250 Kawasaki Ninja?

[nickjh91]

I'm a student biker trying to find a reasonably priced bike to practice my riding on before I get my full and try something with a bigger engine.

What is everyone's view on the 250 Kawasaki Ninja, or what would be another well priced competitor to look at?

[Subike]

might be a bit too much power for you if your just a learner

[Asher]

What year models are you looking at?

[Glowerss]

might be a bit too much power for you if your just a learner

I've been riding an older one, the zzr 250. There's no way its too much for anyone so long as you aren't revving it out. It makes almost no power below 7k RPM. It would be the tamest thing on earth below that point. And even above 7k, it's only got some 26 odd Horsepower. It's no GN250, but I doubt it'll scare anyone.

The 250 Kwakas are great learner bikes if that's what you're after.

[superman]

might be a bit too much power for you if your just a learner

LOL! Good one :laugh:

[tigertim20]

I'm a student biker trying to find a reasonably priced bike to practice my riding on before I get my full and try something with a bigger engine.

What is everyone's view on the 250 Kawasaki Ninja, or what would be another well priced competitor to look at?
what year? there are a few variations of the 250 ninja.

opinions will vary based on what year you want for a start, as the older ones are inline 4 cylinder screamers and the new ones are twins.

What is your price range and what are you using it for mainly?

also LAMS allows you to ride larger bikes of up to 650cc on your learners and restricted now too, so it might pay to have a look into that as well

[Brayden]

If you can afford a Ninja then you can afford any 250..

If you got the money for one, then you should buy one

[nickjh91]

I've done plenty of motocross riding on my 250, but minimal on the road, so wanted to see what everyone thought.

I'll have plenty of money after summer, is it worth buying if I'm going to have it for only a year and a half? as in do they hold their value well?

cheers for the advice

[ducatilover]

Look at the LAMS list, you may find other bikes that provide better value for money.
I'd be buying a cheap 250 if I was doing it again, none of them are really good enough to justify 3x the price of a GPX250 (which is the same bike, or get one with twin front brakes and it's the 40hp model) or ZZR250. Which are essentially the same running gear without the cost of buying a fashionable hand-bag bike.

[f2dz]

Been riding an '08 for four months now, love it. Getting a bit bored with the lack of power it has, but for learning I can't imagine wanting anything else.

[Glowerss]

Look at the LAMS list, you may find other bikes that provide better value for money.
I'd be buying a cheap 250 if I was doing it again, none of them are really good enough to justify 3x the price of a GPX250 (which is the same bike, or get one with twin front brakes and it's the 40hp model) or ZZR250. Which are essentially the same running gear without the cost of buying a fashionable hand-bag bike.

+1. What he said. If you're going to buy a 250 get a cheaper variety. Any of the 08 and onwards ninjas are largely overpriced. You can pick up 07 gpx 250 or earlier for half the price of one, and it's largely the same bike. Or pick up a zzr250 , which has the better suspenders, a larger sized wheel, and updated fairings. Both can be had for 3000 or less with some shopping.

Otherwise if you have some biking experience, look at the LAMS list. There isn't a hell of a lot out there at the moment, but if I was going to spend around $5k I'd be buying a GS500, which will be a better bike in every concievable way.

If you're determined to spend a lot of money, buy one of the new ninja 300s. Better in every way to the 250s, and will have more power to keep you entertained for longer. Probably hold it's value better as well as there aren't many of them and probably wont be for some time.

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-521324897.htm

And you will have change for tassles.