So I just sold off my 98 ZX7 which I crashed Sept. 2nd 2007 (after 14 years without a crash!). I am looking to downsize and see lots of 250's for a good prices.

I am a pretty big guy (6', 220) and am mostly a commuter but want to be able to enjoy the weekend ride too. I don't want anything too powerful - the ZX7 made me drunk with power, and the cop said I was the first one to crash in that area and not be life-flighted out. My issue - not the bike.

Anyway I'm wondering if the 250 might be good for me - I know all about the power thing. IE basically if you buy small you'll soon want more. But I don't think I'm in that boat after my accident - I am considering other styles, but also looking for 250 owners to give me some pro's and con's for the bike to help me make an informed decision.

What do you experienced 250 riders think??

 

I am 6'0 and 250+ pounds, yeah i am kinda of a fatty, and the 250 is great, I like to ride, so this is an awesome bike it can get great gas mileage, over 200 to a tank. it is fast enough for you to commute to work and if you spend the money on a new seat you can get some decent time(2+ hours at a time) on the bike during the weekend.

if you want a rocket, then i would say get something bigger, but if you just want to ride then get a 250, it will still get you to speeds that will kill easily.

good luck and sorry about your accident.

 

its still fun in the turns - just no drag bike

 

Coming from a zx7 this will be a dog for you. I would consider a used ninja 500 or 650. There not blazing fast but a lot faster then the 250. Allthough I love my 250 I wish it had more power at times.

 

The age-old "250 is a starter bike" crap evolved around the Honda Rebel 250 and Suzuki GS250 bikes. Thosebikes dodeserve that reputation. The Ninja 250 is a totally different animal. Many folks take the MSF course on one of these and assume all 250's are dogs and proceed to purchase a larger-engined bike.
I've rode larger bikes, a buddy at work has a CBR600, but the Ninja 250 is still more fun to ride everyday. At my heaviest weight, I was at 232 lbs and still got up to 111 mph (gps verified). There's good reason why so many iron-butt rally riders are migrating to the Ninja 250, it gets good gas mileage, does fine on the interstate and it's relatively cheap to own compared to most other motorcycles.
Look at it this way - buy a used one in good condition (there's plenty available) and ride it for 6 months then decide if you really want more cc's. The resale market is always good for the 250, so you should not go backwardsvery much.

scootertrog

 

you can always get a pipe, intake, and rejet it sure its not going to make it allot faster but it helps [8D]

 

No it's not just a starter bike. I just bought a 2008 Ninja 250 and I love the little Ninja. For the last 8 years I rode a Kawi ZR7, a Suzuki SV650S, and owned 2 Kawi ZRX1200R's. I'm getting close to 52 years old and I'm retired and thought is was a good time to just enjoy riding and not just"hauling ***"....although the 250 handles very sweetly in the turns. I've had mine only 2 weeks and the chicken strips are almost gone. The bike fits me well, I'm 5'8" and 170 pounds.

 

I am not an experienced 250 rider, but you do what feels comfy. Any off of any ride lingers at times and is a good educational tool.But, assaid above, the 250 should be a good step down from what you had to get you to point A to B.

 

the bigest problem that i have seen with them is they are ridden for 500 miles then sold then ridden for another 500 miles never seeing a wrench untill itstoo lateyour best bet for a 250 is eather used with extremly low miles ie under 1000 on new