Is the Ninja 250 a real sportbike?

SSR · July 22nd, 2011, 06:38 AM

Inspired from another thread...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally99

"Is the Ninja 250 a real sportbike?"

*For those of you haven't read the "Is the Mustang V6 a real Mustang", the above question has been snipped from a longer post.

sombo · July 22nd, 2011, 06:46 AM

Sport bike = yes
Super sport bike = NO

I look at it like this, if small little 90hp cars can be considered a 'sports' car in a world of 500hp+ monsters, then our little 26hp ninjettes can be a 'sport' bike in a world of 150hp+ monsters.

dubojr1 · July 22nd, 2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sombo

Sport bike = yes
Super sport bike = NO

I look at it like this, if small little 90hp cars can be considered a 'sports' car in a world of 500hp+ monsters, then our little 26hp ninjettes can be a 'sport' bike in a world of 150hp+ monsters.

+1

Too40gawlf · July 22nd, 2011, 06:55 AM

Yes. The Ninja 250 doesn't masquerade in the frame/body of a ZX-6R. It makes no bones about being a 250.

Bosgarage57 · July 22nd, 2011, 06:58 AM

MY classifications of motorcycles are: cruisers, standards, dual sports, sportbikes, and SS's. So yes I believe the 250 is a sportbike.

YORCHI · July 22nd, 2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsketch

250's are for women and pansies.

j/k guys don't come through my cat5 cable and strangle me

wireless > cat5

it's a lightweight sportsbike like the V6 Mustang is a lightweight Mustang...same things basically but never the power and feel of a true heavyweight

ally99 · July 22nd, 2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsketch

250's are for women and pansies.

j/k guys don't come through my cat5 cable and strangle me

Hey! I resent being placed in the same category as a pansy! Roses are more my style!

Alex · July 22nd, 2011, 08:05 AM

/moved to General for motorcycle content. But it's a close call.

Zombiphone · July 22nd, 2011, 08:08 AM

That's good proof enough for me

Jinx250 · July 22nd, 2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsketch

250's are for women and pansies.

Surprise - your 650 is in the same class as the 250.

For the OP - yes, it is a sportbike. People always try to argue semantics and say it's not a "true" sportbike like a 6R. Those people are idjuts, because a 6R is a supersport bike, which is the next classification.

Bosgarage beat me to it.

rockNroll · July 22nd, 2011, 08:26 AM

Can't argue with tiff's proof

DarC · July 22nd, 2011, 08:30 AM

Yep. Sport bike.

gt_turbo · July 22nd, 2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

That's good proof enough for me

+1 and LOL the 650R is in the same category.

Live2ride · July 22nd, 2011, 09:04 AM

If by sportbike you mean the fact that our ninjettes out perform any other street legal 250 bike and whoop super sports and liter bikes a$$es in the twisties at less than half the msrp then yes; It's a sportbike...

CodeProofMonk · July 22nd, 2011, 11:16 AM

It all depends on who I'm speaking to.

- Friends, family, etc.: Yes, it's a sportbike
- Insurance company: It's a standard.

LoneRonin · July 22nd, 2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

If by sportbike you mean the fact that our ninjettes out perform any other street legal 250 bike and whoop super sports and liter bikes a$$es in the twisties at less than half the msrp then yes; It's a sportbike...

actually the inline 4 250s of old will whoop our ninja any day...the CBR250rr, ZX2R, GSX-R250, wish I had one of those in an updated body.

But then again the purists will say those are technically SS, just a smaller displacement. But I'd argue you can't really be super unless you're over a certain cc...

reaubideux · July 22nd, 2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YORCHI

it's a lightweight sportsbike like the V6 Mustang is a lightweight Mustang

LOL at the thought of a "lightweight" Mustang.

Racer x · July 22nd, 2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

actually the inline 4 250s of old will whoop our ninja any day...the CBR250rr, ZX2R, GSX-R250, wish I had one of those in an updated body.

But then again the purists will say those are technically SS, just a smaller displacement. But I'd argue you can't really be super unless you're over a certain cc...

I had the plesure of racing a 1990 250 Yamaha four cylinder bike. Both our bikes where hurting some but he was four to six mph faster. I thought it would be faster by more like ten to fifteen mph.

To answer the original question .Heck no it is NOT a sport bike . And don't you go tellin my insurance company any different.

Azhyen · July 22nd, 2011, 07:18 PM

I don't care if it's a sport bike. All I care about is that it's MY bike. Everyone has their preference when it comes to bikes, shoot, everyone has preferences period.

JoeLansing · July 22nd, 2011, 07:37 PM

Mine is Green so it's a very fast sports bike. All the lesser colors are slow. At least that's the way the cops think when they see me. I almost wonder if it's because Green is such a non-black Harley type of color? If you ride green you got to be radical? I'm 52 and when I pull off my helmet all the young girls see their dad. The old ones though......

- Joe

Cazper · July 22nd, 2011, 09:24 PM

Sportbike... yes... SuperSport... absolutely not... but thats what we love about them

kaiserz · July 22nd, 2011, 09:41 PM

I say yes, and good day sir!

blink · July 22nd, 2011, 09:53 PM

Sure they are! And always will be

Clearlynotstefan · July 22nd, 2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

If by sportbike you mean the fact that our ninjettes out perform any other street legal 250 bike and whoop super sports and liter bikes a$$es in the twisties at less than half the msrp then yes; It's a sportbike...

I REALLY don't want to start a flame war here. I love my 250. I also own a gsxr 600. The 250 is way more maneuverable at low speed. BUT in my objective experience, hitting the same twisties on both bikes in the same conditions, I can take the same corners MUCH faster on the gsxr then the 250. This isn't to take anything away from the 250, but IN MY OPINION, in MY EXPERIENCE, the claim that the 250 can dust all supersports in the twisties is highly exaggerated. Keep in mind, I'm not talking about heavy liter bikes here, my gsxr stock weighs 50 lbs heavier then a stock 250...With a lot more oomph, a way better suspension front and back, and for me, better ergo's for turning.

I base this on riding both bikes alternating down the same awesome set of twisties all day. This isn't about 'feels faster', This is I looked at the speedometer and have hit turns at 70 on the gsxr that I didn't feel safe taking at 55 on the ninja. Also, keep in mind my ninja has an upgraded suspension, and pirelli sport demons...which should level the playing field some.

Let the flaming commence

blink · July 22nd, 2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clearlynotstefan

I REALLY don't want to start a flame war here. I love my 250. I also own a gsxr 600. The 250 is way more maneuverable at low speed. BUT in my objective experience, hitting the same twisties on both bikes in the same conditions, I can take the same corners MUCH faster on the gsxr then the 250. This isn't to take anything away from the 250, but IN MY OPINION, in MY EXPERIENCE, the claim that the 250 can dust all supersports in the twisties is highly exaggerated. Keep in mind, I'm not talking about heavy liter bikes here, my gsxr stock weighs 50 lbs heavier then a stock 250...With a lot more oomph, a way better suspension front and back, and for me, better ergo's for turning.

I base this on riding both bikes alternating down the same awesome set of twisties all day. This isn't about 'feels faster', This is I looked at the speedometer and have hit turns at 70 on the gsxr that I didn't feel safe taking at 55 on the ninja. Also, keep in mind my ninja has an upgraded suspension, and pirelli sport demons...which should level the playing field some.

Let the flaming commence

Ugghhh... just having got my gxxr600 and putting roughly 120 km on it so far, I can relate to what you say VERY strongly. I loved the 250 because I felt safer and more in control at low speeds ___requote...felt safer on the 250 at first because I wasn't used to the gixxer) I think some people get the impression that the SS's are too agressive simply because they aren't used to them.
I completely agree because first few times I sat on it I was like "my 250 is 34923847293 comfier" but now after the position adjustment I think the gxxr has a comfier seat.
Honestly at the moment I am still getting used to taking corners at low speeds where you have to turn the wheel with another 50 lbs, but it isn't too hard, just some getting used to and trusting yourself.
As for the power, it is crisp and clean. Smooth and in control.

250 Is for sure better on gas, but hey you lose some you gain some.
the 20mpg- less isn't going to kill you financially. As for insurance only roughly 100$ more on a year.
So financially it honestly isn't as big of a deal as people say.

Clearlynotstefan · July 22nd, 2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

Ugghhh... just having got my gxxr600 and putting roughly 120 km on it so far, I can relate to what you say VERY strongly. I loved the 250 because I felt safer and more in control at low speeds ___requote...felt safer on the 250 at first because I wasn't used to the gixxer) I think some people get the impression that the SS's are too agressive simply because they aren't used to them.
I completely agree because first few times I sat on it I was like "my 250 is 34923847293 comfier" but now after the position adjustment I think the gxxr has a comfier seat.
Honestly at the moment I am still getting used to taking corners at low speeds where you have to turn the wheel with another 50 lbs, but it isn't too hard, just some getting used to and trusting yourself.
As for the power, it is crisp and clean. Smooth and in control.

250 Is for sure better on gas, but hey you lose some you gain some.
the 20mpg- less isn't going to kill you financially. As for insurance only roughly 100$ more on a year.
So financially it honestly isn't as big of a deal as people say.

I agree good sir!, I still take the 250 out every week or so on some twisties, but despite what the interwebs has taught me, I for the life of me can not get that bike around high speed twisties anywhere near as fast as I can the gsxr, and I feel a ton safer while I'm at it...Just feel stuck to the road even when I'm hanging 18 inches off the sucker in a hot corner lol It's hard to explain until you've ridden it enough to feel really comfy and second nature on it, till you can trust it, but from where I stand owning both bikes, and comparing them, I stand by my judgement that the 250 "will dust a gsxr in the twisties" just isn't as true as we say.

ninjaprof · July 22nd, 2011, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azhyen

I don't care if it's a sport bike. All I care about is that it's MY bike. Everyone has their preference when it comes to bikes, shoot, everyone has preferences period.

Well said !!!

ninja250 · July 22nd, 2011, 10:35 PM

Quote:

the claim that the 250 can dust all supersports in the twisties is highly exaggerated.

I'd have to agree.
I found myself to be just as fast, if not slightly faster on a gsxr. Once I got used to riding one again.
Like I said I think the very experienced can benefit more from this bike.. even though it has low CC.
I keep going back and fourth and that kinda messes with me.
I can't turn the gsxr 90* doing 60mph like I could the ninja but I more than made up for it trying to learn how to ride it as best I could.

The Ninja 250R is a sportbike.
I ride it like it's an SS and demand a lot from it.
It deserves some respect in one way or another.
I really wish they'd have done an aluminum super sport type chassis on it though.
I don't like the bendy tube frame. lol

When I was younger 15-20 years ago or so the 250's street bikes were hot with the older kids. A guy down the street had one in his garage and we all knew it wasn't a 600 or better, but we were all still jealous as hell he had it and wanted to ride it. I kinda look at my 250 in that respect.
It's good enough for what many will want to use it for.

I knew when I bought it, it was gonna be a small little micro speedy zinger I could modify in the garage to no end. It's still not a SS. It feels like a mini version of one.

blink · July 22nd, 2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clearlynotstefan

Nope, I still take the 250 out every week or so on some twisties, but despite what the interwebs has taught me, I for the life of me can not get that bike around high speed twisties anywhere near as fast as I can the gsxr, and I feel a ton safer while I'm at it...Just feel stuck to the road even when I'm hanging 18 inches off the sucker in a hot corner lol It's hard to explain until you've ridden it enough to feel really comfy and second nature on it, till you can trust it, but from where I stand owning both bikes, and comparing them, I stand by my judgement that the 250 "will dust a gsxr in the twisties" just isn't as true as we say.

Haha you just contradicted the fact that I was agreeing with you

Live2ride · July 22nd, 2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

.
I completely agree because first few times I sat on it I was like "my 250 is 34923847293 comfier" but now after the position adjustment I think the gxxr has
250 Is for sure better on gas, but hey you lose some you gain some.
the 20mpg- less isn't going to kill you financially. As for insurance only roughly 100$ more on a year.
So financially it honestly isn't as big of a deal as people say.

If insurance on a ss was only $100 more /year for me then I would have one right now. Many ss' were atleast twice the amount as my ninja. Which is way too much.

alex.s · July 22nd, 2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Live2ride

If insurance on a ss was only $100 more /year for me then I would have one right now. Many ss' were atleast twice the amount as my ninja. Which is way too much.

i pay about 600 a year on the 09 ninja... i pay about 80 a year on my 92 fzr600... not a SS but... well... you get the idea

Clearlynotstefan · July 22nd, 2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

Haha you just contradicted the fact that I was agreeing with you

I was saying nope in reference to your closing line, that it's not that big of a deal, nope is in agreement lol. I'm gonna edit to avoid confusion lol

Snake · July 23rd, 2011, 04:38 AM

YES

"A" · July 23rd, 2011, 11:56 AM

Any bike can be a sportbike in capable hands.. even a 50cc scooter.

2011Ninja250R · July 23rd, 2011, 01:20 PM

The Ninja 250R is a real sport bike. It's just not a real powerful sportbike. It's for those of us who aren't always all caught up with rwhp and all that crap. It's perfect for those new to the sport and also for true motorcycle enthusiasts who can appreciate an inexpensive, well-built motorcycle that is fun as hell to ride.

almost40 · July 23rd, 2011, 04:16 PM

kyrider · July 23rd, 2011, 04:45 PM

My insurance guy says it is.

b31den · July 23rd, 2011, 05:09 PM

This spring in italy I was keeping up to most sport bikes on the twisty mountain descents of the italian dolomites on a road bicycle. Those things have like 23mm tires. So you should be able to keep up on a 250 also.

Dont know if I could descend faster on a motorcycle though, given my beginner status.

Insane amount of motorcyclists when I was there. At least 10 bikes for every car. The roads and scenery were amazing. Highly recommend for a motorcycle or bicycle trip.

July 22nd, 2011, 08:05 AM	#8
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 for motorcycle content. But it's a close call. __________________________________________________ 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)

July 22nd, 2011, 08:26 AM	#11
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	Can't argue with tiff's proof __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

July 22nd, 2011, 08:30 AM	#12
DarC DUCEATR Name: Dan Location: El Paso, Texas Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): RVT1000R Posts: 628	Yep. Sport bike. __________________________________________________ 2001 SP1 RC51- #62 -Akrapovic Ti, PCIII, Colin Edward's first baby tooth, Honda Racing sticker, some Japanese doods best attempt at Engrish scribbled on my engine block, little touch of soul.

July 22nd, 2011, 09:04 AM	#14
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	If by sportbike you mean the fact that our ninjettes out perform any other street legal 250 bike and whoop super sports and liter bikes a$$es in the twisties at less than half the msrp then yes; It's a sportbike... __________________________________________________

July 22nd, 2011, 07:18 PM	#19
Azhyen ninjette.org Pirate Name: Seph Location: San Diego Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 301	I don't care if it's a sport bike. All I care about is that it's MY bike. Everyone has their preference when it comes to bikes, shoot, everyone has preferences period. __________________________________________________ "She said I can't get a bike, so I dumped her."

July 22nd, 2011, 06:46 AM	#2
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Sport bike = yes Super sport bike = NO I look at it like this, if small little 90hp cars can be considered a 'sports' car in a world of 500hp+ monsters, then our little 26hp ninjettes can be a 'sport' bike in a world of 150hp+ monsters.

July 22nd, 2011, 06:55 AM	#4
Too40gawlf ninjette.org guru Name: Eric Location: NoVa Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388	Yes. The Ninja 250 doesn't masquerade in the frame/body of a ZX-6R. It makes no bones about being a 250.

July 22nd, 2011, 06:58 AM	#5
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	MY classifications of motorcycles are: cruisers, standards, dual sports, sportbikes, and SS's. So yes I believe the 250 is a sportbike.

July 22nd, 2011, 08:08 AM	#9
Zombiphone CVMA/AFM #72 Name: Tiffani Location: Los Angeles, Ca Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Racebike), 2015 FZ-07(Tourer), 2001 KX65(LOL bike) Posts: A lot.	That's good proof enough for me

July 22nd, 2011, 11:16 AM	#15
CodeProofMonk ninjette.org member Name: Patrick Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 EX250 Posts: 16	It all depends on who I'm speaking to. - Friends, family, etc.: Yes, it's a sportbike - Insurance company: It's a standard.

July 22nd, 2011, 07:37 PM	#20
JoeLansing ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: Lansing, MI Ghetto Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Green 2011 SE 52yo Geezer Posts: 122	Mine is Green so it's a very fast sports bike. All the lesser colors are slow. At least that's the way the cops think when they see me. I almost wonder if it's because Green is such a non-black Harley type of color? If you ride green you got to be radical? I'm 52 and when I pull off my helmet all the young girls see their dad. The old ones though...... - Joe

July 22nd, 2011, 09:24 PM	#21
Cazper ninjaholic Name: Dustin Location: Oceanside, CA Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' SE 250R (sold), 03' ZX-6R, 99' XL1200C SP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Sportbike... yes... SuperSport... absolutely not... but thats what we love about them __________________________________________________ 09' SE Ninja 250R $2,547.83 worth of mods installed... come on Unregistered, you know you want to know what? Check my Blog "Modification List"

July 22nd, 2011, 09:41 PM	#22
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	I say yes, and good day sir!

July 22nd, 2011, 09:53 PM	#23
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	Sure they are! And always will be __________________________________________________ blink-182

July 23rd, 2011, 04:38 AM	#33
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	YES YES

July 23rd, 2011, 11:56 AM	#34
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Any bike can be a sportbike in capable hands.. even a 50cc scooter.

July 23rd, 2011, 01:20 PM	#35
2011Ninja250R ninjette.org guru Name: Brad Location: Centerville, OH Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R SE (Green) Previous bikes R1, Daytona 675, GSXR600, Pre-Gen 250R Posts: 330	The Ninja 250R is a real sport bike. It's just not a real powerful sportbike. It's for those of us who aren't always all caught up with rwhp and all that crap. It's perfect for those new to the sport and also for true motorcycle enthusiasts who can appreciate an inexpensive, well-built motorcycle that is fun as hell to ride.

July 23rd, 2011, 04:16 PM	#36
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

July 23rd, 2011, 04:45 PM	#37
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	My insurance guy says it is.

July 23rd, 2011, 05:09 PM	#38
b31den ninjette.org newbie Name: b31den Location: Calgary Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): ZZR250 Posts: 4	This spring in italy I was keeping up to most sport bikes on the twisty mountain descents of the italian dolomites on a road bicycle. Those things have like 23mm tires. So you should be able to keep up on a 250 also. Dont know if I could descend faster on a motorcycle though, given my beginner status. Insane amount of motorcyclists when I was there. At least 10 bikes for every car. The roads and scenery were amazing. Highly recommend for a motorcycle or bicycle trip.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcyclistonline] - Behind Bars - The Last Real Sportbike	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 10th, 2010 01:00 PM