Hey guys, I am new to the forum and new to riding and would like some input from anyone who can help. I realize this question is asked about a billion times specially during this time of year but I want to make sure I end up with the right bike. I am taking the MFS course in a few weeks and have been doing a lot of research on the 250r and 650r. Ive heard the 250 is ideal but the 650 is also geared toward beginner/intermediate riders. For the type of riding I plan on doing the 650 sounds like the better choice. I plan on using it for the highways and cruising around town (school and what not) but I do want to be safe and be sure I am not just jumping into something too powerful. I feel I am mature enough and level headed enough to handle a bike such as this, but would love to hear from anyone who has either bike, or started on one of these. Thanks to everyone who replies!

 

Supits, welcome to the forums. I would encourage you to talk to friends, or even posters here, and take a test ride on each bike before you buy. I'm not sure we can accurately answer the question (although we try) to everyones satisfaction. You might also review the prior posts on this topic.
Again, welcome aboard. Gear up; stay safe.

 

Someone told me you should base it on your size and strength..i bought a 250 last year and it was my first time riding..i'm 5'3" and i had to lower the bike.. my bf has a suzuki Hayabusa and he's 6ft tall and he said my ninja is tooo small for him. so IMO i think it's made for a short person

 

i considered this myself and went with the special edition 250 (cost factor ruled) and i LOVE it, but the olny thing i hate is that the break-in period sucks. You have to refrain from over-reving it for so amount of miles and you cant get over about 45mph for about 600 miles.

 

Welcome to the forums, I'm a mole so I don't know anything about the street machines, but these guys know a lot so listen to them. Have fun, be careful and enjoy the class. My wife said it was the toughest fun she ever had.

 

the first night wasn't so bad..felt like sort of a rush because it's a 3 hour evening..we learned the controls, what SEE means and FINEC means..good stuff..tomorrow we get to go out on the bike!

 

The GPX 250 is a good first bike. Probably picking up a 2nd hand one would be more cost effective if you plan to change. A ZX6r straight away would be ok providing you have the right attitude to riding and sneak up on skills carefully. From my own I learnt to ride as pillion while going to colledge and then bought an AJS 500 which weighed about 400lbs but only produced about 36hp. Spent the next 20 odd years riding off road/enduros/MX which teaches quick decision making and reactions. Got back into biking with a fairly 2nd hand GPX250 and after 6mths I realised I was going to have to rebuild a 13yr old bike so changed to a '99 600, then an '06 636 and currently an '08 zx6r and at an advanced age regularly go to track days. I have one rule engraved on the inside of my forehead "Do not dump bike". I also use my bike fairly extensively and have the luxury of riding the same piece of back road all the time.

gammac

 

I rode a 650r a couple of weeks ago. The 650R would be a very good learner bike IMO as long as you respect it. It is nice and light, well balanced and the brakes are not overly powerful. It also does not have the killer power of sports bikes. The 250 of course is ideal if you are short and don't think you will ever want the extra power of a 650. Try to get a ride on both if you can.

 

I went down to the local kawi dealership yesterday and sat on one of the 650's, and I definitely think thats the bike for me. Thanks to everyone who replied!!

 

good luck with your purchase!!! Don't forget the gear