Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I've been lurking the forums like a mad man the past few days I've been registered, and browsed through most of the stickies...

So anyway, I'm going to get the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in black when it comes out because:
1) It's a beginners bike, and I'm a beginner... and it looks pretty good
2) It's great on gas and insurance. (I quoted a 600cc Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R for fun, and it came up as $9000/year, which is not fun).


After reading a bit, I've figured a few things:
1) I'm going to get a helmet that fits!
2) I'll learn first, then upgrade later (Buell 1125R one day!).
3) Even though I'm only 170cm or 5'6.9", I should be able to ride, or lower a bike an inch and ride even more comfortably.
4) I'm going to join the Canadian Motorcycle Association.

I have a few months to research then I'm going to get the bike. So my question is for all the folks here is what do you wish you knew or done as a noob before getting/riding/adoring your first bike? Thanks!

Wish I'd bought a used bike.

And I wish that I'd realize that water freezes when it gets really cold out.

Oh, and don't just get a helmet that fits: helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots. ATGATT. Skin grafts blow and road rash scars don't fade.

I'd get a used bike as my first bike too, but....

Considering the difference between the old 250R and the new 250R, I'd definitely buy the new 250R. It's a cheap bike, so there's not too much to worry about in terms of dropping it and stuff. Plus you can bet that it will hold its value pretty well over the next couple of years til you're ready to upgrade.

Good choices. I second the recommendation to get *all* the gear you need. I couldn't get on my bike without my jacket, boots, pants, and gloves.

Water freezes... as in dry your bike? haha...

What's ATGATT.?

All The Gear, All The Time.

And no, it freezes on the road... CRASH.

+1 for getting the gear before the bike.

And, I would make sure I took whatever the MSF Basic Rider Course equivalant is in Canada.

Like jonnythan said, screw getting a used bike, that 08 Ninja 250 is hot! (Otherwise, I'd suggest a used one.)

Even though the '08 250 looks sweet as your first bike chances are you're gonna drop/bang/crash it at least once, alot less heartache to do that to a used pre-banged up bike.

I would reccomend getting a real used bike unless $$ is no object. of low CC's to learn and take the test. Here in the states one can get an old 175cc most anything for under 500$ and its a good bike too. The odds of dropping the bike a couple times while your learning is not guaranteed but the odds are in that favor that one will. What a shame it would be to dropp the couple thousand dollar bike, eh.

Craigslist and Kijiji Torontohave many used Ninjettes for sale. I'd also recommend going used. The Ninjette seat height is pretty low and the seat is narrow, so it's very beginner friendly.

While the Ninjette is a great bike, chances are you won't keep it for long. Riders trade up/down/sideways as they learn more about their likes and dislikes. This is your first bike, not your last. Maybe the Ninja 650R will catch your eye in 2 years?

If you do decide to buy the bike brand new, I strongly recommend you pay attention to the different things you can purchase along with your bike. What I mean is, when the guy is going over things like GAP insurance and theft protection, see if the dealership offers a package to pay for all of your maintenance up front.

I mention this because the dealership I bought my bike from did offer a package like this: for $1600, I would get lifetime maintenance on my bike. It sounds like a lot, but the valve check (first done at 500 miles, then every 6k miles) can cost hundreds of dollars alone. The salesman actually talked me out of this (I should have questioned why) because I'm sure he didn't want the dealership losing money on this kind of deal. Add in the other maintenance jobs you'll need to have done, and $1600 is very inexpensive. My first valve check (which is a pain on the 250) cost me $350.

Welcome to the Ninja 250 family. I bought one myself and I have a blast on it.