Opinion - 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 vs The Rest

[cowboyz]

Just waiting for my wifes one to turn up, they got a red one but she realy wants the green one........... Happy now cowboyz
Should be here in a couple of weeks

Fucking Mint.


Good things are worth waiting for.

[hornhonker]

Should be interesting to do a direct compare with an old CBR250RR. Anyone up to do this for us and report in ?

[jcupit69]

I've riden most 'sports' 250s and owned a zxr 250 c (now got an rs) and the old zxrs are a great 250 for commuting and giving a bit of stick to on the weekends or when eva you have time. But its a difficult place, if you want the best 250 and can afford it and have time for the work then the rs 250 is the best performing 250 there is, especially on the track, they are after all racing bikes 1st and road bikes 2nd, hence some of the draw backs. But no other 250 (aside form the rgv) are designed in the same way as the aprilia, and it shows, amazing in some areas (performance and handeling) and not so great in others (cost and maintinance). There not as uncomfy as you might think thow.
I do see the point in the hyosungs and the new 'sports' 250s but they just dont have the performance that the2 strokes and the older zxr and cbrs do. The hyos and the new 1s are much easier to get parts for and many think look the best.
It all sort of comes down to what you want, for out and out performance you cant over look the rs and the rgv (dam the end of 2stroke 250s!!!!). I personally think the zxr 250 c model gives a good balance between performance and practicallity, but then the new bikes do look good. (still think the rs looks better, many people will agree and many won't).
For me rs 250 if you can afford it, and a zxr if you want a good all rounder. Found the hyos disapointing when i rode it after my zxr and sorta expect the same from the new ninja from reading the specs; you neva know but it WONT have the power of the 2strokes, and it doesnt apper to have the brakes or the suspension of earlier zxrs, and i would question the performance, but we'll have to wait and see in sum areas, you neva know..

n.b. aprilias are a bitch to get parts for and cost a fortune......but my got their worth it if you can afford it

[cowboyz]

the whole point which, Skidmark missed entirely, and you dodged is that ALOT of people dont want a 250 to race. Especially a road 250. There is a hole in the market and that is nice looking full fairing 250s. Hyosung did a fantastic job with the GT250r. It is a full sized bike that looks very smart. Someone at kwaka woke up and realised that the 250 market is empty with new options and put the ninja 250r on the table and that man deserves a promotion. I dont expect they will be speed machines. Nor do I think anyone apart from squids expects them to be either. But they have a place on the road and I would expect they will be a very comfortable, good looking starter bike.

[cowboyz]

Should be interesting to do a direct compare with an old CBR250RR. Anyone up to do this for us and report in ?

not forgetting that the first and most obvious comparison between the ninja 250r and the cbr250 will be the age difference and offered warrentees.

[yod]

I've riden most 'sports' 250s and owned a zxr 250 c (now got an rs) and the old zxrs are a great 250 for commuting and giving a bit of stick to on the weekends or when eva you have time. But its a difficult place, if you want the best 250 and can afford it and have time for the work then the rs 250 is the best performing 250 there is, especially on the track, they are after all racing bikes 1st and road bikes 2nd, hence some of the draw backs. But no other 250 (aside form the rgv) are designed in the same way as the aprilia, and it shows, amazing in some areas (performance and handeling) and not so great in others (cost and maintinance). There not as uncomfy as you might think thow.
I do see the point in the hyosungs and the new 'sports' 250s but they just dont have the performance that the2 strokes and the older zxr and cbrs do. The hyos and the new 1s are much easier to get parts for and many think look the best.
It all sort of comes down to what you want, for out and out performance you cant over look the rs and the rgv (dam the end of 2stroke 250s!!!!). I personally think the zxr 250 c model gives a good balance between performance and practicallity, but then the new bikes do look good. (still think the rs looks better, many people will agree and many won't).
For me rs 250 if you can afford it, and a zxr if you want a good all rounder. Found the hyos disapointing when i rode it after my zxr and sorta expect the same from the new ninja from reading the specs; you neva know but it WONT have the power of the 2strokes, and it doesnt apper to have the brakes or the suspension of earlier zxrs, and i would question the performance, but we'll have to wait and see in sum areas, you neva know..

n.b. aprilias are a bitch to get parts for and cost a fortune......but my got their worth it if you can afford it

the whole point which, Skidmark missed entirely, and you dodged is that ALOT of people dont want a 250 to race. Especially a road 250. There is a hole in the market and that is nice looking full fairing 250s. Hyosung did a fantastic job with the GT250r. It is a full sized bike that looks very smart. Someone at kwaka woke up and realised that the 250 market is empty with new options and put the ninja 250r on the table and that man deserves a promotion. I dont expect they will be speed machines. Nor do I think anyone apart from squids expects them to be either. But they have a place on the road and I would expect they will be a very comfortable, good looking starter bike.

2-smokers are more expensive to run (at $15-$20 per litre of oil plus gas), as well as maintain, are not really an ideal learner machine as they're more in league with 400-500cc 4-strokes in terms of power and speed, and not entirely practical as an everyday commuter (imho)


but they are an obsceeeeeene load of fun

[motorbyclist]

ok, i gave up reading by post 25 and have come to a conclusion:

this thread is full of fail, mostly on skidmark's behalf - having ridden a few 250's doesn't make you of all people an expert.


and USD forks mean very little; they're just a small component of handling along with tyre choice, weight distribution, frame dynamics, rider skill/style/weight and engine characteristics. my nc30 with "old forks" has proved just as if not more capable as corners than any modern sportsbike that i've met, but again that comes down to rider skill/stupidity along with the rest of the bike. heck even an fxr150 handles well, just it's lacking power

though my initial impression today, sitting on the just-sold ninja at mt eden, was that is was just another gsx/gpx250 but better dressed and less comfortable... and wider than it needs to be.... and omg the cry of surprise and disappointment when i looked into the fairings and saw the engine

if i were a learner, choosing between the hobag and the "fake zxr" i'd save 4 or 5 grand and get another fxr150; reliable, proven, and cheap so it wont matter if i bail like most learners do

ok, didn't mean to post anything beyond "full of fail", but my backspace key is getting worn out so i'll leave it

[EnzoYug]

ok, i gave up reading by post 25 and have come to a conclusion:
this thread is full of fail,

i concur. the argument, along with it's arguers is stupid. unless someone here has a vested interest in selling these bikes - you're wasting time talking shit.

i hate to say it, but I actually prefer the "omg I got fucked at the used car lot / the police are fucking stupid / i shouldn't done that 360 backflip whilst lanesplitting backwards down tamaki drive" threads to this.

at least they are interesting

[skidMark]

the whole point which, Skidmark missed entirely, and you dodged is that ALOT of people dont want a 250 to race. Especially a road 250. There is a hole in the market and that is nice looking full fairing 250s.

As a learner you are limited to a 250cc.

Doesn't mean i want something slow?

my 250 lets me commute, cane the hell out of it on the open road. and take it to the track.

many learners have different needs, the simple point of this thread was to describe if these bikes will meet thier needs.

anyways.

you also said a great starter bike, if you stick with the same bike it has to last you 2 years, until you can upgrade.

and screw being stuck on the new ninja for that long.

you would find it's limits too quickly

fine if you want something to goto uni and work and back it's fine.

but out on the open road it doesn't cut it.

riding the GPX for 6 months was bad enough.

anyways cowboyz.

your a cock.

[skidMark]

i was thinking all us kawasaki owners should take up a collection and buy mark a suzuki. imagine mark as a suzuki booster!

i wouldnt ride it, the frame would snap.

I went and checked one out today,VERY impressed with it ill be picking mine up on the 4th of febuary

yes do indeed let us know. then ride a ZXR.

i need a laugh.

[yod]

but out on the open road it doesn't cut it.

what 250 does? what are we talking here, a difference of 5-6hp? hardly significant....

and btw man, resorting to out and out abuse just makes you seem like a complete idiot; give that and your mad desire to try and impress a bit of a rest and you might get a more favourable response from people

[skidMark]

what 250 does? what are we talking here, a difference of 5-6hp? hardly significant....

and btw man, resorting to out and out abuse just makes you seem like a complete idiot; give that and your mad desire to try and impress a bit of a rest and you might get a more favourable response from people

power doesnt bother me it's suspension and braking i need.

[cowboyz]

yawn....................

[skidMark]

yawn....................

run outta material, oh poor darling.

just to think i was starting to respect you as being witty.

just face it, you will never be the man like i am okay, leave the stirring and trolling to the big boys.

go back to your chatter rings.

[Richard Mc F]

Mark......havn't you fucked off yet