Hello- First Bike Advice.

[stentor]

Looking at used 250s.

Price difference for the early 2000s compared to 2007 and up is about $1000.

Is there a significant difference between those time periods in terms of handling for a new rider?

I definitely pref the look of the later bikes but is it worth e extra $?

I'll be riding mostly in the city for a while but want to take it out on the highway next summer for short trips.

[csmith12]

Welcome Paul!

If you had the chance to ride both of them, the only real differences a new rider will feel is the width and suspension. 07 and older are super soft and 08 and newer have a wider feel when sitting on it.

Is it worth it? Only you can answer that question? What are your riding goals? It would help to start there.

[alex.s]

bring a real bike mechanic with you when you go buy it. they will keep you from making a mistake and buying a bike that isn't worth what you want to pay for it. be patient when buying, you'll probably look at 5 or 10 bikes before you find one that is the right buy and even then the seller might not want to sell it for a reasonable price. just keep looking and don't settle on something overpriced or undervalued.

[stentor]

Riding goals?

Looking to eventually get out on the highway and enjoy some day trips.

Realistically will be driving on side streets and a little Brooklyn city traffic for the next 6 months or more.

I am very familiar with driving challenges in this area and know what I'm up against.

Aced my permit test and waiting to take my MSF course and get my license soon.

Looking forward to the challenge of safely learning how to ride and improving my skills.

[KJohnson21]

[csmith12]

With those goals in mind and assuming both bikes are stock, then imho a pregen feels better at freeway speeds and such. But then again you could always do a 15t front sprocket on a new gen and get a similar feeling.

But in stock form, a older gen seems more fitting. But both are equally capable of the type of riding you wanna do. How it "feels" is a fickle thing and different for each person.

Good luck with your MSF and bike search. Keep us posted on what you get.

[stentor]

But they old ones are so UGLY, lol.

I've spent my whole life fighting for function over form and I go to get my mid-life crisis motorcycle and I care about how it LOOKS.

Feel like a 14 yr old girl.

[csmith12]

Well well... that is a horse of a different color... What you need sir, is an R6 or Ducati. hahahahhahaha

Go with witch ever yo, those 300's be pretty sexy but someone who actually has one will have to comment on how they compare to the older generations. I predict you will have that answer by end of day.

[csmith12]

And shame on you for calling the pregens ugly. Unregistered will fiercely harass you for that comment.

We refer to their looks around here as "classic". hahahahahahha

[stentor]

Yeah, the Ducati is what actually started me off about 15 years ago. I saw one on the street and that was it, I was hooked.

250 for sure for the first few years I think.

I may just bite the bullet and pay the extra $1000 for one of the newer bikes, have to see what's out there in a month or so.

[Z300]

I say get the newer ones

[Snake]

Hello and welcome.

[Galaxieman]

Originally Posted by csmith12

And shame on you for calling the pregens ugly. Unregistered will fiercely harass you for that comment.

We refer to their looks around here as "classic". hahahahahahha

Wait, what?

Oh, and get the new one, or just pop for a 300. Rode one the other day and they're a big improvement. Fueling off idle is great, and the handling is the same as it's been (minus some sponginess from the first-gen): quick and flickable.