[94_stang_man]

I know you all have seen posts like these a million times probably, but im at the point now where im seriously considering getting a bike.

Ive looked into Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Buel and Honda, but ive decided im getting a Kawasaki motorcycle.

I just cannot decide between a 250 ninja, or a 500.
Im on a budget of around $3000 currently and have been eyeing the 250 ninja for a little while now.

I am going away to college in the fall and i need something newish and dependable. My insurance is ALOT cheaper with a motorcycle than with my mustang right now which sounds rediculous, but is true.

I just thought id ask if im better off getting a USED 500 ninja or a NEW 250 ninja, ive never ridden a bike before, although i ride dirtbikes and ATV's sometimes, and I love it.

I have everthing planned out like getting my license,etc. I just need to buy a bike, I do not want a really heavy bike, i want something lighter, since i only weigh 150lbs, however i want a bike that will also have alittle bit of balls, and decent gas mileage and HAS to be dependable.

What would a ninja 250 run in the 1/4 mile just out of curiousity....

Thanks.
Mike

 

[RampRat 2]

Where's ZX-2R when you need him 8) 8) 8)

If it were me after reading about the 250 I'd get a new http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/ninja-250r.php & call beartooth to see if you could possible get something worked out to buy from them & pick up at a local dealer. That's what I would have done if I'd have found this forum before buying the bike.

 

[Anonymous]

yes, ZX-2R wil tell you how to tunr your 250 into a non gas guzzling beast. He'll also tell you how to get about 40-45 mph, I'd go used to start with, cause you don't wanna drop that brand new bike :roll: good luck

 

[Freakinout]

I'd say look for a used 500R, I like the extra power and all the other goodies they have. Make sure you have money for gear too.

 

[Dommer]

250s are dog slow man. Get a used 500.

 

[ZX-2R]

WHICH BIKE???

You want a bike that easy to ride, easy to park cheap on maintenance fuel and insurance you eithr want a new or used Ex250 (Ninja250R). Most of the people on this fourm (I SAID MOST, not all) have no clue what they are saying when they say that the 250R has no power,,,and it is true that even Kawasaki refers to it as a beginners bike...HOWEVER, have you EVER reved a motor out to 14,000RPM? Does it sound insane? Have you ever been to 9,000RPM? Would you believe that the Ninja 250R starts it's power curve at about 8,500-9000RPM an dcarries it all the way up to juat a little short of the redline at 14,000RPM? Most of the Forum people wouldn't even think of reving their bikes past 9,000rpm except for the few, um "specail people" (ha-ha), but to rev a bike to 14,000sounds insane...yet go to Kawasaki and read all about it...look at the RPM/Torque Charts the graphs, the numbers...it's not quite as fast as the 500r...but it's only half the bike! If you decide that you don't need the mileage, and anything up to the 100-105MPH listed for stock then there are simple fixes to make your little Ninja a sceaming terror, tough to keep both wheels on the ground. Take the rear sprocket off and reinstall a larger one (+3 teeth for starters) or to make it easy just drop the size of your front (countershaft sprocket down, smaller by one tooth (-1), and then if you want more power to weight shed off a bunch of ugly weight...like hte stock steel twin pipe exhaust and get a racing pipe with a single canister/muffler, shed off the centerstand, shave off all but what you need of the rear fender, install blister/almost flush turn signals, get a taller windscreen, install lower profile (lighter and stickier tires), If you have a boat shop get your seat redone with closed cell foam that is not only softer nd more comfortable but they can adjust the position of the seat/saddle to where your upper torso is the correct distance from the handlebars, and even custom do the material so that it is black or what ever colors that you want so tha tit even has not only the saddle color in one color but shape the seat so that you have a hump/blister behind your saddle position for a second rider and it can be in any color that you want to. LED's instead of the Filament bulbs add to safety not only by not burning out but by drawing less current, are brighter and are virtually vibration resistant. Changing the air filter to a K&N or using K&N airpods for each carb, redoing your carb jetting and making it breathe better...YOu want to get silly you can get lower bars (clip-ons) and you can move the shifter and rear brake further back (rearsets), and do some other fancy things that I don't usually talk about on the Forum. Basically you can have a very docile lamb of a bike below 9,000RPM or with some changes you can chew up some bikes...poop and scoot...there are some great things that you can do to this bike. or yoou can choose to go the 500R route and do some of the same things...I'm for the little bike, that CAN. I'm only 51 so you will have to take my age and 20+ years of riding into consideration. If I had a choice of my bike for the road and it was legal to ride in the states it would be an Apirila 250 2 stroke a GP bike in Italy...or perhaps a Kawasaki 750 3 cylinder 2 stroke from the early 1970's I love mad hornets and the Kawasaki 750 or even the 500 tripple 2 strokes would RIP most bikes out there today if you knew how to ride them...IF you ned any information from me or any of the forum guys...get back on line and ask us...ther eis absolutely NO STUPID questions...

 

[Curt]

I don't think my 250 is "dog slow man." I can outrun any dog, cat, or hampster in town.

Seriously, though it will beat your Mustang off the line, although maybe not in a straight line 1/4 mile. It will beat your Mustang in traffic. I've heard that a stock Ninja 250 is about 15.5 in the 1/4 mile, but I haven't had any reason to try that myself.

As far as I am concerned, the only reason to get a bigger bike is because of peer pressure. That's my opinion; other people have theirs. And you don't need to be letting your peers control you, especially while you're still learning the fine points of how to ride. Can you tell that I like the 250?

Like ZX-2R said, one of the nice things about the 250 is that even though it has manageable power for a new rider, it has a lot of power for an experienced rider. When you rev up the RPM's, this thing knows how to stand up and talk. Hold on tight!

I agree with ZX-10R Urza. Get a used bike first. I've heard that half of all accidents occur in the first six months of riding. You might as well wreck a $1500 bike rather than a $3000 bike. Besides, that way you can spend $500 for pretty good gear or $1000 for great gear and still have some cash in your pocket for all the mods mentioned above. And once you get your 250, you will love it so much that you have to do the mods.

The 250 gets a little better gas mileage than the 500. Insurance on the 250 is a lot lower than the 500, especially for young riders. Try http://www.bike-line.com. You might be too young to get a good rate from them, but it's worth a try anyway. You should also try Geico, Progressive, and your parents' insurance agent (on their policy).

Oh, and take the safety course. It will make you a much better rider.

And now for the bad news. It is my opinion that you should seriously reconsider buying a motorcycle. Instead sell your Mustang and buy a 15 year old Ford Escort Station wagon. Why? A bike is great, except when:
1. it's cold or snowy or icy
2. it's raining or the roads are wet
3. you need to carry more than one passenger
4. you need to carry stuff with you (did you say you're going away to college?)
5. you need to go on a long trip (did you say you're going away to college?)
The Escort will give you great gas mileage, low insurance costs, and plenty of cargo room. You'll have money left over to pay for any maintenance/repairs it needs. And you won't be tempted to do 1/4 mile races on public roads. Think about it. I hate to say it, but think about it. College is important. Work on that for now. Yes, I know motorcycles are fun. I love mine. But do some hard work now and it will pay off big time later (assuming you don't do something stupid, like get married -- then you can kiss your motorcycle dream goodbye because it's going to be minivan city for you).
Curt

 

[ZX-2R]

Blackmail???

Now Curt, Honestly "Yes, I know motorcycles are fun. I love mine. But do some hard work now and it will pay off big time later (assuming you don't do something stupid, like get married -- then you can kiss your motorcycle dream goodbye because it's going to be minivan city for you).
Curt" Like get married? What's with that...HMMM, If I had a choice...gee, I kinda' see your point! HA-HA...I love my wife but she can't put the excitement to me that the road can...I mean she's fun, loving, caring...but she's human. IF I wnated to polish her exhaust system or remove her tank bra in public, or just snuggle up close she would be really upset...checking her oil level is something I can't even do in the barn, definately not in public...gee, I'm really tired and it...oops 2:21 AM!

 

[ZX-2R]

250//CAR

I'd say that Curt has some sense (except for the comment about marriage), and I'd argue with Dommer, and put him on polygraph about really riding a 250R...this is the kind of remarks that you will get from the general populous. OF course they(500R croud) can hit 130mph, almost twice the Legal Speed LIMIT, so I guess that they think that they are special, or something wierd like that . Gee, the 250R stock will do over 100mph, so I guess that kinda shoots them in the foot. they have twice the motor, an additional 84 pounds of weight and can go just a little over 30-35 mph faster...big whoopie xrap...the bottom line is that you can whip some tail on a 250R if you want to spend some money on it. save about 84pounds dry weight right away, before making the throw-away items and replacement parts that are even cheaper on the 250 than they are on the 500. I'm not going to get into the issues with the 500 crowd, as they are family too, and I respect them, but they treat their little brothers with very little respect. When I get ready to do some work and I'm serious I'll get some hard numbers for the FORUM to chew on. If you want to have a decent light weight bike the 250 is the cheapest to start with. A car for the winters in MA is pretty much a must. I have almost 4 years of riding in R.I. from ME to NY I rode almost every road in between. I esp loved MA on the coast, even though there was very little snow right on the coast the wet cold will eat right through. CT is a great place to ride as well. A used car for the winter for college is a protection issue against the bitter cold should you get stuck and have to spend any time out on the road.

 

[Curt]

Okay, maybe I'm a little bitter about the whole marriage thing. But after spending about $60,000 just for the lawyers, you might be bitter, too.

But just to show that I'm not the only one who realizes that wives (and therefore children) cost a huge crapload of money, I'd like to quote an old member of the board from days gone by:

You have kids and you won't have the money for bikes anymore...sadly it goes into (literally) diapers, school trips and then college happens...so save and hang onto your antique 500R, maintain it real well an dMAYBE when the kid is old enoug he'll have pity on you take the 500Off of your hands, while he's in school...an you'll MAYBE be able to afford the 50cc to get to and from town...when your back isn't hurting so bad on a good day... In between the times ththere are those great days when he might let you ride his new 2.6L V6 computer controlled 128 bit machine that is legal to 300 MPH on the ULtra Interstate highways, and automatically adjusts itself when changing to the old US Highways, I mean Interstates, and further adjusts to local in city driving, including aerodynamic fuselage and mini wing dampers...ride height and computer conmtrolled lean angles... What was the Oh yeah it all started witha 50cc motor with Fuel injection...hmmmm.....I really need some sleep.......................................

Do you have any idea who might have said that, ZX-2R? Come on, take a guess!

But seriously, 94_stang_man, think about that Escort wagon.
Curt

 

[tlwisner]

I just cannot decide between a 250 ninja, or a 500.
Im on a budget of around $3000 currently and have been eyeing the 250 ninja for a little while now.

Go for the 250. Find a nice used one. Enjoy it!

 

[shift1313]

the 250 is a great beginner bike but if you ridden a dirtbike your gonna be dissapointed with the accel. zx2r. do you rev your bike to 14k in traffic. I like a street bike that has low end grunt rather then 14k redline. my gpz is a great bike on the back roads and its got good low end grunt but nothing like my drz400. it redlines at about 12k for a single 400 thats not bad stock. weighs under 300 lbs and can go anywhere.

I would not buy a new 250 because you wont get your money back. everyone ive seen buy a 250 gets tired of it quick(within 6 months) cause nobody wants to spend money to modify a 250 because you can only do so much with it. Now im not saying its not a good strong motor but there is so much more to a motorcycle then that. Frame geometry. rim/tire choices. suspension. Now if you want to do suspension work . swap out the forks, change the geometry a little bit and dump some money into the motor, becuase its so restricted from the factory that it doesnt breath good at 14k. they designed the thing for low-mid power. even if you read what they tell you, every bike is leaned out from the factory to pass emissions.

they start out good. 12.4:1 comp ratio. dohc 8 valve. its got unitrak rear suspension. but it has a 27 degree rake angle , and it weighs just over 300lbs dry. the 500 is in the same boat, they start out good but same frame geometry as the 250. 388lbs dry. 10.4:1 comp.

in my opinion either one will be a great starter bike. the thing i like more about the 500 is the 17" rims will make tire choices easier if you plan on keeping the bike. Its beefed up a little bit more and will give you better low end power. and alot of people race the 500 so there are tons of parts out there and way more aftermarket support.

what i would suggest you do for a first bike is get a dual sport. they are very easy to handle. very light. great suspension travel which makes riding on the road nice. most are singles so they have good low end grunt. and you can still ride offroad if you want. Insurance is based on size of the motor and type of bike is classified as. a dual sport will be cheaper then something that says ninja on it even if it is a 250.


im not bagging the 250. like i said its a good bike but to me its a moped,

 

[ZX-2R]

250

IF you want street grunt at low end get a cruiser like an 800 vulcan or heck a ZX-10R or ZX12R. you can purchase an EX250 (Ninja 250R) cheaper than any of the other bikes if you look around. If you do decide to get completely radical then the 250 CAN be modified as just about any bike can. to save on initial cost, insurance, maintenance, fuel..teh 250 is your best bet 84pounds lighter, and it will still do over 100MPH, which is to fast for any Legal riding on the highways or interstates anyway. Most of the people just don't understand that the r is a big difference n how you properly ride a 250 sport bike, its power doesn't roll on till about 8,500RPM and keeps on pulling to just short of its 14,000Redline. IF you don't ride one you should not be qualified to even disrespect one...AND the 14,000RPM is the redline,,,you want to be riding this bike like a seasoned rider the bike has 6 gears and if you use them between 8,000-13,000RPM you will know what I mean...the bike is DESIGNED for this it's not just some numbers jacked up for hype reasons...

 

[Anonymous]

ESCORT WAGON?!! Are you friggin crazy? Only the worst, nerdiest loser would sell a stang for a escort. on offense buddy, you have no taste. Kids are a bit more than just money son, we kinda have lives, and minds. You not what else? We think (beleive it not or!). So don't act like kids are just money and problems. Hell your (and all our) lives are made just to breed, like all animals. You think no bike should be bigger than 250cc? Why aren't you riding a 125? or a 50? Cause you want more grunt, that's why. and his stang would kill a 250, hell mustang cobra can hit 150 stock. I don't wanna come off as an ass, but you did, so hey. You really do need some taste bro. You'd prolly turn down a saleen S7, so you could get a windstar.Oh, one more question, are you gay?


oh and just one tihng to ZX-2R, the 250 has 35 hp stock. I'll let you take that anyway you want :roll:

 

[Curt]

ESCORT WAGON?!! Are you friggin crazy?

Yes. I don't have the same priorities as you, so that makes me crazy in your eyes. Since you don't have the same priorities as me, I think you're crazy too.

Only the worst, nerdiest loser would sell a stang for a escort. . . .

Correct again! The reason I suggested the Escort is exactly the same reason that you think it's bad advice. It is the worst, nerdiest loser car ever. If you want fun, buy a sports car and a fast bike. If you want a good education, buy the wagon. You can have both, but it's easier to concentrate if you have one now, and the other later. He's going to do what he wants. But since he asked for advice, I gave him mine. What's your advice for 94_stang_man?

. . . You think no bike should be bigger than 250cc? Why aren't you riding a 125? or a 50? Cause you want more grunt, that's why.

Yes, you are correct again. Other people think a 500 is adequate. Some think 636 or 1000 or 1200. I think it's 250. That's why I said "as far as I'm concerned" and "that's my opinion" and "I think." And that's why Kawasaki offers a variety of bikes. Some of them don't interest me, and some of them don't interest you. But I will tell you that I've been drooling on those 125 Eliminators. And I'm considering a 100cc dirt bike for myself and a 50cc for my son.

. . . and his stang would kill a 250, hell mustang cobra can hit 150 stock.

And four times you are correct. That's why I said, "it will beat your Mustang off the line, although maybe not in a straight line 1/4 mile. It will beat your Mustang in traffic." That Mustang might hit 150, but not between this traffic light and the next one. I'd be at the next light waiting for him to show up.

Oh, one more question, are you gay?

Nope, although I like musicals.
Curt

 

[Freakinout]

Nope, although I like musicals.
Curt

I wouldn't have admitted to that.

 

[ZX-2R]

RUMBLE

Get ready to rumble...I have some serious news for you guys that want to rumble...a 250 is a bike that can break any Federal Posted Speed LIMIT in the United States of America. It is a Motorcycle it easy to maneuver they are inexpensive on gas insurance fuel and maintenance...EVERYONE that has any comment about the bike being a DOG does not know how to ride one properly! You would go out on a GP bike and tell us that the bike is a dog in town to ride when in fact you have no concept of what the bike is all about. The guys tat race the big bikes have been known to turn their idle rpm's up to 3,000rpm just so that they aren't that far off the throttle when they need to get back on it. IF some of hte FORUM people would read Sport Rider, cycle World and read the racing magazines you might have a clue as to what I am writing about. The real difference between ignorance and stupidity is knowledge.....so I submit that most of hte people on the forum disrespecting the 250 and making comments about it being a nice beginners bike and that it has no grunt and that would you really ride a bike that hard...you are all just sorry as can be ignorant. Read about racing bikes and the GP bikes and you might just learn something. Look at the charts,,,we have people on the forum that can tell youthe weights, power and everything and if you figure out the power to weight ratio on the 250 versus the 500 you will find out that the 250 isn't really that far behind the 500 when it comes to the final number. Most of the riders on the Forum are not interested in racing or kneedragging, I say submit to the 250, bow now. Get on a 250 and find the difference..unless you have beeen on a 250 on the track I would request that you quit disrespecting the bike and literally, SHUT UP! Some of us do have track experience and DO KNOW how to ride a bike, and we don't need 70+HP to whip other bikes on the track. Sure a 500 has more lower torque and more horsepower it needs it just like a 1300cc bike does. YOu want to take a 1300 and put it up against a 250 on a mountain road with tight and twisty turns and no straight aways...you are seriously making a sad error in judgement, and you are IGNORANT as to the outcome. **** right I'm upset. There is more to the 250 than most of you give credit. You want to get in the game look at the 600 bikes they are lighter than the 500R,,,so get real, read, learn the facts and figures, and perhaps take a track class and you will learn quickly not to let you mouth outrun your hind end...

 

[94_stang_man]

I get the point of having some shitty wagon for college, but im probably going into an ROTC program so they will pay for all or most of my education in the Army. So I won't have huge ass bills waiting for me after i get out of school.

But I'd rather have my little v6 mustang than most other cars right now, it looks good and is dependable. I want a motorcycle because of the cheaper insurance, a 1990 Honda 250 dirtbike is around $180 a year for insurance, and a Kawasaki 500 EX is around $400 to 500 a year, versus my V6 MUSTANG which is f*cking $600 every 3 months.....im just honestly tired of paying v8 insurance for a car that isnt a v8, it's bullshit.

I was going to spend money and beef up the 3.8 v6(big selection for my engine), but i just dont have the time to do all that and my insurance is still going to be crazy unless i take Collision off of the car, then if im lucky, the insurance rates MIGHT drop close to $500 a year....

I'm still considering used bikes, i just didn't want to take the chance of getting someone elses problems.... I could always have it checked out though.....Although i'd like a 250 ninja, i cant guarantee myself i'll have the time to modify it before i go to college. I hope if i decide to get a motorcycle, that it doesnt snow like crazy in Virginia around January, but i guess I just wont go anywhere or i'll get a pair of snow tires if they even make them for the 250.

But i guess i'll see what happens and let you all know if i get a bike or not.

 

[Anonymous]

Curt.....you like muscles? I guess your just kidding your self In any case, my point was, the mustang can and does haul stuf around like the crappy wagon, but it sure as heel wouldn't beat one at stop lights. I know ZX-2R's 250 could hit 4 second 0-60, but a mustang hits 4.8, according to C/D, so no, I doubt a stock 250 could beat him in traffic, noyt in the least. of course, his is a V6, but what do you know about mustangs anyway? In anycase, your still crazy, but aren't we all? (oh, and your still gay, or a loser)

 

[Freakinout]

Curt.....you like muscles? I guess your just kidding your self In any case, my point was, the mustang can and does haul stuf around like the crappy wagon, but it sure as heel wouldn't beat one at stop lights. I know ZX-2R's 250 could hit 4 second 0-60, but a mustang hits 4.8, according to C/D, so no, I doubt a stock 250 could beat him in traffic, noyt in the least. of course, his is a V6, but what do you know about mustangs anyway? In anycase, your still crazy, but aren't we all? (oh, and your still gay, or a loser)

Keep it friendly boys.