Opinion - 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 vs The Rest

[GSVR]

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.

Actually Mark the reason these types of bikes aren't fitted with super powerful brakes that can pull up a bike from high speed is they are generally ridden by newer riders.

If a newer rider comes across a hazard sometimes due to inexperience their SRs kick in and they grab a handful of brakes. If the bike had sensitive brakes this would almost certainly result in them going over the bars or washing the front out.

Sometimes less is actually more.

[jeremysprite]

For anyone buying a GPX, if the suspension is too soft for you, I'd suggest buying some Racetech springs for them, about US$90 a pop. Replace the rear as well, if you've got the coin.
About $400 all up I'd guess, and you'd have a wicked hot p-twin cornerer.
I used to be able to keep up with my (slightly more cautious) friend on his NSR around the twisties, give the GPX some decent suspension and I'd say the sports 250's would have a good challenge.

[delusionz]

Yeah, Come to think of it I actually found the ZXR250 too intimidating to even touch before I got my first 250. GPX was the only bike that I could mount and ride at first.



Update: I rode Sam's ZXR250 today and it put a mile long smile on my face and made my GPX feel like a piece of shit little toy cruiser minichopper thing
I see the light but that doesn't retract from what I just said above though...

Hmmm... I wanna super screamer now

[Grantasaurus]

yes 250's are absolutely gutless....ive ridden zx10r's....hop back on a 250 and it's like a scooter.


SM

Who was the fucken idiot who let you ride their ZX10?
I saw you heading through Newmarket once and you were riding like a complete meataxe. Anybody who lets you on a litrebike with you riding it like that deserves everything that happens to it.

[Maki]

Finally found a comment from an experienced rider who has actually ridden the new Kawasaki 250:

"I purchased this bike back in Late Sept. as it was the first one available in Ohio (heh, they had it for a demo but I refused to leave the store without it) My reason behind purchasing this bike is because my 05 GSX-R 600 was stolen and this was the only bike they had that was black as I hate bright flashy colors I had to have black. At first site I thought it was a 600 but was shocked to find out it was actually the new 250 ninja. I didn't get to ride it too long as Ohios' weather really didn't permit me to with the rain, freezing cold, and snow. But I was about to put 1200 miles on it. This is what I was about you find out about it in that time. I'm 5'11" 192 pound yet the torque and power amazingly pulled my @$$ around with absolutely no problems. It is a very intelligently built bike as the weight distribution (and I feel bad for saying it) was MUCH better than my 600 GSX-R I thought it was going to be awkward going from a bigger bike to this one but it was quiet the opposite. The brake fade at the track was very minimal, throwing it around in the corners was a breeze. I'm not too fond of the clutch but thats something I will work on throttle response is excellent, the power and torque will make you think this is a bigger bike than a 250. Open road (highway) riding is a little rougher than I am use to but the suspension isn't broke in yet either. As far as the look goes (and this is my opinion) a rear fender eliminator kit and undertail section is about all this bike needs. I'd like to get rid of the mirrors and slap some LED turn signals in there but for a new rider I wouldn't recomend doing that. All in all if your a new rider and looking for a great starter bike this is the ride you not only need but will want! This little bike has changed my perspective about my old GSX-R 600 and I've taken more pre-cautions in making sure this one doesn't get stolen. I can't wait for warm weather so I can get myself more fimiliar with this little machine until then when I go into the garage I try to find something to do to try to make it better until then and always come up with the same conclusion............. The setup on this bike is absolutely awesome! Way to go Kawasaki, You've earned a new fan of Kawasaki Motorsports."

http://cycleposers.com/index.php?opt...=170&Itemid=44

I think these comments put things into perspective (He came on this bike off a GSX-R 600):

"The brake fade at the track was very minimal"
If the brakes are good enough for track use, then they must be great for the street.

"throwing it around in the corners was a breeze"

Sounds good to me. This does raise one big question though. Now that this bike is available, why would anyone even consider the Hyosung 250? It's heavier, has less power and it actually costs more.

[cowboyz]

i agree. I think anyone going from a IL4 600 to a P2 250 and raving about the power and braking ability probably wasnt riding the 600 well in the first place. In saying that I stand that the new ninja definitely has its place in the market and a strong one at that.

[Maki]

Come on. Look past the fact the he disses the mighty gixxer a little. The point is that this is someone who is experienced and rides on the track. His comments make a nonsense of what SM originally said. Great brakes, good handling and enough power to move his a@@. What more could you ask for in a learners bike?

Would anyone prefer to pay more for a 250 Hyosung? If so, please explain why?

[dave_a]

chazza_404 and I just both brought brand new bikes

I am 5'9 and he is 6'2

I got a ninja and he got the hyosung, Only reason was because he felt more comfortable on the hyo due to its bigger size

so i guess if your over 6 ft the hyo is probably a "better" choice

[Maki]

chazza_404 and I just both brought brand new bikes

I am 5'9 and he is 6'2

I got a ninja and he got the hyosung, Only reason was because he felt more comfortable on the hyo due to its bigger size

so i guess if your over 6 ft the hyo is probably a "better" choice

Cool, congrats! That makes sense, and the hyo does look pretty. Please let us know how you get on with your bikes.

[cowboyz]

Come on. Look past the fact the he disses the mighty gixxer a little. The point is that this is someone who is experienced and rides on the track. His comments make a nonsense of what SM originally said. Great brakes, good handling and enough power to move his a@@. What more could you ask for in a learners bike?

Would anyone prefer to pay more for a 250 Hyosung? If so, please explain why?

well I guess that depends on what "enough power" really means. It is all relative and power is adictive. I used to think my 250 was quick till I brought my 600 and I used to think my 600 was quick till I brought the 9.

[Maki]

I drove a car with around 370 horsepower and thought that was quick until I drove this thing:

http://www.bilavefur.net/album/thumbnails.php?album=180

That is viciously powerful and it does not even have seatbelts. Power is indeed relative.

[yod]

I drove a car with around 370 horsepower and thought that was quick until I drove this thing:

http://www.bilavefur.net/album/thumbnails.php?album=180

That is viciously powerful and it does not even have seatbelts. Power is indeed relative.

was chatting to a young guy the other night with a 550hp R32 GTR Skyline after he spotted the RF (i used to own a skyline so i know a bit about them)

skyline dude: "what sort of power is your bike?"
yod:" 'bout 120 i think"
skyline dude: "so would I have a chance?"
yod: "nah"
"

[CHOPPA]

my lil sis just got her ninja 250r on sat and from what i could find it was the best new learner bike out there in the class, im gonna buy her an exhaust for it just for shits and giggles. I went for a ride and its really easy to ride had good power good brakes and is far better quality then the hyosung it also looks like my race bikes and at the end of the day thats the most you can ask for because its always going to only be a 250...

The only prob with her purchase is she didnt get it from MR Motorcycles!! sorry scotty she was so excited after passing her test she went straight into the very first kawasaki shop and paid full retail! Not assuming we would have got a discount on such a cheap bike from you but it would have been worth a try!!

[Maki]

my lil sis just got her ninja 250r on sat and from what i could find it was the best new learner bike out there in the class, im gonna buy her an exhaust for it just for shits and giggles. I went for a ride and its really easy to ride had good power good brakes and is far better quality then the hyosung it also looks like my race bikes and at the end of the day thats the most you can ask for because its always going to only be a 250...

More positive comments from people who HAVE ACTUALLY RIDDEN THE BIKE. I get mine in the beginning of March, I can't wait.

I guess people who are too big for the Kawasaki will still have to make do with the Hyosung, poor sods...

[phiretrojan]

so i take it hyosung are ok to ride? as when i got my Fxr150 woot woo lol, i told them i was planning on buying the new Model and all i got quoted was "NEVER BY a hyosung ... or ill be seeing you all the time, the parts are really crap, and fall, the guy told me he fixed more hyosung than any other bike, i was looking at the ninja 250r! they look really sexy lol, my dream tho is a 2007 Suzuki GSXR600 K7