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Does the Kawasaki Ninja 250 have enough power to keep a newbie's interest for long? |
I've heard that it's more fun to drive a 'slow' (i.e. the Ninja 250) bike fast than a fast bike slow. I've read that the Ninja 250's astronomical redline and light weight make it a blast to sprint around in. Is it only a good starter bike, or can it be a keeper? Used 250's are a great buy because people are always looking for them. You can just about always get what you paid for it back almost in full if it were to bore you after a year or so. What your saying is true though, being able to hammer down on a 250 and actually work the bike through its paces is often a lot are more fun than worrying about throttle control on a 600 or larger bike. As a newb, on a 600 you will 95% of the time be trying not to kill yourself. On a 250 maybe 75% of the time you'll be fearing death, but it will be because of other people, not because your sweating trying to keep the front wheel down in a bend. It will also allow you to get your stance down, and really learn what ridding is about without having to wrestle for command of your bike. If you are prepared to take the snickers and trash talk of 600 riders, it is a great idea. Its actually a great idea either way, but I'm just telling you to be prepared to take some disrespect. That and buy it used. New they will try to rip you off. It is both a good starter and a keeper. The power is predictabel and controllable, therefore more fun to drive in the city and in the rain. As you get more experience, a 650 or larger will be a nice addition as you will know how to control the bike better, but the 250 is still a blast to scoot around on, plus gets better gas milage. I've had 600cc bikes for years and picked up a 250 ninja to tool around on. I have more fun on that 250 anywhere I take it. I ended up keeping it. That astronomical redline is needed because it doesn't start to pull untill 7 or 8k RPM. Loads of fun though. Would recommend it for any beginner or experienced rider. HONESTLY, IT DEPENDS ON A FEW THINGS, HAVE YOU RODE ANYTHING BEFORE AT ALL? IF SO, NEXT QUESTION - WHAT DO YOU WEIGH? IF YOU'RE SHORTER (UNDER 5"10") AND LESS THAN 160 POUNDS - YOU'LL HAVE SOME FUN ON IT, IT'S QUICK AND GREAT TO FLIP INTO TURNS ETC. - ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IT IT'S AGO - IS IT THE OLD-OLD STYLE OR? I'D SAY OVERALL, IT'S A 'SAFER' STARTER BIKE FOR SOME, EASY TO WORK ON AND REALLY FORGIVING WHEN RIDING, VERY SIMPLE TO CHANGE LINES WITH THE APEX OF A TURN ETC... NOT ALWAYS SO EASY ON THE 600'S OR LITRE BIKES. IF MONEY REALLY INS'T AN ISSUE AND YOU WANT A GREAT 250 - LOOK AT THE APRILA'S - THEY ARE THE BEST WHEN IT COMES TO 125'S AND 250'S. http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcaprilia/r... http://www.bikepics.com/aprilia/rs250/... CHEERS AND SAFE RIDING! KC Unless you are a "weekend only" rider and your buddies all have big bore bikes, I would think that the 250 Ninja would be a blast. I have been somewhat looking for one myself but am currently short on the extra cash to get a good used one. Europe is 250 heaven as with the tax laws there high displacement means high registration there. The 14,000 redline sounds awesome and the power of that bike is more on the line of a 500 from some years back. At to that excellent fuel mileage and you have a good recipe for an all around bike. As others have said would be a blast in urban areas and tighter twisty roads. Over the years I have owned several bikes including the 6 cylinder Honda cbx from 1980. Only desire I would have for large displacement anymore is for cross country touring at high speed and then I would want a BMW bike for that! :-) Be realistic about who you are and what you want it for. As another poster mentioned, if you are a large person in height, or weight then you will not be happy with the lower power, and smaller frame of the bike. Also if you think that you will wind up riding with folks that larger bikes regularly then you would be the "low man on the totem pole" with the 250. Let's face it, most of us "guys" trade up bikes to keep up with our buddies the same way fishermen trade up boats. :-) If that is likely to happen to you then go ahead and get the big bike from the start. If not then you should have a blast on the Ninja. One other aspect of the bike is that it and the engine have been around for awhile now and are tried and proven, and parts are well available. Handling should be a blast as well as unlike the 250 "starter bikes" that some of the other companies market this one has real shocks and suspension like other sport bikes. Most fun bike I ever owned was a S1 Kawasaki 2-stroke triple. It was small and light and handled horribly, but when that power band kicked in it would bring a smile to my face. :-) With the Ninja you have the best of both worlds. Fun motor, and great handling. They scream pretty well above 10,000. It's a good starter but not a keeper, eventually you'll end up wanting something with a little more power to it. |
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