Why do you ride a Ninja 250

[reroka]

I just wanted to ask this question.

I have been riding mine for a bit now and I get laughed at. It does not borther me at all. I know that I can't handle anything higer than a 250 on a sport bike. I am sure I could handle a 650 cruiser but I did not want a cruiser.

Again I just thought I would ask.

[crazymadbastard]

Who laughs at you? Maybe it's just voices in your head?

I was looking for a starter bike and a friend was getting rid of it, so I
bought this huge scooter called a ninja 250. Still learning on it.

[NevadaWolf]

You can find similar threads here:

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=162845
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168126
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?p=798127

Or on being laughed at...
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=162017

[Alex]

/moved to general

[reroka]

At a stop light, I riding to work and about 4 20 somethings kids all on 650s and above pointed at me and said I was a Wussy and laughed but place a P where the w is.

It does not matter to me as I know what I can hanlde and I love getting the 70 plus MPG while doing 60 to 80 mph. TBH I love this little sport bike, it' a lot of fun.

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

Who laughs at you? Maybe it's just voices in your head?

I was looking for a starter bike and a friend was getting rid of it, so I
bought this huge scooter called a ninja 250. Still learning on it.

[Memengkamatis]

Welcome... because it's light, agile and nimble. After taking off all the EPA junk, I almost get 70 mpg. No more bike inspections in NJ. It's my commuter bike. Fun in the twisties too. Ride safe.

[alex.s]

they all laugh until you ditch them because they don't know how to ride.

[Insane Pie]

This is my first bike, absolutely love it though. A few people have said some negative stuff, but after finding this ninjette community, I love my bike even more.

[rasta]

Anyone that is bothered by people making fun of their 250 needs to grow a spine. Problem solved

[subxero]

because I'm poor. If I had more monies I would buy a different bike and ride it but not because I think the 250 is inadequate but just because there are a few other bikes that are very appealing to me in both looks and uniqueness. One of which is actually a 125 I would still ride the 250 on occasion if I had other street bikes though, it is lots of fun.

[mrb]

I'm 18. So far it has been: "you ride a motorcycle?" "yup" "(*^&$W%(* YOUR SO COOL!!!"

If they ask if its a 650 or 600, I say "nah, its just a 250. I still have my share of fun though" Never have gotten any crap.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by reroka

I just wanted to ask this question.

I have been riding mine for a bit now and I get laughed at. It does not borther me at all. I know that I can't handle anything higer than a 250 on a sport bike. I am sure I could handle a 650 cruiser but I did not want a cruiser.

Again I just thought I would ask.

I ride it because that's what is in my garage. No one laughs at me, they just look on in astonishment. I can handle 200+ HP with ease but that would be cheating and I prefer not to bully those weaker in skill then I. I wouldn't be caught dead on a cruiser/Harley, they go against everything I love about motorcycles.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I've more have the response "thats just a 250??" with my old newgen and now i get "i thought it was a 650 or ZX6" with the 300. No one has laughed to my face so far. And i wouldn't care if they did. i love my bike and thats all that matters.

Originally Posted by Memengkamatis

No more bike inspections in NJ.

When did they have bike inspections in NJ?

I know PA has them, one of my buddies just moved there and is going through that now.

[jgcable]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

I ride it because that's what is in my garage. No one laughs at me, they just look on in astonishment. I can handle 200+ HP with ease but that would be cheating and I prefer not to bully those weaker in skill then I. I wouldn't be caught dead on a cruiser/Harley, they go against everything I love about motorcycles.

That's an interesting comment. I can understand you not liking a cruiser/Harley but how can they possibly go against everything you love about motorcycles? It doesn't make sense. If it wasn't for Harley and Indian there wouldn't even be motorcycles.
I ride a 250r because its really fun. I also have a $25,000 custom Harley and that's fun too. When I want to be flashy and take my wife out and make lots of noise or go on a long trip I take the hog. When I want to enjoy the purest sense of motorcycling I take the Ninja.

[misfitsailor]

Not all of want a sports bike that can go 150mph. For some of us, the Ninjette is not a first bike, or a stepping stone, or cheap transportation. It is a small, light, capable and well-made sports bike. Sometimes less is more.

[jgcable]

Originally Posted by misfitsailor

Not all of want a sports bike that can go 150mph. For some of us, the Ninjette is not a first bike, or a stepping stone, or cheap transportation. It is a small, light, capable and well-made sports bike. Sometimes less is more.

well said.

[Skullz]

The 250 was all the bank would let me get, no car or bigger bike just the 250.
This has been the best purchase i have ever made to be quite honest, and i get compliments all the time about it saying they like the bike and would like to get one themselves.

[chugs]

It's a cheap track bike, easy on tires, and a ton of fun to ride fast.

[kirk595x]

I could'nt afford to buy a street bike and one of my customers happened to have one sitting in the garage with 3k miles and a gummed up Carb. I basicly got it in trade for a $600 Landscaping job that only cost me $300 and 10 hours of work.

I have spent some time on a friends GSXR 1K and all my MX bikes had more HP if not double so it's underpowered for my liking but it makes up for it in handling.I really do enjoy this bike and I'm thankful I have something for the street and it's also my daily driver.

[Sirref]

On a lot of the roads that I ride the extra power would get in the way. It's a lot less stressful of a bike than a zx6r/cbr600rr though I'll likely own one of those two someday. It's relatively inexpensive, I could get a new 300 or a used 600 and the cost would have worked out to be pretty much the same. I made the decision to get a 300 because for my purposes as a daily commuter and a twisty road slayer (got the scars to prove it now ) the bike just makes sense. I've been laughed at for it at a local twisty road hotspot and the end result there was that I followed behind both riders and passed them both midcorner within half a mile of twisties because they didn't know how to ride.

Sure there are times where I wish I had more power but most of those are when I match up against sportscars. They always get me on top speed

[crazymadbastard]

Also, I could care less what others think. At the same time I would love a zx6rr though. But then would I worry that liter bike will roll next to me, or then a Ducatti 1199cc? nope.

Life is short, ride your own ride.

[Jono]

I don't! Haha

[antiant]

I don't, I ride a 300fundred. I honestly don't give a **** about power, I am fine w/what I have (it hauls ass just fine) and don't give a **** what people think either. The way I see it, I am having fun and that is all that matters and what is important to me in my life because it's short.

I got it because I wanted more fun and to explore new avenues of my life and maybe meet some ppl along the way. It created an epidemic, my bro decided to get his license w/me after I said I was finally doing it, then his friend saw he had a bike and then he got his license and a bike, etc. I love that I started the ball rolling. It's also fun to ride w/him and bond and talk about stuff we see along the way. I LOVE traveling and exploring and taking things in, cage or bike, but the bike is funner w/the open road and scenary and you can skirt around spots, unlike a car. Basically, my bike is my toy and a very fun one.

[crazymadbastard]

Originally Posted by Jono

I don't! Haha

Troll!



lol

[Jiggles]

Because I'm a girl

[Finesse]

Because I wanted a cheap bike that was easy to ride and work on, plenty of used parts available, cheap insurance, and something lightweight and small, and something I wouldn't beat myself up over if I dropped it. I wanted something forgiving for learning how to ride. And I didn't want to scare myself with too much power. It's 100% exactly what I hoped it would be.

That being said, if I could afford it, I would get a Ducati Monster 696

[Whiskey]

What other bike can you get that will let you wring it's neck in the twistys, hit the throttle stop exiting a corner and not kill you in the process but will hold it's own with bigger machines?

It teaches a lot of useful lessons, however it will fcuk you right up if you think you can just power through an overtake

[BlownWideOpen]

I initially wanted a Virago 250. But when I sat on it, I looked like a dog ****ing a football... Then I started looking for Japanese 400's, 650's etc, but I insurance was expensive. So the Ninja it was. And now, I plan on keeping it along side my '82 Shovelhead.

[Desmoluci]

Originally Posted by rasta

Anyone that is bothered by people making fun of their 250 needs to grow a spine. Problem solved

Who cares what other people think?

Enjoy!

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by jgcable

That's an interesting comment. I can understand you not liking a cruiser/Harley but how can they possibly go against everything you love about motorcycles? It doesn't make sense. If it wasn't for Harley and Indian there wouldn't even be motorcycles.
I ride a 250r because its really fun. I also have a $25,000 custom Harley and that's fun too. When I want to be flashy and take my wife out and make lots of noise or go on a long trip I take the hog. When I want to enjoy the purest sense of motorcycling I take the Ninja.

They're not fast per size in that no matter how big the motor the things barely break 110mph. ninja 250 is also slow but it's a 250, they just can't be fast at that size.

They have total **** brakes yes the ninja 250 also has **** brakes but not mine

They can't take a corner any better then a clapped out honda civic missing half it's lug nuts.

The overall appearance has remained very close to it's classic origins and I have zero appreciation of almost anything classic whether it be a bike, car or music.

So with a harley lacking any of the practical things "I" look for in what I deem makes a motorcycle a motorcycle, I just seem to see them as $25,000 devices of over compensation. For me who started riding bike on the track motorcycles are a symbol of cutting edge technology.

So to each his own and I won't ever criticize a total stranger on their ride, you have to be a good friend before I tear into you for buying a harley

[Desmoluci]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

So to each his own

And that's exactly why I love all kinds of bikes! There's an a$$ for every seat.

[jgcable]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

They're not fast per size in that no matter how big the motor the things barely break 110mph. ninja 250 is also slow but it's a 250, they just can't be fast at that size.

They have total **** brakes yes the ninja 250 also has **** brakes but not mine

They can't take a corner any better then a clapped out honda civic missing half it's lug nuts.

The overall appearance has remained very close to it's classic origins and I have zero appreciation of almost anything classic whether it be a bike, car or music.

So with a harley lacking any of the practical things "I" look for in what I deem makes a motorcycle a motorcycle, I just seem to see them as $25,000 devices of over compensation. For me who started riding bike on the track motorcycles are a symbol of cutting edge technology.

So to each his own and I won't ever criticize a total stranger on their ride, you have to be a good friend before I tear into you for buying a harley

Cant argue with most of what you said.

[Sirref]

^ I agree with rojo, especially on the not criticizing a stranger on their ride/car

Now I have ripped on my friends for having "automatic transmission sports cars" or harleys but they know I'm only joking, a stranger might not and may also have a massive amount of pride in their ride. Some of them custom cruisers get a lot of work and love put into them.

[rojoracing53]

Well my ride bring a whole new level of WTF into the picture out side the realm of sport bike or Harley. Even though what I normally get is a constant flow of astonishment and jealousy there are the occasional group of juvenile walking down the street that'll just laugh at it as they walk by. but then when was the last time anyone cared what a bunch of kids thought.

[cbinker]

I ride it because it is fun to make guys on 600s and 1000s look foolish when they cannot keep up with me.

[psych0hans]

I can't afford/handle a bigger bike... Also its a HOOT to ride at the track...

[capt_bugaloo]

Maybe it's a regional thing; I've never heard any grief about my 250.

[vman1313]

I got the 250 cause it was light and nimble. Now I have the 300 cause I hate CARBS but bike is still LIGHT and NIMBLE!!

[CC Cowboy]

I ride a 250 in support of the gay community.

Actually, I don't ride a 250 but I did for a few months and I did feel gay. I'm not sure if it was from the bike or the riders that blew me kisses.

[cadd]

I ride the ninjette because of its low maintenance, excellent fuel economy (which isn't working out for me with my particular bike) and low insurance premiums.

My first bike (10 yrs ago) was a late 90s 900cc Fireblade. Retarded decision. Rode it for 2 months and sold it back to the previous owner (my buddy). It's just not a good bike to ride in NYC. Never left 2nd gear.

My 2nd bike (9yrs ago) was a 600cc F4. Also not that great for nyc riding. Sold it back to the previous owner (another buddy) after the summer.

The following year, I took the MSF course....but life happened. No time to ride.

Fast forward 10yrs and here I am with the 250. By far the most fun out of the three. It's so much more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. It's more involving and more technical. With the big bikes, the torque is there, so it doesn't matter what gear I'm in, I'll just twist the throttle and go.

With the 250, it gets more technical and you HAVE to get everything right. If not, you'll bog down the motor and the bike will gently remind you that your technique is a bit off.