New biker looking to get his first bike!

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Matt54987 · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:06 am

My roommate just got a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. Too powerful for me, lol. Watching him ride it gave me bike fever!

I was looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 650r, the Ninja ZZR-600, and the Suzuki GSX-R600 but then I had a total realization: I dont need that much power.

I realize that whether its the ZX-6R or the Ninja 250cc they'll both go 60mph, one will just get there faster. I dont care about that. I just want to ride and LEARN. and be SAFE.

So, I was thinking of just getting the ninja 250cc to learn on for a couple months. I'd get the 500cc but I dont like it. I want a black bike.

My question is, is this a smart choice? Also, will i be wasting a lot of money learning on the 250cc only to turn around and sell it?

Also, can I lean forward on this bike? That is something I want to do. I really dont want to sit upright--if avoidable.

awesome forum here guys. you all seem very nice

NightNurse · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:16 am

My boyfriend bought a Ninja250 as his 8th bike! He puts over 10,000 miles a year on it. For him its a great bike for commuting, 70mpg is a plus! He says he wont ever sell it, its not his only bike - but what he uses for getting to and from work, etc...

I learned on it, and it was great!!

Bachstrad37 · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:25 am

The 250 Ninja is pretty much a standard/sporty bike. Lots of members on this forum have one and love are seasoned riders. I'm considering one because it's so damn economical.

Because it's so high in demand, there's no problem re-selling it. That alone should entice you.

shalihe74 · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:58 am

My question is, is this a smart choice? Also, will i be wasting a lot of money learning on the 250cc only to turn around and sell it?

Very very smart. It's a great bike to learn on and, as you've noted, it will get you where you need to go as fast as you need to go. And, as others have noted, they're in high demand so reselling shouldn't be a problem.

Also, can I lean forward on this bike? That is something I want to do. I really dont want to sit upright--if avoidable.

Well, you do need to lean forward a bit, the seating position isn't nearly as aggressive as your roomie's Ninja. You certainly won't be straight up-and-down (like a cruiser), but you won't be in a racing position, either. I feel like I was at maybe 10-degrees off verticle the last time I was on one of these (as opposed to maybe 25-degrees when I'm on my bike).

(Edited to revise lean-angle estimates.)

NightNurse · Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:03 am

I like my Yamaha Virago much better than when I was riding the Ninja! I have a lot of back problems, so sitting up straight on my bike is a +! I dont think I could ride the Ninja for a long period of time...

edit to say its a great a bike, and was easy to learn on - I just dont like sitting in that position!

Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:21 am

Be sure to browse the Stickies at the top of the New Bikers Forum if you haven't already and consider taking a Motorcycle Safety course. Lastly, don't forget to save money for gear. Helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, pants, raingear... the whole deal.

ninja79 · #7 Unread post by **ninja79** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:24 pm

excellent choice.

(personally I would rather get ninja 500 or GS500 since those bikes will easily last you for more than one season, but color/style is a personal choice)

Riding ninja 250 for a season will save you a LOT of ca$h for the following reasons:

- cheaper to buy (about $3300 - $3500 OTD, depending on your local taxes, vs. $8500 - $9000 for GSX-R 600).
- cheaper to finance. You should be able to pay cash for ninja 250. If you finance a $9000 bike, you end up paying thousands more in interest.
- cheaper to repair if you drop it (and you *will* drop it)
- cheaper to insure. Go on, call up your favorite insurance company and get a quote.
- less likely to get into an accident
- if you ride for a year with no accidents, you get a huge break on insurance.
- because it's a well-known starter bike it loses resale value much slower than a race replica. Also, when you start with MSRP $3000, there is not much further down you can go. I've seen 10 year old ninja 250's that sell for $1500.
- etc.

(There's more but I covered the major points).

BTW, ninja 250 does 0-60 in 5.75s. Not too many cars can do that.

Duffy · #8 Unread post by **Duffy** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:58 am

I am also in the market to buy my first bike and was ready to purchase the ninja250 and I thought it was the sensible choice for serveral factors...
1. price was right at $3,000
2. insurance will be cheaper
3. won't feel as bad if I drop it and do a little damage
4. I think it looks pretty nice
5. at 5'3" and with a 27ish inseam its the only sporty looking bike I feel comfortable on (sitting down my feet are still on tip toes, but at least on the balls of toes)
6. I hear it handles great and forgiving to newbies.

But when I told my friends my decision they balked and said I was making a big mistake, that I should at least get the 500. They said I'll just get use to it and want a bigger bike next season. They told me that it will be struggling on the highway and I'll have a problem merging onto it because the bike won't have the omph to bring it up to speed. It'll be topped out at 55...that I might as well just buy a scooter

etc etc etc.....

They said if I am concerned about height, that I should just get a cruiser like a shadow. This really made me unsure now. They are all bike owners (sportbike and cruiser owners) and I feel as though they have more experience than I do and they are giving me sound advice. But the 500 was a tad too big (maybe they can lower the seat?) and It was more money (so I'll have to wait till next year when I save up more). And I don't really care to settle for a shadow type bike, cuz I really like sport bikes.

Now, I've been spot reading this forum, and its so extensive, it's hard to find a related issue, so here is my query...

Are my friends concern about the 250 being too weak legit? Or are they talking out of thier arse cuz they own bigger bikes and are baised?

jonnythan · Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:13 pm

Duffy wrote:I am also in the market to buy my first bike and was ready to purchase the ninja250 and I thought it was the sensible choice for serveral factors...
1. price was right at $3,000
2. insurance will be cheaper
3. won't feel as bad if I drop it and do a little damage
4. I think it looks pretty nice
5. at 5'3" and with a 27ish inseam its the only sporty looking bike I feel comfortable on (sitting down my feet are still on tip toes, but at least on the balls of toes)
6. I hear it handles great and forgiving to newbies.

But when I told my friends my decision they balked and said I was making a big mistake, that I should at least get the 500. They said I'll just get use to it and want a bigger bike next season. They told me that it will be struggling on the highway and I'll have a problem merging onto it because the bike won't have the omph to bring it up to speed. It'll be topped out at 55...that I might as well just buy a scooter etc etc etc.....

They said if I am concerned about height, that I should just get a cruiser like a shadow. This really made me unsure now. They are all bike owners (sportbike and cruiser owners) and I feel as though they have more experience than I do and they are giving me sound advice. But the 500 was a tad too big (maybe they can lower the seat?) and It was more money (so I'll have to wait till next year when I save up more). And I don't really care to settle for a shadow type bike, cuz I really like sport bikes.

Now, I've been spot reading this forum, and its so extensive, it's hard to find a related issue, so here is my query...

Are my friends concern about the 250 being too weak legit? Or are they talking out of thier arse cuz they own bigger bikes and are baised?

The Ninja 250 does over 100 mph and accelerates from 0-60 faster than over 90% of the cars on the road.

You'll be able to get back most of the money you spent on it when you do sell it.

You made a good decision.

flynrider · Fri Apr 27, 2007 1:24 pm

Duffy wrote: But when I told my friends my decision they balked and said I was making a big mistake, that I should at least get the 500. They said I'll just get use to it and want a bigger bike next season. They told me that it will be struggling on the highway and I'll have a problem merging onto it because the bike won't have the omph to bring it up to speed. It'll be topped out at 55...that I might as well just buy a scooter etc etc etc.....

From your comments above, it's painfully obvious that none of these friends have ever ridden an EX250. So, how much weight should you give their opinion?

The EX250 and EX500 are both excellent bikes. I had a chance to spend a day riding an EX250 last year on the freeways of L.A. and in my opinion, none of what your friends told you is true. If ridden properly, the 250 has more than enough guts to keep up with the flow of traffic. It accelerates faster than just about any car, so I have trouble seeing what the issue with merging might be. It tops out at around 100 mph.

The 500 has more hp and better performance, but it also has a heftier price tag. This is more of an issue of "how much do I want to spend" than a suitability issue. That choice is yours.