[philzilla]

I have recently been throwing around the idea of getting a bike to commute on. I started browsing the web and quickly decided that the 250 ninja was the right bike for me because of the good gas mileage, nice beginner bike, ect. While doing a little more research on how “tall friendly” the ninja is, I came across an article on this site from someone with buyers remorse of how un-ergonomic the ninja is for the 6’4″ rider. Being 6’4″ myself I am starting to rethink my 250 idea and possible go with something larger. I thought this site would be a good place to start. I do Ride a KTM 300 2-Stroke Dirt bike so I am not new to motorcycles and was pondering the thought of getting a 600.

[Munch]

Ok….first… let me say this…. that person with the buyers remorse…. is only for that person. Go sit on the bike! Your body composition is different. Your level of maturity is gonna be different. Your idea of comfortable is gonna be different. Your riding habits are going to be different. Yet you think your outcome is going to be the same ?

Still go take the MSF course. You got a good jump on the dirt bike but I would still recommend some street training. For the same reasons rolling blading is different then ice skating.

[madjak30]

But in the event that the Ninja doesn’t fit, maybe look at dual sport or supermoto bikes…if you are riding in the city mostly, the 250cc bikes will be a blast…light, manouverable, very fuel efficient…but if you are hitting the hiway, look more at the 400-650cc (single cyl) dual sports/supermoto…I’m only suggesting these because of your height, and they tend to have seat heights of 33-35″…

Good luck and spend a lot of time sitting on the bikes at the dealers…sit on every bike more than once and for as long as you can (most saddles are comfortable for 10mins…but you will be on you bike for 30mins or more most times).

Later.

[TrialsRider]

Concerned about too tall for a Ninjette, but your avatar shows you riding a pocket bike. …in shorts !:o

+1 on take a rider training course, in fact the sooner the better, with dirt experience you are sure to have a better time.
Even if you are a great rider on that KTM and regardless of what street bike you select, riding the street is going to introduce you to a completely different riding style, skill set and experience. …I envy your newness

There is no doubt 250 Ninja is a terrific commuter bike, I know I’d love one and I already have a litre bike in my garage, but then I also want a 125 street bike if I can just get past the pain of insuring yet another motorcycle ! Would you be thrilled by the power of a bike like that? …coming off a KTM300 2-stroke, No. It’s a far heavier bike with roughly the same power as what you ride in the dirt now, minus several inches of suspension travel, seat height and wheel size. Still might be the perfect bike for one up street riding, depending on where you ride and your need for speed.

I’m not so sure on the dual-sport concept, considering you now ride a competitive Motocross bike. BTW what year & model is the KTM and where and how good can you ride it ?:i

[Jeff in Kentucky]

One of these supermotos below is a good first street bike for a taller rider, with more legroom than the 250cc and 500cc Ninjas. If you get bored with it later, you can add a bigger piston and some other go-fast parts, or buy something else.

The biggest negative is that the narrow seat is not the best for a passenger, or by yourself for long trips on the interstates at 75 mph. These are ideal for a former dirt bike rider- you will be very used to the handlebars and seating position:

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2010-suzuki-dr-z400sm-ar66709.html

[philzilla]

It is a 2002 (still green stickered) ktm exc(no lights, no E-start, just a kick stand and wide ratio.
As far as me riding it well, Ive never been much into bragging but I get around on it pretty well in trail, single track, mx, and desert. Its a good all around bike. Torque monster for a 2-stroke.

I wouldn’t consider myself a stupid rider about riding over my ability level so I don’t think a 600 is out of the question. I tried out my Co-workers’s 2010 ninja 250 today in the parking lot and it felt pretty cramped. My knees were at the top of the tank. If kawasaki made a ninja 250 Extra Large I Would buy it in an instant, but at this point it seems way too small and 600 may be a better option.

[philzilla]

Thanks for the recommendation, I will open up my options to a moto. Do you have any favorites in mind?

[eon]

Seems like just yesterday I was posting this for another member but I cannot find the thread. Oh well, here goes again.

Eternal05 on this site is 6’3″ (think I got it right this time!) and rides a Ninja 250. He bought a kit for around $120 that allows you to move the position of the pegs. He now has 3 bikes, one of which is a GSXR-600 that he races around a racetrack. Speaks volumes I think that he kept the ninja even though he races around at 160mph on a GSXR. His other bike is a Suzuki DRZ400S which he absolutely loves. This is a supermoto style bike.

Also, one other point he brought up is it’s not so much the seat height that is important but the seat to pegs distance. Some taller bikes can still feel cramped so be sure to butt test any potential purchase.

[madjak30]

In the 250cc class…Yamaha WR250X, Honda CRF230M…Suzuki makes a 400cc DRZ-400SM…

It just depends on what type of riding you want to do…

Later.

[TrialsRider]

This may not even be the correct thread to post this, but just thought to point out;

250 Ninja ~$4500
wheelbase 55.1″, weight 375 lbs. seat height 30.5″, width 28.1″, length 82.1″, 37 mm forks, front travel 4.7″, rear travel 5.1″, 17″ wheels, Steel frame

ZX-R Ninja ~$10500
wheelbase 55.1″, weight 421 lbs. seat height 32.1″, width 28″, length 82.3″, 41 mm forks, front travel 4.7″, rear travel 5.3″, 17″ wheels, Alloy frame

Very clear from these numbers the difference between a 600 cc Hyper-sport and a 250 Ninja is not weight, dimension or rider position. So sitting on them in the show room will reveal little. (take a hunk of sheepskin for the seat of the 250 and I’m guessing they butt test very close) The major differences are cost, frame, brakes and engine performance. One will do ~100 mph in 6th. gear, the other will exceed 100 mph in second gear.
…question is; are you up to riding a road legal motorcycle that can accelerate to 80 mph. in first gear ?

[madjak30]

The Ninja 250R is more of a standard bike with a faring…the 600cc is a race bike that is set up for racing…tight and cramped is part of that package…the 250 most likely has more leg room, but I would follow the other suggestions and go sit on the bikes that you are thinking about…you don’t know until you sit on them…

Although it sounds like you are set on the 600, so it will probably “feel” most comfortable reguardless of the actual results. If you really need a 600, check out the Ninja 650R…

Have fun sitting on the bikes anyway, and try to keep an open mind…you never know what will be a good fit…

Later.

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