Ninja 250R 'outdated'...? - Page 2

The Red Scourge · February 25th, 2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M42

Get the 250. Laugh as you effortlessly zoom past the yardsaled remains of your friend's R6 on the first moderately tight curve. Someone with his opinions has no business buying a twitchy 95bhp bike for a first.

Haha, yep! You'll love your 250 in the corners! Any asshole can be fast in a straight line. On Monday, a guy saw me in my gear (that says Kawasaki on it) and asked me what I rode. After my response, he told me to get a Gixxer! I was polite, I wanted to tell him to bugger off.

Sirref · February 25th, 2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Red Scourge

Haha, yep! You'll love your 250 in the corners! Any asshole can be fast in a straight line. On Monday, a guy saw me in my gear (that says Kawasaki on it) and asked me what I rode. After my response, he told me to get a Gixxer! I was polite, I wanted to tell him to bugger off.

Owning both a 250 and a gixxer, there is no way I could reasonably ride any 600cc+ supersport on public roads and not end up arrested or worse. No way in the slightest. That said they're both damn fun at the track

Daakuryu · February 25th, 2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM

Welcome John.

I have been riding my 2005 250 for going on 9 years. Still haven't found its limits (or mine).

Jeff

I found the limit on my 2012 250 to be 149km/h on the Toronto <-> Montreal Highway

ally99 · February 25th, 2015, 02:34 PM

I've been riding 6 years, mostly on 250s and 300s. I've owned a 600-GSXR and a 650 Ninja and ridden several other big bikes a time or two, but I've "upgraded" to only 300s realizing that the nimbleness and maneuverability (and cost and weight) of a little bike is more up my alley. I appreciate forgiveness. Usually our little bikes are damn forgiving...and fun to throw down into a corner (just not all the way).

Big50cal · February 25th, 2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Hi all. Been a long time.

I thought I would chime in. Now that I've had a chance to fart around on a 300 for a bit. I must say. It would be worth it to you to get any one of the fuel injected small displacement bikes.

I put 20k hard miles on an 09 250. And really just be patient and get a 300. It's really a better bike in every way. **** the thing has a clock. Like that's literally my favorite part.

250 with a clock

verboten1 · February 25th, 2015, 09:22 PM

I typically have no desire to know the time when I'm on my bike.

JustRidin · February 25th, 2015, 10:03 PM

I started on an 09' 250r in late 2012 after they had already announced the upcoming Ninja 300 for 2013. I almost wanted to wait for the 300, but boy am I glad I didn't.

Top Reasons to start on a (slightly) outdated 250r.
1. It's cheap! Plus you can resell for minimal (if any) loss. The market is huge for these bikes so resale should be easy.

2. It's cheap! Minimum insurance coverage for me at 20 years old when I bought mine was $88 bucks a year. Just under $200/year for a 100/300k policy underinsured/uninsured.
(Read Jiggles post here on insurance: https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...ight=INsurance)

3. It's cheap! Maintenance is easy for a new rider to do himself and tires (being small) are much cheaper than larger bikes (650 Standards, 600 SS etc...)

4. First you will have a blast, then you MIGHT get bored when all you do is try and straight line throttle it. Then you'll have a blast again when you actually try to become a good rider and learn to corner. Once you are proficient with cornering and actually handling the 250 in all riding conditions consider moving to a larger bike if so inclined.

5. If you drop it (or crash!) it won't cost you very much. Personally I didn't have collision insurance simply because the bike was so cheap to begin with; I paid $2400.

6. You can find plenty with small scratches/cracks to get it for even cheaper. You won't be so angry when your boot slips and you drop it on an uneven gravel parking lot the first week (not that I ever did that...). On a brand new 300 you'd be furious with yourself.

7. You'll know you love motorcycles for RIDING them. Not for looking cool, not for doing 150 mph on a public road in a straight line, and not for what your friends think of you.

Now, while you won't be doing triple digits down the freeway on your 250 without a tailwind and a slight downhill grade you can still hurt yourself! Falling off any motorcycle onto asphalt at 50mph will hurt regardless of displacement. You can seriously injure yourself so be sure to take a riders safety course, or at least self educate on proper riding technique. Buy decent riding gear (from head to toes!). There are plenty of resources right on these forums.

Welcome to the club

*Also, my pet peeve, but at 18 you shouldn't ever be financing what is ultimately a toy since you have a truck already. I'm only 22 and have watched several of my friends/acquaintances finance toys the past 4 years. More than a couple have had issues or regretted taking on unnecessary debt so quick. Whether you're a future Walmart employee or CEO of a fortune 500 company don't spend money you don't have.

You should save up enough to pay for the bike, insurance and all your gear before pulling the trigger. In fact, I recommend you force yourself to buy gear before allowing yourself to buy a bike.

Skullz · February 26th, 2015, 02:54 AM

There is a fun factor you cannot put a price on and these machines deliver it.
You cannot flog a SS bike like you can with these little machines.
The best times of your life are when your having fun, and the smaller machines allow that because you don't have to think about the machine doing something unexpected.

M42 · February 26th, 2015, 09:14 AM

Pretty much my fav quote ever: "It's far more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow".

dcj13 · February 26th, 2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustRidin

Whether you're a future Walmart employee or CEO of a fortune 500 company don't spend money you don't have.

You should save up enough to pay for the bike, insurance and all your gear before pulling the trigger. In fact, I recommend you force yourself to buy gear before allowing yourself to buy a bike.

Everything Nick says in his post is spot-on!

The 250 is a great first bike! (Or second or third bike...). They are just plain fun!

Oh yeah, almost forgot...

Welcome, John!

Ninja Rob · February 26th, 2015, 02:48 PM

I know a guy who started on a 250 dirt bike, later bought a 1000 cc sports bike, got scared, and sold it a few weeks later.

choneofakind · February 26th, 2015, 03:53 PM

of course it's outdated! The bike designed for sale starting in '88 is nearly identical to the bike designed for sale in '08. The 300, starting in '13 isn't really that much different, besides the fuel injection.

But it's still worth buying one to flog.

Daks · February 27th, 2015, 12:33 AM

The Ninja 250 stayed nearly exactly the same for 20 years and got a revamp.

You ever hear "don't fix what ain't broke?"
Something timeless can't be outdated. They are fabulous starter bikes. Some people "grow out of" them quickly and upgrade but then you have enthusiasts on forums like these who can eat supersports and liter bikes alive on twisty roads.
Are they big, flashy, loud and fast? No, not particularly. But if you're buying a motorcycle because it's those things, it's all the more reason to start on a smaller bike with a slice of humble pie.

If you don't buy new they have great resale value so upgrading isn't a chore. In the meantime you save on money, gas, insurance and ego. And that extra money can go toward the msf course if you haven't taken it and better gear, which with any luck you will have longer than the bike.

I've had my ninja almost 3 years now. I want to get a bigger bike but 65 mpg don't lie. No one wants to steal it, it's easy to work on and cheap.

jenkem · February 27th, 2015, 01:19 AM

Also, you're young and stupid(Sorry) and the smartest thing you can do is realize that about yourself. I hit the top speed of my 250 within three days of owning it. Besides the msf course I'd literally never ridden a motorcycle before. That's ****ing dumb, and I am dumb. But I at least had that tiny ounce of foresight to not get a supersport. I know me and I knew that I would have tried to find and push the limits, where ever they are, as soon as possible.
So if that sounds even a little bit like you just save yourself the agony and temptation.

And financing a first motorcycle is just asking for trouble. Before you make any decisions at least test ride a few 250's. I can pretty much guarantee that whether you get a 10 year old pregen on a brand new 300, you will love the **** out if it because it's your first bike.

Ninja Rob · February 27th, 2015, 05:29 AM

Another thing that I did BEFORE I bought my motorcycle was that I watched videos of accidents both living and fatal accidents, I looked at pictures of road rash, I read about riders in a coma for days, weeks, and months. I did this so I that I can be aware and informed about the risks of riding. I did this so that I can know and accept the "terms", risks, and possible outcomes of riding. Once aware, I learned how important it is to have all the gear, skills, information, and minimizing risk anyway possible to increase the chances of continuing to live. You can read through these forums of people who have had accidents and you can also read about accidents with not so happy endings. I myself have had close calls and with "just a 250". Be safe. Post up pics when you get your first motorcycle.

Ninjinsky · February 27th, 2015, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

Another thing that I did BEFORE I bought my motorcycle was that I watched videos of accidents both living and fatal accidents, I looked at pictures of road rash, I read about riders in a coma for days, weeks, and months. I did this so I that I can be aware and informed about the risks of riding. I did this so that I can know and accept the "terms", risks, and possible outcomes of riding. Once aware, I learned how important it is to have all the gear, skills, information, and minimizing risk anyway possible to increase the chances of continuing to live. You can read through these forums of people who have had accidents and you can also read about accidents with not so happy endings. I myself have had close calls and with "just a 250". Be safe. Post up pics when you get your first motorcycle.

After that I'm surprised you didn't go for:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...t_20070928.jpg

Ninja Rob · February 27th, 2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjinsky

After that I'm surprised you didn't go for:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Series_40D.jpg

I don't get the joke, I'm not that old...

Ninjinsky · February 27th, 2015, 12:04 PM

Okay, updated for the younger generation.

slolane · February 27th, 2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally99

I've been riding 6 years, mostly on 250s and 300s. I've owned a 600-GSXR and a 650 Ninja and ridden several other big bikes a time or two, but I've "upgraded" to only 300s realizing that the nimbleness and maneuverability (and cost and weight) of a little bike is more up my alley. I appreciate forgiveness. Usually our little bikes are damn forgiving...and fun to throw down into a corner (just not all the way).

Well said.

I have had a ton of bikes, tourers, super/hypers (zx14) and all in between and I'm now down to 3 bikes each with a different duty... I have been riding 25 years on the street and out of my 3 bikes I put more miles on my 300 last year than the other 2, it's just so fun.

Be honest with yourself, what you want out of a bike and your personality when you buy, it can save you from taking a costly step in the wrong direction. I have seen many friends "upgrade" only to find the fun factor changed... different tools for different jobs, fun but different bikes are different kinds of fun. I like to think of my 300 as the Miata of sportbikes... small, light, cheap, handles well (for my street use at least) and is a ton of fun.

As the saying goes, it's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow. Being able to use more of the bike is nice to me but I also have friends who ride 500, 600 and 1000 that prefer to ride the bike easier/softer and never break 6k-9k on the tach at the same pace I'm pushing my 300 a bit more and using more of the rev range.

Last note, I have also had 2, 250's. Sold the used one for what I paid for it and the other that I bought new was close excluding tax/tags. Can't go wrong with a 250 or 300 in my book.

February 25th, 2015, 02:34 PM	#44
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	I've been riding 6 years, mostly on 250s and 300s. I've owned a 600-GSXR and a 650 Ninja and ridden several other big bikes a time or two, but I've "upgraded" to only 300s realizing that the nimbleness and maneuverability (and cost and weight) of a little bike is more up my alley. I appreciate forgiveness. Usually our little bikes are damn forgiving...and fun to throw down into a corner (just not all the way). __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

February 25th, 2015, 09:22 PM	#46
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	I typically have no desire to know the time when I'm on my bike. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

February 25th, 2015, 10:03 PM	#47
JustRidin ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Denver, CO Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 R6, 2015 KTM 250XC - Past: 2011 KTM 150XC, 2009 Ninja 250r, 2012 Ninja 650, 2007 CRF250R Posts: 194	I started on an 09' 250r in late 2012 after they had already announced the upcoming Ninja 300 for 2013. I almost wanted to wait for the 300, but boy am I glad I didn't. Top Reasons to start on a (slightly) outdated 250r. 1. It's cheap! Plus you can resell for minimal (if any) loss. The market is huge for these bikes so resale should be easy. 2. It's cheap! Minimum insurance coverage for me at 20 years old when I bought mine was $88 bucks a year. Just under $200/year for a 100/300k policy underinsured/uninsured. (Read Jiggles post here on insurance: https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...ight=INsurance) 3. It's cheap! Maintenance is easy for a new rider to do himself and tires (being small) are much cheaper than larger bikes (650 Standards, 600 SS etc...) 4. First you will have a blast, then you MIGHT get bored when all you do is try and straight line throttle it. Then you'll have a blast again when you actually try to become a good rider and learn to corner. Once you are proficient with cornering and actually handling the 250 in all riding conditions consider moving to a larger bike if so inclined. 5. If you drop it (or crash!) it won't cost you very much. Personally I didn't have collision insurance simply because the bike was so cheap to begin with; I paid $2400. 6. You can find plenty with small scratches/cracks to get it for even cheaper. You won't be so angry when your boot slips and you drop it on an uneven gravel parking lot the first week (not that I ever did that...). On a brand new 300 you'd be furious with yourself. 7. You'll know you love motorcycles for RIDING them. Not for looking cool, not for doing 150 mph on a public road in a straight line, and not for what your friends think of you. Now, while you won't be doing triple digits down the freeway on your 250 without a tailwind and a slight downhill grade you can still hurt yourself! Falling off any motorcycle onto asphalt at 50mph will hurt regardless of displacement. You can seriously injure yourself so be sure to take a riders safety course, or at least self educate on proper riding technique. Buy decent riding gear (from head to toes!). There are plenty of resources right on these forums. Welcome to the club *Also, my pet peeve, but at 18 you shouldn't ever be financing what is ultimately a toy since you have a truck already. I'm only 22 and have watched several of my friends/acquaintances finance toys the past 4 years. More than a couple have had issues or regretted taking on unnecessary debt so quick. Whether you're a future Walmart employee or CEO of a fortune 500 company don't spend money you don't have. You should save up enough to pay for the bike, insurance and all your gear before pulling the trigger. In fact, I recommend you force yourself to buy gear before allowing yourself to buy a bike. __________________________________________________ Try it, you might like it.
	3 out of 3 members found this post helpful.

February 26th, 2015, 09:14 AM	#49
M42 Wrench wench Name: The Stigette Location: DC/MD/VA Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): TWO HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT CUBIC CENTIMETERS (R.I.P.), SIX HUNDRED FORTY FIVE CUBIC CENTIMETERS Posts: 415	Pretty much my fav quote ever: "It's far more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow". __________________________________________________
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 26th, 2015, 02:48 PM	#51
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	I know a guy who started on a 250 dirt bike, later bought a 1000 cc sports bike, got scared, and sold it a few weeks later. __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle.

February 26th, 2015, 02:54 AM	#48
Skullz ninjette.org guru Name: Ray Location: 48162 Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 Posts: 450	There is a fun factor you cannot put a price on and these machines deliver it. You cannot flog a SS bike like you can with these little machines. The best times of your life are when your having fun, and the smaller machines allow that because you don't have to think about the machine doing something unexpected.

February 26th, 2015, 03:53 PM	#52
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	of course it's outdated! The bike designed for sale starting in '88 is nearly identical to the bike designed for sale in '08. The 300, starting in '13 isn't really that much different, besides the fuel injection. But it's still worth buying one to flog.

February 27th, 2015, 12:33 AM	#53
Daks Jersey Devil Name: Daks Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 469	The Ninja 250 stayed nearly exactly the same for 20 years and got a revamp. You ever hear "don't fix what ain't broke?" Something timeless can't be outdated. They are fabulous starter bikes. Some people "grow out of" them quickly and upgrade but then you have enthusiasts on forums like these who can eat supersports and liter bikes alive on twisty roads. Are they big, flashy, loud and fast? No, not particularly. But if you're buying a motorcycle because it's those things, it's all the more reason to start on a smaller bike with a slice of humble pie. If you don't buy new they have great resale value so upgrading isn't a chore. In the meantime you save on money, gas, insurance and ego. And that extra money can go toward the msf course if you haven't taken it and better gear, which with any luck you will have longer than the bike. I've had my ninja almost 3 years now. I want to get a bigger bike but 65 mpg don't lie. No one wants to steal it, it's easy to work on and cheap. __________________________________________________ ~Riding like a grandma because I wanna ride as a grandma~

February 27th, 2015, 01:19 AM	#54
jenkem ninjette.org member Name: really Location: california Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80	Also, you're young and stupid(Sorry) and the smartest thing you can do is realize that about yourself. I hit the top speed of my 250 within three days of owning it. Besides the msf course I'd literally never ridden a motorcycle before. That's **ing dumb, and I am dumb. But I at least had that tiny ounce of foresight to not get a supersport. I know me and I knew that I would have tried to find and push the limits, where ever they are, as soon as possible. So if that sounds even a little bit like you just save yourself the agony and temptation. And financing a first motorcycle is just asking for trouble. Before you make any decisions at least test ride a few 250's. I can pretty much guarantee that whether you get a 10 year old pregen on a brand new 300, you will love the ** out if it because it's your first bike.

February 27th, 2015, 05:29 AM	#55
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	Another thing that I did BEFORE I bought my motorcycle was that I watched videos of accidents both living and fatal accidents, I looked at pictures of road rash, I read about riders in a coma for days, weeks, and months. I did this so I that I can be aware and informed about the risks of riding. I did this so that I can know and accept the "terms", risks, and possible outcomes of riding. Once aware, I learned how important it is to have all the gear, skills, information, and minimizing risk anyway possible to increase the chances of continuing to live. You can read through these forums of people who have had accidents and you can also read about accidents with not so happy endings. I myself have had close calls and with "just a 250". Be safe. Post up pics when you get your first motorcycle. __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle.

February 27th, 2015, 12:04 PM	#58
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	Okay, updated for the younger generation.