Hi! well i don't own a ninja 250 yet but i will someday!! the only thing i'm worried about is i'm 5'0 tall. Will i have any problems with my height having this bike? i thought about a scooter but a actual bike is so much hotter.
all i have to do is sale my GT mustang and i can get one of these bikes!!!

 

welcome I am 5'6 and I can't even flat foot the bike, so you might end up tippy toeing, though there is some after market lowering kit you can get for it. Which should help you by alot.
Also GL finding or buying an 08 model, they are very hard to come by. Though you can get a decent pre 08 for 2k+

 

What's your inseam? Mine's 28 (I'm 5'4") and I'm actually still comfortable even though I'm tip toe-ing both feet while waiting at a light. Just takes a few days to build your confidence, even longer if you have to tripod (only be able to put down one foot) cause you have to get used to knowing which foot's gonna go down before you come to a stop. I've also sat in one that was lowered an inch and didn't really feel a significant difference.

There are several options to lower the seat height- shaving the seat, lowering your PSI a bit if you're just going to be city riding, lowering links.

Is your Mustang auto? I learned to use a manual tranny on a Mustang and I could barely reach the pedals, lol.

 

my mustang is a manual. i have to sit really really close to the steering wheel to use the clutch. I don't drive it very often i usually drive my Mini Cooper. My husband when we can't car pool to work will drive the Mustang. Its an 02 GT with only about 72,000 miles on. The clutch on the stang is really heavy compared to the clutch on the MIni, after driving the stang and go back to the mini it feels like my clutch when out lol. but it hasn't just alot lighter. but a 4 cylinder vs. a v8...yeah big difference.

Hey, What is a pre 08?? I was thinking of a new 08 b/c i would have to finance the bike b/c i will be buying 2. Thought a new one would get me a better interest rate. My husband and I want bikes. This could be our new hobby. Well, if you have a 250 and your 5'6 and barely touch i hope my husband will be okay with one. He is 6'3. We sat on a lifan c-20....i had to tippy toe it. He however could sit and touch fine. He had enough leg room with that one. I'm sure after He has a 250 for a while he would upgrade but for now be being the protective one, i don't want him to have anything more powerful until he learns how to ride safely.

if a pre 08 is preowned and they are only like 2k then we proabably could pay cash for 1 and finance the other b/c i was looking at trying to put down at least 2000 for both the bikes. I dunno but i'm going nuts!! not having one yet. Its all i think about really.....its sad. however my husband says it turns him on with me constantly looking up bikes and stuff and talking to him about it. Who knew lol.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

You're husband's gonna get tired of that bike quick! I'm 6'3'' and I started with a 250 and wanted to sell it within 2 months. I just upgraded to a ZX-6 and it's much better for a big guy. It'll be perfect for you though. Have fun!

 

There are a few options if the bike is too tall for you.

1. Shave the Seat
2. Lower the bike

Always start with the seat first as that won't change any of the bike's riding characteristics. If you shave the seat and it's still too tall, look at lowering links.

My gf is 5'2 but she has a short inseam, so I'll be shaving the seat for her next week. Good luck.

 

what is an inseam? sorry i dunno what that is yeah so no where in the big cities in tx do they have any 08s

 

Inseam : "The seam in a trouser or short that runs from the crotch to the hem. Leg length is measured based on the inseam."

I can't seem to find any info about Lifan C20s, how odd.

Pre-08 means anything before the 2008 model. Even more affordable, parts are easily attainable, lighter, and gets better mpg (according to some magazine reviews) compared to the 08s. btw, Dealerships are sold out of the 2008s unless you manage to find a pre-owned one. The 2009s are starting to trickle in.

My suggestion is take the MSF course first. You'll probably get to ride the Kawasaki Eliminator (125cc; 26" seat height; actually a lot of fun) and your husband might get slightly more powerful 200cc dual sport to match up to his height and weight. Takes a total of 3 days and helps you get started with the basics and also learn safety maneuvers so you don't develop bad habits trying to learn to ride on your own. Those who have taken the course have a lesser chance of getting into an accident than those who haven't. And you get a nice discount on your insurance as well if you give them a copy of your certificate of completion.

 

As long as you can get the ball of one foot on the ground with the bike leaning a little you'll be OK - and you can.

What you need also is confidence that you can control the bike almost down to a stop - and the ability to do it as well as the confidence.

I'd beg, borrow or hire anything you can find with a really low seat (to give you confidence) and use it to practise low speed manouevers - start by riding in a straight line, keeping the throttle constant and using the clutch and a little rear brake to control your speed. When you can vary it between a very (very ) slow walk and a fast walk, move on to a slalom, then to figure eights. Aim at feet up, full lock to lock figure eights, five off, a tight u-turn and five in the opposite direction without putting a foot down.

Once you're happy, return your borrowed (hired or whatever) bike and you'll OK with the 250.

Rob