- This topic has 35 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 10 months ago by Rupmisc.
Hello, and first question
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June 21, 2008 at 2:08 am #7585RupmiscParticipant
Thanks. I thought about the Buell, but don’t seem to have a dealer anywhere near to me. At least on the web, all harley dealers were not necessarily buell dealers, but I will check again. Upright is good for me. I’d be happy to pay for a new one, if I could find it and have somewhere in the area to get it serviced. I live north of Boston.
I went to a dealer today who was slightly more helpful that some of the others I’ve seen. Even better, there was a 2006 Ninja 250, a 2007 500R and a 2007 650 for me to sit on.Ninja 250s before 2008 are just not comfortable for me. I am 6 feet 190 pounds. It feels like I’m perched on a rail. The 500 was better, but my knees came up above the indentation in the tank (which would be unpleasant) and I felt that the position was more forward and I felt pressed into the handlebars. The 650 felt very comfortable and not that much heavier than the 500. Would you recommend going with the 500 anyway, on the theory that it is the least uncomfortable of the 500s?
Reviews and forums are interesting and consistent. There seems to be a divide between those who think the 650 ninja, with its upright posture, is a light maneuverable bike for a beginner. Then there are those that say “it can bite you”, ride a smaller bike for the first 5000 miles. It’s hard not to see the conservative side of this. Certainly, I appreciate the advice from the more experienced riders. Salespeople keep pushing the 650, even when there are 500s around, but I assume that they just want a bigger commission (but is giving bad advice really worth and extra $100?).
Perhaps I should just wait until next spring and see what comes along. Come fall, any bike will go into my garage. I’ll keep thinking. Learning is key. Being safe (or at least as safe as possible on a motorcycle) is key. I am pretty much cost indifferent (although another week like the last one and that could change), and would buy a $12,000 BMW with anti-lock brakes if I thought it was a better choice. But it is hard to see going very far on a nighthawk.
Other question, I sat on a Kymco 250CC bike that’s much larger than the nighthawk. It is a cruiser style. Is it any good? I’m not fond of having my feet forward of my hips, but it seems that I’m running out of options.
Thanks again for the help, I’ll let you know if anything happes
June 21, 2008 at 4:11 am #7591shagglesParticipantThere was one of those Kymcos in my msf class but I didn’t get a chance to ride it. It looks cool for sure. Here’s a comparison of some 250 cruisers including the Kymco.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/250cc_cruiser_comparison/index.html
June 22, 2008 at 2:36 am #7624RupmiscParticipantBased on that review, (poor steering, weight, poor at low speeds), I guess that there is a reason that these things aren’t selling like hotcakes. Nearest Buell dealer is a long haul, and couldn’t wait to try and talk me into a “beginners” Harley. Not sure he actually had any Blasts. Also, highest seat height on the Blast is 27.5 inches. Knees in chin again.
June 24, 2008 at 10:51 pm #7774RupmiscParticipantThere is no way I am going to find a 2008 ninja within the next 3 months. I sat again on the 500 and on the 250, as well as a 250 Nighthawk. I may or may not be able so sit on a Suzuki 500 (sport configuration). Megaspaz was right, I am conservative. So, one last time, am I better off with the 500 or 250 or is it a draw. Lighter weight vs. a little extra size. Assume that I will replace either if I do outgrow them, and assume that the price doesn’t matter.
Assuming that both are still at the dealer for 24hrs (500s not a problem, 250s could be), I’d like to make a decision within 24 hours.
June 24, 2008 at 11:33 pm #7778megaspazParticipantYou’ll probably outgrow a 250, you may outgrow the 500. I would say get the ’07 ninja 250 since given that you might outgrow either the 250 or 500 and upgrade anyway, might as well learn the coordination on the easier of the 2. Of course, you should probably take my suggestion with a grain of salt since I started on an sv650s.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 25, 2008 at 12:12 am #7781RupmiscParticipantAnd I thought you were the one that convinced me that the Ninja 650 (which is quite comfortable) was a little too much bike. . I will probably do what you say, and not what you do.
Is the 250 easier than the 500? Sometimes I think that I had trouble trusting the lean on the nighthawk because the size of the bike made me feel closer to the ground. But the lighter weight is tempting. Do I need to worry that the low end of the 2007 250 is sufficiently weak that I will always have to keep the revs up? Would it be a pain starting on and incline? I regret that I can’t find a 2008, which seems to cure a lot of problems in the former 250 (or I suppose the current 500).
Is there a general consensus that the Ninja 500 would be better than the Suzuki 500 (the one with the full fairing)?
Anyway, I am not concerned about outgrowing either bike. If I like riding, I’ll be happy to get another bike, or bikes, when I’m ready. I want to find the best chance of learning, and of enjoying it.
Thanks again megaspaz.
June 25, 2008 at 12:41 am #7784bam37Participantif you have enough money and are willing to buy and sell as soon as you outgrow it then i would definitely buy a used bike first. A 250 or 500 would be perfect. Once you find out if you like it, then you can upgrade and buy a bike that you like. Which in most cases will be a larger bike ( like the 650).
Hope this helps. And remember you’re doing this to have fun, so enjoy it
June 25, 2008 at 1:45 am #7792megaspazParticipantWell… I don’t think I ever definitively said the ninja 650 was too much bike. If I gave that impression, then I apologize. I think the only thing I wanted to get across was that the 250cc ninja would be easier to learn on than on a 650cc machine or that you’d learn quicker on a 250cc bike. I should mention, I dropped my sv650s twice the first 2 days I rode on it… from less than ~3 mph coming to stops. I’m not saying you’d drop a ninja 650 or an sv650, but it is handful of bike for a first time rider’s first ride despite them being very new rider friendly bikes.
I can’t really answer if a ninja 500 is better than a suzuki 500 (assuming you mean gs500sf). I’ve never ridden either of them.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 25, 2008 at 2:41 am #7794RupmiscParticipantIf it is better to buy smaller, and then upgrade, I am prepared to do so. I would probably buy new and upgrade, simply eating the depreciation. The question is, which would be the better bike to learn on- the 500 or the 250 (assuming that they still are around tomorrow). With gas getting expensive, there is a real shortage of smaller bikes around my area.
Megaspaz, I suppose I could live with dropping a bike, it is the being on it when it drops, that worries me. It does sound like “handful” might be pretty much the same as “too much”, but I don’t want to put words in your mouth. Am I likely to drop anything, or the bigger, the more likely?
June 25, 2008 at 2:52 am #7795megaspazParticipanthard for me to say. ben started of on a gs500 and he dropped it a few times when he started riding. I dropped my bike twice when starting. Not everyone drops their bike, but a lot of people do. sh*t happens. I do subscribe that a 250 cc bike is a better bike to learn on. Riding my buddy’s 07 ninja 250, I felt more confident, but either way over time, you’ll learn sooner or later whether on a 250cc or a more powerful bike. But I think you’d learn to ride better starting off smaller.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 25, 2008 at 3:02 am #7797RupmiscParticipantOk, thanks. If my physical size isn’t an issue, I’d rather do the smart thing. I guess I’ll see if I can get the 250. Really appreciate your time and help.
June 25, 2008 at 5:34 am #7802megaspazParticipantCool. No problems. Choosing a bike should be a well thought out process. It’s good to see that you’re willing to take the time and look at all angles, unlike me… I bought my bike a week after passing the MSF course, although I did allow myself to be convinced to go for the sv650s instead of a yzf-r1….
G’luck and ride safe!
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 26, 2008 at 3:15 am #7852RupmiscParticipantIt could be a rip off, or some other dealer nonsense, but just as I was about to call one dealer (who has been incredibly helpful) to put a deposit on the 2007 Ninja 250, I received a call from another dealership. The salesman there said that his manager had just located 2 2008 Ninja 250s, due in the shop within 7-10 days (new, in crate, no problem, 2008). So, I put down a deposit and agreed to pay sticker plus set up (about $350) plus “documentation” (documentation means their paperwork, not my plate, at $150), plus a “kicker over sticker”. I’m willing take the hit on instant depreciation if this is the best way for me to learn, and still be comfortable. It will just be interesting to see if they make good, or if I let a perfectly good 2007 get away. The bike is black, which is OK with me, and I’m going to try not to get my hopes up.
To all who helped with my decision, thanks. I’ll let you know what happens.
Dealer behavior puzzles me. These folks know that, if I like the sport, it is very likely that I would be buying one or more different bikes within the next few years. I will also need gear (on which there is a much larger markup), and service. In this part of New England, reputation means a lot, and word of mouth matters. All that being true, why the prep fees and the markup? Obviously, if they don’t produce the specific motorcycle, I will be unlikely to shop there again. If they do produce it, they will have to be extremely good, just to overcome my discomfort with the extra nickle and diming. It just seems foolish to risk what could be a huge amount of future business (I am a desirable customer from a marketing perspective) for under $750. But maybe that’s the business. Although I must say that if they could have found one, I would have gone an extra 30 miles to the dealer I liked better.
June 26, 2008 at 3:28 am #7857megaspazParticipantAs long as you don’t total your ninja 250, they hold their value really really well. The reason being there’s not a shortage of new riders that are looking for used ninja 250s to learn on. Anyhoo when buying the bike from a dealer haggle on the gear. At least here in california, it’s not uncommon to hear about getting a free helmet or free jacket, etc. when buying a new bike.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 26, 2008 at 3:34 am #7860RupmiscParticipantI always say. I suspect that between demand this year, and gas prices, Kawasaki will be making a lot more 250s for 2009. One wonders if smaller standard bikes might make a comeback.
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