- This topic has 12 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 8 months ago by BoOZe P-ti Motard.
Newbie on a new 08 250 Ninja in Colorado
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July 29, 2008 at 10:48 pm #1812jmiller3Participant
Greetings:
I found this site from searching for reviews of the 08 Kawi 250 Ninja.
I took the MSF course and after the ‘graduation’ while everyone is talking about what size bike they either bought or were going to get I was the only one to say a 250. *Insert gasps and silent shocked looks from the other newbie riders who just finished 2 days of riding on 250’s* This isn’t my first time on a bike. 12 years ago I bought a Yamaha YZF 600 with no practice and nearly killed myself three times. Scared beyond measure, I sold it and vowed never again. Fast forward to 2008 and I got tired of loving motorcycles from magazines and websites. So I signed up for the MSF course and had instant flashbacks to stalling a 600 in front of an oncoming Semi and other such rookie near misses best left to the fog of memory. Anyway. MSF is the way to go. They drill and drill and drill some more. It was hot and miserable but I was ecstatic I was starting to feel a little confidence on my little Suzuki 250GZ. But what to buy….. My neighbor rides a Ducati 1098 which I consider just about perfect and perfectly terrifying. Then I happened to wander into my local Kawi dealership and there sat the prettiest bright blue Ninja 08 with 800 miles. Turns out someone had just traded it in after putting 800 miles on it for a larger bike. If you didn’t know this bike is a 250-it doesn’t say it anywhere on the bike-you would swear it is a 600. Ok. It looks cool and doesn’t look like a trainer bike. The flash of a Visa card and the pretty blue bike had a new rookie home to go through all the usual rookie mistakes all over again. If bikes could talk this one would probably have sighed heavily. I’ve put 250 miles on it and I cannot convey how much fun it is. The BEST part is everyone knows about this little bike and I don’t feel like I’m going pull an unexpected wheelie or some other 600+cc rookie stunt. It’s just a joy. It loves revs and leans right over NOW in a turn. Forget about trying to comprehend counter-steering. This little gem will show you why riding a bike is so much friggin FUN! Yes it doesn’t exactly leap from stoplights but it’s power to weight ratio is perfect. I haven’t even touch the adjustable damper in the back. (That would assume I know what to do….which I don’t.) I ordered all the options for it: the passenger seat cover is the only option. The blue is perfect and I constantly look at it wherever it is parked. I CANNOT recommend this wonder enough for a first bike. It’s cool, it’s a Ninja and you don’t feel like you look like the newbie you are when you are out riding. It’s the perfect poser bike for the secret newbie learner who’s starting to fling words around like rebound and dampner when you have no idea which is which. Don’t care. It was $3,500 which I figure is the amount of the deposit my neighbor put on his 1098 when he ordered it from some place in Italy. Don’t care. I’ll get there. I have the rest of my life to learn to ride the bikes of my dreams. But for now, I’ll ride my little Ninja and fool them for as long as I can. If you can find one, buy it. You won’t lose any money on the resale.July 29, 2008 at 11:41 pm #9554ShannonGParticipantGreat story! And welcome!
July 30, 2008 at 12:02 am #9556jmiller3ParticipantHi Shannon and TY for the welcome!
July 30, 2008 at 12:35 am #9560ShannonGParticipantYou have no idea how lucky you are to have found an ’08 Ninja so easily. Lots of people are selling their souls to get one.
July 30, 2008 at 1:02 am #9562jmiller3ParticipantIt was just traded in a couple hours earlier and was completely dirty.
I immediately bought it and the dealer said they had 3 couples coming in later to buy it and they are pre-sold 6 deep on new ones. Had no idea!!!
Thank the Motorcycle Gods!July 30, 2008 at 2:50 am #9565BuddParticipantGreat bike. The ninja 250 has a huge following. If you have any questions about it you can find the answer at http://www.ninja250.org in the FAQ section.
“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine
July 30, 2008 at 7:58 am #9584BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipantfunny ey..you’re already in so forget about welcome but congratz on the new bike and well that’s the spirit! forget about your neighbour, who knows he might envy ninjas or is having a bad time riding his 1098..
BoOZe
Solomolo RiderJuly 30, 2008 at 6:19 pm #9615ShaneParticipantThey certainly are getting easier to find used. I found 3 in my area and they aren’t to bad price wise (one is $4000). A few of the dealerships in my area said they were getting some more in this week or next week so I am on the waiting list (so I get the chance to at least sit on one and see how it feels). I found a few more last night new, but I have not decided if I am going to buy one or just wait for the 2009 model. My MSF course isn’t for another month or longer anyways, so I may just wait and pre-pay for an 09 when that option arises at one of our dealerships. Or I may just go get a GS500F.
Have fun and stay safe.
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The birds are calling my name, thought Caw.
July 30, 2008 at 10:49 pm #9629BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipanthttp://www.newninja.com..have fun
BoOZe
Solomolo RiderAugust 11, 2008 at 11:04 pm #10329jmiller3ParticipantGreat website!
Thank you!
I have now over 400 miles on the little ninja and got caught in my first rain storm…..felt like I was starting out all over again…….nervous as heck but got home just fine…….the best thing to me about this ninja is how fun it is above 9k rpm’s……since there is little to no torque I keep hearing my MSF instructor yelling at me to keep the rev’s up and work the clutch around slow corners and slow and go’s…..he is an ex-Gunny so yelling is his standard mode……..amazing how that stuff stays with you……..August 11, 2008 at 11:12 pm #10331BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipanti bet you gona fender mender and either have a yoshimura ) / akrapovic ) or any other aftermarket exhaust )))) or modify your exhaust… If ever much later you plan to upgrade to a new bike and want to sell your ninja, then do not modify the stock exhaust.. have fun…
as you know, in rain grip the tank, press feet in, bend yourself a lil to the front so as you are weighing on the bars…BoOZe
Solomolo RiderAugust 11, 2008 at 11:25 pm #10334jmiller3ParticipantGreat Tips!
Thanks BoOZe!!!!!
No aftermarket anything yet.
Keeping it all stock for whoever buys it after me.August 11, 2008 at 11:43 pm #10339BoOZe P-ti MotardParticipantno probs bud..thats what n y we r here for… btw as you know, same applies for windy conditions except you do not weigh but rather duck..like a duck..nah like turtle…uh??! m going zzzzz.. but always grip tank while riding, this prevents your lower cheeks from slipping off the seat…uh i talk while slee…zzzz
BoOZe
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