Few words from a soon to be novice rider.

[Fayanth]

First id like to say, these forums are great. When I started seriously considering riding I was looking at all the high end sport bikes like any other young blooded american male. After reading through pages and pages of topics here, I have sence been reformed. Although I do plan on moving up the chain to more powerfull bikes, at this time in my riding experience it would be suicide. Thanks to posters and moderators alike I have sence learned this. I have seemed to miss a few points in posts here that I was hoping you guys could help me with. For beginner bikes I have 2 in mind right off the bat.

First: '03-current Ninja EX250.

I have a few questions about this bike. As stated MANY times, this is a excellent beginner bike. My questions follow. Being around 6' tall and 150lbs (kinda lanky I guess ) is this bike big? enough for a rider of my size? How does this bike fair on the freeways? I plan on doing mostly street riding (top speed about 50mph) on city streets, with an occaisional ride up to Fullerton or Los Angeles area (about 60miles to Fullerton, and 90 to Los Angeles) on the freeways. Being a tall rider how is this bike going to affect my body on this hour long adventure? How are freeway speeds going to affect the bike? Is 70-80mph putting to much work on this smaller engine?

Second: '03-current NinjaEX500

Those questions I have answered to the best of my knowledge, but Im open to your suggestions. I am worried that I will out grow the bike faster than I learn to ride it. Thus my conclusions have led me to the Ninja EX500. Little more bike for a little more money. How does the 500 compare to the 250? Is it as forgiving as the 250? I guess the same questions apply.

Last question(s). I live off a dirt road (about 200-250yards) from paved city streets. How will these bikes handel the short off road excursion? How should I prepare for this small detour?

Thanks in advance.

[Sev]

The seating dimensions on most sportbikes are about the same. I'd suggest you try sitting on one or two and see where that takes you. If they aren't comfortable move over to a standard, enduro, or cruiser style. They all have a lot more room, and seem to be designed for a larger person.

[greenmountainman]

I think the 250 or 500 will offer little to no difference in comfort. If I had a choice I would buy the 500 and take it easy until you feel completely comfortable with the controls. At that point you can start to be a little more aggressive with your riding style. The 500 will offer you more to time on the bike to grow and test your skills. I have a friend who started out on the 500 and he has pretty much your dimensions. He was a little "long" for the bike but he also sold it for what he paid for it 5 or 6 months after the initial purchase. Your first bike is one to learn on and if you take care of yourself and the bike you will have learned how to ride and hopefully mastered the art of motorcycling for a very minimal cost. At that point you will have the money that you invested in your first cycle to put toward that second bike, a 600 or 750 if that is what you desire. You may decide that sportbikes aren't your thing and look toward a cruiser type bike. Good luck and stay safe!

[Lion_Lady]

Okay, I'm 5'9" with a 34 inch inseam. When I was sitting on bikes looking for my 'first' I sat on the Ninja 250 and 500 side by side... the 250 really felt like a toy.

At your height, a concern may be that you could get into the habit of "muscling" the 250 around rather than learning to ride it where you want it to go. I'd be leery of taking the Ninja250 onto the highway for more than an exit or two... the light weight will be subject to truck windblast, etc.

I ended up buying a 20 year old USED beater 250 to learn on... pre dropped, etc. Ugly but it ran good and did the job. It was much heavier than the new 'Ninjette' but not too heavy to manage.

Just my 2 cents.

P

[blues2cruise]

[quote="Fayanth"]

I plan on doing mostly street riding (top speed about 50mph) on city streets,quote]

Most cities have speed limit of 30mph. I think you may need a big stash of cash to pay for the speeding tickets you are likely to get if you plan on riding city streets at 50mph.

Why not save the speed for the freeway?

[iwannadie]

I plan on doing mostly street riding (top speed about 50mph) on city streets,quote]

Most cities have speed limit of 30mph. I think you may need a big stash of cash to pay for the speeding tickets you are likely to get if you plan on riding city streets at 50mph.

Why not save the speed for the freeway?

city roads here are 45, school zone 25, residential 25. some roads that are away from things a bit allow 50/55. i dont think ive ever seen a 30mph zone here ever ha.

[Fayanth]

Well, most of the streets around here are larger streets. New city going up, so the streets are getting bigger and bigger. Speed limit on most streets around here is 45. Anything else is 25 or 30 because they are in a residental zone. I dont live in one of those zones .

[9000white]

get the 500--sometimes you need a little more power than a 250 has to ride on the freeways.