The best 250cc bike?

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slimdiggie · Tue May 13, 2008 1:30 pm

My wife and I plan on taking the motorcycle course in about a month and we are starting to look at bikes. We are both looking at 250cc. What 250cc bike would be the best for a guy? and which for a woman?

thanks.

slim

Brackstone · Tue May 13, 2008 1:50 pm

I think the Ninja 250 is the best for both. It's got a low seat height, low weight, and it's really fun to ride around on and learn.

shane-o · #3 Unread post by **shane-o** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:52 pm

honda VTR 250 for both of you...great bikes.

Brackstone · Tue May 13, 2008 2:00 pm

shane-o wrote:honda VTR 250 for both of you...great bikes.

OH yeah good point where are you guys from? not so many 250's here in america more overseas

slimdiggie · Tue May 13, 2008 2:02 pm

we are in Charlotte,NC we don't really like how you sit on the ninja...I think we like how cruisers feel. We want to try to get two bikes for about 2,500 bucks per one. Since we are just starting out we don't really want to buy new. If anyone has something for sale around Charlotte let me know.

slim

the honda VTR 250 is nice, but how hard are they to find is the question and used. lol

Captain Pete · Tue May 13, 2008 3:09 pm

Honda's 250 Nighthawk is a pretty good 250, but it has it's flaws. First of all, the carb needs to be jetted from a 35 to a 38 (which is what the Rebel is jetted at), and shim the needle with a 1mm shim. There have also been suggestions concerning replacing the 14 tooth countershaft sprocket with a 15 tooth one. Even stock, though not as quick or fast as the Ninja, the Nighthawk does perfectly around town as long as you are careful not to get in the way of big fast suv's because it is a little sluggish without the rejetting.

TrueFaith · #7 Unread post by **TrueFaith** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:06 pm

Yamaha makes a nice 250 Virago that is very reliable and cruiser styled. I had a similar Yamaha 250 years ago when I first began riding and it was a super bike to learn on. Traded up to a bigger bike after that, but I'm back on a 250 again. A 2008 Ninja 250R, which I absolutely love. The Ninja 250s from 2007 and before have a much different riding position than the newly-redesigned 2008, so make sure you check out both kinds because both are great motorcycles.

erbgottie · Tue May 13, 2008 10:06 pm

Welcome and I'm from Mocksville, NC (if you know where that is). I would say either thea used virago or the rebel are excellent start off bikes.

Pittance · #9 Unread post by **Pittance** » Wed May 14, 2008 12:34 am

The Suzuki GZ250, the Honda Rebel, and the Yamaha Virago 250 are pretty much all the same bike style wise. I used a GZ250 for my MSF, and sat on both a virago and a rebel. They all felt mostly the same with just a few parts (handlebars) different. None of these bikes will go that fast and it might get you into trouble on the highway since I believe they top out around 75ish?

Sit on a 2007 or earlier Kawasaki Ninja 250. They are the classic version while the 2008 is the new revamped. The 2007- is lower by about an inch as well. It has a pretty standard riding position, but it isnt laid back like a cruiser. It also has plenty of power for any highway if you stay near legal speeds. Its also a very old model that hasnt been changed much since 1986, so there is a huge community of people that ride them. You can easily find a 1 year old with low miles in good condition for 2500.

But if you dont like how the ninja feels, then definitely dont get it. Being uncomfortable is the worst. If you are deadset on cruisers and want to be able to do highways without trouble, you might want to try to find an older 400 or 500cc engine. Or maybe even a earlier 90s (since the 250 price tag) 650cc cruiser. But Im more grey in this area, so others can advise better. Goodluck.

Wed May 14, 2008 2:59 am

vulcan 500. Best all around entry cruiser. Go sit on one. If you like it, then start looking.