If you've got something else, why?

[Finesse]

if you have a bike other than a ninja 250/300, how many miles did you put on your 250 before you got something else, and why did you change bikes? or if you are on your 2nd 250 or 300, same question

I'll start... I put 2,500 miles on my 250 before my neighbor totaled it while it was parked and I got an SV650 because I got tired of making smoothies every time I wanted to book it

[NevadaWolf]

Hurm, I don't recall the mileage...

First bike had a six month life before I totaled it in a wreck.
Second bike had maybe the same or a year before the insurance company jacked my rates and I couldn't afford it anymore.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by Finesse

If you have a bike other than a ninja 250/300, how many miles did you put on your 250 before you got something else, and why did you change bikes? or if you are on your 2nd 250 or 300, same question...

For some of us, it's the other way around. I owned my K75 (water cooled 750cc longitudinal triple) for 10 years and put 64,000 miles on it before I picked up my pre-gen Ninjette. Bigger isn't necessarily better: just different.

I enjoy each bike for its respective strengths. Anyone can go straight-line bat-out-of-hell fast on a powerful bike. There's no talent in that. The Ninjette is a fun, good handling, stable bike that lets the rider explore what s/he can do with the power at hand. I've also learned that if I could have only one bike, the Ninjette (or the KLR250) would be just fine.

I realize that for many of the forum members (the boys, in particular), the Ninjette is just a gateway to the 600cc+ sport bikes. And nothing you or I say will have much of an effect on those guys. We can only hope they learn something and gain an appreciation for the 250/300 along their way.

[Finesse]

Yeah, I'm not implying the Ninjette is a gateway to anything, I was just thinking about other bikes people have and was curious as to why they got different bikes instead of getting another Ninjette, if they had to.

64,000 miles! I'm a long, long way from reaching that mark...

[nickjpass]

Started on a klx140l. Got to ride a zx6r for a while, then eventually bought my current 6r. Figured a klx140l wasn't appropriate for the street. So I got a bike that's meant for the track

[JohnnyBravo]

Just look at my gas mileage, and how many folks want to ride my bike...
I wanna 636, but haven't bought one yet, and just want it to haul tail... So My 300 is my daily ride, and may always be!!!

[Hero Danny]

My first bike was an 03 ninja 250. She had some hesitation, cleaned the carbs, 4 different times, replaced all vacuum lines, threw sea foam and marvel mystery oil in the gas tank, tried checking the gas, vents, everything under the moon. Couldn't get it going right until that last carb clean really fixed all the issue... problem was before the last carb clean my dad dropped the bike, I made a thread about it, he fell going roughly 15 mph, he used the front brake on the grass and the bike locked up and fell. Even though I got the bike running great afterwards and replaced all the damage and made her look pretty again, she left a sour taste in my mouth and I ended up selling her.

That's when I bought Amy.

I'll be upgrading to a 300 next summer, why? Carbs suck, that's the long story short. Also the extra power from the 300 would be really nice...

I could see myself riding a 600 in a few years, I love my 250 but the thing is I want to explore more. I hate when people try to tell me what to do, "And nothing you or I say will have much of an effect on those guys." Well don't try to change people's minds, if someone buys a 250, rides it for a year and wants to upgrade, then let them, I think a year is enough experience where you can ride a 600. Most concerns arise when a brand new rider tries to buy a 600cc bike, and understandably so.

[eddiekay]

Im like Dave...my past 3 bikes were progressively smaller....woulda bought my 3rd 250 if they were still making them but got the 300.

[cadd]

I went from '96 Fireblade (900cc) to '99 F4 (600cc) to '05 SV650 (650cc) to '09 250 (still have) and now '13 300.

I like the upright riding position so much better.

[Rifleman]

Started on a Suzuki GS550. Put 32,ooo miles on that until it wouldn't run anymore.

Picked up a Katana 750 with 810 miles on it... and put 63,ooo on that (14 years) I couldn't keep the carbs in order, even with new needles and jets... and they wanted $1200 for the new carb set... plus it needs a top end rebuild. only about 50 psi compression on the two middle cylinders.

go to the mighty TLR... found it in southern Illniois with only 428 miles on it... used, but new... just had to have it. 24,ooo and 3 motors later...

now I'm on the CBR600F3, got it for a song from a friend and wanted the better gas mileage it would give me. Plus one of my kids will most likely drive it one day.

had a GSX-R1100 in there, but that was stolen with in 8 months of purchase, and I was in nuc school at the time so didn't get to ride a lot.

over 150,ooo miles on 2 wheels... got to ride every day that it's not raining or snowing

[nickjpass]

It took 3 motors to reach 24k??? @Rifleman

[Rifleman]

Originally Posted by nickjpass

It took 3 motors to reach 24k??? @Rifleman

it was the first bike I could get the front wheel off the ground with ease...

I've spun 2 large end bearings... The TL's are pretty well known for oil starving the crank when the front end is over 45' degrees.

but I have lots of spare pars

[verboten1]

I still have almost all of my bikes, the first 2 were 81 CB750F I bought as a pair, wish I had never gotten rid of them!

The rest I still have, but I have put almost all of my miles on the ninja this year

[amad1972]

I started out on a V-Star 1100, then to a Ninja 650, then a Ninja 250, then a Hayabusa, then another Ninja 250, then another Ninja 650, then a Suzuki Boulevard M50, then another Ninja 250, then a Honda ST1100, then a Honda ST1300, then another Ninja 250. I still have the Honda ST1300 and the last Ninja 250. There were other bikes in there, but I would have to think too hard to remember all of them. I have put over 100,000 miles in on motorcycles. I love the power and comfort of a big bike, but also love the agility, light weight, mpg, and high revs of the Ninjette.

[Sirref]

I don't have an exact number on miles that I put on my 250 before things went to hell, nor do I remember at the moment for that matter, as I lacked a speedometer cable for a while but it was a solid amount enough for most people to have long since justified getting a bigger bike and I would likely have been fine with a faster bike if it weren't for my mentality and how well I know myself.

I got a 300 because I wanted a reliable bike and didn't have the patience at the time to surf through craigslist because I wanted to ride dammit. I also wanted fuel injection and the newgen 250 doesn't have that which pushed me a bit more towards a new bike. Looking back I would have gotten a much better $$$ deal on a newgen 250 used that would have done 90% of what my bike does perfectly but I love my bike so it's all good

crossed 9000miles today on the 300 and I believe I had 5-6k miles on the 250 before the speedometer cable was cut (not sure what it was but something bounced out from a car in front of me into it and then a day later it fell down but I was passing through drug alley at the time so I just let it get destroyed dragging on the ground rather than stop and put it back in until a little ways down the road)

[tfkrocks]

Rode my pre-gen for 11k miles. Sold it to get a 300 because I wanted something newer and better looking. Originally was looking at new-gens to replace it but when they announced the 300, I knew that was what I really wanted.

Picked up a new-gen after I crashed the 300 because I didn't have time to sort it out but still wanted to ride. Sold it because I fixed the 300. Put about 10k miles on it while I owned it.

Won't sell my 300, but when I eventually pick up a new bike it will be because I want to try something different.

[Kokosun]

Bought my Ninjette (EX250-F16) in December 2001 ... and I still have it. Other bikes have come and gone during that period (currently also have a Versys), but the Ninjette has always been in the garage. It's so fun and easy to ride and is often my first choice for just going out for a ride. Yes, it isn't a particularly powerful bike, but that just means that gear selection and road positioning is critical to fast (and smooth) riding. I LOVE my ninjette.

[snot]

I went from the 250 to the 300 because...
I ride with a ZX-14, he has FI and I kind of got tired of waiting for the bike to warm up. I also needed a little more since I ride on the highway a lot.

Basically, I got a 300 because I am impatient and needed just a little more go power.

[Finesse]

These are all awesome stories... now who has pictures of all the bikes they've ever owned?

[csmith12]

I have;

3 - 4 wheelers
2 - dirt bikes
1 - dual sport
2 - r6's
2 - ninja 250's

All are fun for the type of riding I want to THAT day.

[cadd]

I'll post up mine when I get home tonight.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Finesse

These are all awesome stories... now who has pictures of all the bikes they've ever owned?

What Bikes Have You Owned?

[Worldtraveller]

In order,, and what year I got them.

'71 CB350, bought in '86. This was a rattling death trap on the verge of breaking down at any moment, but it was my only transportation for 4 years, and I sold it for more than I paid for it.

'85 FX600, shared the cost with 3 others - race bike for half a season in '87.

Skip ahead 20 years....

'07 GS500F, bought in '08. This was originally going to be a shared bike for me and my wife. She liked it so much I barely got to ride, which led to the....

'08 CBR600RR, bought new in '08. Love this bike, and she is my favorite when I want to just go out and have fun. Always leaves me grinning.

'89 PC800 (AKA Pacific Coast), bought in 2009. This was my long distance touring bike, and loved that beast. I would still own it, but it got totaled when I was run over by an idiot in an F-350.

'09 Ninja 250, bought in 2012. This is my current race/track bike. Not remotely street legal.

[Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Finesse

These are all awesome stories... now who has pictures of all the bikes they've ever owned?

well this isn't all of them, I need to find a pic of my GS, but that was back in the day before there was such a thing as "digital pix"

The Gixxer 1100, yes, that was a long time ago.



Sadly, this may be the only pic I have of the Mighty Kan-o-tuna. she is hiding under that cover.



the three musketeers

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I'll be upgrading to a 300 next summer, why? Carbs suck, that's the long story short.

And fuel infection is great! Until something goes wrong. With FI, you have the computer, the ignition module, hall effect sensor(s), mass airflow sensor, FI relay, idle switch or throttle position sensor, temperature sensor, fuel pump, fuel pump relay, fuel pressure regulator, fuel injectors, one or two oxygen sensors, and a butt load of connectors, cables, wires, and contacts. A whole bunch of things, any one of which will cause the bike to run poorly or not at all.

Now add a rough environment, including vibration, mechanical shock, electrical shock (including jump starting), thermal cycling, altitude changes, humidity, water exposure, months of inactivity, ham-fisted maintenance, and on, and on. Lots of opportunity for failure.

Carburetors? They’re simple in comparison! If the bike’s not running right, all you gotta do is run some Sea Foam or Magic Marvel Mystery Oil in a tank of gas to clear things up. If that doesn’t work, you carefully clean the thing. Damn near anybody (you, me, most of this forum) can get them working OK. It’s not rocket science.

And just wait until your fuel injected bike is a few years old… The technicians at the dealer won’t know WTF they’re doing and will suggest throwing $100 bills at the problem by replacing stuff until it works. And no OBDII diagnostics (present on all cars since 1996) for us shade tree mechanics. And (just like bikes with carbs) who the hell knows what the meathead previous owner monkeyed with. Oh yeah, almost forgot: fuel injected bikes (and cars) can have snatchy throttle response (abrupt response).

FI has some advantages over carbs, but it’s no panacea.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by dcj13

FI has some advantages over carbs, but it’s no panacea.

hahaha, you're right! I do like how carbs are relatively simple.

That being said, it's safe to say that "in a few years" my (future) ninja 300 will be fine with it's FI system I really doubt that after the bike is 5 years old something will go wrong with it. Kawi seems to make a good product. (I wouldn't disagree with me here on a kawi forum either :P ) However, my bike is 2 years old and since it's carb'd if I let her sit for 2 months, she won't run correctly... that's kind of annoying when you think of it.

[Floki]

I have been motorcycling for one year this month. In that time I've owned three bikes. Honestly, I miss the 250 the most and I would still ride it if it wasn't totaled. I put roughly 10k on it from last September to the wreck in April. I used the hefty check insurance cut me to purchase a 2009 FZ6R with 4k miles. I put about 8,000 on that bike when I needed a few dollars for school. Sold it for more than what I paid for it, paid school, then bought a 2005 crashed special R1 with the leftover. The bike is in perfect running condition and I hope to do my first track at Jennings on it in November.

2008 Ninja 250


2009 FZ6R



2005 R1

[coolbreeze]

Started with a 2002 250, that I put 12k before the engine messed up. I went without a bike for 14 months, and had given up on getting another one. Then my buddy sold me his 2005 636 at an excellent price, that I couldn't refuse. I put 5k on that bike and sold it this past June.

[Worldtraveller]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

hahaha, you're right! I do like how carbs are relatively simple.

That being said, it's safe to say that "in a few years" my (future) ninja 300 will be fine with it's FI system I really doubt that after the bike is 5 years old something will go wrong with it. Kawi seems to make a good product. (I wouldn't disagree with me here on a kawi forum either :P ) However, my bike is 2 years old and since it's carb'd if I let her sit for 2 months, she won't run correctly... that's kind of annoying when you think of it.

My Ninja 250 is a race only bike. Unless you're out of the country or travelling a lot, how hard is it to put Sta-bil in the fuel tank, and start it once a week for 10 mins or so? That's all I do, and my bike only gets actually run 6-8 times a year.

[Hero Danny]

@Floki

Thank you for being prime example that you can upgrade your bike within a year I hate when people say that you can't handle a bigger bike unless you ride a 250 for a few years.

[CycleCam303]

I had almost 20k on 09 250 before I sold it. It was a little over a year. Got an 848 that I threw down at laguna seca. I just really wanted to scratch that performance itch. Quickly, I realized that superbikes aren't exactly my cup of tea on the street and I picked up a Ducati hypermotard. Not as much power, more comfortable, and way more fun on the roads I like to ride.

[CycleCam303]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Thank you for being prime example that you can upgrade your bike within a year I hate when people say that you can't handle a bigger bike unless you ride a 250 for a few years.

Like most things it's completely dependent on the person. Some people suck at riding motorcycles. I'm going to go ahead and say that most riders are in that category.

The ninjette is a very easy to ride machine. Therefore it can mask a lot of mistakes.

Also, different motorcycles fit different needs. They are just tools. You want to tear up the track, get a sport bike, you want to tour, get a BMW, etc etc.

You get what you want out of your motorcycling experience. I have multiple bikes because I like a lot of different genres if you will. Exploring the other facets of motorcycling is a great experience. Ride some other machines and you'll have your eyes opened.

[Hero Danny]

I get what you're saying,

I just feel like the knowledge you have from a 250 is still transferable to a 600, and if you have, let's say a year of 250 experience then you're able to handle a 600 fine.

[BoBO]

My first bike is my 08 250R, I bought it to eventually track it. It's a good investment, low maintenance, and less to loose in case you take a dive at the local tracks. Good thing it's just my "Fun Bike"...I would hate to commute on it. I wouldn't mind getting a 600+ bike, but I don't have a big enough stable for another bike.

[KawiKid860]

I put 15000 or so on my 500 before I bought an 01 CBR600F4i, only got to put about 6k on the F4i due to some mechanical issues that popped up so it sat for a couple months, but the last few thousand on it were wonderful. Sold it to snatch up a good deal on a car that was on my short list of cars I'd like to own, aaaand finally have only been able to put 1,500 on my 919 due to life being in the way after I bought it then crashing it. Once this cast is off we'll continue to rack up miles together all through the winter to make up for lost time lol. Unless I can sell it and pick up another sportbike, I really miss having clip ons and rearsets, sooo much more comfortable than the standard/streetfighter riding position. And as much as I like naked bikes, I've decided that I do like fairings more.

[Floki]

@Hero Danny I had lots of experience on a dirtbike so I knew how to clutch, brake, turn, and low speed maneuver. All that was left were turns at speed and getting used to the traction. Honestly I could've started on the R1 but I wouldn't have the same level of confidence I do now. I was able to really learn on the 250.

[InvisiBill]

I bought an '85 Vulcan 700 as my first bike. My buddy also had one, so I knew I could get help if I had issues with it. I found a great deal on Craigslist and picked it up in August 2010. I rode it with my permit for the rest of the year, and took the MSF class first thing next spring. I rode it the rest of '11, when it started having problems in the fall, and it got put away a bit earlier than desired. I think I put about 4,000 miles on it total.

Since I couldn't get the VN700 running right, and I enjoyed riding the TU250X in the MSF class (it was like a 2-wheeled gokart), I started half-looking for a Ninja 250, figuring it should be even more fun. In July '12, I stumbled upon my 500 nearly new for cheaper than I could find any comparable 250 and ended up getting that instead. I've since put over 10,000 miles on it.

I've actually been watching for good 250 deals, but anytime I stop to think about it, it just doesn't make much sense. It's quite similar to what I already have, but with less power. The 500 is heavier, but if I was really concerned about that much weight, I'd go on a diet and lose it off me rather than the bike. At least the 300 has FI, but that jumps up into a whole other price range (more than I paid for my "new" 500, even for a decently used 300) and I've still got a significant drop in power. And thanks to Michigan's stupid insurance, there's a $186 per vehicle fee regardless of how cheap the rest of the insurance is, which makes owning multiple vehicles rather expensive (and I've already got several).

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I just feel like the knowledge you have from a 250 is still transferable to a 600, and if you have, let's say a year of 250 experience then you're able to handle a 600 fine.

Like CycleCam303 said, I think it's very dependent on the person. Some people I think should be stuck on the smallest legal bike possible, regardless of how long they've been riding. Others I'd feel comfortable tossing them on a liter bike after they've taken the MSF BRC. Some people are naturals, and some people just suck no matter how much they practice.

A year of biking experience can vary quite a bit too. In a northern state with a long winter, you might only get a few months of good riding weather. If you only ride for short trips on weekends during that time, you might only get 1,000 miles in "a year" of riding. If you live in a nicer climate where you can ride year-round, and you're really into it, you might be able to rack up 10,000 or more a year. There's also quality vs. quantity - if you've got a 100 mile commute down a straight, empty road, you could end up riding a lot of miles without really learning much about the finer points of riding.

The main reason to start on a smaller bike is that they're generally setup in a more beginner-friendly way. You're less likely to accidentally whip it to full throttle, etc. Since they have less power, they're also more forgiving if you do manage to screw something up. It's a lot easier to focus on learning proper riding techniques if you're not constantly worrying about giving it a bit too much gas and looping it or trying to hold up a 3-ton cruiser (the VN700 isn't that big by cruiser standards, but it's amazing how big and heavy it felt after a weekend on the TU250X). I think you should stay on a small bike for as long as it takes you to learn how to not make mistakes. Not that you'll never make a mistake on a bigger bike, but hopefully it won't be a stupid beginner mistake, and hopefully you'll have enough experience to recognize the mistake before it becomes unrecoverable. I guarantee it's safer to get your dumb n00b mistakes out of the way on a Ninja 250 rather than doing it at 150+ on a 600 race replica. I don't think you can just say someone has ridden a 250 for X amount of time so they're good to ride a 600. How many miles you ride in X amount of time is going to vary, and how much you learn in Y miles of riding is going to vary, so X amount of time doesn't just equal Z amount of knowledge.

[NevadaWolf]

I agree with Bill (who I want to give several thumbs up to).

Experience can't be defined by just time or distance. Those are just two parts of a much bigger picture. What types of riding, what types of conditions, what types of environments, all those experiences build better skills that make riders better overall.

The whole "year" thing is just a rough guide to allow new riders a chance to gain enough experience to hopefully learn. Some riders are ready long before that time, some will need the full year, some will need longer, and some will never be ready.

It's just a baseline average.