[claybomb2003]

Hey everyone

I am in the market for my first motorcycle (what else is new on this site? haha). I am pretty sure I want a sport type bike, I am thinking of either a ninja 250 or a ninja 500. What is the real difference between these two? I am going to be doing a bit of city riding, as well as out of city roads (I live in Honolulu) and I want something manageable in traffic but also something that is going to feel relatively stable at highway speeds. I am worried that the ninja 500 might have too much power for a beginner, from what I can see the hp is nearly double that of the 250. I have ridden dirt bikes before, so I am fairly confident with basic motorcycle skills (but I realize that dirt experience does not equal street experience!!) Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Blasphemy4kidz]

Unless you’re going to be afraid of the Ninja 500’s power, then go for the 500.

The 250 is a great bike, don’t get me wrong. But to me, you have to shift very frequently, and can get blown around quite a bit on the highways.

The Ninja 500 is NOT hard to handle, and it’s considered a beginner bike. I’m sure that even if you didn’t have a dirt foundation, you’d be able to hand this bike. It’s fast, good on the highways, and won’t be an eye-catcher for those thieves. lol.

Maybe I’m a little biased since I own a 600cc…but if you’re going to be riding at 40mph or less 90% of the time….then get a 250. It’ll be more fun.

[Budd]

I have the 250. It does get blown around a bit, but you learn and get used to it. I honestly don’t even realize it unless the wind is really bad now. I wouldn’t base my decision on wind blowing you around. I would look at what you are willing to spend and what your intentions are for the bike. I have not ridden the 500 but I imagine it is pretty much the 250 only faster. The 250 will be much cheaper, insurance prices may be cheaper as well. The 250 can be a lot of fun on really curvy roads. The 250 gets much better MPG. It will go interstate speed at the bottom end of the powerband. Will you “grow out” of it? No, but you will probably want a different bike eventually.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

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