Total Motorcycle Community Forums

When talking strictly about '250' bikes, do sporty bikes (ie: Ninja 250R) offer more leg room that cruisers (ie: Nighthawk 250, GZ250, etc.)?

I'm 6'2" with a 35" inseam. I'm a newbie to street bikes and will more than likely start out with a 250 bike in order to learn the fundamentals and the ins and outs of riding on the streets. Just worried about my legs being cramped (and looking like a goof) on a small bike so I'm looking for the one that offers the most room for me to stretch my legs out as much as possible.

Thanks.

TripleB

Yeah the Ninja 250 has a seat height of a bit more than 29" so I'd go with that. The rebel 250 and other cruiser types normally have lower seat heights.

35" is getting up there - have you considered a KLR650 or dual sport type of bike instead? Smallbore cruisers are pretty cramped in terms of space - definitely try before you buy!

+1 on the try before you buy... Try out the Ninja 500 too...great starter bike as well although any extra legroom between it and the 250 is probably negligible.

TripleB wrote:When talking strictly about '250' bikes, do sporty bikes (ie: Ninja 250R) offer more leg room that cruisers (ie: Nighthawk 250, GZ250, etc.)?

I'm 6'2" with a 35" inseam. I'm a newbie to street bikes and will more than likely start out with a 250 bike in order to learn the fundamentals and the ins and outs of riding on the streets. Just worried about my legs being cramped (and looking like a goof) on a small bike so I'm looking for the one that offers the most room for me to stretch my legs out as much as possible.

Thanks.

TripleB

If you really want a cruiser, have a look at the Hyosung GV250. It's as big as a lot of 650's
av8r

the 500 has LESS leg room because of the tank ridge, im 6'2" with a 33" inseam and the 250 fit me the best of the "sporty" beginner level bikes.
mush better than the 500.

the shorter people got assigned rebel 250's at my MSF class cause your knees will be in the way off the bars.

most importantly- full fairings are freaking sweet.

BigChickenStrips wrote:the 500 has LESS leg room because of the tank ridge, im 6'2" with a 33" inseam and the 250 fit me the best of the "sporty" beginner level bikes.
mush better than the 500.

most importantly- full fairings are freaking sweet.

It's been at least 4 years but this was my thinking also. I went to a Kawasaki dealership and sat on the 250 and the 500. My knees seemed to fit better beside the 250 tank. It seemed like on the 500 they came in contact with part of the gas tank. The only reason I remember this is because I thought it was strange that a 250 would fit my long legs better than a 500. Thanks.

TripleB

i'm 6'3" with a 32" inseam and I cant imagine riding a ninja 250 for very long.
even on my fj my legs are kinda cramped...

i'm 6'3" with a 32" inseam and I cant imagine riding a ninja 250 for very long.
even on my fj my legs are kinda cramped...

I couldn't agree more. I'm 6'5'' with a 37'' inseam. I rode a 250 for about 50 miles before I started cramping. It was ok for around town, but anything too far was uncomfortable.

Have you looked at the Suzuki SV-650(s)? I thought they offered a decent amount of leg room and it's a great beginner bike.

i don't have quite the inseam that you do, but starting on a 650-800cc cruiser is not considered "too powerful" in most cases.

something like the Shadow Spirit which has more forward controls might suit you better if you like the cruiser.

people with longer inseams tend to bash their knees on the bars of the rebels and such unless they modify them