Kawasaki Ninja's

[aireq]

So I'm basicly waiting around with money for a used bike to come up on craigslist or other classifids sites that I want to buy. I'm pretty set on getting a EX500/Ninja 500. I'm about 6' tall, will this bike be too small for me? I've read a couple reviews saying the ninjas are good for shorter people, but the seat height of either the 250 or 500 didn't seem much shorter then other bikes.

Anyone in the Pacific NW got a 500 ninja for sale? Message me!


Eric

[swatter555]

Just go to a dealership and sit on a bunch of bikes. When a salesperson approaches, just say you are looking. I would highly suggest this before you buy.

[Sev]

I agree!

[Aggroton]

Just go to a dealership and sit on a bunch of bikes. When a salesperson approaches, just say you are looking. I would highly suggest this before you buy.

this is good not only for ergo tests but a salesman may be able to check other dealers, or know a client who has one, or someone else. believe it or not most salesman are not shisters...they are usual so bored any interaction with someone who doesnt want to return something is welcomed.

[ZooTech]

I've read a couple reviews saying the ninjas are good for shorter people, but the seat height of either the 250 or 500 didn't seem much shorter then other bikes.

Seat height is not the only factor...seat width also comes into play. The Kawasaki 1600 Classic and Suzuki C90 have nearly the same seat height (within a fraction of an inch) but the Kaw is much easier for me to flat-foot because the seat on the C90 is hella wide.

The Ninja 250/500 are pretty skinny bikes...and the suspension should squat quite a bit when you sit on it so...it may be easier to flat-foot than the seat height would have you believe.

[Bike Phreak]

So I'm basicly waiting around with money for a used bike to come up on craigslist or other classifids sites that I want to buy. I'm pretty set on getting a EX500/Ninja 500. I'm about 6' tall, will this bike be too small for me? I've read a couple reviews saying the ninjas are good for shorter people, but the seat height of either the 250 or 500 didn't seem much shorter then other bikes.

Anyone in the Pacific NW got a 500 ninja for sale? Message me!


Eric

Eric,

Go with a Ninja 250. It can easily handle your height (unless you weigh more than 300lbs.) I just bought an '05 and it is great. I myself am 6'1". It is a small bike, however I positive that a 500 would not be too small. Better to start small and give your self a chance to get more experianced before trying to ride something that is way out of your league. (Only out of your league until you get some mile under your belt!)

[Chip Beazley]

I don't think that you would be dissatisfied with the EX250 Ninja. I am 5' 11" and somewhat round (240 lb) and my 2005 Ninja 250 will easily break any legal speed limit. I wanted to see what the bike would do once I had it broken in and on a stretch of closed road I managed to exceed 100 MPH indicated. I have ridden it down the interstate at 70 MPH for 40 miles and it held its' own out on the superslab. I have never attempted riding 2 up on it because of my weight.

Not long ago I encountered a gentleman in one of the local cycle shops and he was selling his 16 year old son's 250 Ninja. Seems as he had been stopped by the Highway Patrol for doing 110 on a 55 MPH roadway. Had to sell the bike to pay the fine. So the 250 is plenty fast for its' size.

I thought about selling it when I bought a Katana 750 so I could take the wife along when I went for a ride, but I couldn't bring myself to part with it...it's too much fun to ride. Not too heavy and it handles and stops very well...a hard to beat combination in my book.