Thinking of getting a 2008+.

wild-bill · November 2nd, 2010, 08:29 PM

Hi everyone. I'm Bill and this is my first post. Just want a little advice about the bike. Info about me-I'm 38 years old and have been riding for 17 years. 5'9" and weight 230 lbs. The smallest bike I've had is the Rebel 250 back in 1997-98. I was not happy with it's "car-like" acceleration. I currently have a Ninja 650R(the 250 will be a second bike-keeping the 650). So why do I want one? I've been fascinated with the little 250 for years. Can the 250 be more fun than the 650 on a tight twisty road or in low speed city traffic? Can the bike show me that you can have BIG fun on a small bike? Does it cruise comfortably at 70mph? And the price is low with good resale value-so why not? Well, do you think it can add to my enjoyment of motorcycling or do you think it's a waste since I already have the 650? Thanks in advance.

ztrack157 · November 2nd, 2010, 09:18 PM

00NissanNinja · November 2nd, 2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztrack157

Short answer yes

edbro · November 2nd, 2010, 09:52 PM

This should have probably been in General section rather than the Tech Talk section.

Anyways to answer your question, yes, you can have loads of fun on the 250.

I personally enjoy it because I can run the 250 like a raped ape but will not necessarily be doing a speed that can potentially have my license suspended. I rode my cousin's r6 a bit and I had a hard time keeping it under 100mph, forget about redlining it in 3rd gear or higher because you'll be doing an insane speed for the public roads. However, on the 250, if I rip through all the gears and get to the end of 6th, I'm still only doing about 100 tops. Suffice to say, the 250 has kept me out of trouble with the police (knock on wood, didn't get a ticket this season).

It's also a blast in the twisties because it is a nice agile motorcycle, and its pretty forgiving if you make a mistake, at least in comparison to those 600 supersports.

Alex · November 3rd, 2010, 12:24 AM

/moved to general.

250 can be a terribly fun bike.

Sailariel · November 3rd, 2010, 06:10 AM

The Ninjette is probably the best and most fun bike I have owned. It is a lot different than the 650. Handling is out of this world, Fuel economy is excellent. It makes a great commuter. And this is the kicker--sounds like a contradiction. Comfortable Sportbike! Don't even try to compare it to a Rebel--apples and pears.

SCREEM · November 3rd, 2010, 08:28 AM

get one, you will love it, budget in some clip-on bars if you're planing on alot of twisties.

rockNroll · November 3rd, 2010, 09:08 AM

you'll have "car-like" acceleration again, but if a civic handing you your ass on the start is ok then the rest of the bike can be fun and it's cheap.

Reswob · November 3rd, 2010, 11:21 AM

You're supposed to move up from the 250 not back down to one...

kkim · November 3rd, 2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

You're supposed to move up from the 250 not back down to one...

sez who?

gitoy · November 3rd, 2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild-bill

Hi everyone. I'm Bill...Can the 250 be more fun than the 650 on a tight twisty road or in low speed city traffic? Can the bike show me that you can have BIG fun on a small bike? Does it cruise comfortably at 70mph? And the price is low with good resale value-so why not? Well, do you think it can add to my enjoyment of motorcycling or do you think it's a waste since I already have the 650? Thanks in advance.

i took the 250 to the canyons for the first time almost 2 years ago...sure i speeded it up but it was more fun than the 600...

Link to original page on YouTube.

wild-bill · November 3rd, 2010, 07:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies. And nice video gitoy. That looks like fun. Yes I realize that sometimes a small bike can be more fun than a big one. About 7 years ago I bought a ZRX1200R. It was lightning fast, but a big heavy dinosaur that did not handle very well. It was no fun going through the gears-it seemed you could stay in one gear forever. Even my 650R is kinda boring at low speeds. It's alot more fun above 60mph. It would be nice to have a bike that's a blast on the tight twisty roads where your speed is lower around those tight curves.

SCREEM · November 4th, 2010, 01:30 PM

twisties-ninja250 does 'em better

bob138 · November 4th, 2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

You're supposed to move up from the 250 not back down to one...

Not me.

I went 250>750>500>250

Still have the 500, gonna rebuild it over the winter. But I'm loving the 250 again. Then again, I like to balance HP vrs MPG. So the 250 an 500 are perfect for me.

Bob

8gauge · November 4th, 2010, 02:53 PM

the last bike run i went on, I was the only one on a 250. Everyone else was riding Gixxers, all 1000's. I was pretty surprised that I was able to keep up especially on all the tighter turns.

I love my 250, even if I upgrade, i'm NEVER selling this one...

backinthesaddleagain · November 4th, 2010, 04:05 PM

welcome and enjoy

wild-bill · November 4th, 2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

welcome and enjoy

Thanks.

November 2nd, 2010, 08:29 PM	#1
wild-bill seeking twisties Name: Bill Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): '07 Ninja 650R, '09 250R special edition Posts: 199	Thinking of getting a 2008+. Hi everyone. I'm Bill and this is my first post. Just want a little advice about the bike. Info about me-I'm 38 years old and have been riding for 17 years. 5'9" and weight 230 lbs. The smallest bike I've had is the Rebel 250 back in 1997-98. I was not happy with it's "car-like" acceleration. I currently have a Ninja 650R(the 250 will be a second bike-keeping the 650). So why do I want one? I've been fascinated with the little 250 for years. Can the 250 be more fun than the 650 on a tight twisty road or in low speed city traffic? Can the bike show me that you can have BIG fun on a small bike? Does it cruise comfortably at 70mph? And the price is low with good resale value-so why not? Well, do you think it can add to my enjoyment of motorcycling or do you think it's a waste since I already have the 650? Thanks in advance.

November 2nd, 2010, 09:18 PM	#2
ztrack157 The Sportisi Master Name: Matt Location: Chico Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ Sportisimoto USA is born.

November 3rd, 2010, 12:24 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to general. 250 can be a terribly fun bike. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

November 3rd, 2010, 06:10 AM	#6
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	The Ninjette is probably the best and most fun bike I have owned. It is a lot different than the 650. Handling is out of this world, Fuel economy is excellent. It makes a great commuter. And this is the kicker--sounds like a contradiction. Comfortable Sportbike! Don't even try to compare it to a Rebel--apples and pears. __________________________________________________ Ninjette, Sold. New Bike: 2010 Honda NT-700V/VA, 73 Honda 550, 74 Honda 550

November 3rd, 2010, 09:08 AM	#8
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	you'll have "car-like" acceleration again, but if a civic handing you your ass on the start is ok then the rest of the bike can be fun and it's cheap. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

November 2nd, 2010, 09:52 PM	#4
edbro ninjette.org member Name: Ed Location: NJ Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250r Posts: 157	This should have probably been in General section rather than the Tech Talk section. Anyways to answer your question, yes, you can have loads of fun on the 250. I personally enjoy it because I can run the 250 like a raped ape but will not necessarily be doing a speed that can potentially have my license suspended. I rode my cousin's r6 a bit and I had a hard time keeping it under 100mph, forget about redlining it in 3rd gear or higher because you'll be doing an insane speed for the public roads. However, on the 250, if I rip through all the gears and get to the end of 6th, I'm still only doing about 100 tops. Suffice to say, the 250 has kept me out of trouble with the police (knock on wood, didn't get a ticket this season). It's also a blast in the twisties because it is a nice agile motorcycle, and its pretty forgiving if you make a mistake, at least in comparison to those 600 supersports.

November 3rd, 2010, 08:28 AM	#7
SCREEM ninjette.org member Name: Marc Location: Montreal Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R, 08 connie 14, 08 honda ruckus(gave to mom) Posts: 92	get one, you will love it, budget in some clip-on bars if you're planing on alot of twisties.

November 3rd, 2010, 11:21 AM	#9
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	You're supposed to move up from the 250 not back down to one... __________________________________________________ '08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R \| OES Swingarm Spools \| EBC HH brake pads \| reflector delete \| no-cut brake light modulator \| DIY fender eliminator

November 3rd, 2010, 07:15 PM	#12
wild-bill seeking twisties Name: Bill Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): '07 Ninja 650R, '09 250R special edition Posts: 199	Thanks for all the replies. And nice video gitoy. That looks like fun. Yes I realize that sometimes a small bike can be more fun than a big one. About 7 years ago I bought a ZRX1200R. It was lightning fast, but a big heavy dinosaur that did not handle very well. It was no fun going through the gears-it seemed you could stay in one gear forever. Even my 650R is kinda boring at low speeds. It's alot more fun above 60mph. It would be nice to have a bike that's a blast on the tight twisty roads where your speed is lower around those tight curves.

November 4th, 2010, 01:30 PM	#13
SCREEM ninjette.org member Name: Marc Location: Montreal Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R, 08 connie 14, 08 honda ruckus(gave to mom) Posts: 92	twisties-ninja250 does 'em better

November 4th, 2010, 02:53 PM	#15
8gauge ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Guam Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Limited Edition - R.I.P. 12/2/2010 Posts: 140 Blog Entries: 1	the last bike run i went on, I was the only one on a 250. Everyone else was riding Gixxers, all 1000's. I was pretty surprised that I was able to keep up especially on all the tighter turns. I love my 250, even if I upgrade, i'm NEVER selling this one... __________________________________________________ "Your truth, is not my truth" -Bruce Lee

November 4th, 2010, 04:05 PM	#16
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	welcome and enjoy

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