ebay 1997 GSXR 600 (TrackDay) http://www.youtube.com/profile_video...rdiewarren&p=r

06-12-2008	#6 (permalink)
ervins MOM Sept 2006 Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Castro Valley, CA Posts: 11,826	What is the motive for going to a 250? Gas...Ok that is good...But at your height...IMO it would look off. What's wrong with a 600...Some older 600s get 40mpg. __________________ Black 2006 ZX-10R http://cache.www.gametracker.com/ser...0/b_560x95.png

06-12-2008	#7 (permalink)
bennice RIP Deron Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denver-ish Posts: 3,509	All very good points/questions above, but I have one major question... Where are you going to find a 2008 250? Nobody can seem to locate one anywhere from what I'm hearing, and those who do are paying silly money for them well above and beyond MSRP. As much as I love the 250 platform, there's no sense in paying 650R money for one. __________________ Please contribute to the SFC Ezell Memorial Bike Project/Fund. More info here.

06-12-2008	#8 (permalink)
Necromancer Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA Posts: 9	I guess you guys are right. I will at least check out how I look on one. I am was primarily getting it for its fairing style and the gas mileage. My 500 has been jetted from a psycho (previous owner). Huge HP but low mpg (~28mpg currently). Among that and the other upgrades: exhaust, sprockets, raised back, etc., the bike just gets horrible gas mileage and is geared to run fast so lower speeds like sideroads is a huge pain the butt. I think I will move up to 600 or 750. __________________ 2002 Kawasaki Ninja EX500 Riding on four wheels is surviving, riding on two wheels is living.

06-13-2008	#9 (permalink)
Cave Man 79COW Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 37	Wow, 28 mpg? Are you sure gas isn't leaking onto the street? My 1979 KZ1000 gets 38 mpg and I thought that was bad. Actually, I was thinking of going to the EX250 myself for the gas mileage, before realizing it really isn't all that great, when you consider the sacrifice with power. I am now looking for a 600 or 750 which can get me 40-50 mpg. and still have the power of my KZ1000. Take care.

06-13-2008	#11 (permalink)
keyda81 2005 Ninja 250 "Sapphire" BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 573	For some reason they can't seem to even get those bikes on the showroom floor. I talked to a dealer about one, and they had one coming in July, then no more until August. What is up with that? __________________ You only live once, get out there, enjoy it, and have no regrets!

06-13-2008	#13 (permalink)
keyda81 2005 Ninja 250 "Sapphire" BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 573	Kawasaki should have been aware of the big demand, along with dealers, high gas prices should have been their first hint. It seems alot of people are getting bikes due to this. It was partially my reason for getting one. I have a 69 Z, and can't even drive it. My truck isn't any fun to drive either, its the winter beat, so something had to fill the fun to drive void, plus I've wanted a bike for a long time. __________________ You only live once, get out there, enjoy it, and have no regrets!

06-13-2008	#18 (permalink)
zedx11 yellow doesn't corner wel Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KC, KS Posts: 22,249	I have been told by several 250 owners that they were getting 70+MPG, no, they were not running over 70MPH but were still commuting with highway speeds. __________________ Darrell Ignorance is a disease my friend. You should rid yourself of it.