Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Well somehow i missed this bike. Ive been looking and researching starter bikes for about 2 months now and i dont know how i missed it. None the less, anyone ridden one? How are they? Good starter bike? And if i could get some comparission to the EX250 that would be cool, thanks for any info


JWF

the nighthawk 250 is one of the more common bikes used in the MSF cousre.

A very basic 250 standard that is very forgiving and easy to ride. Hence a perfect bike for the MSF cousre. It uses the same 250 twin that the rebel uses.

A Ninja 250 will be faster and more responsive and has fairings to scratch up, but is still a nice forgiving bike to learn on.

You would likely outgrow a 250 nighthawk pretty quick.

If you can find one the nighthawk 400 is the 250s bigger cousin and has a good chunk more power but is still quite forgiving.

jmillheiser wrote:If you can find one the nighthawk 400 is the 250s bigger cousin and has a good chunk more power but is still quite forgiving.

What about the 750, too big i think, just checking though, run through of ebay, craislist and cycle trader turned up nothing on 400s, tons of 750s though


JWF

the 750 is considered one of those "Gray Area" bikes for beginners like the SV650. Power output is around the same as the SV.

The older 4 cylinder nighthawks are pretty much the same, just shaft drive instead of chain. the 550SC would probably fall into the good beginner category, the 650SC and 700SC are pretty close to the 750

awesome thanks





JWF

Be warned, that shift lever is a pain in the "O Ring" with a size 14 boot on. Also, both brakes are drums (at least the MSF on was) so it won't stop *quite* as well as the bikes with a disc up front and drum in back.

GeoffXR200R wrote:Be warned, that shift lever is a pain in the "O Ring" with a size 14 boot on. Also, both brakes are drums (at least the MSF on was) so it won't stop *quite* as well as the bikes with a disc up front and drum in back.

Ill keep that in mind, considering i wear and 13-14 depending on the company. With all styling clues and aspects thrown out. What do you guys prefer as a starter. A 90's ninja250 or a nighthawk 250or400. What would you say is the more forgiving yet fun bike to ride?

Thanks



JWF

I would say the ninja. those things are a blast in the twisties.

Of your choices, I'd say the Ninja or an older Nighthawk 400 would be most suitable. The Nighthawk 250 is OK as an "in town" bike, but you wouldn't want to take it on an LA freeway. It is somewhat underpowered for that kind of traffic flow.