Thinking of getting a Ninja 250 as a "scooter"

[< I Fly >]

I want something light that gets super awesome mileage for short jaunts, especially since prices are shooting up fast, but I wouldn't be seen dead on a scooter.

What kind of mileage does the 250 get?

[camthepyro]

My god! How much money do you have lying around? Anyway, the 250 gets between 65 and 75 miles per gallon.

[dieziege]

Not enough better than an EX500 to justify the price of two bikes on cost saving grounds. Around town (short jaunts) people say 50MPG is realistic.

Now me... I'm planning to get a ninja 250 next week as my primary commuter vehicle (backed up by my car) doing 110mi/day round trips. I'm hoping to get 65MPG or so.

[< I Fly >]

Trust me man, I don't have money lying around.

I bought that $1350 EX500 in 2 installments and I still haven't bought real riding gear.

[DivideOverflow]

umm.. just stick with your ninja 500... it's gas mileage is more than adequate.

I wouldn't be calling the Ninja 250 a scooter either, it is a very maneuverable bike, and almost just as able as your 500.

You should be able to pull 50-60 mpg in your 500r if you aren't "flooring" it everywhere. I see no reason to get another bike.

[dieziege]

Also, the price of used 250s is "procreating" INSANE! Not in a good way.

There are several people in this area trying to sell '03-'05 models for hundreds more than you can get an '06 out the door! One guy is advertising an '05 for $4000, when you can buy a new '06 for $3500 INCLUDING TAX AND EVERYTHING any day of the week!!! When asked why, he replied "well I've got interest on the loan I took to buy it." It is almost enough to make me not want one just to avoid any possible association with that dipwit.

[DivideOverflow]

You just have to flat out tell people: Your loan is not my problem... your "addons" are not my concern. The value of your bike is this *provide the blue book value*, and I won't pay more than that.

Most people are just trying to get their money back, but it won't happen. They will eventually drop their price when they realize they are being unrealistic.

[dieziege]

I'd rather just laugh at them... IMO a used '05 EX250 should, assuming no damage, go for $2000 to MAYBE $2500 if it was totally perfect. NADA agrees. However, the listings are all WAY higher than that.

[avoidalliteration]

Also, the price of used 250s is "procreating" INSANE! Not in a good way.

There are several people in this area trying to sell '03-'05 models for hundreds more than you can get an '06 out the door! One guy is advertising an '05 for $4000, when you can buy a new '06 for $3500 INCLUDING TAX AND EVERYTHING any day of the week!!! When asked why, he replied "well I've got interest on the loan I took to buy it." It is almost enough to make me not want one just to avoid any possible association with that dipwit.

I had hoped to make a more interesting first post, but I couldn't resist when I saw you mention that someone was trying to sell a 2005 Ninja 250 for $4000...I saw a post on Craigslist (Raleigh, NC local listing) for that exact amount and it seemed like too much of a coincidence. Either you're an NC native like me or else this is a more widespread "used EX250" pricing problem than I thought.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the only 250 listing available at the moment and I haven't had luck on eBay either...oh well, I'm a patient man =)

[dieziege]

It is widespread... the $4000 listing I saw was in Southern California.

Welcome!