It's going to be hard to give this one up...
Written: Oct 01 '02
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Pros: Great handling, light weight, lots of power for the size, great on gas
Cons: It is a 250... 2 up is a little bogged down
The Bottom Line: Absolutely the best beginner sport bike, and you just may like it enough to hang on to it.
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| calan-jackal's Full Review: 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250R |
I got this bike as a temporary beginner bike, but I can tell you now that it is going to be very hard to give this one up. This bike is an absolute blast to ride, and I know if I were to keep it the thrill would never go away.
I am actually impressed with the available power given that it is a 250. Don't underestimate this bike, it will wheelie with a 220 lb person sitting in the driver seat. Yet at the same time a beginner can test the upper limits of acceleration without worrying about accidentally doing a wheelie. While this is not the best bike to get if you want a wheelie machine, my point is that it CAN do it.
This bike was made for cornering. I still cannot believe how close I have been to the ground without dropping the bike (which I still have not done). I always enter the far side of my neighborhood so I can take all the corners on my way back home from work.
The top speed isn't all that shabby either. I personally, oh, I mean I know someone else who had the bike to 105 (90 with a passenger) and I know it could have done at least a little more, plenty enough to keep up on the interstate.
This bike has fit me well for the longer rides. Unlike other sport bikes I have seen I can sit up fairly straight which helps a lot. I don't have much to compare to being that this is my first bike, but I rode it from Tucson to the Grand Canyon (8 hours) and was sad when the trip was over. A 10 to 15 minute stretch was required every 2 hours or so, but at least for me that's not much different than riding in a car. I was a little sore the next morning, but it wasn't bad.
I ride with a passenger quite often. Even with a passenger it still has decent power, more than enough to keep up with traffic; just don't expect to win a race while carrying a passenger. This hasn't bothered me at all since my wife would kill me if I tried to take off full power with her on the back. That and the fact that I tend to be about ten times more cautious while I have a passenger anyway.
All this and you simply cannot beat the 50-70 MPG I have had. Especially when gas prices are this high...
Eventually I will "upgrade" to a ZX7R. It's hard to say "upgrade" because I think very highly of this bike and I know I will miss it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2800
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2001
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calan-jackal
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Reviews written: 1
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