Ninja 250 or 300 for newbie

[KawasakiKy]

I know everyone asks this question, but I would like to hear everyone's opinion and pros and cons of each. Thank you

[EsrTek]

Same difference minus some visual changes and obvious engine update.
If your knowing you'd want to keep a small bike for years, get the 300
If your out to learn and move on to another bike, 250's can be had a bit cheaper.

You really won't go wrong w/ either choice.

[KawasakiKy]

Thank you for your opinion! I was thinking pretty much the same thing. I think the newer models of the 250 (2009-2012) look pretty cool, and of course the 300 is stunning to me. But obviously, the 250 is cheaper and that plays a slight role. Also I think the 300 would be better for highway travel, which is kinda important to me. (MI to PA)

[Sirref]

depends on your finances

I love my 300 and I love my 250, I have them for different reasons and they both do their jobs well. The biggest difference is fuel injection though carbs are not the end of the world and are fairly easy to work on. Plus you can get a bike that needs a carb cleaning dirt cheap and clean the carbs to make it run and go.

I'd suggest a 250 since your location suggests that you are a broke college student.

edit: on highway travel, the difference between the two isn't ridiculous to me. The 300 has more passing power but the 250 was fine so long as you were already going faster than the flow of traffic and just maintaining that momentum.

[csmith12]

Have you checked the insurance rates between the 2?

[cbinker]

Both are great bikes, what color do you want? take what bike has that color if both have the same "color", go with Fuel Injection.

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

Also I think the 300 would be better for highway travel, which is kinda important to me. (MI to PA)

When the speed limit allows for it, the 250 is more than capable of maintaining a steady 80-85 mph. However, up there you are pretty much out of passing power and gas mileage really suffers (down to about mid-30's on mine).

Sticking around 65-70 there's no trouble at all that I've found on highways and interstates.


Guess a good question to ask is what do you intend to use the bike for? Simple commuting? Weekend fun runs? Track days? Touring?

[KawasakiKy]

Originally Posted by Sirref

depends on your finances

I love my 300 and I love my 250, I have them for different reasons and they both do their jobs well. The biggest difference is fuel injection though carbs are not the end of the world and are fairly easy to work on. Plus you can get a bike that needs a carb cleaning dirt cheap and clean the carbs to make it run and go.

I'd suggest a 250 since your location suggests that you are a broke college student.

edit: on highway travel, the difference between the two isn't ridiculous to me. The 300 has more passing power but the 250 was fine so long as you were already going faster than the flow of traffic and just maintaining that momentum.

Thank you for your post!! I almost forgot about the maintaining aspect of having a bike. I guess I have a lot to learn :/ Lol yes, I am a poor, working college student.

[KawasakiKy]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Have you checked the insurance rates between the 2?

Yes, I have. The difference isn't too bad. The 250 I was looking at was about $15 cheaper per month

[KawasakiKy]

Originally Posted by cbinker

Both are great bikes, what color do you want? take what bike has that color if both have the same "color", go with Fuel Injection.

For the 250, I really like the blue and the ebony, for the 300 I'm in love with the pearl white lol which makes it harder. But thank you for your post!!

[KawasakiKy]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

When the speed limit allows for it, the 250 is more than capable of maintaining a steady 80-85 mph. However, up there you are pretty much out of passing power and gas mileage really suffers (down to about mid-30's on mine).

Sticking around 65-70 there's no trouble at all that I've found on highways and interstates.


Guess a good question to ask is what do you intend to use the bike for? Simple commuting? Weekend fun runs? Track days? Touring?

Thanks a lot for your post!! When I'm at school here in PA, I would just be using it to commute to class and work. But I'm from MI and want to travel there on breaks. I think the speed limit here in PA is 60 and in Michigan its 70, so I was kinda worried if I would be able to keep up with traffic when traveling far.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

Thank you for your post!! I almost forgot about the maintaining aspect of having a bike. I guess I have a lot to learn :/ Lol yes, I am a poor, working college student.

As you'll find, everyone has a lot to learn when they start out. I've been riding for a few years now and still have a lot to learn. Only now I know how much I don't know.

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

Yes, I have. The difference isn't too bad. The 250 I was looking at was about $15 cheaper per month

That's about what it is for me except I go annual insurance rather than monthly to save a few nickels and dimes here and there. If you can do the full year upfront I recommend that for the long term savings. We also have a thread on how much coverage everyone rides with. In general more coverage is better but you get what you can pay for.

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

For the 250, I really like the blue and the ebony, for the 300 I'm in love with the pearl white lol which makes it harder. But thank you for your post!!

mmm I love the white 300, the lack of abs killed it for me a bit since I ride in all weather conditions.

[KawasakiKy]

Originally Posted by Sirref

As you'll find, everyone has a lot to learn when they start out. I've been riding for a few years now and still have a lot to learn. Only now I know how much I don't know.



That's about what it is for me except I go annual insurance rather than monthly to save a few nickels and dimes here and there. If you can do the full year upfront I recommend that for the long term savings. We also have a thread on how much coverage everyone rides with. In general more coverage is better but you get what you can pay for.



mmm I love the white 300, the lack of abs killed it for me a bit since I ride in all weather conditions.

Haha I guess you are right, I'm sure I will get the hang of it. Thanks, I'll def check out that side of the forum. Ahh yeah that kind of suck because the white 300 is beautiful!!

[LittleRedNinjette]

My ...

I had a 2012 250, now a 2013 300.

By far i like the 300 best. The fuel injection is huge for me. The choke on the carb always drove me nuts.. Always too much or too little.

Anyway, personally i think the 300 is much better on the highway. I travel on 95 between South Jersey and Philly a lot (65-80 mph depending on the flow). I feel the little bump in power makes a big difference.

Not saying i don't miss my 250, but finances permitting, i would recommend the 300. FWIW

[antiant]

300, fuel injection, better looks (imo), slight increase in power. I love mine.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

I know everyone asks this question, but I would like to hear everyone's opinion and pros and cons of each. Thank you

If you can afford the 3; get it!!! Do you want a blue bike, are you willing to wait for the yammy? Do you like older bikes?

I ride green, and I love my 300!

An discuss

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

My ...

I had a 2012 250, now a 2013 300.

By far i like the 300 best. The fuel injection is huge for me. The chock on the carb always drove me nuts.. Always too much or too little.

Anyway, personally i think the 300 is much better on the highway. I travel on 95 between South Jersey and Philly a lot (65-80 mph depending on the flow). I feel the little bump in power makes a big difference.

Not saying i don't miss my 250, but finances permitting, i would recommend the 300. FWIW

Who put chock blocks on your carbs??? Hubby playin tricks

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

Haha I guess you are right, I'm sure I will get the hang of it. Thanks, I'll def check out that side of the forum. Ahh yeah that kind of suck because the white 300 is beautiful!!

I shouldn't have quoted the first ( I tend to read backwards )
The out of day scheme of the white 2013 may save you money; I haven't seen the '14 white in person; but I hate the tanks on most if the 2014's

[Hero Danny]

Buy a 250, it's cheaper so when you drop it you won't be heart broken. Get the ugliest cheapest running ninja 250 you can find, ride it around get used to the bike, etc. for 3 months then try and sell it, you'll get exactly what you paid for maybe even more depending on how gangster you are with craigslist.

Once you sell it fork over the extra $$ for a newer 300.

FYI, I never damaged any of my bikes, I've never laid a bike down or anything, you may not either. But as a new rider you run that risk.

[BoBO]

My opinion,

If money is not an issue I would go with the 300. Simply because it's a better bike. More power, fuel injected, wider rear wheel for better tire selection, and a few more little stuff here and there. Again the 300 is just a better bike, but you can't go wrong with either bikes.

The 250 is alright for commute, it will go a little over 105mph. The 300 is about the same but with more passing power all around. If your planning to get a bigger bike in the long run just buy a 250 and get rid of it after you graduate. By the time you graduate you will probably buy something nice a like Ducati. It will really come down to what you need & want out of a bike. I personally bought a 250 because in a year or so when I graduate college, it will become a track bike.The 250 is a great track bike, because not only it's easy on consumables, but your losses are very minimal in an event that you wreck your bike.

[Geezer-60]

Just a thought, don't forget to factor in helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots when deciding what to spend... It's worth it!

[ally99]

I started on a 250, then went up to a 650, back down to a 250, up again to a GSXR-600 and now I'm permanently happy with a Ninja 300...though I may sing a different tune with the Yamaha R3 comes out.

When are you hoping to buy and what price are you hoping to find?

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Get the ugliest cheapest running ninja 250 you can find, ride it around get used to the bike...

I looked for a cheap ugly Ninjette. All I could find was a cheap, well maintained, beautiful bike that's never been dropped.

Still, good advice.

[ally99]

Good advice for someone who's good at working on bikes. Maybe she's one of those badass chicks who is! But if she's like me and mechanics aren't her strong suit, a newer, well-maintained bike would possibly be a wiser choice.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by ally99

Good advice for someone who's good at working on bikes. Maybe she's one of those badass chicks who is! But if she's like me and mechanics aren't her strong suit, a newer, well-maintained bike would possibly be a wiser choice.

Good point! We each must find our own "right path".

This is a good time of year to find good deals on pre-owned bikes.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Who put chock blocks on your carbs??? Hubby playin tricks

fixed...

That would be funny though

[Hero Danny]

I mean, there are so many pregens with very low miles (under 10k) priced around that 1-1.5k price range that are priced like that because they've been dropped or what have you. At the very most they may need a carb clean but if you just have someone test ride it for you and make sure there isn't any hesitation then you'll be all set.

These ninjettes are actually pretty reliable bikes, i'd just look for something with relatively low miles.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Not everyone is mechanically inclined or has access to someone who is.

Hell, my boyfriend IS a mechanic and i still went with a new bike for my first. And may second, that was more for the awesome deal we found.

The last think you want to worry about when learning to ride is your bike breaking down someplace. Good thing to keep in mind when looking.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

Not everyone is mechanically inclined or has access to someone who is.

Hell, my boyfriend IS a mechanic and i still went with a new bike for my first. And may second, that was more for the awesome deal we found.

The last think you want to worry about when learning to ride is your bike breaking down someplace. Good thing to keep in mind when looking.

While I agree that you want a fine running bike so you can focus on learning rather than turning a wrench. Buying a new bike is somewhat foolish for a few reasons.

1. You may not even like bikes. It's sad but true, I see this a lot. Often times with girls (no offense ladies, this is just what I noticed, happens to guys too.) They will buy a brand new bike and have all this interest.
-like my cousin who's a girl who had her dad buy her a brand new cbr250r, she STILL hasn't even registered it after 4 months of owning it, that's how much she doesn't like it... despite wanting one so badly before.
-Like the girl I bought my ninja 300 off of. She had the bike for 6 months and only put 400 miles on it.
It's better to make sure you enjoy riding before you shell out big $ on a new bike. When I got my bike I knew I was in love, I put 1,000 miles a month even though I was very busy with work and fixing it. I mean I hit 1,000 posts on this forum after like 4 months. All I searched was things about bikes, subbed to motovlog channels... etc. You get the point. I knew I was in love. Not everyone gets this way.

2. As a new rider you run the risk of dropping your bike or even (god forbid) crashing. You really want to crash or drop a brand new shiny $4,000-$5,000 bike? I didn't think so. Once you get a cheap bike, develop your skills and made a few mistakes THEN it's a good reason to get a more pricier bike like a 300.

At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either bike. They are both excellent. The 300 is by far so much better, fuel injection, extra 35% more power, better looks, etc.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

While I agree that you want a fine running bike so you can focus on learning rather than turning a wrench. Buying a new bike is somewhat foolish for a few reasons.

1. You may not even like bikes. It's sad but true, I see this a lot. Often times with girls (no offense ladies, this is just what I noticed, happens to guys too.) They will buy a brand new bike and have all this interest.
-like my cousin who's a girl who had her dad buy her a brand new cbr250r, she STILL hasn't even registered it after 4 months of owning it, that's how much she doesn't like it... despite wanting one so badly before.
-Like the girl I bought my ninja 300 off of. She had the bike for 6 months and only put 400 miles on it.
It's better to make sure you enjoy riding before you shell out big $ on a new bike. When I got my bike I knew I was in love, I put 1,000 miles a month even though I was very busy with work and fixing it. I mean I hit 1,000 posts on this forum after like 4 months. All I searched was things about bikes, subbed to motovlog channels... etc. You get the point. I knew I was in love. Not everyone gets this way.

2. As a new rider you run the risk of dropping your bike or even (god forbid) crashing. You really want to crash or drop a brand new shiny $4,000-$5,000 bike? I didn't think so. Once you get a cheap bike, develop your skills and made a few mistakes THEN it's a good reason to get a more pricier bike like a 300.

At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either bike. They are both excellent. The 300 is by far so much better, fuel injection, extra 35% more power, better looks, etc.

I DID have my NEW 2012 250 wrecked in 2013. That is why you have insurance.

Good frame sliders will help save you on small drops.

And gender HAS NO BEARING here, so what the hell would you go there??

Taking the MSF course will be an excellent indicator if you like riding enough to keep at it. Not 100% mind you, but close.

Please stop with the know it all attitude. She is asking for opinions and you come in here "telling" her what is right like it's the only option.

You make all your posts lately definite. It comes off badly.

I am not saying go out and buy something off the showroom floor thats financed. My 300 was 4k with 1300 miles on it from a private seller. Good newgen (2008-2012) bikes are out there cheap as well as 300s if you take the time to look.

Now is a great time to buy used on CL BTW.

And +1 on making sure you can get some good gear. We have some good threads on good affordable gear.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

I DID have my NEW 2012 250 wrecked in 2013. That is why you have insurance.

Good frame sliders will help save you on small drops.

And gender HAS NO BEARING here, so what the hell would you go there??

Taking the MSF course will be an excellent indicator if you like riding enough to keep at it. Not 100% mind you, but close.

Please stop with the know it all attitude. She is asking for opinions and you come in here "telling" her what is right like it's the only option.

You make all your posts lately definite. It comes off badly.

I am not saying go out and buy something off the showroom floor thats financed. My 300 was 4k with 1300 miles on it from a private seller. Good newgen (2008-2012) bikes are out there cheap as well as 300s if you take the time to look.

Now is a great time to buy used on CL BTW.

And +1 on making sure you can get some good gear. We have some good threads on good affordable gear.

I almost didn't respond to this, but I feel I must. First off, I am not saying anything bad about women, I clearly wrote "In my experience". I know a ton of women who are more passionate about riding than me and would easily kick my ass on the track any day of the week with one eye open. God do I know that. Come on, little red, we're friends.

I'm not telling her what to do. She wanted advice, and i'm giving her my advice. I think it's financially smart to start out on a cheaper bike since a new rider runs the risk of damaging the bike, frame sliders are not a cure-all. Also, insurance? really? If you do a claim then your rates go up... At least for me they would, not sure how your insurance works.

Reasons to get a 250-

-Cheap
-Easy to ride
-Fun little bike
-Good for some commutes

My opinion.

I don't know OP's money situation but I can say this, $4 grand is not cheap. $1 grand is though.

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either bike. They are both excellent. The 300 is by far so much better, fuel injection, extra 35% more power, better looks, etc.

Please refer to above quote ^

[LittleRedNinjette]

I am not getting into a debate with you on it.

I am saying you need to learn to improve your delivery. You are coming off rather abrasive and a bit bossy at times.

I think you need to be aware of this and give your opinion, not you "facts".

We are here to help each other and thats what i am trying to do here by telling you this.

You can take it how you wish.

[cadd]

The only reason I would suggest a 300 over a 250 is having the option to have ABS.

However, if you're not going to go for an ABS equipped bike, I say start with a low mileage, we'll maintained 250 as a first bike to learn on.

However, if you're in a financial situation where $1,000 - $1,500 more is no big deal, definitely go for the 300 as it is a better bike.

But I would suggest getting ABS for a first bike. It's a nice safety backup that may or may not save you from road rash, but it will never ever hurt you.

My suggestion to most riders (with ABS equipped bikes), pretend it's not there. If it ever kicks in, especially in the front, you know you messed up big time and try to learn how to avoid being in the same situation again.

I've personally had 4 bikes prior to the 300 without ABS. with the 300, I decided to find an ABS model. I pretend I don't have it. And it has only kicked in (rear tire) once or twice on a gravel road when I had to slow down dramatically when I saw deer ahead.

I hope I'll continue to ride conservative and smart enough to never need to have ABS kick in for my front wheel ever.

[allanoue]

I loved my 250 but I love my 300 more

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

I am not getting into a debate with you on it.

I am saying you need to learn to improve your delivery. You are coming off rather abrasive and a bit bossy at times.

I think you need to be aware of this and give your opinion, not you "facts".

We are here to help each other and thats what i am trying to do here by telling you this.

You can take it how you wish.

Okay.. Thanks. And before anyone else comments, I will say this. I noticed that 99% of squids are guys, just an observation. See? It works both ways.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Okay.. Thanks. And before anyone else comments, I will say this. I noticed that 99% of squids are guys, just an observation. See? It works both ways.

you are right it does work both ways

[csmith12]

Lol... ya'lls take it to pm or another thread and quit taintin' up this young ladies thread.

It don't matter much between the 250 or 300 from the saddle. Get the one that brings a smile to your face every time you throw a leg over.

[KawasakiKy]

Woowww I really forgot my password to this :/ but thanks everyone for your opinions and feedback!! I really appreciate it. I think either way I will be happy, but now I'm on the prowl for a good deal ��

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Okay.. Thanks. And before anyone else comments, I will say this. I noticed that 99% of squids are guys, just an observation. See? It works both ways.

I know you're not writing a research paper, but maybe this will help you make friends with people a little easier. Read the Avoid Sexist Language part that starts on page 162

https://mymission.lamission.edu/user...%20Edition.pdf

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by KawasakiKy

Woowww I really forgot my password to this :/ but thanks everyone for your opinions and feedback!! I really appreciate it. I think either way I will be happy, but now I'm on the prowl for a good deal ��

Congrats No matter what you pick, if you get a good deal then that's all that matters. These 250/300's don't really devalue much.