Waiting is half the fun, it's like unwrapping a present ( Uncle B say's to himself anxiously awaiting a delivery from Beartooth Kawasaki ).
Beginning rider, Ninja 250EX
Well I've been wanting to do it for a while now. I kept telling myself to put it off longer and longer and if I still wanted it after a year, I would get serious. I've been researching for about 2 months now. I decided on a Ninja 250 for obvious reasons. I'm not a veteran, and I've got no formal instruction. When I was younger I rode a 50cc dirt bike just long enough to end up in a canal. A testament to Kawasaki durability, it ran better than before once we went through it and filled it with new fluids. I sold my 1996 Pontiac Trans Am last November and have been trying to decide between leasing one nice car or buying a used one and getting a bike to learn on. Today I pulled up CycleTrader.com and found a 98 Ninja 250 local in road-ready condition for not too much. Here's the ad for it: http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/7/6/68341576.htm
So I met the guy today, went for a ride (with him, no need to die on the streets of Miami just yet), and worked out a deal. Ad says new chain, because it's only a couple months old, but he's put 13k miles on it in 7 months so he's replacing that and the front turn signals and i'm taking the bike for 1600 with a helmet (fits). Already had the rear fender removed too. It does need a front chain guard but i'm sure those go cheap on ebay.
Anyway he's delivering it tomorrow cleaned up with a new chain and all and I can't wait! I'll be sure to stay away from canals this time. I'm going to get familiar with it off the main road and then take the MSF course ($225 down here).
So I met the guy today, went for a ride (with him, no need to die on the streets of Miami just yet), and worked out a deal. Ad says new chain, because it's only a couple months old, but he's put 13k miles on it in 7 months so he's replacing that and the front turn signals and i'm taking the bike for 1600 with a helmet (fits). Already had the rear fender removed too. It does need a front chain guard but i'm sure those go cheap on ebay.
Anyway he's delivering it tomorrow cleaned up with a new chain and all and I can't wait! I'll be sure to stay away from canals this time. I'm going to get familiar with it off the main road and then take the MSF course ($225 down here).
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like the bike man, those purple rims look nice.
Thanks. I'd have to say the purple rims is one of the less liked color schemes Kawasaki has come up with over the years. I think I'd like it better if they were powdercoated black. Either way I dont plan on having the bike too long so I'll settle with what I have.
How long do you plan on keeping the bike?Dave 96TA said:Thanks. I'd have to say the purple rims is one of the less liked color schemes Kawasaki has come up with over the years. I think I'd like it better if they were powdercoated black. Either way I dont plan on having the bike too long so I'll settle with what I have.
Already getting too comfortable with the bike. It's a lot of work keeping up with the crazy cages on a 250cc. Wish I could say that any of my time on the road wasn't shared with at least a dozen other motorvehicles in each direction. Pretty soon I'll need something that doesn't require 14,000rpm just to get ahead of or merge with traffic. I suspect another 3 or 4 months and I'll move up, assuming I feel comfortable with my skills. I'll be sure to test ride a couple to get a feel for 4x the horsepower many of the 4cyl bikes are pushing.
I have a friend interested in riding who has offered to buy the bike when I'm done with it. I'm sure it will be as excellent for him as it is for me.
I have a friend interested in riding who has offered to buy the bike when I'm done with it. I'm sure it will be as excellent for him as it is for me.
Wow, I guess the traffic over there is twice as bad as it is here. I rarely have to go over 10k. And then I'm just pushing it because some guy is annoying me. Well, Hope the new bike you get suits your needs well. I'd be interested in what you eventually end up with. When my budget permits I'd like to get a silver ZX6R... but that won't be for a few years most likely.Dave 96TA said:Already getting too comfortable with the bike. It's a lot of work keeping up with the crazy cages on a 250cc. Wish I could say that any of my time on the road wasn't shared with at least a dozen other motorvehicles in each direction. Pretty soon I'll need something that doesn't require 14,000rpm just to get ahead of or merge with traffic. I suspect another 3 or 4 months and I'll move up, assuming I feel comfortable with my skills. I'll be sure to test ride a couple to get a feel for 4x the horsepower many of the 4cyl bikes are pushing.
I have a friend interested in riding who has offered to buy the bike when I'm done with it. I'm sure it will be as excellent for him as it is for me.
^.^ I don't know how long this post has been up, but I saw it on "related posts" on the bottom- anyways I'm going to be a new 250 rider! ^.^ Just sayin hi to another 250 rider!
um. Question to anybody though. what is difference between the Ninja 250R and the Ninja EX250? Its the same thing right? Why are there two names for it? <---- me newb ><;
um. Question to anybody though. what is difference between the Ninja 250R and the Ninja EX250? Its the same thing right? Why are there two names for it? <---- me newb ><;
Welcome
+5 for getting a new helmet ASAP!!!
+5 for getting a new helmet ASAP!!!
Congrats and welcome aboard. Get a decent helmet as buying a helmet you will replace in 1 year or so is bad ROI.
Well this thread was (relatively) recently brought back to life, LOL.
I did end up selling that red 98 250 to a friend interested in riding. I had it for just over a year and decided to sell it to buy a second jet ski. Now that friend of mine is riding the 98 and doing well and I ended up buying a Nocturnal Blue 2005 EX250. I guess in a way it is an upgrade, this one is in pristine condition with only 2700 miles. I moved away from Miami and now enjoy cruising 2-up with the girlfriend. I got a great deal on the 250 and decided I ultimately don't need more power for how I/we ride. Let that be a lesson to newbie riders, not everyone HAS to trade up for more power. Just do what is right for you!
I did end up selling that red 98 250 to a friend interested in riding. I had it for just over a year and decided to sell it to buy a second jet ski. Now that friend of mine is riding the 98 and doing well and I ended up buying a Nocturnal Blue 2005 EX250. I guess in a way it is an upgrade, this one is in pristine condition with only 2700 miles. I moved away from Miami and now enjoy cruising 2-up with the girlfriend. I got a great deal on the 250 and decided I ultimately don't need more power for how I/we ride. Let that be a lesson to newbie riders, not everyone HAS to trade up for more power. Just do what is right for you!
I beg to differ....we drive on the RIGHT side of the road here... :tongue:Mizz ZZR said:Nah, once you learn to control the bike properly, traffic will be a piece of cake (even if you guys do ride/drive on the wrong side of the road).
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