I am a new aspiring rider shopping for my first bike. I want to get a Ninja 250 and am shopping them locally. It's a good time to find a deal (fall in Minnesota). There is a Ninja 500 being sold locally for $350, recently reduced from $500. It's a 1995 and has been driven 21,000 miles. The seller says they have the title but it's missing front fairings, also needs carb work and new tires. I'm super tempted by the price (if even for the future down the road) because $350 for a running Ninja with title seems like a good deal or a fun project. I don't know for sure that I would start out riding it right away, but curious what you guys think. I had a few NOOB questions about it. Is the 500 a lot heavier than the 250? Is it foolish to learn on a 500 instead of a 250? Are there safety risks with running older bikes like this? I would plan on doing some of the work myself and then having the carb tuned by a tech and then having a professional go over everything, but I also want to minimize risk. Let me know what you think and thanks.

 

You can google search weight specs for different bikes. e.g.: "1995 ninja 500 bike specs"

IMO, If I were just getting into the sport, I'd rather spend a bit more for a confident runner. That's an old machine that may need a lot of work.
I also think new riders gain confidence and skill faster with smaller, less powerful bikes. I like the idea of a used 250. Ride it for a while until you're bored with it, then sell and upgrade.

 

I agree. Having been in motorcycle sales I've seen a number of new riders buy bikes that need work. It ends up they need significant work and the buyer wants to ride, not work on it. I'd say get a good runner. Buy the other to work on it if you want, but don't count on it being ready to go. That way at least you get to ride even if the one bike doesn't work yet.

 

Yeah I think that makes sense. It's best to get the 250 because it seems a lot more useful for my purposes at this point and there isn't much sense getting/storing a bike just because it's cheap. That being said I would really like to get into it for $2000 or less by the time it's all said and done, if possible. I've got a lead on a really solid looking 2004 for $900. I don't know if I need to buy a bike before taking the course. Come to think of it I don't know what to do to get a motorcycle license, I will check with the college in the morning because I always see them riding around in the parking lot. I'm pretty sure they offer a program for people who are getting started. I noticed that a lot of these second hand bikes need their carbs cleaned or worked on (according to the seller descriptions) are they a nightmare to work on? I would have someone else do it at this point, but curious what that type of maintenance costs I should expect. Let me know what you think I should know and thanks!

 

I like the way you're thinking. Take a rider's course and get some gear.
Our beginning level course offers bikes for use, like a Suzuki TU250 and other 250 models. It would certainly be better to have some seat time in at MSF class or however you can get it before purchasing.
You should be able to find something for under $2K, and it will probably be rough and need a little work. Rider's leave carbs full of fuel, put the bike away, and let the fuel set, gumming up the carb. In general, the fewer the carbs, the easier the job. I'm not excited about these deals. If it's so easy and cheap to clean the carb, why doesn't the seller do it and sell a running machine?
Don't buy the 500 basket case just because its cheap. I was once told: "The most expensive bikes I've ever had were free."

 

ok, I am late to answer this. I love my ex500 as a daily ride with a 30" inseam. (Seriously. It sucks at track time because of the suspension, it works but not happily(ok,it sucks). My daily ride for sure over my ninja 250 and others.