Opinion - 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 vs The Rest

[skidMark]

Seriously mark, comparing performance between say a gpx 250 and a zxr 250 is pointless... they are almost the same.

Comparing slow with slow. Gay with gay.

As i said pete. i do not mean performance engine wise.

i mean suspension wise.

[cowpoos]

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.

Do you actually realise how many people you annoy with these sorts of comments...they are beyond being checky [which you are a cheeky bugger..and nothing wrong with cheeki-ness to a point at all]...but there is a point where you go a little to far??

[yod]

ya left out splinter....

[GSVR]

wasnt there a rat that rode a suzuki in the ninja turtles?

ya left out splinter....

Seems like Raphael wants you to join his group there Yod. Hell probably offer you some cheese next.

[yod]

wasnt there a rat that rode a suzuki in the ninja turtles?

correct.

he was the master.

enough said.

[phallic]

So back to the topic..... Has anyone been for a ride on the bike yet and want to give some feedback?

[HornetBoy]

Suppose this thread is good for people who want to double post and get their "post count up" ....Well hopefully their starts to be some valuable info in this thread not just Skiddy and co arguing just makes it annoyign to have to flick through 10 pages of b.s just to get to the proper info and advice

[Maki]

I will give you the benefit of a doubt, SM. Here is the chance to actually "help people". You wrote: "because i actually help people. origional post was to help people. not diss the bike." Ok, I am a rider with virtually no experience looking for my first bike. I want something to learn on and I obviously can't get anything bigger than a 250 because of the rules. I would like something reliable and reasonably sporty.

Here is your chance to help me. You can do so by answering the following questions. I am sure this will help others too.

1. Whats my best bet in todays market if I want a NEW reliable and sporty bike that's 250 cc or less and I don't want the Hyosung. (It looks to me like an overpriced, overweight, unreliable rust bucket.)

2. "The Hyosung GT250R was infact origionally designed by Kawasaki but for some reason the plans were sold."
Says who, and so what?

3. "The GPX/Ninja....(it's the same bike just with pretty panels and some changes,same suspension riding position high up bars instead of "clip-on's", just admit it)"
The same bike? I was under the impression that the engine was different, the wheels a different size and the suspension is different. Am I wrong? If I am, then please contact Kawasaki and ask them to correct the information on this website: http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/det...specifications

4. In what way are upside down forks better than right side up forks?

5. "the tyres on them arn't even a low profile, which these days limits you alot." The tyres on the 2008 are not low profile? If not, then whats stopping you from putting low profile tyres on it?

6. Are the brakes on the 2008 Kawasaki inadequate? For road use? For track use? How do you know?

7. If you want a "real sportsbike", then why would you even consider a 250? A beginning rider needs a real sportsbike about as bad as he needs cancer of the ass. An experienced rider who wants a "real sportsbike" would want something with a powerful engine, 600 at least, right? Seems to me a 250 is never going to be a real sportsbike.

8. In my experience the most important single specification that defines whether a motor vehicle is really sporty is the weight. Less weight = better braking, better acceleration and better cornering. The dry mass of a hyosung gt250r is 171kg. The dry mass of the 2008 Kawasaki 250 is 151kg. To me that difference means a great deal, more than 2 huge front brake disks that probably contribute more to increasing the unsprung rolling weight of the Hyosung than any meaningful usable brake performance. What makes the Hyosung more sporty than the Kawasaki? The fact that it has a more uncomfortable riding position?

Answer these simple questions please.

[cowboyz]

So back to the topic..... Has anyone been for a ride on the bike yet and want to give some feedback?

pm meanie. he has one next door sitting in his garage if you really want to know the ins and outs of them but its only got 150k on the clock so probably not really keen for a review till some ks are put on it.

Suppose this thread is good for people who want to double post and get their "post count up" ....Well hopefully their starts to be some valuable info in this thread not just Skiddy and co arguing just makes it annoyign to have to flick through 10 pages of b.s just to get to the proper info and advice

Heres a bit of free advice. Anytime you see a post from skidmark you will know there will be no valuable information in the thread.

[skidMark]

I will give you the benefit of a doubt, SM. Here is the chance to actually "help people". You wrote: "because i actually help people. origional post was to help people. not diss the bike." Ok, I am a rider with virtually no experience looking for my first bike. I want something to learn on and I obviously can't get anything bigger than a 250 because of the rules. I would like something reliable and reasonably sporty.

Here is your chance to help me. You can do so by answering the following questions. I am sure this will help others too.

1. Whats my best bet in todays market if I want a NEW reliable and sporty bike that's 250 cc or less and I don't want the Hyosung. (It looks to me like an overpriced, overweight, unreliable rust bucket.)

Your two options are the new ninja and the hyosung.

There is the cbr150 and yzf150's coming out, but i don't think they are going to be the gruntiest thing ever.

2. "The Hyosung GT250R was infact origionally designed by Kawasaki but for some reason the plans were sold."
Says who, and so what?

I spend 16 hours a day on the internet, sure i can remember exactly where i got that info from **roll eyes** Was just a bit of info.

3. "The GPX/Ninja....(it's the same bike just with pretty panels and some changes,same suspension riding position high up bars instead of "clip-on's", just admit it)"
The same bike? I was under the impression that the engine was different, the wheels a different size and the suspension is different. Am I wrong? If I am, then please contact Kawasaki and ask them to correct the information on this website: http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/det...specifications

Did you really wan't my serious help or do you need to be a toss about it?

4. In what way are upside down forks better than right side up forks?

I never said they were, simply in this case the bikes with USD's in question had more adjustments than those running non USD's

5. "the tyres on them arn't even a low profile, which these days limits you alot." The tyres on the 2008 are not low profile? If not, then whats stopping you from putting low profile tyres on it?

[COLOR=lime] they are already err where did i say that? COLOR]

6. Are the brakes on the 2008 Kawasaki inadequate? For road use? For track use? How do you know?

It's a single disc, non floating. The same brakes used on the origional. obviously twin discs is better.

7. If you want a "real sportsbike", then why would you even consider a 250? A beginning rider needs a real sportsbike about as bad as he needs cancer of the ass. An experienced rider who wants a "real sportsbike" would want something with a powerful engine, 600 at least, right? Seems to me a 250 is never going to be a real sportsbike.

Beginner riders still need it to go round a corner, they will have it a minimum of 2 years.

about probably between 30,000-80,000k's

it's the corners where it matters unless you solely commute, and even then you need something reasonable or when they upgrade to a "real sportsbike" as you call it, they won't be able to ride it for shit.


where as i go on my ZXR250, and can hop on my mates 2006 ZX10r with 15k+ of modifications and ride it quite happily. just like my ZXR250 handling wise reacts how i expect etc.

just 17 years advanced in technology.

new Ninja uses the same forks and axle the used in the GPX 250 Ninja in 1988.
8. In my experience the most important single specification that defines whether a motor vehicle is really sporty is the weight. Less weight = better braking, better acceleration and better cornering. The dry mass of a hyosung gt250r is 171kg. The dry mass of the 2008 Kawasaki 250 is 151kg. To me that difference means a great deal, more than 2 huge front brake disks that probably contribute more to increasing the unsprung rolling weight of the Hyosung than any meaningful usable brake performance. What makes the Hyosung more sporty than the Kawasaki? The fact that it has a more uncomfortable riding position?

Did you even read the first post?, ride the ninja, then ride a gt250r, tell me which stops quicker and doesn't dive like a submarine.

Answer these simple questions please.

Just did.

SM.................

[Maki]

Thanks for your effort, SM. "I spend 16 hours a day on the internet"...

"Did you really wan't my serious help or do you need to be a toss about it?"
A bit of both.


"I never said they were, simply in this case the bikes with USD's in question had more adjustments than those running non USD's".
Ok.


"obviously twin discs is better."
More unsprung rotating weight is obviously better?


"where as i go on my ZXR250, and can hop on my mates 2006 ZX10r with 15k+ of modifications and ride it quite happily. just like my ZXR250 handling wise reacts how i expect etc."
Your mate is a trusting soul.


"Did you even read the first post?, ride the ninja, then ride a gt250r, tell me which stops quicker and doesn't dive like a submarine."
Maybe that's what you should have done before you started this whole thing? Actually ridden both bikes. It would have helped to do some research too, especially since you spend 16 hours a day on the internet.


Thanks again for taking the time...

[Meanie]

The Ashhurst Ninja Turtles.

Leonardo (Blue)(Meanie) Leonardo is courageous, decisive, and a devoted student of martial arts. As a strict adherent to Bushido, he has a very strong sense of honor and justice. He wears a blue mask and wields a pair of ninjaken (literally "ninja sword"), although every incarnation identifies his swords as "katana." He is named after Leonardo Da Vinci.

Raphael (Red)(CowBoyz) The team's anti-social bad boy, Raphael has an aggressive nature and seldom hesitates to throw the first punch. His personality can be alternately fierce and sarcastic. He resents Leonardo at times because of his position of authority. Raphael wears a red mask and wields a pair of sai. He is named after Raphael Sanzio.

Michelangelo (Orange)(Monnie) The easy-going and free-spirited Michelangelo provides much of the comic relief. While he loves to relax, this Turtle also has an adventurous and creative side. He wears an orange mask and wields a pair of nunchaku. He is named after Michelangelo Buonarroti. His name was originally misspelled "Michaelangelo" by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.

Donatello (Purple)(Mouse) The brilliant scientist, inventor, engineer, and technological genius. He is perhaps the least violent Turtle, preferring to use his intellect to solve conflicts. He wears a purple mask and wields the bo staff. He is named after the sculptor Donatello.

If your heading thru Ashhurst watch out for the Ninja Turtle Gang

Garry you have far too much time on your hands
Well done though

[zeocen]

Suppose this thread is good for people who want to double post and get their "post count up" ....Well hopefully their starts to be some valuable info in this thread not just Skiddy and co arguing just makes it annoyign to have to flick through 10 pages of b.s just to get to the proper info and advice

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...9&postcount=15 and Maki's seem to cover most basics if you want the 'other end of the stick' from Mark's post.

Not all of this thread is 'rant and rave'.

[skidMark]

"obviously twin discs is better."
More unsprung rotating weight is obviously better?

The surface area is double.

fo and extra 1kg or less of weight i would rather have more than double the front braking surface area....

my zxr stops a heck of alot quicker than my gpx ever did.

it's stuff all more rotating weight....the gain in braking far outweighs the extra weight.

up to you, everybody has thier own view.

[arj127]

- never intended as a sportsbike. -

Not every 250cc rider wants to buy a "sports bike"