2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Pros: Reliability, economy, bang for your buck, resale value
Cons: Front nose dive under braking, sounds so tame!

This is my second motorcycle. I had bought a heavier, faster, louder motorcycle a few years ago and it met an untimely demise on account of my inexperience. Two years later I had the desire and the funds to get back into motorcycling, this time ...

Pros: Great price, excellent agility and brakes, smooth engine, the best buy in entry-level bikes-period.
Cons: Comical suspension damping, seat is painful after 100-150 miles, realizing not all bikes are this much fun to ride

“You’ve been a bad, bad bike haven’t you? Well, what do you think we should do about that? Heh heh. Heh-umm…”

Oh. Hi there. Sorry about that, umm. Okay, look-I might not have all the french fries in my Happy Meal but I don’t spank motorcycles....

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

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...

Pros: cute, fun, and inexpensive
Cons: engine too small for any real power

I bought this bike in my final year of college. Student parking on campus was too expensive for my Ramen Noodle budget, yet I noticed motorcycle lots alongside every building where students could park their bikes for free. Cha-ching! In doing a...

Pros: Light, Inexpensive, Nimble, Quick, Great Mileage.
Cons: Bodywork could be expensive if crashed.

It is often said that the 250 Ninja is too small. It's
too small to commute on, too small to tour on, too small
to carry much, too slow, too everything people are missing
when they write off a light and nimble motorcycle.

The...

Pros: Good for learning to ride, great handling
Cons: No power whatsoever

If you want to teach your kid how to ride, and don't want them getting into trouble, then the Ninja 250R might be a good way to go. Let's face it, I know I drove Mom's car like a moron when I was 15 and she wasn't around, and I know I don't want MY kid...

Pros: Excellent, lightweight, manageable!
Cons: Soft suspension

'Get a real bike'.
'The Ninja 250 will get eaten alive on the freeway'.
'It's a chick bike'.
'You will outgrow it in a few months'.

Ah yes, such were the inane comments about the smallest member of the Ninja family while I was...

Pros: easy to ride, responsive, light weight
Cons: none

Back in the eighties, before I strapped my short legs to my VMax I learned how to handle a bike by riding a 250 Ninja. This particular bike belonged to a friend who had many after market adjustments done to it. Needless to say I had a blast.

...

Pros: Good styling. Nimble and manueverable. Adequate power.
Cons: Wind buffets such a light bike. Gotta work the engine to get 100 mph.

This is a review of the CANADIAN Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Although I purchased a 2001 burgundy red model, the only differences between 2000-2003 are colors offered. There have bee NO other changes to the bike during this time. First off, I would like to ...

Pros: Reliability, Handling, Accel.
Cons: LOW top end.

I can't praise this bike enough. I purchased my 1998 EX250R, with the hopes of low-maintainance, and my expectations were met, and then some. It was my first bike, and I had a great experience with it. Reliability, Reliability, Reliability. I can't say...

Pros: Light, fast, cheap. Easily to learn on. Upgradable and very fast in the twisties. More HP per cc than most bikes around.
Cons: Riders of 600cc or larger bikes won't consider it a "real" motorcycle.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R, or EX250, is the smallest in Kawi's rather large line of sportbikes, both in weight and displacement. First released as the E in 1986, then the F after a redesign in '88, it has remained largely unchanged to this day.

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Pros: cheap, predictable, full fairing.
Cons: cheap, cold natured, cheap

My girlfriend was bitten by the motorcycle bug big time. No longer was she content with the "2-up" scene. i was a little concerned with her riding,(I know, double standard) and wanted her to get something predictable. We looked through the...

Pros: Light, smaller engine but still very fun to ride
Cons: Carburetted engine may be difficult to start in cold weather

My bike is a 1993 model. From a test ride of the new ones, there isn't much difference in the ride. As someone who just learned how to ride I was really looking for a good mix between a bike I could safely handle, performance and of course, looks.
...

Pros: Cheap, fast, reliable
Cons: Those who know it's a 250 will make fun of you

For some reason, Kawasaki has decided to humiliate those of us who bought the 1999 Ninja 250R by putting nothing but women on it in the promo shots. I love this motorcycle... it can easily keep up (on the street, not the track) with my friend's Suzuki...

Pros: Great little engine, good looks, good brakes, the only 250 that actually performs.
Cons: Too-soft front suspension, new price is too high for a 250

This bike is a hell of a lot of fun. You will quickly get used to the fact that you have to rev it well above 7000 RPM to get any power. However, that's the only way you can get expressway-grade power out of a 250. The bike is reliable, and good ...

Pros: Fuel Mileage,Inexpensive 2 own & operate,GREAT BEGINNER BIKE,OK to buy new for beginner
Cons: Coldest natured beast I've ever seen. A bit tough on long legged creatures.

My girl friend, new to the motorcycle scene quickly realized after a few miles on the back of my ZX11 that she wanted her own (especially w/ a young teen who would then be able to take her spot on the back of MY bike). I suggested something used, ...

Pros: Great for people with no riding experiance. But still lots of fun for veteran riders.
Cons: Power is easily outgrown. No way to attach sliders. Wheelies are spooky/interesting

I bought this bike for my wife so she could learn to ride. I had owned one in high school in 1990, so I knew it would be perfect for her as she has never been on a bike before. I ended up falling in love with it again. I'm not going to bore you with ...

Pros: Great gas mileage, easy to handle
Cons: Rather slow, weird engine noise

I bought this bike to get used to riding a motorcycle. The 250R is reliable and gets a great gas mileage. I have never had any trouble with it. Even on the freeway, the handling is still good and the ride is pretty smooth.
The fact that the bike is...

Pros: Fun, handles great, easy operation, sporty, and fuel efficient!
Cons: RPM runs high and long time to warm up with variable choking.

I was a 25 year old female inexperienced rider looking for that great first bike. I am only 5"1'. After much research, I came across the Ninja 250. This bike was perfect. I didn't feel intimidated to ride it! I found a used 2004 for only ...

Pros: Kawasaki name/heritage, weight, SOUND AT 11,000 RPM !!! A GP bike for the street...
Cons: Squids underestimate you, not many aftermarket parts, needs just 10 more hp and four cylinders...

I rode a 1986 Honda 250 Rebel as my primary means of transportation for 5 years before I got my Ninja. The quickest bike I have ridden so far was a Yamaha V-Max, so I know what quick is. I got fed up with the Honda, and it's mere 18hp on the highway. ...

Pros: I don't see how they can build it and sell it for $3,299. Fun!
Cons: Front suspension to soft. Rear Suspension is to soft for 2 up. Mirrors are useless.

I am a rider who is 54 years old with 36 years experience. My other m/c is a BMW touring bike. I started out on a small displacement bike back in the 60's and about 8 years ago I took an MSF safety course on a Honda 250. I had forgotten how much fun a ...

Pros: Handling
Cons: Taller riders can get cramped

14,000 rpm redline.

Let me say that again, this bike redlines to 14,000 rpms. It absolutely screams! If you can ride this bike up a twisty road and not have giant grin plastered to your head then check your pulse, you might be...

Pros: fast,sporty,cheap
Cons: goes through back tires too fast

I bought my '94 Ninja 250 when I was 15 years old. I am now 17 and still love to ride it. It is extremely fast for only 250cc's. I only paid $1500 for this motorcycle. It is in extremely good shape. It is now worth $1850. I have done no work with...

Pros: Small and agile, impressive excelleration and top speed, smooth gearbox and clutch, light,
Cons: Not too good for tall people.

Kawasaki. A name that inspires, a name that invokes feelings of freedom, speed and extreme quality. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a perfect example of Kawasaki's ability to turn a small beginners bike into a freedom machine.

I rode my first...

Pros: Fast,cheap, reliable
Cons: NONE

This little 250 is way under-rated. People think that its 250 it can only do 75 mph, I have had mine ...

Pros: Great Learning Bike
Cons: Outgrowing This Class In A Few Months

I owned the 1996 model, and I must say that this is THE bike to have if you are just starting off. Most guys will opt for the 600 class as their beginner bikes - more often than not, they will have either gotten into an accident, or dropped their bike....

Pros: light, handling, reliability, fun, gas milage, cheap to own
Cons: down on power, room, suspension, wind protection, power, power

I bought a 1989 250R in april with 4600 miles on it. The bike has not changed a bit since it's inception in 1989, so the low milage and perfect condition made it a wise choice.
This was my first bike and I was somewhat nervous about hopping on a...

Pros: reliable, soakes up bumps with ease, good brakes
Cons: tops out at 80mph. suspension rings get worn out fast, slow throttle response

i got this bike about a year ago. it has provided me with a relatively trouble free experience. i have a few quibbles though. the area where i live in has a lot of potholes...and though the suspension soakes up most of these compared to other more ...

Pros: handling, great to learn on, not intimidating
Cons: expensive plastic parts, tough in windy conditions

i bought my 250 last year and it was the easiest bike to learn on. unfortunately i crashed it and did not get a chance to ride it as much as i would have liked.

the bike has all the performance a new rider should be looking for. it is...

Pros: Agility,Tossability,Ease of handling
Cons: Uncomfortable saddle,Frequency of need to shift gears.

As an owner of a Porsche 911,which is no slouch,I'm amazed at reviews that state that the 250R has n ...

Pros: Light, controllable power, very cheap, great craftsmanship, comfortable, good gas milege, low seat height.
Cons: Limited color selection.

A couple of months ago I decided to buy a motorcycle. I am 29 years old and had never ridden a motorcycle in my life. So when I went out in search of a bike I looked at everything. One of my biggest issues was power. I didn't want something that would...

Pros: good for beginners
Cons: got to get the hang of it

When my mom took me to Vallejo, and into that motorcycle shop, I didn't know what to think. My mom bought me my first motorcycle, a Kawasaki Ninja 250. It's red with royal blue/purple in it. This bike is perfect for beginners just like me. It fits me...

Pros: Reliability, availability, cheap price, gas mileage, large enough for 95% of riding needs FUN!!.
Cons: It is a tiny bike, but large enough for 95% of riding.

Firs of all I'm 6'6" tall and 215lbs. I test rode the bike and loved its extremely happy sounding mechanicals, crisp shifting and super light weight handling, great gas mileage, and snappy brakes. But I was nervous about the ergonomics, my legs are ...

Pros: Nothing else offers the combination of performance and fuel mileage for the price.
Cons: Not comfortable, stock, for a middle-age man. Cruisers are prettier and more comfortable stock.

$2999 new. 70 mpg. 15 sec. 1/4 mi., 0-60 in under 6 sec. This means its quicker than most of the mid-size cruisers. The magazines say it tops out at 100+; so far the highest I could get is 95, which was plenty fast enough!

I've put 15,000 mi. on my '05 model. So far, it's needed nothing but regular maintenance (oil changes, valve clearance checks, new tires at the 12,000 mi. mark). It's always started, which is practically every day, since it's my daily transportation.

The riding position is more standard than sport. Unfortunately, my 46 yr. old body now needs a buck upright riding position, even though I have Gen-Mar risers on it, due to spinal degeneration. Fortunately, adapters for tubular handlebars (available from Murph's or Storz) which fit Concours models, will also fit the Ninja 250. Once my custom cables come in, I should be much more comfortable (sitting on my buttocks instead of, well, you know, should help too).

Pros: Handling, Acceleration, Gas Mileage, Price
Cons: Soft Suspension, Top Speed

I love this bike I bought mine used in 2003 with only 3,119 miles on it. It was my first bike and being 18 I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I didn't think it would have enough power to do wheelies or had a good enough suspension to pull off stoppies, boy was I surprised. It takes some practice but you can pull off decent wheelies on it and stoppies are easy as hell. I have put only about 1,000 miles over the summer and they have all been fun. The gas mileage is great since gas can start to cost alot if you drive a car and being a college student now it helps alot. I have so far put on a aftermarket windscreen, and a K&N High Performance Oil Filter. I am also in the process of putting on a Muzzy exhaust and K&N Pod Air Filter, which should give me a big boost in power. All in all this bike is alot of fun and I plan to hold on to it even after I buy my Ducati 996, it's that fun.

Pros: Lightweight, great power for size, excellent handling, great gas mileage, cheap
Cons: Slow low-end torque

I absolutely love this bike. I'm only 14 years old, and there is no other bike that is more perfect for someone my age. Only 305lbs. and unbelievable gas mileage(about 55 mpg), you almost can't beat it. I'd rather have a more informative instrument cluster, rather than just the usual speedometer/tachometer/engine temperature gauges, but otherwise, it's just perfect.
The comfort is also great, too. Unlike other sport bikes, the 250 does not require someone to lean way over the gas tank, but to have a comfortable upright position.
The low-end torque is not very good, but once it hits about 7000 RPMs, nothing but power.
When I ride this bike, I also feel as if I have total control. All the other sport bikes are so big and heavy and have a real tendency to come right out from under the rider off the start, but not the 250. I've also never driven a bike that handled corners as well as this bike does. I lean way over, thinking that the bike is about to slip out from under me, but it doesn't. It just sticks to the pavement.

Pros: quick, looks great, sounds great,74 mpg
Cons: outgrow it kind of quick, still haven't found aftermarket parts for it.

i just bought a 2006 kawasaki ninja 250R and i have to say it is more fun than i thought. even with a little 248cc engine, i can keep up with my friend on a GSX 600..well most of the time. it has sporty looks, sounds great and its pretty quick.with in my first 500 miles on the bike, and this is my first motorcycle ever, i could do wheelies..yes on a 250!! i dont know about the older ones but i have also had my 250 up to 100 mph.

Pros: looks really cool for a small bike
Cons: none known

I purchased this bike, my first, after completing a safety course. I did well, and I received the motorcycle endorsement on my drivers license.

Because I did well in the course, I was excited to hop on the bike and drive it home from the shop. I tipped it in the parking lot. My boyfriend drove it home; I followed in the car.

I continued to practice and fall, practice and fall.... I never made it out of the parking lot stage.

FYI, I am 30 and weigh an average of 100 lbs. Although it is considered to be a light bike, I never could pick it up after tipping it.

As I reflect on my experience, I wonder if I should have tried a cruiser for my first bike. Since it is lower to the ground, I could have used my leg strength to compensate for my lack of upper body strength.

Pros: great little bike, super commuter!
Cons: no factory backing, premature wear!

A great bike, fast enough, economical, good looking etc.
But the camshafts were worn at 12000 miles, outside of warranty, and when my dealer approached Kawasaki on my behalf for assistance with the repair I was told the cams were a wear item and for them to be done at that mileage was acceptable....the original tires and chain are still good but the cams are shot and thats okay??? I'll never buy a Kawasaki again!

Pros: Price,durability,seat height,brakes and comfort
Cons: high freeway rpm, shock - diving from hard braking

The bike is great for learning to ride, with enough power to weave in and out of traffic and very good brakes for a bike of it's stature. Redlining the bike (though not advised) is so much fun!!! 14,000 is what I got it up to, I know I could get more out of it but the shaking just scares me (as if the panels would suddenly fly off) Overall it's a nice bike to have, comfortable, gas saving and very durable! I would recommend it to anyone who would want just something to play with around town.

The only two things I would complain about is the fact that the bike can not stay stable at freeway speeds and running 70+ eats away the engine at around 8500 - 9000 rpm! the hell? and that dive you get from hard braking makes you feel like you've pulled an amateur stoppie! which isn't the greatest feeling in the world. other than that it does what the manufacturer intended it to do... be a great buy for it's price!