MOTORCYCLIST...250cc OK?

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited April 2011 in The Clubhouse
Please only vote if you have had at least 5 years of continous riding experience. Would you recommend a 250cc streetbike for a first motorcycle?
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited April 2011
    Yes, 250 - 500cc max.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2011
    As someone who has had seat time on a ninja 250...yes.
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,957
    edited April 2011
    For a first street bike, yeah, easier to handle. But if your going to do alot of expressway driving, I'd go with a 500, alittle more weight is good for highway speeds.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,741
    edited April 2011
    I'd recommend a 400 minimum unless they were a flyweight wimp.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2011
    The 250's are great training bikes, but would recommend a 500 or 650 in a cruiser style as the first bike for frequent street use. A little more weight helps control at speed and on rough streets.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pdxfj
    pdxfj Posts: 376
    edited April 2011
    The Ninja 250 is one of the best starter bikes out there. They top out at 100mph and do just fine on the freeway. Light weight, amazing gas mileage, very forgiving for a new rider and can be had for cheap all over the place.

    I own a Ninja 250 and a FJ1200.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • outlander
    outlander Posts: 218
    edited April 2011
    Yeah, for motocross.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2011
    The resale on beginner class bikes are great. Take the rider safety course using their bike which I think is the 250 class.

    After that test ride the bike you are interested in.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 904
    edited April 2011
    I voted no, guess not many people have had to twist the throttle to get out of a scary situation. Sometimes you dont have enough time to shift down.

    For the dirt, its perfect, if its a 2 stroke. :biggrin:


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited April 2011
    I voted no, it's a waste of time. A 250cc sucks for power. I started out on a TL1000R as my first bike, and it was a blast. I had friends that rode very well, and they taught me the ropes. Eventually I went to MSF, and other riding courses but I was already riding an R1 by those times. I say go for the bigger CC bike, less to deal with after that 250 bores you by week two. No offense intended gents.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2011
    Sherardp wrote:
    No offense intended gents.

    No offense...it's just your opinion...

    No more...no less valid than anyone elses.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2011
    pdxfj wrote: »
    The Ninja 250 is one of the best starter bikes out there. They top out at 100mph and do just fine on the freeway. Light weight, amazing gas mileage, very forgiving for a new rider and can be had for cheap all over the place.

    I own a Ninja 250 and a FJ1200.

    Funny how most of the people that voted no havent rode a ninja 250 before...
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markwoll
    markwoll Posts: 3
    edited April 2011
    A 250 is a great learner/starter bike.
    Take the MSF class first, if you have little or no riding experience.
    The MSF class is not perfect, but it will give you a taste of what is coming.
    As previously noted, a 250 holds it's value well and you should have no trouble trading up later.
    At least at first, try and stay below 600cc.
    Things get crazier much faster with a larger displacement.
    check out www.beginnerbikers.org.
    Lot of nice folks, a lot of rider coaches and just normal motorcycle fans.
    There are some folks from AZ there, they get together for rides now and again.
    No matter what you get, ride safe.
    mark
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PerfectCreature
    PerfectCreature Posts: 1,456
    edited April 2011
    Well, I live in Maine, so AZ is rather far away.
    Which, wish I could hone in on that kind of stuff, much like all those audio meets.
    Lucky for the OP.
    Receiver
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Speakers
    Polk Audio Monitor 50s
    Subwoofer
    Klipsch KSW-100
    Cables
    AudioQuest Rocket 33s 10ft
    AudioQuest Optilink1 2m
    AudioQuest Alpha-Snake 25ft Interconnect
    AudioQuest HDMI-1 2m

    Alienware X51 R2
    PS4
    Samsung Smart TV 40" 1080p 3D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited April 2011
    My CR 250 did fine:biggrin: No problem getting air with it.

    For a street bike I would double the displacement.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,602
    edited April 2011
    I guess if you are a little fella a 250 would be okay. But keep in mind it will be harder to sell a 250 street bike. Just my experience. And I think you'd be really dissapointed with a 250 real fast. If it were a 250 enduro or dirtbike it'd be a little different.

    And in my experience....on an open highway. A 250 always seemed to be struggling at higher speeds.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited April 2011
    First off if you are a heavier person such as myself "250" a 250cc bike is not going to cut it.

    Second I started out on a 1983 1000cc bmw r100rs and loved every minute of it. However because of the age the acceleration was not the same as todays bikes.

    My second bike less than a year later was a 650cc kawasaki versys which I still own and love. However after two years, 10,500 miles, and a set of tires later. I find myself once again bored.

    What I am getting at is 250 is not a place to start because you will quickly out grow it within 4 months if you find yourself riding a lot.

    Go with something like a 650 this way it is not going to get away from you as easily as a 1000cc bike.

    In a few months I will be purchasing a track bike for lessons and track days.

    Safe riding!
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    But keep in mind it will be harder to sell a 250 street bike.
    You guys crack me up.
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nofire
    nofire Posts: 1
    edited April 2011
    your weight and driving conditions are an important factor.
    HT-RC180 ONKYO
    TSS-800 INFINITY 5.1
    RTi-A7'S POLKaudio
    Sony PS3
    50" Plasma 50PK550 LG
    :biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,602
    edited April 2011
    exalted512 wrote: »
    You guys crack me up.
    -Cody

    Erm....I did say "in my experience". :rolleyes: You ever had a 250 on the interstate and get passed by an 18-wheeler? Scares the hell outta me....

    In my experience a female will buy a 250 first as a beginner bike.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • camp21178
    camp21178 Posts: 273
    edited April 2011
    Here's a link to a terrific motorcycle website. I also belong to the motorcycle journal forum, and this subject has been brought up many times. I voted yes by the way. http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/MotorcycleIntro.html
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2011
    I would get something larger for sure, 500cc or even a 650cc. I think if just starting out you will wish for a bigger bike in no time, kicking yourself later.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited April 2011
    An extra ~100 pounds of motorcycle is not going to make a difference when an 18-wheeler blows by you on the highway.

    And anyone who judges "manliness" by the type of vehicle someone drives doesn't know the meaning of the word.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    Erm....I did say "in my experience". :rolleyes: You ever had a 250 on the interstate and get passed by an 18-wheeler? Scares the hell outta me....

    In my experience a female will buy a 250 first as a beginner bike.

    Almost all of the ninja 250s in this area on craigslist are gone in a week. Everyone I've seen on motorcycle forums sees the same thing. In fact, the ninja 250 is Kawasaki's BEST selling bike.

    http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/157/735/Motorcycle-Article/2008-Kawasaki-Ninja-250R-First-Ride.aspx

    My bike weighs about 23 lbs more than a ninja 250. I also weigh in at around 155. I've never had an issue with getting passed by 18-wheelers once I got acclimated to riding. I've been passed by 18-wheelers coming the opposite way in 50mph corners I was taking at 75 and it never upset the bike.

    20-50 lbs of sprung mass is not going to make a difference in everyday riding. Now yes, if you get a 600+ lb cruiser you will, but the difference between a 375lb bike and a 425 lb bike isn't going to make a difference in any positive way that it'd warrant getting a heavier bike.
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited April 2011
    bobman1235 wrote: »
    An extra ~100 pounds of motorcycle is not going to make a difference when an 18-wheeler blows by you on the highway.

    And anyone who judges "manliness" by the type of vehicle someone drives doesn't know the meaning of the word.

    hey -- you and your common sense can GTFO out of this thread. It doesn't exist here.
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • camp21178
    camp21178 Posts: 273
    edited April 2011
    In 2007 after a 32 year absence from riding, I bought a Suzuki S50. It has an 805 cc motor, but it's lightweight at 435 pounds and has a low seat height, very easy to ride. It's kinda small, but perfect for the type of riding I do. I didn't go on a 4 lane highway for a full year because I wanted to get a lot of practice first. The 250 would be a good first ride because you can pick one up cheap, and when it gets dropped, you won't be out a lot of money.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scottyboy76
    scottyboy76 Posts: 2,905
    edited April 2011
    how can i recommend without knowing the rest of your system, riding gloves or not, riding mostly to drive in theater,rock crawling, am-fm stereo on handlebars, or cd, and ear buds or external speakers.

    I mean really.
    humpty dumpty was pushed
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2011
    Keep in mind, 250cc's in a dirtbike package is big. Dirtbike's are much lighter, and tuned for max torque. We're talking streetbikes here.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JimKellyfan
    JimKellyfan Posts: 696
    edited April 2011
    see similar post (and my reply) of someone else's same question
    Onkyo TX-NR636
    Main - polkaudio Monitor 60's
    Center - polkaudio CSI A6
    Sub - polkaudio PSW10
    Sub2 - polkaudio PSW505
    Surrounds - polkaudio Monitor 40 series II
    Front Height - polkaudio Monitor 40's
    Audio Outdoors
    Pioneer VSX 406 - polkaudio Atrium 5
    Shed
    Sony junker str-dn2010 with Sony bookshelf floor models and polkaudio R150's
    Shed 2
    Nakamichi soundbar
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited April 2011
    You'll grow out the 250 way too quick.

    Weight/height has ALOT to do with it as it's been covered.

    Anyway, I'm only 5'7" 158lbs and started out on a CBR F4i. Those of you who know this might know that they carry a decent amount of torque. Never scared me and I quickly stepped up to a 900.

    Whatever you go with, I'm sure you'll like it though. Nothing like cruising the highway with a couple of buddies on a bike. :cool:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter