Ninja 250

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shoey949
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Ninja 250

#1 Unread post by shoey949 »

I know this is a big discussion point in this forums, but would just like to hear general opinion. Well I have decided to sell the two bikes I currently have in my possesion a '73 Cl350 and '82 Nighthawk 650. Originally I was going to ride the Cl350(parents wouldn't let me ride the Nhawk) for the first year.

However I decided 1. Don't want to ride an antique (5K miles on it).2. I need something a little more sporty and reliable(turn key bike).

So I decided that after the selling the other two bikes, I will be looking for a early '90s ninja 250 w/ under 15,000 miles. How will the bike fit, I will definately sit and ride it before I make a decision, I'm 6'1" 175 pounds, I just don't want to be real cramped will I'm riding? The longest I'll be riding at one point will probably be 45 minutes, no highway riding.

I just can't want for this summer, will take the MSF course, and get my endorsement by late June. Right now it is just so hard trying to balance Church, School, Sports, Family, Friends, AND MOTORCYCLES!

You guys have been really helpful as I've worked through problems with both bikes, and nor am I done with them yet either

Thanks,
Nate
1973 Honda Cl 350 (Sold)
1982 Honda 650 Nighthawk
1978 Kawasaki KZ 400 (Sold)
1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550

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Keyoke
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#2 Unread post by Keyoke »

I don't know how well it'll fit as i've never seen one over here - but I have heard many good things about them as starter bikes.
Sounds like a very wise choice to me...
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#3 Unread post by MASHBY »

Keyoke wrote:I don't know how well it'll fit as i've never seen one over here
Im sure you have James they are a decendant of the mighty GPX250.It a shame they dont do the ZZR any more I think it looks newer than the 250 Ninja

NINJA 250
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ZZR250
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GPX250
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old-n-slow
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#4 Unread post by old-n-slow »

They all look alike to me :wink:
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#5 Unread post by liablemtl »

Depending on how big you are, I'd almost recommend skipping the 250 and going traight to the 500 Ninja. I started street riding on a Ninja 250 back in the late 80's... it was a great bike, but I had already spent a lot of time on bigger bikes before that, so it didn't take me long to out grown it. I think you can't go wrong with the 500. It's more than capable for all types of riding and the frame is a little better suited for a taller person. Not to mention, it's got a hell of a lot of fun potential and it's not so over powering as the 600 race replicas! I'd actually put a Ninja 500 in my stable just for playing with!!!
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#6 Unread post by pete »

I'm 6'1" and after test sitting a bunch of bikes found out that the ninja 250 is more comfortable than the ninja 500 for me. I fit well on the 250 but the 500's tank flairs were running right along my thighs so I couldn't fit comfortably and my legs were poking out. I've read some reviews of people who ran into this problem and said they just got used to it, but personally I didn't like it.

shoey949
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#7 Unread post by shoey949 »

well the reason I can't go right to the 500 is simply that I'm only 17, so the bikes I ride are kind of parental controlled
1973 Honda Cl 350 (Sold)
1982 Honda 650 Nighthawk
1978 Kawasaki KZ 400 (Sold)
1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

James 2:18

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c-los
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#8 Unread post by c-los »

I like the look of the ZZR 250 more, so I tried looking on recycler.com and cycletrader.com but couldn't find any....was the ZZR 250 only a euro model or something??

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#9 Unread post by Relsek »

shoey949 wrote:well the reason I can't go right to the 500 is simply that I'm only 17, so the bikes I ride are kind of parental controlled
Go ahead with the ninja 250, I have one (actually my wife has one) and I've ridden it a few times. I'm taller than you and after about 4 hours on it I was cramping a bit but it's a great beginner bike. It will get you where you need to go as fast as you need to go but you wont be tempted to start doing all that stunting, because it just won't do it.

Kevin

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#10 Unread post by MASHBY »

c-los wrote:I like the look of the ZZR 250 more, so I tried looking on recycler.com and cycletrader.com but couldn't find any....was the ZZR 250 only a euro model or something??
Yes ZZR250 Euro only possible OZ and NZ aswell but not sure on that one.
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