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Yeah that's right I'm not looking for a 600 (even though i have picture of them hanging all over my room now) bout' a week ago i went riding for the first time and i loved it. The 250 was nice and very easy to maneuver. I never felt like i was under it's will, even when i stoped it was so light i felt extreamly comfortable with it.

I'm seeing out now to buy my own bike. I do like the 250 be lighter, cheaper, and easier to come by used. I also like that the 500 has a little more umf.

Should i just go with a 250 for a short time and move on or should i go with a 500 for awhile?

Im just like you right now im looking at 2 sports bikes a kawasaki 250 or a suzuki 500 and having a hard time choosing.

Here are the pro's of both of them I have been looking at

reasons for 250
1.smaller and lighter
2.easyer on my wallet
3.chances are im going to have to lay down the bike at least once aspecally because its my first one. so better the 250 getting layed down then a bike i really really love
4.ha ha ha less likely hood of killing myself
5.less likely to be stoolen (or at least i would think so)

reasons for 500
1.faster
2.looks cooler
3.lot more respectable then a 250

think im leaning tord the 250 but man that 500 looks a lot more sexy

black9 wrote: reasons for 500
1.faster
2.looks cooler
3.lot more respectable then a 250

Alright, alright.. I know it's a silly (and boring) thing to do, but let's look at these reasons in detail a little, eh?

1. Faster

Does a 250 do 70 mph, 110 km/h? Yes.
Do you ever (legally) need to do more than 70/110? No.

Sure, maybe it's got better acceleration. But let's not forget, sharp acceleration is also pretty dangerous.

2. Looks cooler

Maybe it's just me, but for the most part... a sports bike is a sports bike is an engine, two wheels, and some fancy plastic. Does a 500 really look that much cooler than a 250?

3. More respectable

Whaaaa-?

If you even value the opinion of someone who's gonna knock on your bike because it's a 250, you're hangin' out with the wrong people, my friend.


All said and done, I don't think there's a big problem getting a 500.. just.. come up with some better reasons for it, yeah?

wow and actouly the ninja 250's top speed is around 100 mph.

well after that it sounds like there way more reason to go with a 250 but i still stand by the 500 being sexyer

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Really a matter of personal opinion, I actually like the look of that Ninja better. But then, for some reason I find myself biased towards Kawasaki. My Ninja is, alas, no more, though I am getting another Kawasaki this week.

What are you going to be doing with the bike? Around town stuff, I'd go with the 250 in a heartbeat. Interstate/freeway stuff, I'd look a little closer at the 500. Yes, a little more umf and acceleration to keep from getting run over, get around semi trucks and whatnot. Because while the signs may say 70, there are stretches of highway, especially around cities, where everyone is doing 80-90, and if Soccer Mom is doing 90, fighting with the four kids in the back, chatting on the cell phone and you're doing 70 (ie, not keeping up with the pace of traffic) you might end up getting run over.

Just a thought.

Telesque wrote: 1. Faster

Does a 250 do 70 mph, 110 km/h? Yes.
Do you ever (legally) need to do more than 70/110? No.

Sure, maybe it's got better acceleration. But let's not forget, sharp acceleration is also pretty dangerous.

I find riding the ninja 250 much like driving an economy from the 80's, passing takes a lot of planning. The ninja 250 does not accelerate well above 60 or so. Maybe I've just become used to my bikes power, but when I rode the wife's ninja, passing seemed very difficult. If you don't pass much, then it's not a concern.

On the thought of the ninja 250 against the gs500, the ninja is $2000.00 less, and even though I'm a Suzuki guy, I think the ninja is a better deal/

Also, the top speed on the two isn't that far apart. I've never ridden a gs500 though so I can't tell you the difference in acceleration.
Kev

I love my little Rebel. It's fantastic to tool around the city in. (not to mention I got 91 mpg when I filled up last night...had to double check my math) I've had it briefly on the interstate with no problems. I tend to use my other bike for interstate riding.

the ninja is sounding like its the better plan. although i do think im going from california to arizona on it (6 hours) and also another like 4 hour trip on it once i get decent at rideing. Can you even ride a bike that long ha ha ha?

I'm a new rider as well, nobody in my family has ever rode motorcycles. I went through the MSF course and then I bought a 2001 Ninja 500. Although I have a pretty limited perspective because I haven't rode many bikes, I think the ninja 500 is the perfect starter bike. It's very easy to control (very forgiving of mistakes), while at the same time it has a good amount of power. Enough to pass, get yourself out of trouble, and occasionally open it up a little! I would definately suggest this bike to any begginers.

Well what about the Kawasaki Ninja 500