Opinions on Kawasaki 250 vs. 500

[CNTLOSE]

My wife has always wanted to ride a motorcycle. I always rode dirt bikes as a kid and had a HD 1200 Sportster before we had kids. My wife has never done anything more than ride on the back.

Looking for opinions on people who have been on one or both bikes. I know the 250 is a great bike to start with, but I have heard they get old quick. So is a 500 to big for a beginer? My wife is short and small framed...she would kill me if I put her weight up :lol: So would the 500 even work for her or would it be better to just get a 250?

Thanks for any imput!

[stocknotch]

My buddy has a nice little ninja 250 that runs good that he's wanting to sell. I believe its a 99 or 00. It can be bought cheap...probably 12-1300. PM me if interested

[Gene]

My first street bike at 16 was a Suzuki GS500E (Suzuki's equivalent of the Ninja 500). It was a perfect starter bike...big enough that I didn't get bored with it immediately, small enough to stay out of trouble. If your wife can flatfoot a 500, get that. Especially if you ride something that's bigger...she won't have a lot of fun having to cane the piss out of a 250 just to keep up with you.

If she's intimidated by the 500, the one advantage of a 250 is that you can buy one for $1000-1500, ride it for a whole season, and sell it for what you paid for it when she's ready to step up to something larger.

[sean]

If you can get the 250 very cheep get it. Theres no doubt its a great starter bike and if the price is low enough you can resell it if she wants to move up a few cc's. She may love the 250 and keep it or in a few months she may want to move up. The only thing I can say is sometimes you need to move fast to get out of the way and that thing can be slow. I dont think its the best for highway riding either. Its very light and passing trucks or a strong wind can be a little scary. The main thing is she needs to be totally comfortable but still a little nervous. lol. If she thinks its a glorified moped and doesn't respect it she will hurt herself.

[5.0calypso93lx]

If you're looking for a good starter bike for her, my roomate has an 07' Ninja 250 he's looking to sell. Definitely not pretty as he did lay it down, but I only think he wants $900 for it. PM me if you're interested, I can get pics and more details.

[CNTLOSE]

Thanks for your imput guys. She went and sat on some 250's this morning, but forgot to try out a 500 before she left. She liked the Ninja 250 and thankfully she did not like the cruiser 250.

stocknotch and 5.0calypso93lx I will get back with you two after she sits on the 500 and see which one she prefers. I have heard that the '07 and newer are better and the motor's have a little more power and they look more like the bigger bikes.

Again thanks guys and other feel free to leave your comments as well.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Cool, let me know, it's been sitting so battery is probably dead and has salvage title, but ran and drove fine before it was parked before winter.

[sean]

The newest body style ninja 250 is the nicest looking 250 you will ever see. I believe they have green, black, and a very cool blue. My buddy bought a green one and I picked it up for him since he had no license. I pulled out on the street and gave it hell. Passed a cop as I was finishing winding out 3rd.... I thought to my self, well here comes my ticket. I looked at the speedo and was about to hit 45... lol Great looking bike and was a great starter bike for him. He did drop it in some grass going around a car at his house though. At least its light and he could pick it back up.

[Gene]

The newest body style ninja 250 is the nicest looking 250 you will ever see.

There are some that are better looking, but they're definitely not for beginners...

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/1991-rgv250-vj22-titled-on-ebay/

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/RGV-right-600x450.jpg

[CNTLOSE]

Well the 500 is out too tall unless it is lowered. The 250 fits her perfect so that is probably what we will go with. 2008 was the redesign year and the local dealer has 2 red 2009's and 1 Limited Edition green 2009 left. I can get the red ones for close to $3700. All the used '08 and '09's I found on craigslist were around $3200 with a wide range of miles. If we went with the older body style we can get them used for around $2000 but I wonder what resale will be since the new style is out...and they look nowhere as good as the newer ones.


http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq336/cntlose92/2009-Kawasaki-Ninja250Rg.jpg


Also I was informed by my wife no project bikes. She stated she sees how long it takes me to get the projects done on the Mustang's and she wants to ride this year. :lol:

[sean]

There are some that are better looking, but they're definitely not for beginners...

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/1991-rgv250-vj22-titled-on-ebay/

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/RGV-right-600x450.jpg

lol, for sure. But that doesnt really count does it. Thats a torque and turning monster.

[sean]

That ninja looks great but the bar risers are so high when your riding it. Thing looks great and I do believe they killed the resale market on the older body style. My buddy got his brand ney for @ 3700. The old body has to be pretty nice to get 1500 and thats cheep for a newer bike. Let us know what you do.

[Timido]

Bikes resale are crap. Buy a decent used one.

[Gene]

Bikes resale are crap. Buy a decent used one.

I concur.

[ibstrokin]

There are some that are better looking, but they're definitely not for beginners...

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/1991-rgv250-vj22-titled-on-ebay/

http://raresportbikesforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/RGV-right-600x450.jpg

Now there's a man with taste.