I posted this in the 250 forums too but I'm posting it here to get other opinions on this. So my 93 250 project bike has more or less turned out to be a total nightmare so as much as I hate to admit "failure" on something I just dont want to pump money in a bike when it would cost less to straight up buy something that runs. So I'm looking at either an '07 250 or 500 mainly because they look a lot nicer when cut down to a naked sports bike. I wouldnt say I'm a new rider but this is my first bike. I used to have an old 200cc vespa scooter and messed around with atvs a few times. So Ninja 250 vs Ninja 500 and.... GO.
Well, as for looks I think the 250 wins hands down. But of course, the 500 has much more power. You might want to wait a bit though, since the word is the 500 is getting a major redesign (like the 250 did in 2008) in 2010. I rode a 250 once and I really liked it. It's a very fun bike.
I highlyt doubt the 500 gets a re-design. It would just be fighting for the same market as the 650 as said in another thread on this forum. I can google nothing of the sort in finding a concept 500, or redesign of the 500. IF someone has some rock solid info on a redesign, I would love to hear it. I believe nothing out of a dealers mouth, as they are compensated well for lying. jm2c
If you're talking old-style 250 vs. 500, go for the 500.
I had one (89 EX500... essentially the same bike as the Ninja 500... they did a very slight refresh of the bodywork when they renamed it). It was a good bike.
But if you're considering a new-generation 250 vs. the 500, I'd go for the 250. The 500 styling is very dated by comparison.
Now I've got a new-gen 250R and I LOVE IT!!!!! More comfortable than the 500 was (better seat, at least for me), just as much if not more fun, and way, way better looking. People routinely mistake it for a much larger bike.
The only thing the 500 has over the 250 is more power, but if you ride the 250 right (as in, keep those revs up), it's plenty fast enough to put a grin on your face.
It has a lot to do with your expectations. If you want a bike that'll get to 60 in four seconds, you don't want a 250. If you want a flickable canyon carver that's really fun to ride at realistic speeds, then you really do want a 250.
The truth is that it's way, WAY more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.
The 250R is a surprisingly capable machine if you shed preconceived notions about what it can actually do. I've already taken mine on a 2,600 mile tour... 11 states, 13 days and it did just fine.
A lot of people will tell you it doesn't have enough power, but it's fast enough to break the law easily, it's quicker than my car, it's an absolute hoot to ride, it's cheap to buy, cheap to run and cheap to insure. There isn't a single thing about it that I don't like.
You must not have a very quick car, LOL! You are correct about the riding a slow bike fast! That is alot more fun, thats why I keep my old KZ440.
Haha lets not get too crazy here. The 250 is slow for a bike yes, but i would say it's faster than 80% of the cars out on the road (until you get above lets say 60mph) ... its similar to a Subaru WRX or a 350Z or something (200 to 250 hp car that isnt huge). I would say this is faster than all of the econo boxes/SUVs/Vans/Trucks/Luxury Tanks out there.
yes the 250 is faster than most cars out there. Plus it's TONS of fun throught the twisties. I'd say wait a little to see if there are any changes to the 500. why not, right?
The "LOL" indicates joking guys! Any moron knows power to weight ratio means more than how much overall power a vehicle makes, and motorcycles, including the 250 ninja, have a very good power to weight ratio.
The "LOL" indicates joking guys! Any moron knows power to weight ratio means more than how much overall power a vehicle makes, and motorcycles, including the 250 ninja, have a very good power to weight ratio.
Posting on forums is very serious business! Anyway another thing to consider is insurance. I don't know how old you are but my 250 is dirt cheap to insure and I'm 24. The 500 probably wont break the bank but at least at my insurance company (State Farm), they do all the rates solely based off displacement. At least that's what they tell me... it would be retarded to have to pay more to insure a 650r than a zx6r just because it has 50cc's more
Ninja 500 vs Ninja 250
! Anyway another thing to consider is insurance. I don't know how old you are but my 250 is dirt cheap to insure and I'm 24. The 500 probably wont break the bank but at least at my insurance company (State Farm), they do all the rates solely based off displacement. At least that's what they tell me... it would be retarded to have to pay more to insure a 650r than a zx6r just because it has 50cc's more
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