My girlfriend is learning to ride:
(http://a144.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/2/l_78cb306f33d2c49eef83bac4a138af6f.jpg)
Which is pretty cool. But she will soon outgrow the `73 Honda 125., I'm thinking this:
(http://www.diariomotor.com/imagenes/kawasaki_ninja_250_r_01.jpg)
The `08 Ninja 250. Discuss.
That or a good used old style to-fitay ;D
considered getting one...I have heard they are a great starter bike, very friendly.
Supposedly around here, those new 250 ningas are hard to come by. One dealer said he was back-ordered 5 bikes. They look great for a small bike.
mitt
Quote from: printman on May 06, 2008, 06:49:43 PM
That or a good used old style to-fitay ;D
I'm happy with the old style 250, but she really likes the looks of the new 250. And you gotta admit, it is pretty hot for a twofiddy.
As for finding them, I've been seeing them on my local craigslist for basically what I can get it new from a dealer w/o taxes. But that is a few months away...
Quote from: dolcissima on May 06, 2008, 06:50:20 PM
considered getting one...I have heard they are a great starter bike, very friendly.
she instead ended up with a Half-A-Gixxer GS500E!...pretty damn cool bike , I must say, I must say
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/aarek05/EdGrimly6.gif)
So a friend of the gf just bought a 250 to learn on. I went and test rode it for him, then rode it here (he can't use it for a coupla weeks). Of course, it's found it's way through the twisties a coupla times somehow-you know-to make sure it's ok.
That thing is FUNNNN. It's not slow, it's just not torquey-as in you can whack open the throttle and move very nicely, but you can't get going too quickly in too short a period of time. It stops very nicely, and while the suspension (this is an '05) is not ideal, it was far from uncomfortable. I found the controls easy to use, the bike terribly flickable and it felt stable. It was also very light, which made it feel easy to control. I did find it vibrated more (specifically, the bars) over 80 than I would've liked, but it wasn't uncomfortable, though for anything over half an hour on the highway I'm sure it would get old.
The only time the lack of power was really noticeable was at higher speeds (70 or so and up). While numerous people claim it's essential to be able to accelerate away from things if need be, I still maintain that the last thing a newer rider is going to do at high speeds in a panic situation is go faster. It's not something one would normally do.
I think it's the ideal starter bike-I wish I had started on one. I wouldn't hesitate to get one for the gf to start on.
Really? It'll do 80? Cool!
What about size? I know I'd look like a circus bear on a trike (I already do on the S2R) at 6' 4" 250lbs. She is 5' 3" 100 and can barley flat foot the 125 (though it's seat high is higher than a Buell Blast by about 4 inches).
I'd like to see how she handles the Buell Blast but I'm going to keep her on the 125 for now. She isn't the smoothest at letting the clutch out yet and the 125 is very forgiving with that. I'll give her acouple more weekends of working on that before the Blast.
I'm just happy she is willing to learn, and enjoying it too. I think if she gets out on the street I'm going to get a smaller, slower bike to play around w/ her. The Duc is no fun riding slow...
Quote from: wbeck257 on May 06, 2008, 07:11:00 PM
Really? It'll do 80? Cool!
What about size? I know I'd look like a circus bear on a trike (I already do on the S2R) at 6' 4" 250lbs. She is 5' 3" 100 and can barley flat foot the 125 (though it's seat high is higher than a Buell Blast by about 4 inches).
I'd like to see how she handles the Buell Blast but I'm going to keep her on the 125 for now. She isn't the smoothest at letting the clutch out yet and the 125 is very forgiving with that. I'll give her acouple more weekends of working on that before the Blast.
I'm just happy she is willing to learn, and enjoying it too. I think if she gets out on the street I'm going to get a smaller, slower bike to play around w/ her. The Duc is no fun riding slow...
Heck, it'll do 95-I just typically cruise at 80 :P
The guy who bought it is around your height-he didn't look ridiculous on it. I fit fine (I'm 6', 200). The girl fit even better (she's 5'4"). See if you can score a test drive, get used to the fact that you left your torque at home, wind it up, and find some corners.
You might end up not letting her use it ;)
You are probably right about me useing it more.
I've been riding my Sister's Buell Blast more than the Duc. I'm really coming to learn that it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
The '08 will do over 100mph, and personally.....I've been considering a black one for a few weeks now. I have a 17 mile commute to work that's over some EXCELLENT twisties and they're tight too!
Hmmmmm......tight curves.... oh. Sorry. Wrong thread.
Quote from: wbeck257 on May 06, 2008, 07:18:25 PM
You are probably right about me useing it more.
I've been riding my Sister's Buell Blast more than the Duc. I'm really coming to learn that it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
For anything not freeway or *really* high speed twisties I prefer the 250, then the gf's 695....then my bike (S4R). Yeah.....
That's pretty cool, but get her some gloves...
Quote from: NAKID on May 06, 2008, 07:40:23 PM
That's pretty cool, but get her some gloves...
Already did -- she just forgot to put them on for that session.
I really didn't even think about it -- it is just so automatic for me to have gloves on.
(She's also getting a new jacket for her graduation gift next week. By far the coolest and hottest middle school teacher I know.)
Quote from: someguy on May 06, 2008, 07:14:23 PM
Heck, it'll do 95-I just typically cruise at 80 :P
It didn't max out at 95, that's just what I got up to passing a car. [evil] I'm sure I'll have more chances before I hand it over to the newbie friend.
Quote from: Duck-Stew on May 06, 2008, 07:18:52 PM
The '08 will do over 100mph, and personally.....I've been considering a black one for a few weeks now. I have a 17 mile commute to work that's over some EXCELLENT twisties and they're tight too!
Hmmmmm......tight curves.... oh. Sorry. Wrong thread.
In almost related news, I've been hearing pretty good things about the Yamaha WR250X. 'Tard it up! :D
Quote from: Fresh Pants on May 06, 2008, 10:57:56 PM
In almost related news, I've been hearing pretty good things about the Yamaha WR250X. 'Tard it up! :D
GREAT ARTICLE about that X here...
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Mar/080331wr.htm
I thought it was crazy the way he ground down the peg and his boot in the testing of the 'Tard... wt:
Quote from: wbeck257 on May 06, 2008, 07:43:13 PM
Already did -- she just forgot to put them on for that session.
I really didn't even think about it -- it is just so automatic for me to have gloves on.
(She's also getting a new jacket for her graduation gift next week. By far the coolest and hottest middle school teacher I know.)
Good to see you care though mang... I think your going about this with best intentions for her. Having said that, does she know what bike she would like? Best to you both. - Chris
She really likes the looks of the new 250 -- and she also likes the fact that it is pretty light and short. I guess I just got to get her more ready and confident and find someone willing to give her a test ride.
i hear the new 250 is kawi's best selling bike right now. maybe it will wake up the competition to bring some other entry level sportbikes (250-400cc) to the US
I had ridden Kawi's my whole life until the Monster. Great bikes, very reliable. Just P L E A S E, not the green one!! pu::
In all my years I never bought the "Team Green" color. It just makes me wanna pu::
Congrats on getting her on her own ride. wt:
I have been looking at a new 250 neenja for my fiance (she is learning to ride right now too).
You guys were talking about the buell blast. I remember them being retardedly terrible in the reliability category a few years ago. Has buell cleaned up their act?
we have looked at the new 250 ninjas, the old ones (she says they are ugly ;:|), and possibly my 620 (and I get a new bike). Im not sure if the 620 is a good option for her yet though...she seems a little intimidated by it.
Quote from: Le Pirate on May 07, 2008, 07:26:47 AM
You guys were talking about the buell blast. I remember them being retardedly terrible in the reliability category a few years ago. Has buell cleaned up their act?
You know, really, I've never had a problem with it. My brother rode it for about 2 years and it never had any big issues. I think the brake master cyl. gave up the ghost once. It is sitting in my Dad's garage now waiting for my sister to take it when she's ready for it. It set for probably 8 months and it started up first try... For what it is, it is a good little bike. It'll shake the hell out of you at a stoplight though...
Hell, I've had way more problems w/ my Duc than the Buell.
Quote from: wbeck257 on May 07, 2008, 07:31:14 AM
You know, really, I've never had a problem with it. My brother rode it for about 2 years and it never had any big issues. I think the brake master cyl. gave up the ghost once. It is sitting in my Dad's garage now waiting for my sister to take it when she's ready for it. It set for probably 8 months and it started up first try... For what it is, it is a good little bike. It'll shake the hell out of you at a stoplight though...
Hell, I've had way more problems w/ my Duc than the Buell.
Hrm...
I have no first hand knowledge. All I was going on was research I did when I was looking to buy my first street bike to learn on. The Blast was up there on my list (it looked alright and had a good price). When I started looking up info on it though, a large percentage of the site I found were talking about it being a lemon. There is a whole forum out there dedicated to how bad the Blast is ;:|
I saw all that, and it got marked off my list. The monster was on my short list too, and I think I made the right choice...
The DML was part of what convinced me to buy my 620 :'(
A friend of mine is going to the BRC in a couple of weeks and she's either going to end up on an SV or the 250. The reviews of the 250 have been excellent.
Quote from: Le Pirate on May 07, 2008, 07:37:24 AM
Hrm...
I have no first hand knowledge. All I was going on was research I did when I was looking to buy my first street bike to learn on. The Blast was up there on my list (it looked alright and had a good price). When I started looking up info on it though, a large percentage of the site I found were talking about it being a lemon. There is a whole forum out there dedicated to how bad the Blast is ;:|
I saw all that, and it got marked off my list. The monster was on my short list too, and I think I made the right choice...
The DML was part of what convinced me to buy my 620 :'(
Well, it is a disposable bike really. You can pick one up with less than 5,000 miles on it for $1,500. You can't expect much.
Quote from: Le Pirate on May 07, 2008, 07:26:47 AM
we have looked at the new 250 ninjas, the old ones (she says they are ugly ;:|), and possibly my 620 (and I get a new bike). Im not sure if the 620 is a good option for her yet though...she seems a little intimidated by it.
I wanted to start on a ninja 250, and had several people talk me into a bigger bike (fortunately I found a GS500). Now that I've tried a 250 I have no idea what they were talking about. It is great for learning on, super in the twisties, very confidence-inspiring, and lots of fun, and I had no problem on freeways (except for keeping it down to the speed limit [evil])
My wife use to have one with a custom exhaust, sounded like a lawnmower on speed at about 80mph. She kept up just fine though, I was surprised at how fast it actually went. Of course my wife weighs about 102lbs, with me on it, it would probably be a different story.
Quote from: wbeck257 on May 06, 2008, 06:46:55 PM
My girlfriend is learning to ride:
(http://a144.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/2/l_78cb306f33d2c49eef83bac4a138af6f.jpg)
Which is pretty cool. But she will soon outgrow the `73 Honda 125., I'm thinking this:
(http://www.diariomotor.com/imagenes/kawasaki_ninja_250_r_01.jpg)
The `08 Ninja 250. Discuss.
How is her riding coming?
Yep, got a red one for the GF...its a fun little bike to ride every now and then.
Good comments so far. I'd add:
Don't impose your concept of motorcycle style on her, at least at first. ;)
Meaning, it's important to ask her how she sees herself, and on what sort of bike. Help arrange for her to try that kind of bike, and encourage her to find her own motorcycle personality, even if (especially if!) it's different from yours.
Although I haven't ridden the 08' model of the Ninja, I learned how to ride on an earlier 2000 model Ninja 250. It was a great starter bike, although I didn't stay on it long b/c I had already bought the Ducati... I couldn't resist. The only thing I would say that it is kind of bulky for a low-er power bike. It's about the same wheelbase as my Monster. At least your girl WANTS a bike, mine WANTS me to get rid of it...NEVER! Good luck.
My friend has the 250 and is really pleased with it. The bike looks really good in person. I found it odd that Kawasaki styles the 250 better then the 500.
Quote from: MendoDave on June 25, 2008, 12:43:45 PM
How is her riding coming?
She's doing good. We have gotten to do as much as we wanted between her grad. college, goto to china, and moving. She is still very interested in it all though.
She has taken quite a likeing to my 1974 Yamaha R5. Everytime she see's it she ask if that one is for her.
Quote from: psycledelic on June 25, 2008, 04:18:25 PM
I found it odd that Kawasaki styles the 250 better then the 500.
The 500 has the same style as the old 250. I'm sure the 500 will get the update soon.
Ducati did the same thing, updated the 695/696 before the big bike.
hey thats awesome man!
not to threadjack but my gf is wanting to start riding... but she is only 5'1-5'2ish do you guys think that 250 would have a low enough seat height for her?
she really likes the styling of my monster but after reading all these great things about that 250 it sounds like a great bike for her, if she can touch the ground that is haha.
anybody ever hear anything about those hyosung gt250?
i was kinda looking at those for my gf cause it has the naked styling of the monster which she really likes.
My wife is refusing to ride the Monster. She's just too afraid she'll drop it and thinks it's too heavy for her. She got the highest score in the MSF BRC that we took together, so I don't know where she gets the notion I started with any skills she lacked. She hit a patch of sand on the Vespa and sort-of dropped it (onto nice, soft grass at about 1/4 mph) so she's certain she'll do the same with the Monster. She's got no worries about riding the Vespa, though. It's definitely not a shift vs. no-shift thing; she taught me to drive stick in college and has to special-order all her cars to get them loaded but with 6-speed manual. I think it boils down to her belief that it's my bike and she won't risk breaking it.
So, we've been thinking about a Ninja. The price is certainly right even for a new one, and there's high turnover in NH since the riding season is laughably short, so a recent used one should be even better. Then she can go ahead and crash it and get it out of her system just like I did on the Monster before I'd put 50 miles on it. I strongly suspect that if I can get her on a Ninja for a while it won't be long before she's on a Monster of her own. If nothing else, she doesn't like fairings and "all that plastic."
We'd also thought about a Hyosung GT250 since the Vespa dealer is also a Hyosung dealer and gave us such a great deal on the Vespa and the general gestalt of the GT250 is reasonably Monster-ish. It's just that I think the Ninja will be more easy to re-sell (since, as I said, my nefarious plot is get her onto a Monster or some other Duc when possible), though what I've said to her is that I think there will be lots more aftermarket bits for a Ninja.
There are lots of Buell Blasts around here, for the usual reasons. Tracy has an antipathy towards most things Harley-related, so I don't think one of those is going to happen.
Those 250's are the cats pajamas
can you adjust the ride height on those kawa 250s?
i still think it might be a little tall with a 30 inch seat height for my gf who is 5'1
Some of you might want to check out our Short Rider FAQ (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1853.0).
I also posted a review on a 2005 Ninja 250 here (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=2613.0).
I think it's really nice that you guys are being so encouraging to your girlfriends who want to start riding. :)
Quote from: msincredible on June 26, 2008, 02:15:34 PM
I think it's really nice that you guys are being so encouraging to your girlfriends who want to start riding. :)
I'm typically not into women who wear too much leather.
But there's something about a girl with knee sliders that just gets me going.
Besides, there's no passenger seat on the Sport Classic. If I'm going to share my love of motos, she's not going to be riding cupcake.