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i was looking at motocycles and like the ninja 500r and 250r. dnt want to spend a lot of money less then 6000. from wut ive found is the 250 has 40hp, top speed of 100mph, and gets 55-65mpg. the 500r has 60hp, top speed about 125mph, and gets 45-55mpg. i guess i want to know is y pay an extra 2000 for the 500r.

Tis a question a lot of people ask. The 500 will get you to a higher speed quicker than a 250. That's about it.

You pay a lot more for not so much of an increased performance.

And if you buy off of like Craigslist (AKA used) then the difference isn't quite so much.


Go with what you'd like, they're both good starters.


By the way $6000 will buy you a good used bike, good gear, and a bit of insurance too.

You can usually get an EX500, used, for about 2000-3000. I've seen one for 1200 but I don't know what condition it was in. It claimed good but they all claim good.

thanks but on the used ive had trouble finding any "starter" bikes for a good price.

Really? Have you tried Cycletrader and craigslist?

I see a good deal every week or so, just wish I could afford one.

Any luck finding a job Shiv?

that would definately make it easier to get a bike

notdead wrote:thanks but on the used ive had trouble finding any "starter" bikes for a good price.

Local cities' listings on craigslist should provide a plethora of start bike candidates.

$6,000 should be plenty of money for getting started. I've purchased two motorcycle, two full sets of gear (helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, boots), insurance, tires, maintenance and gas for two full years for less than your total budget.

Have you read the stickies in this forum about starter bikes? Such as this thread: http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=2983

Good luck with the hunt!

Get the 250. I prefer new bikes anyway these days.

the 500 is also physically bigger and easier to ride at highway speeds due to it's size.

Any luck finding a job Shiv?

None. It'll be summer before I can find a job with a vet's office (all the others have hired for this semester). Or maybe sooner if my volunteering gig works out and the vet I'm currently volunteering for takes notice. But something tells me he's in no hurry to start paying me when I'm doing the same work for free

Ah well. It's the experience I need for applying to vet school so I gotta get it one way or another.

is there some kind of vet workstudy program at your school?

if so then definately try to get into that next semester