definately more aggressive than usual..i like the looks..they made it look like the zx6...although power wise..not much backing it up..but great starter bike man!
but unless they made the bike bigger i wouldnt buy it still.
i think id fit just fine on the bike im only 5'9"
it might not be the best for a much bigger rider then me though
its nice but ive never been a fan of the kawasaki styling
MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPS!!!
I'm pretty sure this was covered on this forum before and in that thread it was pretty much
established you'd hate this bike because once you got past the learning curve of riding the bike
(which you'd pick up fairly quick)
You'd want more power and pick-up. I'm pretty certain everyone suggested the Suzuki GSX-R 600 or 750
as a better starter bike.
I dunno, you may want to do a search for the ninja 250 and see if you can find that thread.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
already did a search only came up with a thread about a 06 ninja which is completely different from this bike
this bike is a vast improvement on the previous bike so it cant really be compared to it much...
the engine is 80+% new on this bike and has a bit more power then the older one
to be honest im not looking to go fast on a bike, im just looking for something that looks nice and is not expensive so i can cruise with my dad.
im not into that whole going stupidly fast and get my self killed thing so whats the point in getting a bike that would cost me over 2x the price if im never gonna be stupid like that
i think $3499 for a brand new bike that looks pretty sharp you cant beat this new ninja
First off the engine has less peak hp than the previous model, it has had the power band shifted into the lower rpms (IE more useable for daily riding).
FYI I bought my zx6r for the same price used as a new 2008 250. They are good looking compared to the old ones...And unless you have some good friends in the Kawi dealer, expect to pay $4000-4500 OTD after dealer setup fees and such.
If you're decided, make sure to look up the recent recalls and have the dealer complete them all. It's the bikes first year so don't be surprised if there are a few.
i say nice bike..
but just go for a 600cc... you will get sooo board of that very quickly... trust me on this one... i had never ridden a bike in my life... and got my self a 2006 R6 and yea at first it was a bit much but this is my 3 season with it and i love it but its kinda boring... and i use boring as a loose term here.. don't get me wrong a 600 is a quick bike... i just think you would be waisting your money on a 250 even if your not a speed freak
The First Twin Charged jbody
blue car (R.I.P) - 240whp @7psi..
silver car - 305whp 315lbs.tq @15psi (91 Octane) or 420whp & 425lbs.TQ @20psi (94 octane+Alcohol Injection)
All dynos run on a Mustang dyno
Meh i bought a 2005 250 for a commuter. It's still faster than most cars on the road and gets 70-80 mpg with a +1 sprocket up front. I figure every tank i run through is how much i save by driving it - for example 20 bucks for gas in this thing means i saved 20 bucks driving it instead of the cav...
honestly i've know a few people who have bought 250's and the upgrade w/in a season or 2 due to outgrowning it. i'm 5'9" 150lbs. my first bike was a 2000 Katana 600, start on one of those it was perfect to learn on!
good luck w/ what ever u decide to do, and PLEASE ride safe
I definitely love the styling compared to my '06. But, get your facts straight. It's basically the same bike with different fairings. The suspension was slightly modified as was the motor and all they did was, as stated above, move the power band to lower RPMs. It actually makes less horsepower than the one I ride not to mention it is
still carb'd.
If you can get one for $3500 OTD without a dealer jacking up the price I'd definitely jump on it. I'm perfectly fine with my 250 and I'm going on my second year with it. I don't see the need to be able to go faster than 110mph or do wheelies and @!#$. And I can still outrun my friends on bigger bikes when we get into the twisties.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edited Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:51 PM
UnXpectedError wrote:already did a search only came up with a thread about a 06 ninja which is completely different from this bike
this bike is a vast improvement on the previous bike so it cant really be compared to it much...
the engine is 80+% new on this bike and has a bit more power then the older one
to be honest im not looking to go fast on a bike, im just looking for something that looks nice and is not expensive so i can cruise with my dad.
im not into that whole going stupidly fast and get my self killed thing so whats the point in getting a bike that would cost me over 2x the price if im never gonna be stupid like that
i think $3499 for a brand new bike that looks pretty sharp you cant beat this new ninja
Yeah i guess that was the post i was talking about
LOL
like i said i don't remeber the details just that everyone was pretty much agreeing that 600cc's is the best way to go.
I like this bike personally, i wouldn't get it myself but i like it.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
seriously guys i don't think you know what your talking about, you keep on thinking about weak link of the old bike but most of this bike is completely new including a lot of the frame/chassis and the suspension is completely new as is the breaking system. it has an all new transmission and the engine has had a lot of work done to it like i said before the engine is around 80% new
apparently it does have better peak hp but a different torque curve which out puts less peak torque or something like that
bike show where a rep is explaining some new things as well as a bit in there about the hp and power band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ehoZSZh6I
nice video review explaining a lot of the new stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jlzKWAnQzI&feature=related
I don't know why you'd want to get a new bike as a starter... seems to me like it'd make a lot more sense to pick up one of the dozens upon dozens of used bikes that go up for sale everyday for a lot cheaper, and you won't feel nearly as bad about trashing it (which I hope you never do, obviously, but stuff happens...)
Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said
alright here is the real deal the reason i want to get only a 250 it isn't because im a beginner, its because i want to keep myself out of as much trouble as i can
a few years back i had an accident where i ended up under a huge dodge truck. i could have died but instead just got the shifter peg stuck in my shin and a piece of the front fairing lodged up under my jaw not to mention road rash all on my side. i was lucky to say the least .. ever since ive been scared @!#$ less to get back on one. i just want a bike thats pretty forgiving and doesn't have to high of a performance threshold regarding speed. i want to be able to say i own a bike again and have something to cruise on. i don't wanna go a million miles an hour. if im gonna go fast id rather be in a car to be honest.
now for the reason im looking into bikes again
last fathers day i bought my dad a old 82 750 supersport which we spent last summer fixing up really nice. ever since then he has been bugging the hell out of me to get a bike and ride with him.
ive been pretty hesitant with this not only because of my situation but if im gonna be ridding a bike i want it to be atleast look good. but lets face it all the good looking sport bikes are atleast decently fast and thats something im not comfortable with at this point. as soon as i seen the new 250R i said hey! hey! theres a really hot looking bike that i might feel comfortable with.
so thats where im at hope you can understand.. now people stop telling me to get a 600cc bike
Not to come off as an ass, but you haven't done enough real world research. Try checking out a stock for stock dyno comparison between the years and you'd be surprised to know the older model comes out a scant few hp more than the 2008 model, the peak hp also comes on earlier in the 2008 model. I'm not saying the newer model doesn't accelerate faster than the previous carbed version, it does due to the "new engine" and shifted powerband. IMHO the 2008 is a better bike, but costs about 1000-2000 more than the older model, new and used.
If you are really interested in this bike, it'd be a good idea to check out the below site for a wealth of info. Their 2008 FAQ is just growing since the bike came out, but they have everything you'll ever need to know on the previous years. Any question you ask has already been asked, and probably answered. Don't forget their FAQ!!:
250 forum FAQ
2008 250 forum section
stock for stock 2007 vs 2008 overlayed dyno comparison
Josh F wrote:i say nice bike.. but just go for a 600cc... you will get sooo board of that very quickly... trust me on this one... i had never ridden a bike in my life... and got my self a 2006 R6 and yea at first it was a bit much but this is my 3 season with it and i love it but its kinda boring... and i use boring as a loose term here.. don't get me wrong a 600 is a quick bike... i just think you would be waisting your money on a 250 even if your not a speed freak
So it took you three years to get 'bored' with it. I don't believe any of that. First, you admit it was too much, which actually supports a new rider getting a 250. But to get bored with it, that's ridiculous or you have the worst roads to ride on. A 600 isn't that much slower than a 1000 simply due to traction and wheelies. You only need so much power to bring the front end up and a 600 can do that, after that more HP is useless. A 600 just requires more effort with the gears.
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UnXpectedError wrote:seriously guys i don't think you know what your talking about, you keep on thinking about weak link of the old bike but most of this bike is completely new including a lot of the frame/chassis and the suspension is completely new as is the breaking system. it has an all new transmission and the engine has had a lot of work done to it like i said before the engine is around 80% new
apparently it does have better peak hp but a different torque curve which out puts less peak torque or something like that
bike show where a rep is explaining some new things as well as a bit in there about the hp and power band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ehoZSZh6I
nice video review explaining a lot of the new stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jlzKWAnQzI&feature=related
Here's a link to the thread I started a few days ago with pics of my 6R and my wife's 250.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=6&i=175720&t=175720
Also some links to 250 reviews in that thread where you find the reviewers ECSTATIC about the new bike.
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JuggaloZeke wrote:I definitely love the styling compared to my '06. But, get your facts straight. It's basically the same bike with different fairings.
Who told you that? I know you didn't read that anywhere. The drive train is 70% new and the chassis, suspension, swingarm is all new. I defy you to show me one part that is interchangeable between the two short of generic blinkers.
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even though the 500 is uglier, get that instead... you'll be getting rid of it in a year anyway
Thats the bike I want.....just in black.
here is a quote from AGuSTiN's thread about what he thinks about his wifes 2008 250r
also read the links he posted, the last 4 links are a in depth review that goes over everything.. really great stuff
AGuSTiN wrote:Thanks for all the compliments.
The new 250 is incredible. The old bike had been around forever. It was easy to ride but its suspension left a lot to be desired when compared to anything modern. The new bike handles solidly, and even tho it weighs like 30 lbs more you would think its 50 lbs lighter. It's so easy to toss. The engine is MUCH smoother both at idle and power delivery. My wife can't stop talking about it to anyone who will listen.
The bike so impressed my neighbors across the street they bought one, too (again for the wife, he drives an R1). The neighbors next door to them will buy one as soon as they move to Texas in a month or so (another for the wife, he drives a 'Busa).
I have, and now more than ever, recommend a 250 for a first time rider. The new bike looks f1cking cool, and most assume its a 600 unless parked next to a real 600. It's like a 7/8's scale model of a 600, and handles as good or better than them, too.
A lot of people might still say you'd get bored of the performance v.s. a 600, but it runs the quarter in 13 and does 60 in 5. That's better than most cars under 50k and 250's hold their value well. Only costs $3500 MSRP. We got 63MPG with some spirited riding during this trip (my bike got 47.5).
These guys sum it up better than I could:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5920&Page=1
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3753359#post3753359
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3756069#post3756069
http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237209
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3770099#post3770099
Starter bike? Starter bike is like a 600, that was my first bike
It does look badd@55 though
