Best Motorcycle Magazine

[dieziege]

I'll reply in this thread...

The 250 is a fun bike for some people... and it's a great commuter bike for some people... how soon you'll get tired of it (if ever) really depends more on you than the bike. There are people who are on their third ex259 (and 6th bike in general) and happy with it... others sell them with less than 700 miles!

My '06 250 has a tad over 6000 miles now... 3 months of commuting for me... and it is still a huge amount of fun when I find a twisty road and wind it through the curves to the best of my newb abilities. On the freeway it is competent at 90 but feels a lot happier (as in you have quicker throttle response) at 70ish. It's a light bike so you've got to be ready to flow with the road -- that's not bad, but some people get all puckered up over it.

It is nothing like a more powerful bike. If power's your thing you'll be bored with it in a month.... because yeah it's got great accelleration compared to a typical econobox, but almost any other bike on the road (and a lot of SUVs) can beat it.

If curves are your thing... a few hundred spent on the suspension is supposed to do wonders.... I'll be able to report back on that in about a month but right now my suspension is stock.

I'm planning to run mine until the engine is tired (which at 2000+ miles a month may or may not be two years), then semi-retire it as a backup bike and look for an adventure touring bike... but that's just me.

[Echoshill]

Yeah, sorry to say the same thing in two forums. It is just that I did not think anyone would really see the (or even think to look for) a bike question in side a magazine topic.

M

[Scott58]

There isn't one new rider on this board that can ride a 250 to it's limits in 2 months. If they think they can they are kidding themselves. You won't outgrow in 2 months. 2 years maybe, but pushing a 250 to it's limits can get you into trouble just as easy as anything else. Learn to ride first. Worry about ego later.

[Echoshill]

Well, here is how the trip went.

They will not have anymore 250R's for the entire season. Nor will they have an 500's for the rest of the season. So he recommended an
SV650 and said he would sell it to me (out the door with all applicable fees for $6000). I did not take the deal.

The salesmen felt that at 6' 2" and 250 that the N250 simply would not be enough for me.

Thought's anyone? Please.

M

[bok]

if i were a salesperson making a commision, i would suggest the SV too, because i can't sell you what i don't have, and i don't make as much on the smaller bike.

That being said, the SV can still be used by a beginning rider it is just at the top of the scale so to speak, but the desire to upgrade might be less after a year or two. It won't get the same fuel economy as the ex250, but it's still not going to be horrible, so you could commute quite well on it.

if you are dead set on buying new, you don't have much choice/selection at this time of year. checking craigslist or your local bike trader might get you a decent used bike. Also check other dealers, even in the little one horse town i grew up in we had two dealers.

also see about the GS500 that is a decent starter as well.

[DirtyD86]

jesus christ, this is the very definition of thread hijacking

[Echoshill]

Not exactly sure what that means, but I am pretty sure Jesus had nothing to do with it.

M

[flynrider]

jesus christ, this is the very definition of thread hijacking

Seeing as how the originator of the thread shifted the thread's focus, was it really hijacked?

The salesmen felt that at 6' 2" and 250 that the N250 simply would not be enough for me.

Most bike salesmen will try to sell you the most expensive bike they can get you to buy. It's their job. The salesman is the very last person you should rely on for an unbiased opinion.

I'd go with bok's suggestion in looking around for a relatively new used bike. They're not bad to start on and if you make a beginner mistake, you haven't scratched up a brand new bike. For new, I also agree that the GS500 is worth a look. I've ridden it and the EX500 and, although I'm a big Kaw fan from way back, I think they both have excellent, and nearly equal starter bike qualities.

[Echoshill]

And the originator (me) even apologized in two different threads for making the switch mid stream.

Did not mean to cause problems guys. Sorry.

Mark