Nighthawk 250

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Kbenton · #1 Unread post by **Kbenton** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:22 pm

I'm curiously drawn to this bike, I like the looks of it. I've never seen one at a dealership but am curious is this bike as cramped as the buell blast or pretty roomy for a 6'3" 280 pound guy? The only other bike out of all the ones that I do like that will serve as a first bike is the ex 500, but I haven't seen one of those in the showrooms either. These recomended starter bikes are like ghosts hard to find.

Shiv · #2 Unread post by **Shiv** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:47 pm

You haven't seen a Ninja in a showroom? Usually there's a good few of them.

But anyways I can actually comment on the Nighthawk as that's what I rode in my MSF class. (By the way thank you for this post because I've been trying forever to remember what bike I road in MSF and this one jogged my memory enough to remember it. I knew it was a long name and had Ni in it (so it wasn't a ninja) but couldn't remember).

Anyways, you're a good four inches taller than me and twice my weight so keep that in mind.

I thought the bike was kind of cramped. Your knees don't really rest on the tank very naturally (something they seem to stress in MSFdom) and I didn't really find it that comfortable to ride.

But the bike handled very nicely. I thought the front brake was kind of weird but that's probably just bike specific.

But we never went above 30 in the MSF so anything beyond that I can't comment on.

Also I don't know what year mine was so...yah, at a loss there as well. Newer models (if there are any?) might be different.

Oh also the gear shift was like, extremely close to the foot peg and was very hard to operate. And being taller than me I'm sure your feet are bigger than mine so if you can find one, check that part out before you buy it.

VermilionX · Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:53 pm

i think you a need a bike like the hayabusa if you want a sportsbike that fits your size. but it's not a good beginner bike.

maybe you should try a katana 600, almost a big as the hayabusa in size. it should fit your body.

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/compare/5182/5180/

but then of course, a big guy like you can easily find a good cruiser bike.

#4 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:03 pm

my 6'4" 250+ boss rides a katana and loves it. So give those a look

JWF

Relsek · #5 Unread post by **Relsek** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:04 pm

??? did I not reply on this thread, for some reason I thought I did, twice ??? did sombody remove my post or am I losing it?

VermilionX · Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:06 pm

i saw your post relsek...

it was on a diff topic, they're 2 diff people.

don't worry you're not losing it.

Relsek · #7 Unread post by **Relsek** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:07 pm

VermilionX wrote:i saw your post relsek...

it was on a diff topic, they're 2 diff people.

don't worry you're not losing it.

Right, I found it. http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=8487

jmillheiser · Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:27 pm

you might also have a look at the GS500. Looks to be a bit roomier than the ninja 500 (which has plenty of room for most riders).

You might also like the Katana 600 which is very roomy by sportbike standards

#9 Unread post by **Kal** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:41 pm

VermilionX wrote:i think you a need a bike like the hayabusa if you want a sportsbike that fits your size.

!!!!

Scott58 · #10 Unread post by **Scott58** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:06 pm

The nighthawk will be to small for you. It has the same engine as my rebel and your weight is close to mine and my G/f's together. Although my rebel will do 70mph with both of us it takes a while to get there. That's why I bought my S50 boulevard so we could safely do highway speed with enough acceleration to get out of harms way if need be. At 280 lbs you may need to be thinking around the 50hp range minimum and then find the bike that fits you best.