January 28th, 2019, 04:57 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jake
Location: Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 3
|
250
What are the pros and cons
|
|
January 28th, 2019, 05:44 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Roger
Location: Mitchell, South Dakota
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Oct '16
|
compared to ???
__________________________________________________
|
|
January 28th, 2019, 05:47 AM | #3 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
|
Pros:
Cons
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
4 out of 4 members found this post helpful. |
January 28th, 2019, 12:29 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Pros- cheap, easy, available, and a whole darn lot of fun.
Downside- people will tell you have need a bigger bike. I've had mine for 3 years now, and no need to upgrade. I'm pondering new and shiny, but not necessarily bigger. I love how light my bike is. Turns on a thought. |
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
January 29th, 2019, 02:13 AM | #5 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge,2020 aprilia dorsoduro, 2014 yamaha fjr, 85 yamaha fj 1100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
|
peeps laugh at me all the time. in twisties, its quite nimble. what generation are you looking at?
__________________________________________________
"trying not to get old" |
|
January 29th, 2019, 05:47 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Kevin
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Tiger 800 XRT Posts: 828
|
People tell me I need a bigger bike occasionally, but why? It'll hit 100, and I'm probably better off with that as the limit instead of 150+. I do want a Tiger 800, but that's a whole different type of bike.
__________________________________________________
bike * miles = smiles smiles / bike = miles smiles / miles = bike |
|
January 29th, 2019, 06:31 AM | #7 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
|
You "need" a bigger bike like you "need" a giant SUV.
For the vast majority of riding that the vast majority of people do, the 250 is just fine. Arguably better than larger bikes, even. It's kind of like an economy car. (I drive a Honda Fit, BTW). The performance is similar. Having ridden both a new gen 250 and a GSX-R750 on the same rides for a number of years, I know first-hand what the differences between a small bike and a big bike are. The big bike is giggle-inducing. Want to pass the five brain-dead commuters in front of you and have just enough of a gap in the other lane to do it? Beam me up, Scotty. A few seconds later and you're past 'em and GONE. It's like a Ferrari. On steroids. With a rocket pack. On the Ninjette I could (and did) make that pass, but I'd have to plan it just like in my car. The gap might not last long enough. I'd have to get momentum up. But so-freakin'-what? I don't expect warp-drive performance from a 28-hp engine. The big bike's brakes are OH MY GOD powerful. The Ninjette's are more like a car... but better because the bike weighs about as much as an overfed gnat. Just like a small car, it's capable of more than people give it credit for. You'll hear that it's not good on the highway. Well, yeah, it's light. You will feel the buffeting from trucks and such, more than on a big heavy bike. But so what? If you're at all skilled it's a non-issue. Can you do long rides? Sure. I did a 2,600-mile tour on my Ninjette just after I bought it. No sweat. What would you "need" a bigger bike for? My answer: The exact same reason why you might "need" a big SUV... load carrying. I would not want to ride the Ninjette 2-up.
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
January 29th, 2019, 07:52 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
My older son has the Ninja 250 now, he tagged along on a 120 mile ride with me and my Legion Rider buddies a couple of weeks ago. My 1200 Sportster was the 2nd smallest bike in the group, the Ninja 250 was well less than 1,000 cc's smaller than the other bikes.
Funny thing that little 250 kept up just fine with a bunch of big Harley's even doing 75 mph on the freeway. Couple of the guys were pretty shocked, they even said they thought we were going to have to slow down so he could keep up with us. They just don't understand how great these little bikes are. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
January 29th, 2019, 02:35 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jake
Location: Ohio
Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 3
|
Thanks for the replys guys debating between a 250 and 300 I just know they don't make the 250 no more
|
|
January 29th, 2019, 07:14 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
|
|
January 29th, 2019, 09:49 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
|
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
January 30th, 2019, 08:20 AM | #12 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge,2020 aprilia dorsoduro, 2014 yamaha fjr, 85 yamaha fj 1100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
|
__________________________________________________
"trying not to get old" |
|
January 30th, 2019, 10:00 AM | #13 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
|
250 vs. 300
No direct experience with the 300 but from what I understand:
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
|
January 30th, 2019, 11:20 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
|
I think @adouglas summed it up perfectly. 300s don't come with a gear indicator, though. We have a neutral indicator, but that's it. As a new rider, sometimes I wish it had a gear indicator.
__________________________________________________
Unregistered now go away or I shall taunt you a second time! "To ensure you're giving your very best, blind yourself of all negativity, relax your mind, put inhibition to rest and drive hard toward your goals like it's the last thing on earth." - csmith12 |
|
January 30th, 2019, 12:22 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
I'm not entirely sure why this fixation with bigger bikes. My Harley rider friend is impressed that the bike can do freeway speeds. People think you can't do longish road trips with them, but you can
I think over the three years of having this bike there were once or twice I wished I had more power. Like noted above, to make a pass, I have to plan it a bit, kick down a gear, that kind of thing, but once I'm in the right gear, it's good. I have noticed if I put the tachometer around 7,000 rpm, my speed will tell me what gear I'm in. So it kind of does have a gear indicator of sorts. 40MPH, at 7000RPM, will be 4th gear. 50 will be 5th. 60MPH in 5th gear? RPM will be 8000, 8500, something like that. |
|
January 30th, 2019, 02:43 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
|
|
|
January 31st, 2019, 01:34 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Yep- we have a couple of those guys in our club. Charges the corner, turns slowly, hammers the throttle to catch up...
Not that I'm all that fast in the corners, I have a lack of daring, but I do know enough to know you don't charge in that fast. I corner better than a couple of them. That's one thing the little bike rewards- good handling skills, good cornering skills, and learning how to be in the right gear. A bigger bike may mask some of that. I'll stick with my little bike, thanks. |
|
February 20th, 2019, 12:30 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
|
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 21st, 2019, 03:57 AM | #19 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: SW VA
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 286, 296, 599, 799 Posts: 436
|
The biggest + for 300> 250 is the EFI. It makes the complete package a better anvil than the 250 was.
|
|
February 21st, 2019, 02:27 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
That's a great story, Fish! Many people ask me when I'm getting a bigger bike, and I answer that I will when I feel like this one's too small and that hasn't happened yet. So far any slowdowns are entirely in the rider, not the bike. Bike does just fine.
|
|
February 21st, 2019, 04:35 PM | #21 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
|
Quote:
And partial-throttle response at low-RPMs is significantly better. On the 250 carbs at lower-half of RPM-range, there's a slight rubberband-effect with throttle response. |
|
|
February 22nd, 2019, 06:58 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Charlie
Location: Brick NJ
Join Date: Feb 2018 Motorcycle(s): Harley Fatboy, Honda CX500, Harley XL1200C Sportster, 305 Honda Dream, Ninja 250 Posts: 174
|
I own a 2006 Ninja and a 2009 Harley Fatboy. The Fatboy has had engine work. Dyno says 91hp and 101 ft pounds of torque.
I love the little ninja for around town and short trips. OK I am 72. The ninja does great at Interstste speeds. I ride in Florida in the winter. So I ride just about every day. There are no twisty roads in Florida, but it still makes a great touring bike. The Fatboy is very comfortable for longer rides. I believe the 250 ninja is one of the best all around bikes out there. You can easily do 75 all day long, drag a knee, or go to the grocery store. The only draw back with the ninja is I am not riding down Main Street in Daytona during Bike Week! While the 250 is out of production remember they made about a billion of them. eBay engines are still cheaper then doing a rebuild. Part are everywhere for cheap. While I love my fuel injected Harley the carbs do a great job. Plus easy to work on with little to go wrong. Cold weather starting is the only downside. I mean anything less then 60F is cold weather for the 250. Mine takes a few minutes of fiddling to get it running without choke. I am looking for another cheap low mileage 250 for a new project. I am not interested in the 300. It had a very short production run. Ok if you want a bike for a couple of years. I am sure the 400 is a great bike, but I am looking for cheap. |
|
February 22nd, 2019, 08:05 AM | #23 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
|
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 22nd, 2019, 05:05 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
|
I spend $12 in gas for week's commuting!
Tyres last an entire season of track-racing (+50 days), so I end up with way more tyres than I know what to do with! |
|