250cc or 500cc, how big of a difference?

[Relsek]

Thanks for the input. I'm not really going to have time to pick up a new hobby, so the dirt bike crossover isn't really my style. However the only 250cc bike I've seen so far that I've liked is the ninja, do you believe it's a decent bike for the highway? Really, I don't plan on being a speed demon, at least for the first few months, but I DO want to be able to safely take the local freeway. I drive a focus svt right now and have only taken it over 100 maybe two or three times, so I'm definetly going to take it slow on a bike.

Also, is the Buell Blast comparable to a 250 Ninja? I know it's a 500cc but the hp output seems rather small and at 70 mpg or so it must be doing some very conservative work with those 500ccs..

I have a ninja 250 that I bought for my wife. It has no problems going highway speeds, anything up to about 80 is easy, after that the acceleration slows and then tops out at about 100 if you have enough road. It is very light and on very windy days you'll get blown around a bit.
I think it's a fine bike, it's no hayabusa but great for what it's designed to do.

Kevin

[Scott58]

Relsek. What kind of gas mileage do you get on your ninga? i've had 2 rides on one and really like it, but haven't riden enough to get a feel for it's economy. It would be a great mate to my Rebel.

[Relsek]

Relsek. What kind of gas mileage do you get on your ninga? i've had 2 rides on one and really like it, but haven't riden enough to get a feel for it's economy. It would be a great mate to my Rebel.

I think it gets around 70. I only rode it on one long ride so haven't had a lot of opportunity to check mileage.

Kevin

[Nibblet99]

My 125cc is fine for dual-carriageways (twin lane 70mph limit), but you wouldn't want to be doing 100+miles at that sort of speed on it (which is great, because I have an excuse to find the twistiest way there)

[RebelWithoutaClue]

Just started riding again last week after not having ridden in 15 years. (hadn't ridden street at all). A Friend had a 2000 Rebel 250 for sale that was at a great price (1100.00 with 2300 miles) so we decided to snatch it up for my wife to learn on and I would ride it until I found something I wanted.

Everyone told me the same thing, the fwy is going to kill you even if you can get it up fast enough. This is in southern CA so I hesitantly got on the fwy the day after I got it. Next thing I know I'm in the carpool lane going 75 with room to spare. (granted not much) To date I've had it up as high as 80. It has a small windscreen on it so it helps a bit. I've been commuting on it about 60 miles per day and it's getting about 65 mpg.

Yes I'll still get something bigger for myself, but this thing has really shocked me. The kicker here though is my size. I have wierd proportions and have a 30 inch inseam so the bike is faily comfortable. However I am also 6'1" and 283lbs!!!!

To those that say the Rebel will not handle freeways well, I say it's been too long since you've ridden one.

-mike