Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey everybody! I am new here and some questions. My husband and I just started looking into getting a motorcycle. We have never rode a sport bike before, but I have grown up around them( not that that does a whole lot of good!) and we would like to get a bike that would fit us both. He is 6'1 and 195, I am 5'6 and 145. We really like the sport bike look and were thinking about getting a Ninja. I have heard that 250's are good for a beginner, but I want to make sure it has enough power to last us more than a couple of months. We are defientley taking the MSF course before we get one, but does anyone have any suggestions on a bike we could share?

Thanks so much
Jen

A little bit of added info if it makes a difference. We live in Colorado, so the elevation is high. I have read in the forums that we should get a 500cc?

The ninja250 or 500 are both great bikes.

+1 to what Sev said. I am a big guy(5'10" 230lbs) and the ninja 250 carried me around just fine. I have heard that for taller riders like your husband, the 500's gas tank could be uncomfortable for his knees. You both should go and sit on both of the bikes and decide what fits you both best. If the 500 is ok for both of you than get it. I sold my 250 after putting 3k miles on it. And now I have a bigger bike, but really miss my 250. I have been shopping craigslist looking for a new one. For just running around town or ripping up a good set of twisties they are really fun bikes. The only time you may ever really feel the need for anything bigger is if you plan on doing a lot of highway travelling. Hope this helps. Good luck on your purchase and don't forget to post pics of whatever you get.

I have a 250 and I am 5' 6" it is very comfortable for me. Hubby is about 6"2 and he rides it and has no issues with it.

Like the others said though go sit on them both and see how they feel for both of you.

Oh yeah Welcome!!!!!!!

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

Have to throw the GS500F into the mix also, just because that is what my wife and I ride. I am 6'2" and my wife is is 5'5" and we both have no problems riding and handling the bike.

Good luck on whatever you decide fits you the best.

Crio

If you want to do two up eventually with this bike, you may want to consider the ninja 500, though if you don't plan on that, the 250 will work well enough. If you don't mind spending a little more, the Ninja 650R is a great bike. Does two up riding no problem, the rear shock is REALLY easy to adjust to rider weight. It's good for long distance hauls upwards of 200 miles (done a few of them on mine) and a great back road blaster.

Thank you so much for all the info and advice. It is nice to talk to people who seem to know what they are talking about. Before I came to this site I was told to get a Ninja 1000! I know that is WAY to much bike for me.

Thanks again, Jen

the ninja250 and 500 are proven great newbie bikes.

plus, they appeal to most aspiring sportbike riders since they look sporty.


congrats in advance to you and your husband.


if you guys will do a lot of highway then the 500 will be better.

but you guys plan to upgrade earlier into a sportbike then i suggest the 250 and save the extra money for a sportbike payment.

I wouldn't go 2up on a 250. DH and I tried it on my bike and while the bike moved, it certainly was working (DH is 210, I'm 110). Brakes were also taking a licking. Now, that could just be my bike as it is 1disc up front and 1 in rear, but stopping wasn't near as good as on DHs Vulcan.

If you ever plan to do 2up, go for a 500.

I ride my 636 with the wife on pillion, and it is noticeably slugging - and it is a four-cylinder.

Ninjas are great bikes, and 250s are cheap enough to get two (perhaps).

I did a quick 500-R review here, since there are a lot of questions about it: viewtopic.php?t=18344

Beware if you get one bike and you both ride... My wife rode before I did, and I was always stealing her bike - plus riding together on two bikes is more fun than two of you on one!

--Dave