[JoeSTL]

I went to an motorcycle dealership today and got to sit on some sportbikes for the first time. I sat on a 250r, 500r, gs500, 650r, gladius, busa, zx6r, and cbr600rr. In case you don’t know, I’m 34 years old, 6’3” 240, and have no motorcycle experience. I know some of those are way out of my league, but I just wanted to check them all out. Right off I didn’t like the forward seating position with any of the 600 super sports or even the busa. Maybe it’s something I may like down the road, but would much rather have the upright position when I start off. I thought the 250r and 500r were a little cramped, but not too bad. Mostly I didn’t like how my leg was up against the groove on the tank. I thought I would feel huge on the 250r, but that really wasn’t the case. That and the gs500 seemed to be the only bikes that felt manageable to me. To me the most comfortable overall was the 650r with the gs500 a close 2nd. The gs500 was very close to the 250r as well, except my legs fit much better against the tank on the gs500. Even though the 650r was the most comfortable, I would never get one as a first bike. I only wish the 250r didn’t have that damn tank groove! LOL How does the older ninja 250 match up with the current design? I’ve heard that the older models fit taller people better. Anyone have any experience on both models? Are there ways to give myself more leg leg room on those bikes?

[eternal05]

The older gen Ninja 250 fits taller people better thanks to the absence (more or less) of that groove. I, however, a reasonably tall dude ringing in at 6’4″, managed to make the current-gen Ninja 250R work as a first bike by getting adjustable footpegs that lowered the pegs down an inch, giving me another inch of room under which to stick my knees. Could work for you, provided your lower leg isn’t too tall.

[JoeSTL]

I found another small dealer near me that has a 2006 ninja 250, so hopefully I can go there next weekend and see how it fits. Where did you buy the adjustable footpegs? I’m having a hard time finding them online. Do they make them for the older ninja’s as well? Thanks.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

Here is one site for adjustable footpegs for the 2006 Kawasaki Ninja:

http://cyclepirates.com/main/select_by_bike?bike_id=46&class=year_form&productline_id=15

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