curious about 250 owners

[scorpio_vette]

so not trying to be rude or stereotype. but i just really pictured the 250 to an absolute beginner bike and a small kids bike. but the more i seem to read on this forum, the more i seem to find a much older age group than i expected.


so i'm just curious as to what the age range on this forum is.

thought it might be kinda interesting to have like a small questionnaire:

1) How old are you???
2) Male or Female???
3) What year is your 250???
4) How long have you had your 250???
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???






Since the bike is my wifes, i'll put her info in here.
1) 29
2) Female
3) 2007
4) little over 1 year
5) Main transportation except when going somewhere with the baby.
6) Longest trip was to a small bike rally 2hours away and I carried everything on the back of my cruiser
7) Out of all the bikes she sat on she felt most comfortable on that. she says the "combat" position feels better than
stretching out and relaxing (doesn't make any sense to me. but ok).

[Sailariel]

1)68,2)Male3)2008,4)1year--have been riding 50 years. 5)Main in the summer and fall.6)Yes--No

[tjkamper]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9937

This link should give you a good Idea of how old most people on this forum are.

1)27,2)Male3)2009,4)1year--have been riding 11 years. 5)I ride as long there is no snow on the road,6)I think the fewest miles I ever put in on a regular week day is 60. Sometimes I ride up to 180 miles in a day. 7)fun, looks, cheap, easy to work on, i don't have any need to do 160 mph.

[noche_caliente]

1) 29 - for the first time really!
2) Female
3) 2008
4) Since 8/6/08
5) a little bit of both
6) only bike - no touring because of my son - when he's home, I spend my time with him - I only ride to/from work or during naps
7) No need for something bigger - I still haven't used all the power of my baby and doubt I ever will

[Snake]

1) 42
2) Male
3) 2005
4) A little over 4 years
5) Main transportation and for playing on the weekends.
6) I use it riding down the twisties and for touring. Longest ride was almost 300 miles one way and everything was carried on the bike.
7) I have had bigger bikes in the past and wanted something economical to buy, good on gas, dependable, fun to ride, easy to work on and looked very sexy. This bike fit all those requirements and then some.

[backinthesaddleagain]

1 - 45
2 - M
3 - '09
4 - 8 mos
5 - commute to work and playing
6 - any roads between home and work
7- price, price, price, fun factor, low insurance, style, price

[capt_bugaloo]

1) 42, been street riding since 1992.
2) Male
3) 2008
4) Since April 2008
5) 50-50. I commute in nicer weather, but also play on the weekend.
6) Not yet...
7) The 250 is big enough.

[ninjabrewer]

43,
male,
2008,
8 months,
it is my main mode of transport at the moment, and I do use it for playing, got it because 60 MPG, I am a new rider, 60 MPG, got it from a friend, 60 MPG, I was going to need another vehicle soon anyway, midlife crisis is on the horizon. Oh, did mention that I got it because it gets 60 MPG on average.

nb

[Flashmonkey]

1) 27
2) Male
3) 2006
4) 7 months
5) This bike is mainly for playing, but will be commuting with it more to save money
6) First and only bike, this may change in the near future.
7) I'm fairly new and had no idea how i would take to this sport....and this particular 250 was being sold for a decent price 2 minutes from my house.

[Bsmith]

1) 38
2) Male
3) '08
4) about a year
5) Both depending on the arthritis and weather
6) Only bike. Don't tour due to kids
7) I've had bigger bikes and I would get my self in more trouble than I already do.

[Nickds7]

1) 19
2) Male
3) 09
4) 4mo
5) Both, Still have a truck but ride the bike 98% of the time.
6) Only bike, no touring.
7) Cheap, not as hard to get into trouble. (plus I fully support myself, so I dont want to spend $10k on a bike...although I could but nah)

[Nemy]

1-24
2-M
3-09
4-including my last 250 - 2 years
5-main transportation is still playing!
6-yes - anywhere and everywhere
7-insurance, gas, MSRP, and cause the 250 is fun!

[addy126]

1. Over 45
2. Female
3. 2007 and the new 2009
4. Long enuff to know its a very substantial mode of transportation not to mention sexy looking and draws attention
5. Main, Touring and Play
6. Can hit 100 mph, zip thru the city, nimble, excellent gas mileage, insurance and parts cost effective
7. Can wrap myself around a tree, guardrail, and cager just as quickly as you and your big bike.......

So do not demean a "250" my friend. It's a sportscar compared to the lazyboy cruiser style! It's all about the ride.....

[sombo]

Well I would agree with it fitting as a beginner bike but not a kids bike. A bike that's capable of 0-60mph in just over 5secs, 1/4-mile in around 15secs @88mph with possible top speed around 100+ is not what I would consider a kids bike, but that's me.

1) 32
2) Male
3) 1995
4) about 5 months
5) a little of both, I prefer the bike but the weather/situation doesn't always allow for the bike
6) fist and only bike atm and haven't toured yet but am considering taking it to Myrtle Beach from Orlando for vacation
7) I'm a beginner and this is the best beginner bike. Also, I don't feel the need for a bike that can't be used to it's limits on the road. It was inexpensive, comfortable, economic, fun, fast enough for me, has tons of mods and has a MASSIVE following of fans. You can't go wrong with owning one.

[komohana]

1) 46
2) M
3) 2003
4) 1 yr. this Aug.
5) Playing, but do commute w/bike too!
6) Live on island in middle of ocean...touring w/250!
7) I was looking for something bigger! But a good deal plus a test ride that showed me the handling of this baby and I was hooked!

[SteveL]

1 62 years
2 Male
3 2009
4 7th March 2009
5 Commuting I also have three cars
6 No
7 Big enough for my commute.


Steve

[Rayme]

1) 27
2) Male
3) 2008
4) Almost a year
5) Main transportation in the summer.
6) I occasionnaly do 300 KM + tours
7) I wanted something relatively new at low cost...and a bigger bike is something I don't need now. I also havea sub 500cc license.

[adouglas]

1) 50
2) Male
3) Don't have one yet. It'll be an 08-09 when I do get it, or even a 10 if I don't get enough saved in time.
4) See above. I did have an 89 EX500 some years ago that I rode for about five years. Sold it because I wasn't using it at the time.
5) Good weather commuting, playing.
6) One bike only. I did a week-long tour on my 500 and would consider doing it on the 250, but don't have specific plans.

7) This is the most important question. I firmly believe that you should always use the right tool for the job, and not be blinded by irrelevancies. Americans are convinced that bigger/more is automatically better... an attitude that has always annoyed the heck out of me.

I do not need a bike that gets to 60 mph in three seconds.
I do not need a bike that can go 150 mph.
I do not need a bike that will do wheelies and stoppies on command at any speed.
I do not need a bike that will impress anyone.

I do need a bike that will handle well.
I do need a bike that I can ride on the highway and that is as fast/quick as my car.
I do need a bike with good ergonomics. This is MOST IMPORTANT. I do need a bike that fits me. I'm a short guy -- 5'7" with a 30" inseam. You always hear that if you're experienced, just having your toes on the ground is fine and sure, you can do that. I can do that because I've got enough experience. Or you can lower the bike. But why in creation would I want to do either of those things? They're just rationalizations. Kawasaki wants $300+ for a one-inch shorter 650r seat, for cryin' out loud.

If I have a lightweight bike I can flat-foot, I can maneuver it around in my driveway easily. If I come to a stop on an uneven surface I won't have to go hunting for the ground. Having a seat that's too high is a great big pain in the a$$.

If you're of average height for a male, try this little experiment to gain an appreciation for what all of us danged midgets have to put up with. Say you've got a bike with a 31" seat height, and your inseam is 32". Go put a two-inch phone book on your seat to make it an inch higher than your inseam and hop on the bike. Maneuver it around in your driveway. Better still, try moving the bike against a slope. Go ahead. Try it. Then come back and tell us that flat-footing is no big deal.

And it's not just seat height. On a bigger bike I have to lean forward more to reach the controls, which puts more weight on my wrists than should be there, which is uncomfortable.

Why not just ride a bike that fits me physically?

I choose the 250 because it fits me, does exactly what I need it to do, handles well, is fast enough to get me arrested in any state in the union, gets great gas mileage and is cheap to buy, maintain and insure.

Who needs a bigger bike?

[CZroe]

1) How old are you???
28
2) Male or Female???
Male
3) What year is your 250???
2008
4) How long have you had your 250???
Almost one year
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
Primary transportation; don't even own a car
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
Took it all the way across the country. Also drove it 600 miles from the dealer to get home.
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Simple: Price and fuel economy. No larger bike can match it in both categories.

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

1) 29 - for the first time really!
2) Female
3) 2008
4) Since 8/6/08
5) a little bit of both
6) only bike - no touring because of my son - when he's home, I spend my time with him - I only ride to/from work or during naps
7) No need for something bigger - I still haven't used all the power of my baby and doubt I ever will

That's the same day I bought mine. It was the last shipment of '08 bikes and this particular dealer got four of them (540 miles away!) a few days earlier. After another dealer told me mine was canceled, I called those guys one day after the unexpected shipment arrived, which was just in time to reserve the last one. It was "unexpected" because they were not supposed to receive the orders from another dealer they purchased due to Kawasaki rationing bikes per dealer (due to demand). I lucked out, but I wasn't about to give up. That was actually the third dealer where the first sold a my bike to someone else. I had a deposit on it and called every day asking if it had arrived. It was no accident. Georgians, avoid Cycle City Powersports in Newnan. Their service and accessories departments seem fine, but SCREW the sales staff.

Originally Posted by ninjabrewer

43,
male,
2008,
8 months,
it is my main mode of transport at the moment, and I do use it for playing, got it because 60 MPG, I am a new rider, 60 MPG, got it from a friend, 60 MPG, I was going to need another vehicle soon anyway, midlife crisis is on the horizon. Oh, did mention that I got it because it gets 60 MPG on average.

nb

HA! Lemme ask... was MPG a consideration?

Originally Posted by SteveL

1 62 years
2 Male
3 2009
4 7th March 2009
5 Commuting I also have three cars
6 No
7 Big enough for my commute.


Steve

Wait, I know that not all regions got all colors for 2008, but did you guys actually get different colors for 2009? I ask because, though you say "2009," it appears that you have a "Kawasaki Green" bike when they only make the Special Edition Green/White/Black for 2009. I've heard that in the UK the vehicle registration shows the year it was purchased regardless of the year model, but I'd be hard to imagine an unsold '08 staying in the shop for five months (Kawi canceled the rest of the '08s at the beginning of August).

[lockie]

1) 59
2) Male
3) 2009
4) 3 months
5) playing and some commuting
6) Not yet...just some long day trips
7) Looked good... beginner bike for someone learning to ride again. Great handling and reliable. Also there's a local dealer and I live in a isolated location. Plenty of performance.

[sugarbear]

1) How old are you???
52
2) Male or Female???
female
3) What year is your 250???
2009
4) How long have you had your 250???
January 2009
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
Playing!
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
Have a Sport/Touring bike for touring
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Sexy bike, entry level sportbike priced very reasonably, great reviews on it, great gas mileage

[SteveL]

Originally Posted by CZroe

1) How old are you???
28
2) Male or Female???
Male
3) What year is your 250???
2008
4) How long have you had your 250???
Almost one year
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
Primary transportation; don't even own a car
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
Took it all the way across the country. Also drove it 600 miles from the dealer to get home.
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Simple: Price and fuel economy. No larger bike can match it in both categories.



That's the same day I bought mine. It was the last shipment of '08 bikes and this particular dealer got four of them (540 miles away!) a few days earlier. After another dealer told me mine was canceled, I called those guys one day after the unexpected shipment arrived, which was just in time to reserve the last one. It was "unexpected" because they were not supposed to receive the orders from another dealer they purchased due to Kawasaki rationing bikes per dealer (due to demand). I lucked out, but I wasn't about to give up. That was actually the third dealer where the first sold a my bike to someone else. I had a deposit on it and called every day asking if it had arrived. It was no accident. Georgians, avoid Cycle City Powersports in Newnan. Their service and accessories departments seem fine, but SCREW the sales staff.



HA! Lemme ask... was MPG a consideration?


Wait, I know that not all regions got all colors for 2008, but did you guys actually get different colors for 2009? I ask because, though you say "2009," it appears that you have a "Kawasaki Green" bike when they only make the Special Edition Green/White/Black for 2009. I've heard that in the UK the vehicle registration shows the year it was purchased regardless of the year model, but I'd be hard to imagine an unsold '08 staying in the shop for five months (Kawi canceled the rest of the '08s at the beginning of August).

Delivery of the Special edition ion green model to Switzerland was from the beginning of May I would not have bought one as I don’t like it. I was at the Zurich bike show in February and they did not have the special edition on display or any mention of it.

[Grn99Kawi]

1) 37
2) Male
3) 1999
4) 4 months
5) Fair weather commuter... I have a daily driver Mustang and a garage queen Mustang
6) I commute mostly and do group rides sometimes
7) I got a good deal on mine. It needed some TLC that I was more than happy to provide. it is my first bike and a lot of fun. Sometimes I think of getting something wiith just a bit more power, but it keeps up with traffic and my buddies on their bikes (up until exceeding highway speed).

[postie1686]

1) 23
2) Male
3) 2008
4) april 13th 2008
5) both (was supposed to be cheaper on gas then my truck, but i fill it so many times a week cause i ride it all over, that, it no longer applys! hahaha
6) yep
7) 1. got mine for 3,350 out the door
2. good beginner bike
3. its all i need. (it hits 100 mph way over the speed limits anyway)
4. insurance is $112 a year for full ( a 600cc would have been $1,200)
5. easy to do all your own work on.
6. most girls dont know its a 250

[conchwanab]

1)38
2)male
3)2008
4)1 yr
5)main for most of the year
6)work,tour,everything
7)price, and my new adventure into street bikes

[almost40]

1) How old are you
39
2) Male or Female
m
3) What year is your
2008
4) How long have you had your
1 year 3 months
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing
playing/trackbike
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that
My Cobalt SS
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger
Had bigger The 250 is just too much fun in the twistys and on the track
Easy to work on. Cheap to maintain. Oh that sexy new bodywork.

[adouglas]

You should add a question about experience. That way you'll find out how many are newbs and how many are seasoned riders who don't buy into the "beginner bike" myth.

[Jarod]

1) How old are you???
19

2) Male or Female???
Male

3) What year is your 250???
2000

4) How long have you had your 250???
A few weeks

5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
Playing for now, probably will become primary transport after I've got my licence.

6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
The 250 does it all.

7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Partly because I like a lighter bike you can flick around a bit more, and partly because I dont want something that goes 100mph in 1st gear.

Additionally, I have been riding dirt bikes, atvs, snowmobiles, and everything else you can imagine before. So I'm fairly new to riding on the road, but I already know the basics pretty well.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by adouglas

That way you'll find out how many are newbs and how many are seasoned riders who don't buy into the "beginner bike" myth.

I don't think there is a beginner bike myth. I think the ninjette is a fantastic beginner bike. It just happens to be a fun bike for those who are no longer beginners as well.

[Cedilla]

(1)Just turned 20
(2)Male
(3)2009
(4)A month and a half
(5)It took place as my primary transportation the minute it left the dealer
(6)I would prefer to have a bigger bike for touring
(7)low price point,wanted to learn on something tame, all the good reviews i read, and I have wanted a ninja 250 since I was around 10, so it just made since.

[Nny]

1) How old are you???
29

2) Male or Female???
male

3) What year is your 250???
09

4) How long have you had your 250???
Just over a month

5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
As long as there isn't snow on the ground - both

6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
Most I have put on in a day was 200 miles. Was trying for 300-400 but a screw in the tire cut that trip in half. I also have a different bike for that. Besides, I have only had the bike for a month. Those days will come.

7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Flickability, 60mpg, insurance, flickability, MSRP, easy maintainance, flickability, plenty of passing power....oh and my girl is willing to learn on it. Did I mention how easy this this is to toss around?

[BlueRaven]

1) How old are you??? 36
2) Male or Female??? Female
3) What year is your 250??? 2009
4) How long have you had your 250??? since March '09
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing??? playing cause too tired before going to work to ride it safely
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that??? usually go on 200+ kms rides as i can only ride on sundays cause i work 2 jobs and have to catch up
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???
Well was originally looking for a 500R but then saw the new 250 and feel in love plus much cheaper, very sexy, wanted a ninja since like forever, voted the best beginner bike and only licenced for 550cc and under. Forgot to mention going through a midlife crisis and the bike seemed like a perfect start for recovery .

[Neema12]

1) 22 years old
2) Male
3) 2002 Ninja 250
4) I purchased the bike on my b-day, so its exactly 1 month old to me
5) I own a car so I use the bike for pleasure, riding around town, to school sometimes, and on weekends.
6) I don't ride too far on the bike yet so I use the car if I need to travel.
7) I bought a 250 for a first bike so I still have the rest of my life to upgrade. I was attracted to the low insurance, cheap parts, good gas, light weight, nimble turning abilities, and simple to repair motor. I am most excited about the fact I can actually use all my gears and redline the bike.

[MtnCruiser]

1. 44 Years Old
2. Male
3. 2 2004 Ninja 250's
4. 4 Months
5. Sold my old beater truck so the Ninja is currently my main means of transportation during the week and on the weekends it is for pleasure.
6. I don't use the ninja for touring, hopefully in the not too distant future I will be getting a Goldwing for long distance 2-up rides. One of the things that I really like about the Ninja's is that I can easily load both of them into the back of my Dodge Dakota when we want to take a trip.
7. My wife also rides but she has always ridden cruisers. She decided that she was willing to give something different a try so I bought the 2 Ninjas. She is loving the Ninja and now she understands why I prefer a standard or sport bike over a cruiser. Most of our riding is in the Mtns. so the little Ninjas are perfect.

I've been riding for 30 years and have owned all kinds of bikes, I honestly think I am enjoying the Ninja as much if not more than any other bike that I have owned. My last bike was a VTX 1300. I still ride with a lot of friends that I met on the VTX site. When we went on our first ride I think they thought the 250's would have a hard time keeping up with them, they soon found out that I had no problems and that when we got into the twisties it was actually them who had a hard time keeping up.

[TigerBlue]

1) 24
2) Male
3) 2009
4) September 2008, I wanted an 08 but all out and a local dealer had 1 2009, so I snatched it.
5) I ride it to work 3-4 days a week when the wife takes the kids to daycare, and I ride it as much as I can. Rode it all winter, even in 15-30 degree days.
6) I haven't rode super long rides, but I have ridden 150+ miles during some backroad rides, a few times.
7) Money was an issue, as was insurance price. Wanted something good to learn a lot on and I feel it is a great learner bike where you can get away with some newb mistakes that you may not be able to do on a bigger bike.

[k-os]

1) 19
2) Male
3) 2008
4) Since October 2008.
5) Main transportation to school.
6) Haven't had any long trip yet.
7) I initially wanted to get a 600, because I had been riding for a year, but the insurance on the 250 is great. ($200 a year full coverage)

[NoobNinja]

Originally Posted by scorpio_vette

1) How old are you???
2) Male or Female???
3) What year is your 250???
4) How long have you had your 250???
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing???
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that???
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger???

1) 23
2) man
3) 2009
4) about 2 weeks
5) playing its my first street bike
6) i dont tour with it but i can go for a day long ride on it
7) i chose it because after alot of research and talking to my uncle who races a full track bred gsx-r 750 that would be my best choice for a first bike. if i drop it or blow it up it'll be cheap to replace and its not fast enough that i can get into too much trouble and that it has a good resale value when i decide im comfortable on the road to step up

[Lars]

1) 26
2) Male
3) '09
4) Just over 3 months
5) Mostly for playing, but it sometimes is my main transportation depending on the weather and other things planned.
6) I have done a couple of camping trips with it, its ok for it.
7) In my research, it became clear that the Ninja 250r was the "de facto" starting sportbike. I certainly could have started out with something bigger (500, 650r, etc), but the fact that the 250 is a great bike to learn on, and that I'll get most of my money back on it when I decide to upgrade made my decision fairly easy.

[BlueTyke]

1) How old are you??? 29 (for the first time for real, well in Oct. anyway)
2) Male or Female??? Female
3) What year is your 250??? 2006
4) How long have you had your 250??? Since May 2006
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing??? Fun fun!
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that??? I have! No other bike. I have gone for overnight trips, I have done 454 miles in one day, could have been more but I stopped to eat
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger??? I know my limits. I know my learning style. I am a progressive learner and felt that the 250 suited what I needed. I sat on it and fell in love with it. As a point of fact. Tyke was the first 250 I sat on. I have since sat on no other 250 in fear that she will get retribution... (So kidding). On that note I have also not sat behind any other rider either.

[jola]

1) How old are you??? - 22
2) Male or Female??? - Male
3) What year is your 250??? - 2000
4) How long have you had your 250??? - Almost a month
5) Is it your main transportation, or mostly for playing??? - Pleasure
6) Do you tour with it, or do you have a different bike for that??? - It is my only bike, so yes.
7) Why did you choose the 250, and not something bigger??? - Cash money.