Ninja 250 Vs Ninja 500

[Babydrop]

I have taken the MSF corse and am looking for a first bike trying to decide between a 250 and a 500 ninja whats your suggestion? Pros and cons for both.
Thanks babydrop

[sunshine229]

Congratulations! and

Both bikes are awesome for starting. I am more of a timid rider so if I were choosing between the two to start on I'd go with the 250. I probably wouldn't have moved up for at least a few years.

In fact, I started on an old 400cc (which had about the same power as the ninja 250) and I rode that thing for 4 years. It was a blast! I never worried about the weight or how to handle it because it was VERY forgiving. The Ninja 500 will not be as forgiving as the 250.

[JC Viper]

The 250 should be a good starter if you are still shaky about riding once you get your license. The 500 is still very manageable and will pull harder than many cruisers if you wring it. The 500 would make a good long term bike. Both can be found very cheap if you go for used pre 2007 models.

[totalmotorcycle]

Definately go used. Great value, no "oh my god, is that a scrach on my new paint" syndrome and you don't mind junk-yard diving for parts for it.

Mike

[waterbuffalo750]

I'd go 500. A lot of people will want to trade up from the 250 after about half a season. And the 500 definitely doesn't have too much power, just enough to keep you from getting bored. Careful though, because there is enough power to get stupid.

[Superfly3176]

I'd go 500 as well, they really don't have that much power, and you wont want to trade up after 1 month of riding.

[High_Side]

If your planing on riding any highway I would go for the 500. They are very manageable bikes but also have enough power to get out and pass if needed.

[gsJack]

Here's a good read about a Hyabusa guy doing a 700 mile ride on a Ninja 250.
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

[Superfly3176]

Here's a good read about a Hyabusa guy doing a 700 mile ride on a Ninja 250.
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

Great read, but that guy doesn't have to ride a 250cc every day of his motorcycling life. So I'd take it with a grain of salt.

[totalmotorcycle]

Remember back in the days.. like the 70's, a 750cc was the biggest bike the Japanese made, and then we are talking about just 60ish HP. A lot of people toured America on 360cc Honda's, 250cc Kawasaki's or 350cc Yamaha's. Those were "middleweight" motorcycles then and they didn't have anywhere near the power of the 250cc today.

Remember... "It's not the size you have, it's how you use it". HAHA.

Mike