Uki

<center><img src="http://www.kawasaki.com/ImagesMain/Products/Preview/05537d07-52fd-46e8-8aa5-b6ddcaa596db.jpg"></center><p>I love how they updated this bike to the point where i'm considering buying one new, instead of finding a beater as a starter. I've ridden in the dirt for years so i'm not new to bikes, but this is my first on road. Is it worth the money or am I going to hate it after a while? I'll probably take the test on it as well, then pass it on to the girlfriend so she can get used to riding once I pickup something new. Just curious of everyone's thoughts, thanks in advance.

BSK

get something 500cc and up

gragravar

Youd probably be ready to move on in 8 months to a year

MiniMan

I'd suggest starting with something a bit bigger, especially if you've ridden before.

DesmoTesta

woudl prob have more fun on a 250-500. A new rider woudl take forever to get to the point where he is dragging knees even on the street, and that is why the newer riders get bored with a certain displacement and move on to bigger bikes.
I almost NEVER go fast on my 998 in a straight line, i wait for curves and on ramps, in a way, I woudl be just fine with a 250.
For a NOOB, I say go with at least a 2005-2006+ 600 superbike. I just got a 2005 CBR600RR and its DAMN fast for a 600. I cant see a noon getting bored with it but then again people do sillier things under peer pressure.

MonkeyLover

...depending on how much you ride. They are really nice little bikes. Definitely worth handing down to the girlfriend. I'd move up in size next season, though...so factor that in to your purchase.

Where are you, BTW? The black and green are sold out from Kawasaki, but we're getting blue ones in the next few weeks. Our shop is a little north of Albany, NY.

MonkeyLover

NOBODY should start on a bike that has 110hp. Just because so many new riders do, does NOT mean it's the right thing to do. TBH, the exact opposite of your post is much better advice. You think he'll be dragging pegs and hitting knee pucks faster on a 600 than a 250!?! Ridiculous. 600s have enough power to scare people away from motorcycling...ESPECIALLY if ridden the way they were designed to, which is wound out and always above 10,000RPM. If he tried to do that he'd hurt himself or someone else. When he starts dragging parts on a 250 or 500, THAT'S when you move up to a bigger bike...not the other way around. That's like telling someone, "Don't buy a beater Ford Escort as a first car, get a Viper first and then get the Escort when you've mastered the Viper."

MonkeyLover

*ding*

DesmoTesta

those things have NO power until you pass 8500-9000 rpm. I rode my wife's 600 a few days ago, my first inline in 8 years and I thought the clutch was slipping. The 250s are twins and have enough torque in the low RPMs to get anyone into just as much trouble.
Of course the advice was meant for someone who has a working connection between his "seat of the pants" his right arm and his brain.
A dumbass can get into JUST as much trouble on a 250.
Look at the Dyno charts or better yet, ride an inline and you will see they have NOTHING down below, the RPMS where new riders usually ride.
I have a friend who just bought an MV Brutale 750, he says he doesnt go over 7000 because it gets scary.
you want a new rider to have EXACTLY that kind of "respect" for their macine, to not get in trouble.
The people who ride over their head and crash within the first month, woudl have done it on a 250 or a 500 as well.

MonkeyLover

<center><img src="http://images.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0607_01_z+600cc_shootout+dyno_chart.jpg"></center><p>...over 10,000RPM to get performance. A Ninja 250R does NOT have "enough torque to get anyone in trouble". It has 16lb-ft compared to 66lb-ft for a Ninja ZX-6R. They don't even come CLOSE to comparing! So that statement is purely bogus.

The chart above shows a 2005 ZX-6R making almost 40lb-ft at 7000RPM. I won't even bother posting a chart for the 250 because it's pathetic. Believe me, I know all the ins and outs of sportbike power, my friend. Recommending a 600cc sportbike over a 250 is not only stupid, but irresponsible. Please get all your facts straight before you consider doing so.

All that said, I do agree with one thing you said, though...ANYone can be a dumbass and attempt to ride over their head. With the power of a 250, it's much less likely that person will hurt themselves.<ul><li><a href="http://Article%20discussing%20the%20power%20of%20the%2008 %20Ninja%20250R%20(alt%20+%20F%20for%20the%20torqu e)">http://Article%20discussing%20the%20power%20of%20the%2008 %20Ninja%20250R%20(alt%20+%20F%20for%20the%20torqu e)</a</li></ul>