How we all doing? I've been doing nothing but research on the Kawasaki Ninjas for the past six months. I think I'm going to go with the 2008 Kawa 250r. I keep hearing it is too small, and then I keep hearing people whom are bigger than me saying they are perfect. I'm 5'10" and weigh approximately 210 lbs...it's my goal to get down to 190 here soon. What are your opinions on this matter? I'm going through my MSF in March. I had a fear that the 08 250s would be sold out, as most of them are spoken for at my local dealership. I went ahead and put a deposit down for $160 for it last week. My dealer told me if I wanted to go w/ the 500, that it wouldn't be a problem at all. So I went ahead and did it, knowing I am either going to go w/ the 250 or the 500. I hear the 250 is a blast and is a great learning tool...I figured for $4100 OTD, I can't go wrong. Also too, my insurance for full coverage is less than $325 a year w/ Progressive for the 250. Thanks for your responses...it is greatly appreciated. [/align][/align]P.S. I'm planning on keeping off the freeway for a long time. My biggest concern is learning how to ride properly.[/align]

 

the 250 is an awesome bike! many will say that you can learn on any bike, which is true but for me i prefer a smaller bike, at first,
the 250 is faster than most cars out there can take you over 100mph which is enough to get you into some serious trouble, i like the ability to be able to control the bike wth ease, and really lean it into corners.

insurance is a benefit i only pay 108 dollars a year for mine

when you have the opportunity sit on both the 250 and the 500 see which one fitsyou better, good luck and be safe

 

At your weight, the 250R can handle no problem. When ever people say the 250 is too small of a bike, they generally;

A. have never been on one.
B. Are usually referring to the engine size, not the physical size of the bike.

They bike isn't a powerhouse, but it does fine around town. You're going to be faster than 95% of all the cars on the road.

 

108 for the year, or month?? I have a superb driving record, and flawless credit, and I was quoted $75 a month for insurance. Who do u go through? Thanks a bunch. Oh, and thank you very much for your reply.

 

Welcome to the world of motorcycle insurance! The price at which insurance companies are willing to insure you varies GREATLY among different insurance companies. It is almost always a bad idea to simply go with the same company you insure your car through before checking all available companies. When I was checking insurance premiums on a ZX-14, nobody would insure me for any less than $2400 a year! Then I check State Farm, and they only wanted $300 /per year!!! Same coverage too. Progressive and Geiko were both extremely expensive when I inquired through them.

 

hmm, you gave them money down so that they could make free money because of the interest, no guarantees that you will get the 250 because they can say, this deposit was for the 500 and not the 250. I am not liking this story.

 

If I was going to finance it, that would have been stupid to put money down, but either way, I'm paying cash for it. I have decided to go w/ the 2008 Kawa 250r. I pick her up w/in the next few weeks. Most of the bikes here in western wa have been spoken for

 

The 08 250's look great.

 

anyone know of any good, inexpensive motorcycle insurance companies in the NE? Im in Boston, and a lot of the more "known" companies arent available here.

 

I really can't help you with the insurance, because I haven't lived up there in about 8 years. However, as far as your original question, you could go either way. A 500 will be a lot more powerful, but you'll still be able to have fun with a 250. It really ammounts to your personal taste, and how you plan on using it. If you want to go on long highway tours, don't get the 250. I know you say you plan on staying off the highway, but believe me... that won't last. As soon as you get used to it, you're going to want to go on a trip. You'll find yourself looking for excuses to go riding. But if you are just riding around town, you'll have plenty of power for anything other than racing.