thinking about trading in for '08 ninja 250

[fox22182]

I'm losing sleep over this in my head. The bike just looks so sexy for only $3500. I wish I could afford something bigger but being a college student it just doesn't work. The GS has been a great learner bike and I def don't regret getting one. I've had it now for about 3 months and I just want something sportier. I don't need anything faster as I never take in on the highway and the only time I ever will will be for biketoberfest. Other then that I use it as a daily communter for school (2 days a week, online classes FTW) and pleasure.

I guess my biggest concern with the GS other then the looks is the weight. I'm 6'4" and about 175. I feel like the wind blows me around quite a bit but its probably because it was kinda windy on the days i ride. Will that be a substantial problem with the 250? I also am a bigger fan of being able to take corners sharper and I feel like I just can't get enough out of the GS. I'm getting new tires this weekend so that might take care of that issue but I just feel like the ninja would do better in this department?

any thoughts would really help me. Thanks!

another reason I don't want to invest in a nicer bike right now is that I live in an apartment complex and I'm scarred about theft and vandilism.

[groff22]

Scared about theft and vandalism? Keep the GS!

The new 250 is dead sexy... I want one too... If the wife lets me.

Anyway, this reply adds no value whatsoever to your post ... So...

Cheers,
J

[PuddleJumper]

The new 250r is very nice looking.

If the suspension has been updated, it might corner better than the GS. I believe the older one was about even with the GS in that department.

At just over 300 lbs. It would be a bit more touchy with wind gusts. Not so bad that you can't deal with it though. The longer you ride the less you will notice that.

Fuel mileage is in the 70 to 80 MPG range, depending on how you ride it.

Supposedly, Kawi is considering a Versy's style bike based on the 250r. The only place I've seen this info is in an article from Motorcycle News. I don't know how accurate the info is, But a 250 adventure tour bike would be cool.

Go sit on one and test ride if possible, If it turns you on, get it.

BeSafe.

[ohgood]

From the pictures I've seen, it looks like the engine is the same. The suspension is still up in the air, right ? The plastic is pretty, wheels the same, ergo's likely exactly the same... etc...

So, what's the point again of paying a premium for the 'new' and 'theif approved' 250 ?

All things being equal, or very easily upgraded from a much cheaper 2 year old ex250, why risk it ?

Also, if the engine IS different for 08, isn't that a REALLY good reason to wait a couple more years for  hte bugs to be worked out ?


Dead sexy plastic vs. it being there in the morning.... 

[GeeP]

Buy a used SV, like this one:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/440202768.html

Or this one:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/439915650.html

Maybe this one:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/439826970.html

How about this:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/438825246.html

Nope, wait a minute:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/438393368.html

Hold on a second:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/437597067.html

Waaaiiit for it:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/435722515.html

OK, I'm done now.  Every one of them was under $3,900, which is what you'll pay out the door for a new EX250.

GET THE POINT YET?   

The SV is so much more bike, somebody already took the depreciation, and can you say wheeeeeliemonster?   

[simon79]

With my utmost respect for everybody and everybody's personal choice round here...
I have noticed that this little Ninja 250 has caused excitement amongst many board members.
The thing is, that I don't get to understand why it attracts so much attention in GS riders.
I mean:
Many of us already own a great all-rounder/beginner vehicle (i.e., the GS, be it naked or "F").
So, why drooling on yet another small bike? Bought new?
The new 250 seems to me...well, don't hate me, it looks toy-ish.
No doubt about build quality, Kawasaki is all but a newcomer, it makes excellent bikes.

Maybe it's just me...I'm probably biased, 'cos I live in a different market reality, and it's been ages I haven't seen such a small displacement bike in my places, the last one being the two-stroke Aprilia RS 250.

So why a Kawa 250 after a GS 500?
is it faster? cheaper to buy/maintain/insure? (It has better MPG, I know )
No criticism, I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful either. Just wanna know.

*simon79 ducks with his forearms over his head and face, prepared to receive kicks and insults*

[Prafeston]

I wouldn't see why you would go down to a 250 either. Even if it is pretty. That is unless you just have too much money than you know what to do with and you want so have several bikes...which in that case, why don't you just send that money my way. I could put it to some good use.

Also, not a big fan of that SV. Ugly seat, ugly frame, ugly fairing...I don't care if it is a wheeliemonster.

[GeeP]

Also, not a big fan of that SV. Ugly seat, ugly frame, ugly fairing...I don't care if it is a wheeliemonster.

BLASPHEMY!   

What fairing?  Real SV's should be naked!   

[Prafeston]

I don't know much about motorcycles, but I just don't like the looks of that frame on the SV. The ugly fairing was on the second from the bottom link. I hate fairings. I was born naked and I'll ride naked...haha.

[510]

I guess my biggest concern with the GS other then the looks is the weight. I'm 6'4" and about 175. I feel like the wind blows me around quite a bit but its probably because it was kinda windy on the days i ride. Will that be a substantial problem with the 250?

Dude, yes it will be much more of a problem. My experience with the 250 on the freeway was that it felt like I was being blown all over the place. It was hard to even maintain a straight line in the lane. This was with a moderate breeze. The extra 100+ pounds of the GS makes quite a bit of difference in this department.

[ohgood]

simon79 -

Nice post, good questions. The littlest ninja is creating a big buzz because it _is_ a great commuter. And track bike. And twisties machine. etc. Folks have praised it for a Loooong time as being a really FUN machine, very very stingy on gas, and cheap to maintain. Here's a write up from a Hayabusa owners' take on the machine: http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

Think about it. Tiny little bike, screaming motor, you can _almost_ put it in your pocket. Reliability that is hard to beat, very good ergo's, and folks that don't know better think it's a 'crotch rocket' because it says ninja on the side.

Check out the link, it has great pic's and words.

[simon79]

>ohgood:

thank you
I expected to be flamed and butt-kicked. So far, so good.
Ok, I can get the point a bit better now.
By the way, I've already gone through that Busa rider's report on the ninja 250 trip in a previous occurrence; very nice story. Thanks as well.
Our reality across the pond, or at least in my country, is a bit different, that's why I sound so surprised about the possibility of stepping down to a 250cc bike... People (fellow countrymen) having 2-wheel commuting needs mainly use scooters, any displacement from 50 to 650, depending on one's possibilities. Fewer use *real* bikes, the smallest displacement being 600cc on most cases. 500 cc's and smaller are almost looked upon with contempt.  
And by the way...don't you forget that they build Ducati's down here!

[TonyKZ1]

Well, while I can't afford to buy a new '08 Ninja 250, yet... However I did trade-down or downgrade or upgrade all depending on your point of view to a Ninja 250. I was riding an old '75 Kawasaki KZ400. It wasn't very fast but had enough power for me and I commuted on it a couple years, about 300 miles a week. I was wanting a Ninja 500, or a GS500 but this little Ninja 250 appeared for sale not too far away. It has about the same hp as my KZ400, so I didn't think it'd be much different. But it's 100lbs lighter and that did make a difference. Plus the parts availiblity are quite a bit better than the old KZ400.
Just my .02 worth.. Tony

[dgyver]

I do not see what is so great about the 250 either. There is nothing about it that I would really want. Maybe for a track bike but I have plenty of GS's for that. No desire for commuting so gas mileage is of no concern. 35mpg was fine with me on my TLR, I rode it like it was designed. I could get 50mpg if I wanted, but that was not fun. Motorcycles are play toys to me. Still wish I had my TLR or even the SV, which I may get another of either of them or something similar in the future.

[minos36]

geez, for $3500. i'd get one just to have one. i love my gs but having a ninja in the house wouldn't be so bad either.

[Chuck]

The Ninja 250 is cool, but if it costs you extra money to trade from the GS500 (which is pretty much a lateral move as far as I'm concerned) it might not be worth it.  However, if you think it's absolutely dead sexy, you should get exactly what you want, because it's your money.

[simon79]

An update:

the Ninja 250R has just been introduced at the international motorbike expo being (Salon de la Moto) which is being held these days in Paris, France.
So, seems like it will be imported in Europe too.
No official MSRP by now, but I'm quite sure it won't even be close to the 3200 USD mentioned for the American market. Much more probably I'm afraid it'll be 5000-5500 USD (3600-3900 EUR), or better speaking, it will have to stay under the 4000 EUR threshold to be a valid competitor, IMHO. At least where I live.
The GS 500 currently has a MSRP of about 6000 USD (4300 EUR), brand new. (A little more for the "F" version)
Anyway, Kawasaki's decision of intoducing and importing a small displacement bike again deserves a praise.
I hope this will set a new trend; after all, <400cc bikes still pay ridiculous insurance fees.