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I'm also recommending that you go for the 500. In the mountains out west, the ninja 250 wouldn't quite cut it on the steeper hills at high altitude.

Speaking of altitude, I found this old pic in my desk. It's an old Kaw 750 twin loaded for a 6 week, 5,000 miles trek up the Rockies to Canada. This was one of the higher passes on the Million Dollar Highway from Durgango to Silverton, CO. At that altitude, with that load, performance was less than optimum (but still better than most cars).

That is one loaded down bike LOL.

A 500 should work nicely for you.

I have a 500 myself and I weigh a little more than you do. It has more than enough power to keep up with traffic, and fits me like a glove.

My 500 is an old Honda CX500. Performance is pretty close to a ninja 500, just older and lacking plastic.

The ninja is roomier than it looks, it has more room to move around and is more comfortable than a 600 sportbike, it would definately accomodate a taller rider.