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Old January 28th, 2019, 04:57 AM   #1
doglover44
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250

What are the pros and cons
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Old January 28th, 2019, 05:44 AM   #2
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compared to ???
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Old January 28th, 2019, 05:47 AM   #3
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Pros:
  • Absurdly cheap to buy and own.
  • Light and nimble... "flickable."
  • Rewards good riding technique: The better you are, the more fun the bike is.
  • The user experience gets better the harder you ride it. The party starts at about 9,000 rpm.
  • Been around a long time. Lots of spares.
  • Nearly bulletproof. That engine can spin along at 12,000+ rpm all day for years.
  • A lot of fun to ride provided you understand that fun does not necessarily equal horsepower.
  • User-friendly power delivery... relatively hard to get yourself in trouble, unlike a supersport.
  • Compact size, which is wonderful if you're a smaller person.
  • Support by one of the best rider communities out there... us.

Cons
  • 250 has been out of production for several years now. The basic platform lived on in the 300 and now the 400, but the 250 itself will begin to fade away over time.
  • It's an entry-level bike with entry-level components and suspension. Everything gets the job done but don't expect the kind of amenities you'll get on a $12,000 supersport.
  • Suspension designed for beginning riders/commuters. New riders won't notice. Advanced riders will and may want to improve things (which can be done). For normal everyday riding you will not find it limiting.
  • Little niceties that are now commonplace (e.g. gear indicator) aren't present on the 250. They are on later bikes.
  • Carbs, assuming you don't appreciate the elegance of mechanical fueling.
  • (Pregen only) 16" wheels mean limited tire choices.
  • (Track only) side stand mount limits available lean. Racers grind 'em off.
  • Compact size, which can be an issue if you're a larger person.
  • Limited performance, assuming that's what you're after. This thing is not going to rip your arms out of their sockets or power-wheelie. But it will get you up over 100 mph (barely). And it can keep up with much more powerful bikes in the twisties when ridden well.
  • Not a bike for the vain or attention-seeking owner. You don't get bragging rights at bike night (assuming you like such events) and the gixxah bros will sneer at you (assuming you give a crap). You have to prove your coolness by riding better than the other guy, not showing off the toy you've just purchased.
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Old January 28th, 2019, 12:29 PM   #4
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Pros- cheap, easy, available, and a whole darn lot of fun.

Downside- people will tell you have need a bigger bike.

I've had mine for 3 years now, and no need to upgrade. I'm pondering new and shiny, but not necessarily bigger. I love how light my bike is. Turns on a thought.
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Old January 29th, 2019, 02:13 AM   #5
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peeps laugh at me all the time. in twisties, its quite nimble. what generation are you looking at?
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Old January 29th, 2019, 05:47 AM   #6
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People tell me I need a bigger bike occasionally, but why? It'll hit 100, and I'm probably better off with that as the limit instead of 150+. I do want a Tiger 800, but that's a whole different type of bike.
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Old January 29th, 2019, 06:31 AM   #7
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You "need" a bigger bike like you "need" a giant SUV.

For the vast majority of riding that the vast majority of people do, the 250 is just fine. Arguably better than larger bikes, even.

It's kind of like an economy car. (I drive a Honda Fit, BTW). The performance is similar.

Having ridden both a new gen 250 and a GSX-R750 on the same rides for a number of years, I know first-hand what the differences between a small bike and a big bike are.

The big bike is giggle-inducing. Want to pass the five brain-dead commuters in front of you and have just enough of a gap in the other lane to do it? Beam me up, Scotty. A few seconds later and you're past 'em and GONE. It's like a Ferrari. On steroids. With a rocket pack.

On the Ninjette I could (and did) make that pass, but I'd have to plan it just like in my car. The gap might not last long enough. I'd have to get momentum up. But so-freakin'-what? I don't expect warp-drive performance from a 28-hp engine.

The big bike's brakes are OH MY GOD powerful. The Ninjette's are more like a car... but better because the bike weighs about as much as an overfed gnat.

Just like a small car, it's capable of more than people give it credit for. You'll hear that it's not good on the highway. Well, yeah, it's light. You will feel the buffeting from trucks and such, more than on a big heavy bike. But so what? If you're at all skilled it's a non-issue.

Can you do long rides? Sure. I did a 2,600-mile tour on my Ninjette just after I bought it. No sweat.

What would you "need" a bigger bike for? My answer: The exact same reason why you might "need" a big SUV... load carrying. I would not want to ride the Ninjette 2-up.
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Old January 29th, 2019, 07:52 AM   #8
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My older son has the Ninja 250 now, he tagged along on a 120 mile ride with me and my Legion Rider buddies a couple of weeks ago. My 1200 Sportster was the 2nd smallest bike in the group, the Ninja 250 was well less than 1,000 cc's smaller than the other bikes.

Funny thing that little 250 kept up just fine with a bunch of big Harley's even doing 75 mph on the freeway. Couple of the guys were pretty shocked, they even said they thought we were going to have to slow down so he could keep up with us. They just don't understand how great these little bikes are.
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Old January 29th, 2019, 02:35 PM   #9
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Thanks for the replys guys debating between a 250 and 300 I just know they don't make the 250 no more
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Old January 29th, 2019, 07:14 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doglover44 View Post
Thanks for the replys guys debating between a 250 and 300 I just know they don't make the 250 no more
The 300 is going to be everything the 250 is, and just a little more.

If you have the money, get the 300.
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Old January 29th, 2019, 09:49 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by doglover44 View Post
Thanks for the replys guys debating between a 250 and 300 I just know they don't make the 250 no more
Don't make the 300 anymore either.
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Old January 30th, 2019, 08:20 AM   #12
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go 250!
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Old January 30th, 2019, 10:00 AM   #13
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250 vs. 300

No direct experience with the 300 but from what I understand:
  • Ergonomics and intended mission are the same. It's an upright, entry-level bike.
  • Handling will be much the same. The 300 had recalibrated fork damping IIRC, but it's still a rudimentary damper rod setup. I believe they tweaked the frame a bit, adding gussets in places to stiffen it. The vast majority of riders will not notice.
  • Braking will be identical.
  • Power of a stock 300 is about the same as a newgen 250 with a full exhaust and jet kit... so not a huge difference between the two. Enough to feel, not enough to amaze.
  • 300 has a spin-on oil filter vs. cartridge (trivial).
  • 300 has a slightly wider rear tire (important only in that you have different tire options available).
  • IIRC the 300 has a gear indicator.
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Old January 30th, 2019, 11:20 AM   #14
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I think @adouglas summed it up perfectly. 300s don't come with a gear indicator, though. We have a neutral indicator, but that's it. As a new rider, sometimes I wish it had a gear indicator.
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Old January 30th, 2019, 12:22 PM   #15
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I'm not entirely sure why this fixation with bigger bikes. My Harley rider friend is impressed that the bike can do freeway speeds. People think you can't do longish road trips with them, but you can

I think over the three years of having this bike there were once or twice I wished I had more power. Like noted above, to make a pass, I have to plan it a bit, kick down a gear, that kind of thing, but once I'm in the right gear, it's good.

I have noticed if I put the tachometer around 7,000 rpm, my speed will tell me what gear I'm in. So it kind of does have a gear indicator of sorts. 40MPH, at 7000RPM, will be 4th gear. 50 will be 5th. 60MPH in 5th gear? RPM will be 8000, 8500, something like that.
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Old January 30th, 2019, 02:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaliGrrl View Post
I'm not entirely sure why this fixation with bigger bikes. My Harley rider friend is impressed that the bike can do freeway speeds. People think you can't do longish road trips with them, but you can

I think over the three years of having this bike there were once or twice I wished I had more power. Like noted above, to make a pass, I have to plan it a bit, kick down a gear, that kind of thing, but once I'm in the right gear, it's good.

I have noticed if I put the tachometer around 7,000 rpm, my speed will tell me what gear I'm in. So it kind of does have a gear indicator of sorts. 40MPH, at 7000RPM, will be 4th gear. 50 will be 5th. 60MPH in 5th gear? RPM will be 8000, 8500, something like that.
I see a lot of guys on big bikes that have very poor bike handling skills, they would be much better off with a smaller bike. Especially the guys in their 60's and 70's.
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Old January 31st, 2019, 01:34 AM   #17
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Yep- we have a couple of those guys in our club. Charges the corner, turns slowly, hammers the throttle to catch up...

Not that I'm all that fast in the corners, I have a lack of daring, but I do know enough to know you don't charge in that fast. I corner better than a couple of them.

That's one thing the little bike rewards- good handling skills, good cornering skills, and learning how to be in the right gear. A bigger bike may mask some of that.

I'll stick with my little bike, thanks.
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Old February 20th, 2019, 12:30 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by CaliGrrl View Post
Yep- we have a couple of those guys in our club. Charges the corner, turns slowly, hammers the throttle to catch up...

Not that I'm all that fast in the corners, I have a lack of daring, but I do know enough to know you don't charge in that fast. I corner better than a couple of them.

That's one thing the little bike rewards- good handling skills, good cornering skills, and learning how to be in the right gear. A bigger bike may mask some of that.

I'll stick with my little bike, thanks.
I did a Patriot Guard escort ride a few years ago when I was still riding my 250. Went up to NJ to escort a Marines remains to Arlington Cemetery. We had a police escort through NJ and DE, the cops were running 80-90 mph on the toll road, I had no problem keeping up. When we got to MD the State Police wouldn't do an escort so we were on our own. After our last fuel stop the ride captain said Fish you are a local, I want you up front with me. Next thing I know I'm leading the ride, about 20 bikes, all at least 5 times my engine size, a couple of cars full of family members and a pickup truck. I came to the first highway cloverleaf and went around like I normally do, wasn't pushing it, came up on to the other highway and not a bike in my rearview mirror. I had to pull over and stop to wait for them to catch up. Yeah I needed a bigger bike.
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Old February 21st, 2019, 03:57 AM   #19
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The biggest + for 300> 250 is the EFI. It makes the complete package a better anvil than the 250 was.
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Old February 21st, 2019, 02:27 PM   #20
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That's a great story, Fish! Many people ask me when I'm getting a bigger bike, and I answer that I will when I feel like this one's too small and that hasn't happened yet. So far any slowdowns are entirely in the rider, not the bike. Bike does just fine.
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Old February 21st, 2019, 04:35 PM   #21
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The biggest + for 300> 250 is the EFI. It makes the complete package a better anvil than the 250 was.
Yes, HUGE difference in drivability. Starts up in sub-freezing temperatures with ease on first crank. On 250, I have to warm up carbs with hair-dryer for 5-10 minutes before it'll start. Even in 40-F range, I have to crank it, have it run for 3-4 revs and die, and crank it again and have it die at least 5-7 times before it'll idle on its own.

And partial-throttle response at low-RPMs is significantly better. On the 250 carbs at lower-half of RPM-range, there's a slight rubberband-effect with throttle response.
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Old February 22nd, 2019, 06:58 AM   #22
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I own a 2006 Ninja and a 2009 Harley Fatboy. The Fatboy has had engine work. Dyno says 91hp and 101 ft pounds of torque.
I love the little ninja for around town and short trips. OK I am 72. The ninja does great at Interstste speeds. I ride in Florida in the winter. So I ride just about every day. There are no twisty roads in Florida, but it still makes a great touring bike.

The Fatboy is very comfortable for longer rides. I believe the 250 ninja is one of the best all around bikes out there. You can easily do 75 all day long, drag a knee, or go to the grocery store. The only draw back with the ninja is I am not riding down Main Street in Daytona during Bike Week!

While the 250 is out of production remember they made about a billion of them. eBay engines are still cheaper then doing a rebuild. Part are everywhere for cheap. While I love my fuel injected Harley the carbs do a great job. Plus easy to work on with little to go wrong. Cold weather starting is the only downside. I mean anything less then 60F is cold weather for the 250. Mine takes a few minutes of fiddling to get it running without choke.

I am looking for another cheap low mileage 250 for a new project. I am not interested in the 300. It had a very short production run. Ok if you want a bike for a couple of years. I am sure the 400 is a great bike, but I am looking for cheap.
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Old February 22nd, 2019, 08:05 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cafe Racer View Post
I own a 2006 Ninja and a 2009 Harley Fatboy. The Fatboy has had engine work. Dyno says 91hp and 101 ft pounds of torque.
I love the little ninja for around town and short trips. OK I am 72. The ninja does great at Interstste speeds. I ride in Florida in the winter. So I ride just about every day. There are no twisty roads in Florida, but it still makes a great touring bike.

The Fatboy is very comfortable for longer rides. I believe the 250 ninja is one of the best all around bikes out there. You can easily do 75 all day long, drag a knee, or go to the grocery store. The only draw back with the ninja is I am not riding down Main Street in Daytona during Bike Week!

While the 250 is out of production remember they made about a billion of them. eBay engines are still cheaper then doing a rebuild. Part are everywhere for cheap. While I love my fuel injected Harley the carbs do a great job. Plus easy to work on with little to go wrong. Cold weather starting is the only downside. I mean anything less then 60F is cold weather for the 250. Mine takes a few minutes of fiddling to get it running without choke.

I am looking for another cheap low mileage 250 for a new project. I am not interested in the 300. It had a very short production run. Ok if you want a bike for a couple of years. I am sure the 400 is a great bike, but I am looking for cheap.
For cheap you can't beat the Ninja 250's I've had 5 of them and the most I have paid is $500. Granted they needed tires and a little bit of work to get them up to snuff. But still pretty easy to get a great bike for $750-$1,000. They are also really good on gas and cheap to insure.
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Old February 22nd, 2019, 05:05 PM   #24
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I spend $12 in gas for week's commuting!

Tyres last an entire season of track-racing (+50 days), so I end up with way more tyres than I know what to do with!

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