I was leaning towards buying a used 250, even though it isn't the safest on the interstate and I am planning on driving from Little Rock Arkansas to Tampa Florida with my family (one person on each of our bikes). I know little on bikes, but I am desperately searching for more info. I had decided on going with a 500 but when when I went to the dealership, I was blown away! When did the 250 and 500 get so large? I live near two 500r bikes, but they were smaller than new 250s! I understood that Kawasaki has changed little throughout the years, but this appears to be a large difference. Am I just imagining this, or is there a difference in size. The new bikes look like they are on steroids! I'm worried about payments on a bike from a dealership, so I want to go cheap, unless I buy one out of the paper, but I prefer to know that I am getting a good bike when I buy it, not afterwards half way to Florida. Can someone help me?

 

Once you get either one of those bikes outby themselves, they won't look as large.

If you're gonna go on that long of a trip all the way to Florida from Arkansas, do yourself a favor and get a large bike. Let me also tell ya that the 250R's seatis only tolerable forabout an hour before your *** goes numb. I felt like I was going to die after riding my 250 for about two hours! At the very least, get a good seat cushion for a long trip. Also, riding my 250R on the highway at about 75MPH makes the engine scream at about 9-10.5k RPM! That's getting close to redline. Doing that all the way to Florida would make me cringe![&:]

 

So, I like the 500, I want a newer 500. Now all I have to do is find a way to come up with the money. Thanks!

 

Mark my redline is at 13k rpm on my bike...at 10k rpms ya stillhave 3k til redline. I've ridden my bike for 3+ hours before...all interstate and my butt never got tired and was doing between 85 and 110 the whole way. I'm sure it just depends on the person tho.

 

Alright DevilGirl, would you trust your bike on a 8 hour ride (all interstate? My dad's riding a BMW touring bike. I think that we are getting two totally different bikes, for two totally different reasons. He should drive his bike to Florida, and I should fly to Florida. This trip is the only thing keeping me from saving up for teh 250. Thanks!

 

Engine RPM depends on if the sprockets were changed with a higer/lower tooth count. DG you probably have a lower count rear sprocket than factory. Just my guess.

 

Yes. I would take an 8 hour ride on my bike all interstate....as a matter of fact OD and I are gonna do that this summer. I wish I still lived in AR and I would let you ride mine. I bought mine used for a reason....simply that in case (since its my first sport bike) I laid it down I wouldn't have wrecked an expensive bike. I paid 2K cash for my bike and it only had 4K miles on it. That was August of '06. I put 2k miles on it in no time! If you want a 500 go for it man.

http://motorcycles.about.com/od/road.../05kaw250r.htm 250 Specs
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/road.../05kaw500r.htm 500 Specs
http://motorcycles.about.com/od/road.../06kawzx6r.htm ZX-6R

Its all about power and money. Just like everything else in life.

 

Nope....its all stock except the tires and I just got those 2 weeks ago. It was the same before that.

 

DG-I'm going with you on this one. You seem really conservative when it comes to buying and riding. I want a reliable and cheap bike just to learn from, so when i am ready and out of school, I can upgrade. Thanks alot. I'm convinced. I'm going with the 250! Oh yeah, double yay, I will quit triple and quadruple posting now!

 

Well I didn't the point of buying a bike I might possibly screw up in the first week that I had it LOL..... I did lay it down the 2nd day I had it. nothing bad....the bike had no damage...I got a lil road rash on my right elbow and some bruises but i healed and I got right back up on it and took her for a spin!