Pregen vs. 08+

rwurm · September 17th, 2010, 12:02 AM

Hey guys

This is my first post on the forum because I'm interested in getting a Ninja 250. I'm not sure however whether I should get an 08+ or something older like an 03-08. Obviously older bikes are cheaper to purchase, but what's the advantage of buying an 08+ over the pregens? I know the older bikes have 16" wheels and no gas gage, but if you guys could enlighten me that'd be cool. I should note that I've never had a bike before, or rode one, but want to get started with a 250 ninja because they're safely controllable and great to learn on from what I read.

Thanks guys

-Rick

sombo · September 17th, 2010, 01:17 AM

Well for the newgens they improved the suspension and brakes a little bit so it should feel a bit more solid. The gas gauge they use isn't the greatest and I've heard of a number of newgen owners wishing they had the temp gauge instead. I've also heard of people getting stranded with the newgen more then the pregen cause of the inaccurate fuel gauge combined with no reserve switch.

The larger wheels of the newgens does give you more tire options then the pregen (best tire hands down for pregen is Pirelli Sport Demons). The pregens have a little more power in the top end making them just a hair faster and they also have better mileage.

So to simplify:

newgen:
-larger wheels for more tire options
-slightly better suspension
-slightly better brakes
-more midrange power with less top end
-looks better
-lower fuel economy
-fuel gauge with no reserve switch

pregen:
-more top end power
-better fuel economy
-lower price
-more comfortable seat
-has fuel reserve switch
-has temp gauge
-smaller wheels for less tire choices (still waiting to see if anything out there can top the Sport Demons)

Best advice to give you is see if you can at least find one of each to sit on and even test ride. That way you can get a general feel for them and see which you prefer.

ithaca00 · September 17th, 2010, 01:26 AM

If looks aren't a top requirement for you then get the classic. They're considerably cheaper and more practical. For street riding you won't notice too much of a difference between the bikes with the exception of the preload adjustment on the rear shock of the new gen. Then again, you can pick up one of those shocks cheap and bolt it on to a classic.

kkim · September 17th, 2010, 02:17 AM

http://www.theyeagergroup.com/Compar...ninja_250s.htm

Alex · September 17th, 2010, 04:57 AM

and: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10111

bob706 · September 17th, 2010, 05:37 AM

Adjusting the valves on a pre is less daunting albeit more frequent. The centerstand on the pre is a plus. Can't go wrong with either version

rwurm · September 17th, 2010, 10:34 AM

Thanks guys!

rwurm · September 17th, 2010, 10:52 PM

Quick question guys: can you do the carb needle shimming and snorkel removal on the pregens? What kind of easy mods are there for them?

2WheelGuy · September 17th, 2010, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwurm

Quick question guys: can you do the carb needle shimming and snorkel removal on the pregens? What kind of easy mods are there for them?

The same carb tuning applies to the pre-gens. The carbs are almost the same. The pre-gen use a different airbox without the restrictive snorkle so no removal is necessary.

MikeCG23 · September 17th, 2010, 11:03 PM

New-gen, in my opinion, looks A LOT better.

September 17th, 2010, 12:02 AM	#1
rwurm ninjette.org newbie Name: Rick Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Nothing yet Posts: 8	Pregen vs. 08+ Hey guys This is my first post on the forum because I'm interested in getting a Ninja 250. I'm not sure however whether I should get an 08+ or something older like an 03-08. Obviously older bikes are cheaper to purchase, but what's the advantage of buying an 08+ over the pregens? I know the older bikes have 16" wheels and no gas gage, but if you guys could enlighten me that'd be cool. I should note that I've never had a bike before, or rode one, but want to get started with a 250 ninja because they're safely controllable and great to learn on from what I read. Thanks guys -Rick

September 17th, 2010, 04:57 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	and: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10111 __________________________________________________ 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)

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September 17th, 2010, 01:17 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.	Well for the newgens they improved the suspension and brakes a little bit so it should feel a bit more solid. The gas gauge they use isn't the greatest and I've heard of a number of newgen owners wishing they had the temp gauge instead. I've also heard of people getting stranded with the newgen more then the pregen cause of the inaccurate fuel gauge combined with no reserve switch. The larger wheels of the newgens does give you more tire options then the pregen (best tire hands down for pregen is Pirelli Sport Demons). The pregens have a little more power in the top end making them just a hair faster and they also have better mileage. So to simplify: newgen: -larger wheels for more tire options -slightly better suspension -slightly better brakes -more midrange power with less top end -looks better -lower fuel economy -fuel gauge with no reserve switch pregen: -more top end power -better fuel economy -lower price -more comfortable seat -has fuel reserve switch -has temp gauge -smaller wheels for less tire choices (still waiting to see if anything out there can top the Sport Demons) Best advice to give you is see if you can at least find one of each to sit on and even test ride. That way you can get a general feel for them and see which you prefer.

September 17th, 2010, 01:26 AM	#3
ithaca00 ninjette.org guru Name: Ryan Location: Sacramento, CA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 (street), 1994 EX250 (Race), 2008 250R (Race), 2000 250 (project), 1991 EL250 (a cruiser!) Posts: 287	If looks aren't a top requirement for you then get the classic. They're considerably cheaper and more practical. For street riding you won't notice too much of a difference between the bikes with the exception of the preload adjustment on the rear shock of the new gen. Then again, you can pick up one of those shocks cheap and bolt it on to a classic.

September 17th, 2010, 02:17 AM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.theyeagergroup.com/Compar...ninja_250s.htm

September 17th, 2010, 05:37 AM	#6
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Adjusting the valves on a pre is less daunting albeit more frequent. The centerstand on the pre is a plus. Can't go wrong with either version

September 17th, 2010, 10:34 AM	#7
rwurm ninjette.org newbie Name: Rick Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Nothing yet Posts: 8	Thanks guys!

September 17th, 2010, 10:52 PM	#8
rwurm ninjette.org newbie Name: Rick Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Nothing yet Posts: 8	Quick question guys: can you do the carb needle shimming and snorkel removal on the pregens? What kind of easy mods are there for them?

September 17th, 2010, 11:03 PM	#10
MikeCG23 Ride this! Name: Mike Location: Salt Lake City, UT Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 78	New-gen, in my opinion, looks A LOT better.