Kawasaki Ninja 250R

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Warlord
I started with a 600. They don't make much thrust until the high end of the rev range so just don't wind it up if you don't wanna go fast.


Depends on which 600.

When riders on then new ZX6es and CBR600F2s would roll on the throttle in 6th gear they were surprised to see the older "inferior" Kawasaki ZX600Cs (aka: Ninja 600R) and Suzuki GSX600F Katanas walk away from them without shifting down.

I did this like 4X against one ZX6 in particular. The 600R would just run away from him at 60mph until he shifted down.

The F2s and ZX6es would catch us on the back half of the track, but the bored/stroked 400 engine in the Ninja and the sleeved down GSX-R 750 engine in the Katana made power across the board compared to the then newer 600s built specifically to be 600s.

 

[whip]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I forgot the Hyosungs.

That's probably a good idea. Stick to the big brands.

 

[Robenstein]

Those "Big" brands were once small brands. Just sayin.

 

[sm00thpapa]

I would say skip the 250 and go to a 600cc. Yamaha FZ6R and the Kawasaki Ninja 650R are great starter bikes. Just respect the bike and it's power and you will be fine.

 

[sunruh]

if you find an older cbr600 (f2/3/4) you can get 50-54mpg and not kill your wallet so much up front.

the main problem is insurance. regardless of age or record the "cafe racers" add a huge premium. i have my vfr800 fully covered and its yearly cost is the same as 2 months of the same year cbr600. sport touring vs sport (ie cafe racer).

yes, i've had the agent ask specifially "is that a cafe racer"? and replied back "what is that?" and then he asked "is that a ninja?" i said, "no its a cbr600f2". eventually they figure out what bike it is and the $$$ go up and up. if you dont get a crotch rocket you wont pay the insurance for one either!

keep the human side up!
steve

 

[Spazdog]

Insurance is the bad part. Really the only con in the pro/con column for me and the 300 Ninja.

USAA won't cover it. The only times I've not been insured by USAA is when my only source of transportation was my ZX600C Ninja or GSX-R750L.

The insurance payment was often as high as the monthly payment on those two.

To be fair, they won't cover my stepfather's Heritage Softail FLSTC either

 

[Cujet]

I own "open" class bikes (big displacement bikes) and generally find small bikes underwhelming. With the exception of the Ninja 300. That little thing is quite a capable machine. Sure, you have to make it work hard. But it does it smoothly, and without any reliability issues. They sure are fun to ride! And, more importantly, I could own one and it would do everything I need.

It's real world top speed of 98 is faster than I will ever need on the street. And it's light weight is a plus in many situations.

 

[buffalobob]

+1 for a inexpensive starter bike. That is the avenue that I took, and I am glad I did. I've had several bikes, last year I bought a cbr250. I like it for commuting in the city. If I had known the cbr500 was coming out, I would have waited for that.