2008 Ninja 250R - First impressions

**wbks** · 16th November 2008, 14:52

I'm still is awe as to why they did that rather than revive the zxr250. Thing would sell like crazy, here!

**Slyer** · 16th November 2008, 17:43

Yeah but only here

**wbks** · 16th November 2008, 17:56

so what makes the gpx viable to make but not the zxr? I'm assuming the gpx is going on sale all over the world, so why wouldn't the zxr sell in the same places?

**Slyer** · 16th November 2008, 18:10

Because why would you want a fast 250 when you can get a 600?

**wbks** · 16th November 2008, 18:13

why would you want a slow 250 when you can get a 600?
I would have thought people would only buy them in country's with graduated licencing systems like here not in the states so how is an even slower 250 going to do?

**cameltoe** · 16th November 2008, 18:28

mine made 31.2hp on the dyno stock

**Slyer** · 16th November 2008, 18:33

NZ and Aussie are the only two countries that I know of.
In England it's 125cc limit or something.

**Betawave** · 17th November 2008, 06:40

With regard to the mirrors, you're correct... the positioning isn't ideal, but it's going to be a problem more for those of you used to riding cruisers. I agree fully with the earlier response... tucking in the elbows and leaning just a bit gives me enough visibility to be happy.

I have noticed another niggling problem however:

False neutral between 5 and 6. It doesn't happen often, but there's a definite problem with false neutral between 5 and 6 when I "soft" shift... that is, I shift lazily from 5 to 6 when cruising. I don't get this in any other gear and I don't get this when shifting aggressively.

Also, I'm now close to 700kms on the bike and the engine is definitely getting stronger. I can feel it craving the higher revs, but I'm not ready to take it there quite yet. The Kawa manual suggests 1500kms and I'm trying to stick to that suggestion.

As for tyres, I'm really disappointed that most of the tyres I like aren't available in the correct sizes. I've heard of some folks upsizing to 150 rear to get a wider variety of available tyres, but I'm not willing to upset the bike geometry. Since I'm limited, I'll probably go with the BT45... that seems to be a fairly popular choice and many have given good feedback on it. The other recommended choices were Pirelli Sport Demons and Michelin Pilot Activ. If any of you have personal experience with these tyres on a 250, I'd love to hear from you.

**CookMySock** · 17th November 2008, 08:03

Originally Posted by wbks

I'm still is awe as to why they did that rather than revive the zxr250. Thing would sell like crazy, here!

If it was, I would say it would be much more expensive than other 250's. But yeah its a shame they arent available new. Such awesome bikes.

Steve

**Slyer** · 17th November 2008, 08:18

I'd go for the parallel twin over the inline four but that's just me.

**Duke girl** · 17th November 2008, 08:30

Thanks heaps guys for the advice about tucking the elbows in trying to get more visability from the mirrors. I will definately give it a try when i am next out riding. And to the guy who crashed his Ninja wearing his school uniform, please make sure you are fully covered with the appropiate riding gear as you were lucky not to have done more than just putting a hole in your knee.

**Slyer** · 17th November 2008, 09:15

I think you have to tuck your elbows in for pretty much every sports bike, you can extend them but then you lose some of your lanesplitting abilities!

**CM2005** · 17th November 2008, 09:21

the dunlop GPRa10's are the best tyres to fit according to PB mag, i have to say they stick like the proverbial to a blanket on my mates RS250 aprilia.

**Sparrowhawk** · 17th November 2008, 10:40

Originally Posted by Betawave

As for tyres, I'm really disappointed that most of the tyres I like aren't available in the correct sizes. I've heard of some folks upsizing to 150 rear to get a wider variety of available tyres, but I'm not willing to upset the bike geometry. Since I'm limited, I'll probably go with the BT45... that seems to be a fairly popular choice and many have given good feedback on it. The other recommended choices were Pirelli Sport Demons and Michelin Pilot Activ. If any of you have personal experience with these tyres on a 250, I'd love to hear from you.

I've put Dunlop GT501's on my GPX250, I'm assuming that the tyres are the same because I had about the same choices. I've been really happy with the GT501's so far, no grip issues at all.