1. A heavier bike might help a bit, but in general you are going to get blown around a lot when you are on a motorcycle. You just get used to it eventually and you stop trying to ‘fight’ the wind and you become relaxed and sort of flow with it.
From what I understand about wind you will be blown around the more aero dynamic you are if it is a cross wind, and the more ‘boxy’ you are the less you will be effect by cross wind. I can’t remember where I heard that unfortunately, but I’m sure some google research would either prove or disprove that statement pretty quick. A large windscreen will help for wind coming from the front.
2. I don’t know if the Ninja 250 would be a ‘downgrade’ but if I was already comfortable with the 400 I would probably go for the Vulcan 500 or the Ninja 500. The newer Ninja 250’s are great bikes and leaps and bounds better than the older version (at least in my opinion, but a new rider might not be able to feel the difference). Everyone that I know that has ridden the ninja 500 seems to like it quite a bit.
I would also suggest the vulcan just because I REALLY REALLY want that bike lol haha. But from what I understand the Vulcan 500 and the Ninja 500 engines are very similar.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
