The 250 is no highway hauler but its a fun ridewith plenty of power for what you need. there is even a 250cc class on the pro racing curcuit so it can be really fast. There just isnt many upgrades in the aftermarket for them, like with other models. But since you are so apprehensive about power, I'm thinking you may want to step it up a bit, maybe to a 500. Either way I wouldnt start serious customization until after you decide that the bike suits you, since few mods really increase the value of a bike (who wants to buy someone else's dream bike) and even if it increases the value it wont be enough to offset the cost if you sell.

 

Ottslayer, why are YOU thinking about getting a 250 instead of a larger bike? What advantage do you see? Just trying to figure out what your priorities are.

If you think the 250 may not be powerful enough for you, then it probably won't. But you can always test drive one. I'd test drive a 2007 unless you are actually going to get a 2008 since they've made a lot of changes.

 

I would say I like the 250 for ease of learning on it. It seams to be a bike that many people tinker on. The gas mileage is excellent. I enjoy the aesthetics of it somewhat. I'm 6 foot 185 pounds and I'm thinking it may not be enough to get me up and have me go. At the same time the 2008 model does seem to make it more of a small sport bike while maintaning some key components. But I always ask myself, how could a 250cc possibly beat a 650cc that only weighs 70 pounds more. Most of my friends that have bikes have 500 to 650's, and so that is primarily who I'd be riding with and I don't want to be the guy puttering a mile behind everyone. On that note, I can't ride their bikes because they are all deployed and the one that isn't is redeploying the 31st and his bike is broke.

 

Well I'd say test drive a 250, and also test drive at least the 500R, and possiblythe 650. I think it will be obvious to you which one will deliver what you want. The 500R is an excellent bike to learn on, so I wouldn't get the 250 because it is easier to learn, to be honest. The 250 will get better gas mileage, but the 500R gets 50 mpg easy, which is still a Very Low fuel bill.

As far as keeping up with your buddies, that's what worries me. I guess it depends on what kind of driving they do. I had a Honda Rebel 250 and I could not accelrate from a stop light as fast as a small car even if I tried. I suspect the 250R will do better than the Rebel, but I'd still be leary of keeping up with your buddies. Of course on a straight highway you'll be able to keep up with them if they are going sane speeds. Anyone can hold the throttle opem and do 80 mph. But if you expect to accelerate like they do, I think you will be very unhappy. Even my 500R can't accelerate anywhere as quick as a true race bike in the 600cc+ category, and i think my 50 R will never feel as at home in a curve as the racing bikes (ie - zx-6r and comparable bikes) do.

 

Thats really helpful, thank you. Most military folks these days drive sane speeds, especially on motorcycles. An interesting thing these days, and a quote from my CO, "We defend freedom, we don't have it." Applying that it means that if private Greggory Ian Joe got a ticket going 100mph in a 40 private G.I. Joe wouldn't be allowed to ride his bike anymore.
At this point it looks like possibly an old 250 to learn on and then possibly a 600 or 650 or something similar once I'm comfortable. One advantage is I already have another friend who wants to get into riding and would buy the 250 if I wanted to get rid of it. I'm not much for any trick riding, other than learning to wheelie so that if it happens on the road I'll know what to do, if that changes bike recomendations at all.

 

I weigh 215 and my Ninja 250 has no problem at all cruising @ 80 mph for as long as Icare to sit. The previous owner that I bought it from said he had it up to an indicated 110 mph, and I trust him. The Ninja 250 is well known for it's ability to bust the 100 mph mark. Unless your riding buddies are going to be riding over 85 or 90 mph on a constant basis, you can keep upwith them with no problem. The biggest thing is running down a barren interstate over 75 mph on a windy day, the 308 pound Ninja is a little more sensitive (than a heavier bike) to wind gust and tractor-trailers, but you learn to adjust.
I've rode the Suzuki GS250 and the Rebel 250, believe me, neither one can even come close to theKawa performance-wise. The Kawa is an in-line, liquid-cooled high reving sewing machine-on-steroids, lol. The other 250's are v-twin / air-cooled low-revvers.
The Ninja 500 is not that much different than the 250, a little more power and weight, but considerably more money. I looked really hard at the 500 before buying the 250, and decided the extra purchase price, insurance and performance it offered was not worth it - to me. You'll have to weigh all the options and see what works best for you. Don't buy any bike based on what your "potential" riding buddies ride, unless you got money to burn. Motorcycling is great fun but at the same time you need to do it responsibly. Way too many riders (especially the cruiser guys) buy bikes that are just way too freakin heavy for them to handle. Most Harleys are dropped at a stop sign - I am dead serious!
Sorry, I'm getting worked up.....lol

scootertrog

 

I saw some guy drop his harley at the license test and it took 3 guys to pick it up. Then he dropped it again riding away from the DMV. sad

 

hahaha, yup. Helped pick one up at the stop light last week.

 

i have put 1600 miles on mine sence i bought it the 250 great in the curves its light enuff that you can through into the terns.i travle1 + hrs high way atleast twice a week.