New 08 Kawasaki Ninja 250r

[PM-R33]

With the cost of fuel going through the roof and me needing to get to uni everyday and to work i've decided to buy a bike for every day use and keep the skyline for weekends.

I love the new Ninja 250R and at $6999 on the road brand new its an absolute bargain. The dealer up here will have them in stock in about a month so im waiting till then to have a closer look at one. I had a look at the 600 and the only difference visually is pretty much the exhaust. Gorgeous bike.

So anyway just wondering if anyone has ridden one yet or own one and what they think of it?

Edited July 6, 2008 by PM-R33

[Bumblebee]

its not cheaper to own a bike.. just remember that

unless it is a 250cc and smaller...

[ctjet]

Yeah, dont go into this under the illusion that your going to save too much money with this purchase. Once you add gloves, jackets, helmet and the like it gets pricey.

Services and replacement parts are mind blowingly expensive for such a small piece of machinary.

They are massive fun, no doubt, but dont do this just to save money.

[PM-R33]

It's a 250cc and parts i can get cheap through work so thats not really an issue. Allready got a helmet etc.

It's rated to around 100km on 4-5L of fuel around town. My car these days around town gets me 300km to a tank if im lucky.

The other main reason is i need something next year that is going to always be there to get me to uni and back as if my car breaks down or something im screwed like this last semester had to keep getting lifts to uni from other people.

For my situation its a good choice so dont try to talk me out of it Just more interested as to what they are like since i can't get too see one or ride one for another month or so.

Edited July 7, 2008 by PM-R33

[VB-]

my mates bought one but hasnt got it yet, although i can tell you they sound like a rex with most aftermarket exhausts lol

[PM-R33]

lol like a rex ay, hmmm i wonder if that would be a good thing or a bad thing haha. Let me know what he thinks of it when he gets it.

[Haysey]

nice bikes and all, but remember your spending 7k on a 250cc....

Id buy something 2nd hand cheaper, and save my money for a 600 or a 1000

[PM-R33]

Can only get a 250cc because im not on my opens yet (lost license for 6 months last year so pushed it forward) and i dont want the bike for speed, i want it for good economy, cheap parts (ninjas have been around for ages and the engines and parts havnt changed much so theres parts every where for them) and i mainly want it too look good. So a 250cc is the most practical. If i wait a while till i get my opens and buy a bike for $12000+ in a 1000cc i may aswell drive the skyline every day.

Had a look at second hand bikes and honestly theres nothing for cheap that i like in a 250cc. I dont want a dirt bike for the road and in road bikes theres CBR250's, Hyosung GT250R and a couple of others that are fairly new (dont want an old bike). All cost around $4000-$6000 second hand. So for a brand new bike for only $6999 on the road that looks better than any other 250cc i've ever seend (might try to get it a bit cheaper if i pay cash or maybe get a demo model) its a pretty good deal.

The reviews i've read about them are great and everyone says how nice and easy they are to ride so im really looking forward to trying one out.

[PjAu]

well i cant say too much on their roadbikes due lack fo experiance with them, but after the years ive spent riding and the various kwaka dirtbikes ive roade with i would not go near a kawasaki with a ten foot pole.

Pat

[Haysey]

Can only get a 250cc because im not on my opens yet (lost license for 6 months last year so pushed it forward) and i dont want the bike for speed, i want it for good economy, cheap parts (ninjas have been around for ages and the engines and parts havnt changed much so theres parts every where for them) and i mainly want it too look good. So a 250cc is the most practical. If i wait a while till i get my opens and buy a bike for $12000+ in a 1000cc i may aswell drive the skyline every day.

Had a look at second hand bikes and honestly theres nothing for cheap that i like in a 250cc. I dont want a dirt bike for the road and in road bikes theres CBR250's, Hyosung GT250R and a couple of others that are fairly new (dont want an old bike). All cost around $4000-$6000 second hand. So for a brand new bike for only $6999 on the road that looks better than any other 250cc i've ever seend (might try to get it a bit cheaper if i pay cash or maybe get a demo model) its a pretty good deal.

The reviews i've read about them are great and everyone says how nice and easy they are to ride so im really looking forward to trying one out.

I dont know if you got what i meant, there is not much point in getting a brand spanker 250 when youll want to upgrade when your off your restrictions.. You might say you wont want to upgrade now, but give it 8 months and youll be wanting to jump onto something a bit quicker.. 600s will still give you good economy if you ride them well, and they have a bit of up and go...

There are a few good looking 250s around, but not many people buy 250s because they look good, in the end they are still 250s, the good lookers are the ones that perform well too...

How about a Ducati 620, they are throttle restricted so legal to ride on your Ls (and yuo remove it for fulls), they look good, can get great economy out of them, and you dont have to sell and loose alot of money when you want to get a bigger bike...

Up to you though mate, spending 7k on a 250cc on the road... you may aswell keep the 7k to yourself and put it in petrol, that will last a good while imo...

In the end, your money... im just voicing my opinion...

[STATUS]

well i cant say too much on their roadbikes due lack fo experiance with them, but after the years ive spent riding and the various kwaka dirtbikes ive roade with i would not go near a kawasaki with a ten foot pole.

Pat

BAHAHA thier zx10 and zx6 have won hypersport (1000cc) and supersport (600cc) bike of the year multiple times (both zx10r and zx6 came in 2nd this year)..... unfortunatley due to small budgets and a wierd company structure thier mototgp results are a bit lack lustre.

i ride all brands and have a shit kicker 96' cbr600 atm for commuting but i used to have one of TKA (team kawasakis australias) 2000 ZX7rr and it was the best bike ive ever riden... even to date.

Kawasaki built some of the best road bikes the average person can buy.

other notables atm are triumph 675, suzuki GSXR 750 and the 08 CBR1000RR