Kawasaki Ninja 250

[vintagecycle]

Anyone here ever own or ride one of these? What are your opinions of it?
I hear they are pretty fun even for an experienced rider and get incredible gas mileage, and, will do 100mph.....? Redline of 14k.....

[Kevin50r]

My wife bought a Ninja 250 several years ago and seldom rides it. Between my step-son and myself we've put 4500 miles on it. It is real easy on fuel but I haven't actually done the math. I've completed all the maintnence on it since new and I find it fairly easy to work on.

Only issue I've incountered is the really small idle jets it has gum up real easy if left sitting for any length of time. I drain the carbs every winter and run "stabil" through it but it doesn't seem to matter. Come spring it will run with the choke and die without it. Replacing or cleaning the jets lets it idle like new.

If you get one, ride it hard and often and you won't have any problems. They are a hoot! But I wouldn't want it as an only bike. (They can be bought cheap and low miles on the used market, seldom more than 2 grand)

[R4R&R]

I have a buddy that has one - I think it's a 2003 model, less than 1000 miles on it. He bought it for his wife to learn on but she got pregnant instead (Whoops!) They're selling it if anyone is interested. I'll try and find a price.

[gelbe Kulter]

We bought one for my wife a few years ago. What a fun bike! Nothing flicks into corners like it. It has a decent fairing, upright bars for a sport bike and good fuel range. One of the best things is that you can run through the gears at the 14k redline, with the motor sounding like an Indy car, and still not break the speed limit. The downside is that gear selection is very important. The rpms must remain high to have any accelleration - it won't leave the driveway under 7k rpm.

As others have said, it's a hoot. Its top speed, in the high 90s stock, won't impress anyone in a straight line, but there's a certain group ride on curvy back roads in Kentucky several times each season where Ninja 250s rule.

[CycleRob]

I've had fun on a few of these. You do know how Mario Andretti feels when you redline it thru the gears . . . . But . . . . It's too small to safely play in traffic. 7,000 RPM is needed for a normal take-off. The thrill wears off like a new pair of cheap shoes with toe crowding issues. I don't like them (the 250's).

Many guys buy these 250 Ninja's for their wives because they're small and lightweight (the bike) but they never get reved up enough by them to acquire performance so they end up being parked after only a few disappointing outings.

I say go for at least a 500 Ninja or 500 Suzuki if money and inseams are short, but demand an SV-650 if they're not.

[mechanic savant]

Check the kaw. website's I believe there's a facyory hot-rod kit available for these lil buzz bombs !!!!

[beekstersocal]

my freind had a sv650 and that bike halls ass period ,every time we rode together he was on my ass the whole time,,, sorry i said ass twice

[rchop]

my freind had a sv650 and that bike halls ass period ,every time we rode together he was on my ass the whole time

Your nose is growing again Mikey

[wncbmw]

sorry i said ass twice

Actually 3 times!

[rchop]

Well, I just bought one today. You all are right...no power berore 7k rpm. I bought it to use on my 14 mile (one way) commute through the 2 lane backroads to work. I can leave my Cadillac STS in the garage or my F350 dually parked in front of my house. Should pay for itself in in the 15 months I have left before I retire in gas savings with the 75mpg it's supposed to get. It is a blast to ride if you realize that ist's not a speed demon.
Ride report will be posted after a couple of weeks.

[NoRRmad]

I'm interested in the gas milage you get. Pretty bike.

[vintagecycle]

Nice bike!
It's got to be more fun then a scooter....
Let us know what kind of MPG you get.