First Ride on my 2008 250R
#1
07-09-2008, 02:39 AM
First Ride on my 2008 250R
I just picked up my 250R last night and drove it to work this am. I jumped on the bike because of its updated looks and price point. I already have a 2005 Ninja 500 and the two bikes are night and day. I rode the 500 to work almost everyday for three year on a 61 mile one way commute.
The new 250 is light ages above my 2005 500 in terms of styling, handling and looks. Here is what I like about the new 250 vs my 500:
The darn thing looks great-I got thumbs up all the way to work this am
The shifting, clutch and gears are much smoother on the 250R
I like the seating/riding position is better
The kick stand is much improved over the older bike
The helmet holder is in a better location
The gages are better
The keys are stronger and it started without use of the clutch-my 500 NEVER does that.[/ol]
Here is what needs improvement:
The lower gears are weak
The tires need to be bigger[/ol]
I put 130 miles on the bike in one day in driving speeds between 65-90 mph-just like I broke in the 500. The bike has similar top end speed at the 500 as it likes to cruise around freeway speeds of 80-85 mph. My 500 would run 85-90 all day. Passing cars and speeding up were the same. The only difference that I could tell were in lower gears like 1 and 2. The 500 Ninja has better low end torque. However, once you’re on the freeway both bikes can run 80-90 all day.
I ordered the Area P exhust and will have the jets kits done next week. I cannot talk about gas mileage as of yet but my 500 Ninja would pull 70 mpg all day long.
PS-The new bike is black and it took three weeks to get one and I had an hour to pay for it or it was going to someone else. The dealer had a list of 20 people who wanted a black one.
#5
07-14-2008, 07:32 AM
RE: First Ride on my 2008 250R
just got mine in on Friday, have never riden before so dont have anything else to compare it to...but im enjoying it so far. i also waited a bit over 2 weeks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BillMoore
KLX 250S
44
03-07-2013 05:03 AM
