[thehappysavage]

Hello everybody,

I’ve been wanting to get a motorcycle for a while now, and I think I might be about ready to do so. I’d like to get a Ninja 250R but I’m worried that I might be too big for one. I’m 6’2″ an weigh about 205 lbs and I have long legs (about a 34″-35″ inseam). Anybody about my size have any problems with the 250R? I’m worried that it might be too cramped for me. Thanks for any help you guys can give.

Tim

[CBBaron]

I’m 6’2″ 220# with 34″ inseam and ride an ’06 Ninja 250r.
Its a great bike and a lot of fun.
The seat to peg placement is a little tight but not unreasonable and there are aftermarket adjustable pegs that can lower the pegs some. Plus a seat pad is also an option. As of yet I am still stock on my bike.
The ’08 and newer Ninjas have a similar cockpit but a new fairing. The new fairing shape does interfere with my knees some. It was one reason I looked for the older model in addition to the much lower prices. The aftermarket pegs can be a solution for this also.

Either one is a great bike and an even better deal.

Other good options are supermotos. These bikes are very light and said to be lots of fun. They are easy to handle and much less cramped than sport bikes are other small bikes.

Craig

[splittrain]

Its awesome I got a 2010 Ninja 250R last Saturday and it fits me very well.
Granted, I am still in the break-in process and have not had the chance to ride it on the highway yet but it has not given me any trouble.
–> The foot pegs for the shifter and rear break are adjustable !

---

Great for taller guys like us, I might have to adjust them soon to see how it feels
–> The suspension is adjustable

---

Great for accommodating people of varying weights.

I think youll do fine!

GOOD LUCK

[gitchy42]

First thing to do (other than taking a rider training course) is to sit on the bike to see how it feels. If you have a license, a dealership may let you go for a test ride. Feel out the bike, it is the best way to see if it is right and a good fit.

I’m about 6′, with a 32″ inseam and when I sat on a 2009 250R I found it to feel a little small, but not uncomfortably so. Although the Ninja has a great resale value, and if you buy used you can usually sell it for about what you paid for it.

The Hyosung 250 are comparable to the Ninja, but have a little more room. Although, the 2009’s are carbureted, the 2010’s are injected. There are a couple of major issues with this company however, they are new in the US market and because of this have little support. Also, the build quality is not quite as good as the Ninja, but is getting better each year. Another issue I have is that unlike the Korean cars that came out about 15 years ago, Korean motorcycles are NOT half the price of their competition.

A Dual Sport might be a great choice also. Nimble, light, roomie and off-road capable, they make for a fun ride. The problem is that if you get a used one, it may be a little beat up. Like Craig suggested supermoto/enduro bikes, which are basically dual-sports with street tires.

[thehappysavage]

Thanks everybody for the prompt responses!

Glad to hear that taller people like me can ride the little ninja. I am planing to go check one out and sit on it in person before I buy, but I wanted to hear how other people faired with them. The Dual Sport is an interesting idea, but I believe those generally run quite a bit more than the ninja right? Also, I’m not really planning to off-road at all. I think most of my riding will be on the highway. I don’t really know anything about Hyosung, so I’m not sure I’d be that comfortable getting a bike made by a company I’ve never heard of before, but it’s an interesting suggestion.

I’ve still got a little bit before I’ll be buying a bike, because I do want to take the rider training course, but hopefully I’ll be getting a bike soon. I’ll post again with pictures whenever I have something to show! Thanks for your help everybody!

Tim

[Jeff in Kentucky]

The Suzuki DRZ-400SM is the best dual sport for the interstates, for $6,700 retail, and its tires are just for pavement, although it is possible to put tires more for the dirt on it:

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/suzuki-drz-400-sm-review

The Kawasaki KLX250SF also has tires just for pavement for $5,000 retail, and is a good choice if you are going to stay on 55 mph speed limit roads and off the faster interstates, along with the similar Yamaha:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2009-kawasaki-klx250sf-review-87863.html

[Author]

Posts