GO!
GO!
Good little bike. 1988(ish) to 2007 are similar in style and design. New engine for 2008 up. More modern bodywork on the new ones (injection too I think). I have a 2002 - about 36 hp. Revs to 14,000 - basically no power under about 6,000. Will do close to 100. Light and low - 304 lbs for mine (less now that it's in naked form). Great as a pit bike and running around town. Too light for my comfort level on the highway. If you're over 6' they can be a little cramped. They hold their value very well. Fairly easy to pick one up for 1500-1800 - ride for a couple of years and sell for 1500-1800. Carbs have tiny little jets and passageways - which makes it really easy for them to gum up if they sit much. I can tear down the carbs in about 15 minutes now. Oh yeah - 50-70 mpg. I just put in another engine - pretty simple to work on - just access to stuff is tight. For mods - they don't like having the airbox removed. Takes a lot of fiddling to get the jetting right with quite a few techs claiming it can't be done. Good internet support.
I have been wanting one recently. :Subscribed:
I've owned two and enjoyed them very much. One of them leaked fuel by the float needles and flooded the crankcase ruining the engine before I caught it. I had to replace it. Since then, I always turn off the petcocks on bikes when I park them. I recommend riding more than one so you can really get the feel of a good one before purchasing one.
the one i'm getting is a roller with the engine in a basket. CO says it's hard to turn the crank when fully assembled, so i'm going to assume it needs a full rebuild. the price is right, and as my wife says, "bikes take up less space. why don't you get a bike instead of another car.
AC, here's a link to a great Ninja 250 forum:
http://www.ninja250forum.com/
On the forum page, you'll find separate sections for 86-2007 and 2008+ model years.
Lots of info and how-to's are readily available...........
Paging JG, paging JG.
oldtin wrote: Good little bike. 1988(ish) to 2007 are similar in style and design. New engine for 2008 up. More modern bodywork on the new ones (injection too I think).
Nope, still carbs.
I had an '88 eliminator(which has the 250 ninja drivetrain), good little bike. Had decent power, good mpg and never let me down(unless I messed with something I shouldn't have). Brother in law just sold his '08 ninja, nice little bike, but seams like they moved the power band up to far, really had to thrash it to get some speed.
2.0dohc wrote: Brother in law just sold his '08 ninja, nice little bike, but seams like they moved the power band up to far, really had to thrash it to get some speed.
The Hyosung's seem to use fewer revs and have more useable torque; FI is standard. Too bad the quality and longevity are suspect. Maybe the advances in Korean automotive production standards have (or will) transfer to moto segment.
Here's the 250GTR w/v-twin power:
The base 250GT is a naked version.
Another bike to consider is the new Honda CBR250R. I rode it and a 2011 Ninja 250 back to back and I was surprised that the CBR250R felt smoother and revved quicker. The CBR250R had a little more grunt of the line too. Of course, the Ninja probably has a little more top speed, but if most of your riding is under 70mph, it's probably a moot point.
That said, it's hard to turn down anything if the price is right.
In reply to mpolans:
The Kwak, Honda and Hyosung all retail at $3999.00.
The Ninja is a carbed inline twin, the CB's a fuel-injected thumper and the Hyo is an injected v-twin. It's good to have some interesting and sporting small bore choices.
keep an eye out for a spare engine. I got one from a bike salvage place for a couple hundred (with 2900 miles). Plug n play and I can take my time rebuilding the old one - might make a cycle kart with it.
x2 on the ninja250forum site and the associated ninja250faq site.
Popular Mechanics did a 250cc motorcycle comparison in their May issue, might be up on their site by now. They have speed statistics, commentary and actual MPG ratings from their test.
Might want to look at the Megelli 250R as well. Saw one downtown a few days ago and looks really good from a distance. Kind of ducati/agusta looking.
2700$ OTD with FI. No idea of the reliabilty but its cheap and pretty good looking
Though I wholeheartedly recommend the ninja, you can buy a used one, ride it until you are board and then step up and not loose more then 10% of the cost of the bike.
oldsaw wrote: Here's the 250GTR w/v-twin power:
Hyosung's 250GTR is a good looking bike . . .
Rode home yesterday behind two young ladies, both on a Ninja 250. Looked they they were learning to ride. Let's just say tight jeans make the Ninja look even better! I am not a sport bike guy (cruisers for me) but id love a 250. I could see myself winding that out and pushing it more than i could a GSXR.
I had a 1990 Ninja 250. It was ok. It was easy to ride once you get used to keeping the revs way up.
It makes me sad that it is very difficult to the Aprilia RS250 over here.
93EXCivic wrote: It makes me sad that it is very difficult to the Aprilia RS250 over here.
Not really hard to find but not cheap, that's for sure.
wearymicrobe wrote:93EXCivic wrote: It makes me sad that it is very difficult to the Aprilia RS250 over here.Not really hard to find but not cheap, that's for sure.
Aren't they race only as well?
wearymicrobe wrote: Might want to look at the Megelli 250R as well. Saw one downtown a few days ago and looks really good from a distance. Kind of ducati/agusta looking. 2700$ OTD with FI. No idea of the reliabilty but its cheap and pretty good looking Though I wholeheartedly recommend the ninja, you can buy a used one, ride it until you are board and then step up and not loose more then 10% of the cost of the bike.
Built in China, Designed by the British. That can't end well.
93EXCivic wrote:wearymicrobe wrote: Might want to look at the Megelli 250R as well. Saw one downtown a few days ago and looks really good from a distance. Kind of ducati/agusta looking. 2700$ OTD with FI. No idea of the reliabilty but its cheap and pretty good looking Though I wholeheartedly recommend the ninja, you can buy a used one, ride it until you are board and then step up and not loose more then 10% of the cost of the bike.Built in China, Designed by the British. That can't end well.
I know but look at the thing, like a Ninja 250 and F4 Augusta made sweet music down by the lake.
Ok I am over that now.
There is a Ninja 250 with ~3400 miles here 08 for 3400$ un-dropped so they are out there if you look. I personally am having bike withdrawals right now.
wearymicrobe wrote: There is a Ninja 250 with ~3400 miles here 08 for 3400$ un-dropped so they are out there if you look. I personally am having bike withdrawals right now.
When you can get a brand new 2011 version with warranty for 3,999 to 4,299; why would you buy a used one above 3k. Not to mention you can finance and swing gear specials from the dealer.
Anyone looking at a late model bike should definitely take a long hard look at the dealers, as the price increase is really not that severe and the benefits of buying a new bike are definitely worth a couple of hundred bucks...
flountown wrote:wearymicrobe wrote: There is a Ninja 250 with ~3400 miles here 08 for 3400$ un-dropped so they are out there if you look. I personally am having bike withdrawals right now.When you can get a brand new 2011 version with warranty for 3,999 to 4,299; why would you buy a used one above 3k. Not to mention you can finance and swing gear specials from the dealer. Anyone looking at a late model bike should definitely take a long hard look at the dealers, as the price increase is really not that severe and the benefits of buying a new bike are definitely worth a couple of hundred bucks...
In california they don;t go for 4200 out the door, and nobody is doing gear specials on low displacement bikes, There is supposedly a line of over 20 people for both the CBR250r and the ninja 250r at the local dealer new.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
In your area, used may be the better deal.
Low-displacement bikes are typically purchased by new riders. That means they probably need gear, too. Why give a discount to somone who has to have your biggest money-makers?
The waiting line is no suprise, either. It's summer, kids have some money and free time and fuel prices are still sky high. Lots of people are looking for ways to save some bucks and southern Cali is prime riding territory.
That used '08 won't last long, if it's not already gone.
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