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so i really want to get into riding bikes, but i've never ridden a street bike. Being the new rider i was i went to the local shop and picked out a shiny new 600cc super sport as the bike i wanted and just knew that is what i had to have. Then i came here. Not wanting to die the day i start riding, i've decided to take the MSF and learn the proper way to do everything before venturing out to try and kill myself. I have also decieded to go with a 250cc or so bike. i have been looking into the ninjas but was wondering if there were any other options for around the same price. i really want aa 250cc but wasnt sure if there were any other options. i live in middle georgia so any help would be appreciated, thanks,

-Orie

Not all 600CC bikes are bad beginner bikes. Look at the Ninja500, possibly 650R and SV650S.

You are making the right choice.

The ninja 250 is probably the best beginner bike out there. If you want a little more power then the ninja 500 or suzuki gs500 are also good choices.

Other 250s around the Ninja 250 price point include the Honda Rebel and Yamaha Virago. However, both of those are cruiser style bikes. If you want a 250 sport style bike, I think the Ninja is the only option (here in the US).

I went with the Ninja 250 and am glad that I did. I might get something with a bit more oomph sometime in the future, but for now, it's been very forgiving in various occassions and is actually capable of anything that is needed legally on the street.

Dragon on Wheels wrote:Other 250s around the Ninja 250 price point include the Honda Rebel and Yamaha Virago. However, both of those are cruiser style bikes. If you want a 250 sport style bike, I think the Ninja is the only option (here in the US).

I went with the Ninja 250 and am glad that I did. I might get something with a bit more oomph sometime in the future, but for now, it's been very forgiving in various occassions and is actually capable of anything that is needed legally on the street.

ninja 250 great learner but the rebel = slow and good for the people who are still scared to ride after the MSF. Just mo though.

Do you lot not have the hyosung in America?

These things are great (I have one, so I'm not talking out my a$$).

* Cheaper than the ninja by a fair whack.
* Bigger body = more road presence.
* Better sounding exhaust and engine than the ninja (people can hear you. Whenever I hear a 250 ninja coming up behine me, my first thought is 'who's got the sewing machine out?')
* Longer and more comprehensice warranty.
* Cheaper to insure.

You can get the GT250R sports, the GT250 naked, or the SV 250 cruiser, all very good looking and well built bikes.

Just some thoughts.

It's definitely worth looking into the Hyosung as an alternative to the Ninja and, don't forget to go around and sit on all kinds of different bikes to get a feel for what fits you best.

got a Rebel 250 to learn on, what a great bike to learn on. Any 250 is good because theres not much power curve, after a few months you will want more power, but my suggestion is to master riding the bike safely and learn on something smaller, IMO.

ngsalvo wrote:Do you lot not have the hyosung in America?

These things are great (I have one, so I'm not talking out my a$$).

* Cheaper than the ninja by a fair whack.

How much are they where you are? The magazines here list the MSRP at a bit higher than the ninja 250 (about the same price as the Rebel for one version) which could be why many go for the ninja.

Dragon on Wheels wrote:

ngsalvo wrote:Do you lot not have the hyosung in America?

These things are great (I have one, so I'm not talking out my a$$).

* Cheaper than the ninja by a fair whack.

How much are they where you are? The magazines here list the MSRP at a bit higher than the ninja 250 (about the same price as the Rebel for one version) which could be why many go for the ninja.

The Ninja 250 they have in Australia is the zzr250, which is very different from the US version the ex250. The zzr250 has fuel injection and some other modern features and body work to make it more expensive than the US ninja.

Here in the US the Ninja 250 (ex250) is less expensive thant he Hyosung.