Author |
Message |
Bob_thompson
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:35 am: |
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I have a young 18 y.o. cousin starting into sport bikes and we went looking for a nice starter bike. Found a real clean '95 Ninja 250 with just 8000 miles on it. I test road it and suggested he get it which he did for $1400.00. While riding it home for him I put it through some tests and was really impressed. Not neck jerking power, which is good for him starting out, but sufficient, redlines at 14-16K rpm's, and handling was great. Just wondering if anybody here has or has had one and what you think of them and if there are any quirks about them we need to be aware of. Some of the most fun I have ever had on a 250 cc bike. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:42 am: |
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if you can swing getting one the new 2008-9 Ninja 250 is a VAST improvement. Power comes on earlier, is delivered better through the RPM range and the bike is more responsive. Still not a real triple digit bike so he wont hurt himself too much. I so want one for a track bike. It so damn light and responsive, it almost feels like an overgrown bicycle. (maybe that is not a glowing endorsement for him) But it is way better than the 90s Ninja, he might actually KEEP it for a while. Coming from Team Green myself. And I have owned one, and ridden the other one for about 5 hours through closed course. No comparison 2008 Ninja 250 +1 |
Aeholton
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:46 am: |
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My wife had one. Used to like taking it out and winding it up. She would actually like to move back to one of the new style Ninja 250's. |
Ferocity02
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:53 am: |
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Ninja's are great, reliable bikes. The new ones are pretty sweet too. |
Strokizator
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 11:54 am: |
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There's a waiting list for the new ones at our local Kawi shop. People come in looking for a scooter and the sales guy tells them they can get a real motorcycle with sport-bike styling for the same price. I'll take one in black. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 12:02 pm: |
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The one I rode was cold blooded as all get-out. Couldn't ride it smoothly at low speeds for almost ten minutes, after which it was just fine. |
Spatten1
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 12:16 pm: |
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They are way cool. I loved the old ones because you could run full throttle everywhere and have a blast. The new ones look great and work even better. |
Clarkjw
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 12:48 pm: |
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Ninja's are a great way to learn and have good resale value. Take him to the track before he sells it for an upgrade. |
Doon
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 01:06 pm: |
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my first bike was a ninja 250. I beat the heck out of it, but was a great learning experience. Although dodging cabs on the west side highway in NYC it could have used a bit more ooomph |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 01:29 pm: |
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We just got an '06 for the girlfriend and I've spent a couple hours on it. Fun bike, great to learn on and it feels lighter than it actually is. I would highly recommend. The new ones look even better, but I haven't been able to ride on yet. |
Corporatemonkey
| Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 06:56 am: |
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+1 to Cityx I went to look at the new 250r and was quite impressed. It would make a great scooter alternative. |
Irideabuell
| Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 06:41 am: |
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My little brother had one of the first couple of years of them. I think it was a 305 CC then with belt drive. It was an awesome bike - not too expensive and a blast to ride. |