SR 400 vs '12 Ninja 250

[SmithSwede]

Does anyone have some insights about how a two-fiddy Ninja would compare to one of those new Yamaha SR-400 bikes in real world conditions?

I've got about 35,000 miles on a '12 Kawasaki 250. Love it to bits. And so I understand, and am perfectly comfortable, with the horsepower limitations of a two-fiddy. Nevertheless, I've done just about everything with my 250--daily interstate runs, long trips, etc.

So, how does the Kawasaki 250 compare to the Yamaha thumper 400? Would I still be able to cruise at 70-75 mph? What's the fuel range? Smaller tank but higher mpg? Handling comparable to 250 Ninja?

All comments welcome. I think I'd like an SR-400 if it was at least as capable as the 250. If not, then not.

Kickstart does not bother me.

And yes, this is partially nostalgia. Back in the day, I always wanted an SR-500 but never obtained one.

[Triple Jim]

Hello Prescott, good to see you here.

[SmithSwede]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Hello Prescott, good to see you here.

Howdy!

[MLR]

One is new, the other is old, one is carby the other is EFI.

I test road one about a month ago.

The new SR 400 is more expensive than a new ninja 300, it has a much less rushed and comfortable feel to it though thanks to the big slug, and soft seat.

The 300 is less expensive but looks sporty and has EFI.

You could buy 3 ninja 250's for the price of the SR.

The SR had a better riding position than the ninja if you have a bad back, wrists, knees.

As for fuel economy ????

They are hard to compare as they are two different styles of bike.

I didnt like the amount of plastic on it, for a so called retro bike.

Good luck with your research.

[Triple Jim]

It looks like the SR400 is about 9 hp down from even a Ninja 250, depending on the particular specs you're looking at. Have you ridden a KTM 390? (either model)

[JohnnyBravo]

What's a Yamaha

[MLR]

How's the torque though, in real world (commuting) the bike lugged along well.

[MLR]

2015 Sr400 22.9 hp 19.8 torques


2011 ninja 250 25 hp 12.7 torques

From googling, most likely a few different results to be found, but yeah, lots more torques.

More googling

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/12/10...formance-chart

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/05...-300-dyno-test

[Triple Jim]

Ridden in the right gear, since the 250 will put out more power, you can get more torque at the rear wheel at any given vehicle speed. Sure, with both engines at 2,000 rpm the 400 will feel peppier, but you wouldn't be riding them at the same RPM like that.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

What's a Yamaha

I think they manufacture pianos and drums.

[Triple Jim]

I have a really nice pair of Yamaha headphones too.

[MLR]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Ridden in the right gear, since the 250 will put out more power, you can get more torque at the rear wheel at any given vehicle speed. Sure, with both engines at 2,000 rpm the 400 will feel peppier, but you wouldn't be riding them at the same RPM like that.

My point is for the average commuter the 400 would be a much more comfortable commute, have a look at the dyno plots in relation to hp to rpm, the 250 does get over the 400 but at 8500 rpm.

If I just wanted a bike to lug me around town and do some hwy the 400 with its lower reving engine, and its extra torque would be better at it comfort wise.

Different story if you wanted a bike for twisties.

The only reason I ended up with the 250 is I could register it as a 1 seater and it was cheap to purchase and cheap to register and insure, also the longest ride I use it for is a 50 minute ride to the airport when I go home for leave.

To quote the violent femmes, "Im a old man and I've got old mans pain", my back and wrists wouldn't take much more than that 50 minutes before calling it quits when riding the lil ninja.

Back to the original post, the two bikes are totaly different beasts, one is classed as a super sport, the other a naked, you could also buy 2 ninja 250's and still have change left over.

If you have back or joint pain the 400 is for you
If you want to play speed racer the 250 is for you
If you dont mind doing 8000 rpm doing 100kph the 250 is for you (sprockets?)
If you want a leisurely commute the 400 is for you

Now a comment to keep theone eyed Kwaka fans happy:

If you looking at the price range of the SR400 the KLR650 would be a better product, it would do everything the 400 could and more.

[michvin]

Originally Posted by MLR

If you have back or joint pain the 400 is for you

SR400 has more upright seating position, right? I, too, thought, that moving from ninja to cb500x (it is a Honda, they make snowblowers and generators ) which has upright sitting position would hurt my back less. I was wrong. It is actually harder on the back, than ninja. I assume that is because how impact from road imperfections transfers into the spine.
Now I am thinking what should I get next...

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by MLR

My point is for the average commuter the 400 would be a much more comfortable commute, have a look at the dyno plots in relation to hp to rpm, the 250 does get over the 400 but at 8500 rpm.

I'm not claiming the 250 makes more torque at the crankshaft than the 400, I'm saying that when ridden in a reasonable gear for the particular engine, the 250 can get more torque to the rear wheel at any given speed.

Certainly if a rider prefers engines with low end luggability kind of torque, the 400 would a better bike for him/her. In my experience riding my 250 around town, on the highway, and in between, it's an excellent commuting motorcycle. Its 1st gear is very low, making stop and go riding almost trivially easy compared to my bigger motorcycles, and there's next to zero engine vibration at around town RPMs. The low 1st gear allows you to idle along in gear in slow moving traffic, not having to continuously work the clutch like many (most) larger motircycle require.

[RcTechnologies]

All I can say, is an acquaintance spanked the crap out of my 250R on a highway with a 300R. I was doing 75mph side by side, and he opened his up, closed the gap and passed relatively quickly. I want to say I topped out 95-100ish and he still pulled up to 105-110ish before we stopped being fools. Very interesting what the extra 50cc and EFI will give you.

[taz]

Originally Posted by Motofool

I think they manufacture pianos and drums.

here is the yamaha i have