Hmm. A Ninja?

[contented]

Hello there happy people! I am finally going to wander out and get a learner's ticket and will be after a 250cc machine just like so many others.

I have been having a look and think that one of those Ninjas is the best bet for me but I would appreciate being steered away if your experience sounds alarm bells with that choice.
I am in my '30s and other than my recent basic lessons on a mate's TT600 thing (too big for a shortarse like me) I have had exactly 2 previous encounters with motorcycles. One was on a 50cc contraption when I was 16 (DT50? they were all the rage amongst 16 year olds in England)

The other was what scared me off for good. A mate of a mate gave me a go on the back of his little 250 bike but he went so fast and weaved so tightly amongst the motorway traffic that it was a brown-trouser moment never to forget. He was a bit of a reckless chap and honestly went as fast as it could go. It was called an RGV250 and I do not want a machine capable of that level of insanity.

So, my main requirement is a bike that will get me to work down 20kms of SH2 with a windy little rural road thrown in. It needs to be fairly reliable and enough fun that I don't feel the need to upgrade as soon as I can.
A bike that is swift, fun and forgivable enough to accomodate a newb would be a winner. I know a little about cars but nought about motorcycles so the world's least reliable bike is a no no for me.

You're probably fed up telling us noobs what to buy. And you're probably very fed up with this blathering first post going on and on but any thoughts would be most welcome.
Thanks!

[Milts]

Hey, welcome to the forums and to riding.

I recently bought my first bike myself, a Kawasaki ZZR250 (http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Kawasaki_ZZR_250_1991.aspx), and for a first bike there are two things I would advise against: a bike too heavy for you to manoeuvre easily at low speed (by getting off and pushing), and a bike with fairings. Dunno what the ninja would be like weight wise for you, but they do have fairings, which can get expensive fast. See what others say, and make sure you sit on one before you buy, but I would point you more towards something lighter and unfaired. Fairings are also a right pain in the wellington wind, and I think are worse on faired smaller bikes because they don't have the weight to compensate that the larger bikes have.

Don't get me wrong, I love my bike and I'm sure you would love riding a ninja, but if I were to go back and buy my first bike again I would look more for something like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-234757135.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-234562628.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-234353084.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-212531782.htm


I'm not suggesting you buy the above bikes, just that you may be better off in that style bike than a ninja. Be sure to search and browse through other threads people have started when looking for advice on a new bike, and see what others have to say on the matter.

Best of luck getting your new bike and getting riding!

[PirateJafa]

Honda VTR250.

The perfect learner bike, followed only by (and at that, a distant second) the GPX250 (not the 250R).

[Jonno.]

Go for a test ride.

[el_scor_cho]

A baby ninja would be a very good choice in my opinion. A friend of mine just recently bought one and they are nice reliable bikes. They are definately not in the same league as an rgv so you'r alright there and if you keep an eye on trade me for a bargain they can be picked up with minimal k's on them being practically brand new at half retail price.
keep in mind they wont keep up with older 250cc bikes, the hp has been zapped on em in recent years

[ducatilover]

Honda VTR250.

The perfect learner bike, followed only by (and at that, a distant second) the GPX250 (not the 250R).

Spada dicks them all :innocent: Check mine in my signature link.

[YellowDog]

Hey, welcome to the forums and to riding.

I recently bought my first bike myself, a Kawasaki ZZR250 (http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Kawasaki_ZZR_250_1991.aspx), and for a first bike there are two things I would advise against: a bike too heavy for you to manoeuvre easily at low speed (by getting off and pushing), and a bike with fairings. .....................................

Some good advice here.

The Ninjas are very good bikes, but they are designed as sports bikes and unless you are going to be travelling to work flat out and cornering with knee down, it may not be the best choice as a starter.

Don't get me wrong, they are reliable and do handle well however as a new rider, something a little more upright that will allow you to learn the slow riding skills that you really do need before you try something less nimble (like a Ninja) a little later on.

I am sure you were attracted to the Ninja because it is a great looking bike. But something less pleasing on the eyes maybe a better option.

Good luck and listen to the noobs who have already 'been there and done that'.

AND the biggest factor has to be your own comfort. The best noob bike in the world may not be right for you. So as has already been said, get out there and sit on a few.

Good luck.

[YellowDog]

AND it's not like Ninjas are good looking bikes or anything.....

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/2008ninja250blue_204.jpg

WOW !!!

[sil3nt]

New Ninja or old Ninja?

Both are extremely popular bikes both here and around the world so they have plenty of parts available. The old Ninja is more a sport-tourer with a rather upright riding position with the new Ninja being a sports bike. Comparison article here http://www.theyeagergroup.com/Comparing_the_2_kawasaki_ninja_250s.htm

The ZZR250 someone mention above is essentially the same bike as the GPX250 just has a few minor differences like the fairings.

You can not go wrong with the ninja 250s!

[ready4whatever]

Im in the same boat. I'd love to own a ninja but cant afford too. Im considering a honda CBF250. much cheaper. nice little commuter

[Mschvs]

Yeah, get a bike without fairings ..... I learnt the hard way!!

[CookMySock]

Any of the 250 twins (parallel or vtwin) are great little learner bikes, with plenty of open-road capability.

Ride lots and lots of them, and get a feel for what you like. Often it just comes down to styling.

Steve

[Maki]

The Ninja is good, had one for a year and it never missed a beat. Great on resale.

[sleeqe2000]

Im in the same boat. I'd love to own a ninja but cant afford too. Im considering a honda CBF250. much cheaper. nice little commuter


Would recommend the cbf - I had 12 months trouble free learning on one, nippy around town although a bit gutless higher up 70 - 100 kph.

if you can pick one up between 3000-4000 would recommend them.

But wouldn't spend the 7 or 8 K on a new ninja - save your money for when you get your full - I wish I had....

[Markw336]

yeah im in the same boat im going to get my licence soon but i equally as much in to bikes as i am cars lol ive heard that the ninja was the top seller in aus for learners last year so the ninja must be alright but you guys are right it is quite expensive for someone who is just starting out but from the videos on you tube that i have seen on ninjas they look like they have a fair bit of power off the line

[Jonno.]

Depends what you want out of it.
Fast compared to a bicycle, yes.
Fast compared to anything else, maybe not.
If you're going to upgrade as soon as you can it seems like a waste of money you lose on resale.

Go test ride a lot of bikes. Not every bike is good for everyone.

[contented]

Wow! Thanks for so many helpful replies, it's given me -and more likely than not my fellow keen beginners- plenty to chew over. I have ruled out a new bike completely due to resale and likelihood of falling off it like a doofus and wrecking it and so I am going to do a tour of the used bike dealers at the weekend to try and narrow it down based on price to start with while I shop for some riding gear.

That picture of the shiny new Ninja really made me grin -I could almost picture meself on it- but sadly reality (Mr. Visa statement) brought himself to my attention not long after and my high and happy mood went down like a sodding lead balloon. :buggerd:
I'm going to have a really good look at everything that has been suggested here, thanks again for the great help.