2000 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

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!