Good Starter bike - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Zarvik · 07-31-2008, 02:34 AM

I have a DR200SE, and it does the job pretty well but I am moving from Alaska to California in September, and I am going to purchase a new bike when I arrive in Cali. I am heavily leaning towards a kawasaki ninja 250r. Now for a while I wanted a Honda 250 nighthawk, but then I took the MSF class and we rode those and I didn't really like them all that much. Now I am 6'2" and 250lbs so I am a big boy. What I wanted to know form you guys is your opinion on the new revamped Ninja 250, if there are any other bikes I should consider. Now price is a big deal breaker, so anything 5000+ would hurt my wallet a little to much.

ok thanks

JmalB · 07-31-2008, 06:06 AM

Ninja 500 or a used 2nd tier 600. Like yzf600r, bandit 650, CBR600f4i, sv650, 599

jgreth · 07-31-2008, 09:13 AM

I'd say Ninja 500 / Suzuki GS500 / SV650 if you want to stay in that price range.

The 650 is a bit more bike but CAN be manageable as long as you respect it.

bigE · 07-31-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgreth

I'd say Ninja 500 / Suzuki GS500 / SV650 if you want to stay in that price range.

The 650 is a bit more bike but CAN be manageable as long as you respect it.

+1. You are too big for a 250 IMO (no offense BTW, I used to weigh 287 and ride a 300ex

). DO NOT get a CBR/ZX/GSXR repli-racer. Like Jmal said, the Honda 599 would be a good choice as well.

I'm 6'3" 205lbs and started out on a Ninja 500 and now ride a SV650.

jgreth · 07-31-2008, 02:45 PM

I'm 6'3" and 235'ish and my GS500 pulls plenty for me. Granted, I am upgrading within the next year or so to my dream bike ( Busa ) but that's because of the style difference not the power.... if they made a busa style bike ( I-4, looks, frame size etc ) in a 500 I would buy it in a heart beat ( better fuel efficiency + less insurance ).

I will agree that a 250 may be a bit small for someone MY size but a 500 is more than enough.

Zarvik · 07-31-2008, 10:38 PM

Ok, cool!

Thanks for the fast replies. I think I am going with the kawasaki ninja 500. A lot of people in California are selling them. Anything i should pay attention for as far as problems with these bikes?

JmalB · 08-01-2008, 08:21 AM

everything? Just to be safe.

bigE · 08-01-2008, 09:27 AM

I dont know of any model specific issues with the bike. They have stayed virtually the same since they came out in the late 80's....

Heres a good link for what to look for when buying a used bike:
Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide

07-31-2008, 02:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zarvik Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: DR200SE 2001 Posts: 7	Good Starter bike I have a DR200SE, and it does the job pretty well but I am moving from Alaska to California in September, and I am going to purchase a new bike when I arrive in Cali. I am heavily leaning towards a kawasaki ninja 250r. Now for a while I wanted a Honda 250 nighthawk, but then I took the MSF class and we rode those and I didn't really like them all that much. Now I am 6'2" and 250lbs so I am a big boy. What I wanted to know form you guys is your opinion on the new revamped Ninja 250, if there are any other bikes I should consider. Now price is a big deal breaker, so anything 5000+ would hurt my wallet a little to much. ok thanks

07-31-2008, 09:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,078	I'd say Ninja 500 / Suzuki GS500 / SV650 if you want to stay in that price range. The 650 is a bit more bike but CAN be manageable as long as you respect it. __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

07-31-2008, 02:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
jgreth Mr. Threadjack Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki GS500F Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,078	I'm 6'3" and 235'ish and my GS500 pulls plenty for me. Granted, I am upgrading within the next year or so to my dream bike ( Busa ) but that's because of the style difference not the power.... if they made a busa style bike ( I-4, looks, frame size etc ) in a 500 I would buy it in a heart beat ( better fuel efficiency + less insurance ). I will agree that a 250 may be a bit small for someone MY size but a 500 is more than enough. __________________ What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie? You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. What happened to then? We passed then. When? Just now. We're at now now. Go back to then. When? Now! Now? Now! I can't. Why? We missed it. When? Just now. When will then be now? Soon.

08-01-2008, 09:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
bigE Kickstand Operator Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2000 SV650 & 2000 Marauder Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 297	I dont know of any model specific issues with the bike. They have stayed virtually the same since they came out in the late 80's.... Heres a good link for what to look for when buying a used bike: Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide __________________ 2000 SV650: Desnorkled, rejetted and shimmed, Micron Exhaust, ZX6R shock, Racetech forks, Dominator lights, R6 throttle tube, various cosmetic parts/paint

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07-31-2008, 10:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zarvik Newbie Joined: Jul 2008 Bike: DR200SE 2001 Posts: 7	Ok, cool! Thanks for the fast replies. I think I am going with the kawasaki ninja 500. A lot of people in California are selling them. Anything i should pay attention for as far as problems with these bikes?

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