New To the Forum

[Guinness]

About the weight. The 250 is listed at 304 pounds vs the 500 being 388 pounds. You say your bike is 360. Those 56 pounds seem like a big difference to me in terms of stability.

[CNF2002]

Very true, as I wasn't aware of the weight of the Ninja250.

With all the 250's around though, you would think that there would be a dedicated forum to their use.

Here's a post right from the horses mouth regarding the highway performance of the 250.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/sho ... hp?t=73415

It does mention a larger windscreen, but based on the pictures it looks fairly standard to me.

[V4underme]

Alrighty, I live up in the northern part of VA, near Winchester.

Keep in mind that a lightweight bike with fairings can be like a sail. When passing or being passed by big trucks you will feel the turbulence. The 500 weighs about 50-60 pounds more than the 250, but is still very light at around 375 pounds. I'd go with the 500, it's an excellent 'learner' bike that many people keep for years.

Power... I've seen a few dyno charts for the 250, and if I recall correctly they produce around 29 hp a the rear wheel. Dyno charts for the 500 show about 51 hp at the rear wheel (I really hope I'm remembering this right!) If I can find them again I'll post links. Remember that on these bikes the peak hp comes at a higher rpm, too.

[Guinness]

About the power issue. I have also read that the 250 is a better starting bike for jumping to larger bikes due to the high revving needed to obtain power. The 500 has a more evenly distributed power band. This brings me back to the idea of hopefully sticking with one bike for awhile. I feel like I am already making my mind up to get the 500.

Thanks for the link. They didnt say anything about wind after getting the windscreen, especially for such a long trip.

I have been looking at used bikes for a couple months now. There were some 250's in the $1500-$1800 range but now they are all gone. I can only find 500's around $3000. This is also starting to become an issue in my mind. If I can find another 250 for that price I might go that route. But for $3000ish....would I be better just buying new for $5000? I have issues with used to begin with....got some lemon cars in the past. Bikes: so exciting but so much confusion!

[CNF2002]

This is just matter of opinion but I think the 500 looks better

Don't forget its not just the price of the bike. Tax + title + prepaid insurance + helmet/jacket/gloves (about $500 there)...your 3K bike will easily cost you 5K in the end.

[sapaul]

I am going to ask this again? Do you guy's only get Kawa, Suzi, and Yamaha over there. There are some great bikes from other manufacturers that are priced well and are suitable for mature minded noob's. Take a look at the Guzzi's and Hyosung's you may be pleasantly suprised.
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/bikes/

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Hyosung/

[V4underme]

I am going to ask this again? Do you guy's only get Kawa, Suzi, and Yamaha over there. There are some great bikes from other manufacturers that are priced well and are suitable for mature minded noob's. Take a look at the Guzzi's and Hyosung's you may be pleasantly suprised.
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/bikes/

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Hyosung/

While those makes are certainly available here in the States, the problem with them is dealers, service and parts. They just don't have the huge network established like Honda, Yam, Kaw annd Suz.

[KarateChick]

Here's a link to a 250 forum:

http://www.ninja250.info/