Interesting fact about the Kawasaki Ninja 250R motorcycle

[Kroze]

For new riders looking to get a bike but afraid the 250 is too small and weak & unable to take it on the highway or interstate.

4) Acceleration: The '08+ 250r's have a 0-60mph time of 5.75 seconds. The bike pulls pretty well to that point and doesn't start losing steam until 85 or so MPH. So what? So let's examine a couple of other cars that run in this bracket:

1. 03-08 Nissan 350z 0-60 in 5.8 seconds.
2. 99-08 Honda S2000 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.
3. 99-06 Audi TT 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
4. 2004 and 2008 VW R32 in 5.9 seconds.
5. Mazdaspeed 3 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
6. Subaru Impreza WRX in 5.9 seconds.
7. Mazda RX-8 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
8. 93-95 Mazda RX-7 in 5.5 seconds.
9. late 90's Porsche Boxster 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
10. VW GTI 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.
11. Ford Mustang GT 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.
12. Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.

 

[yh125d]

I think the concern for most of those who are concerned is that that 5.75s time probably wasn't with a 250lb rider. Also, its fuel economy estimates surely aren't with a 200+lb rider either.

Its definitely a great bike, and would be a great city bike for even the larger guys, but If I planned on going on the interstate often, I'd go for a 500-650



Also, its a bike mostly for beginners, and beginners probably would rather not have to mess around with a choke

 

[jlee]

I don't recall anyone saying it's too weak to run on the interstate. I wouldn't want one for the simple fact that both my cars are faster.

 

[Zap]

Also, its a bike mostly for beginners, and beginners probably would rather not have to mess around with a choke

There's also the Honda CBR250R. It isn't as powerful or sporty as the Ninja 250, but may end up being the better beginner bike due to the more relaxed seating position, lighter weight, available ABS and fuel injection, plus has more midrange power and isn't as peaky as the Ninja.

EDIT: This comparision of the Honda to the Kawasaki gives 0-60 performance numbers of 8.5s and 7.7s respectively. If accurate, both are slower than any car I've ever owned. Kroze, where did you get your performance numbers? I do realize that different riders, rider weight and weather/road conditions can affect performance, but still that's pretty far off.

Random bits from the article:

This is one area where the Kawasaki and its excellent clutch hold an advantage.
...
the more modern technology of the fuel injected Honda makes for a noticeable difference over the green bike. When averaging a mixture of canyon roads at full-tilt and freeway commuting, the trusty Honda recorded an astonishing 64.7 mpg. As for the Kawasaki, the more dated carb setup mustered an average of 49.1 mpg
...
The Honda 250’s best 0-60 mph time is 8.5 seconds, but the Kawasaki trips the lights with a best time of 7.7 seconds.
...
the Honda excels when it comes to ease-of-use for newer riders. It feels lighter when picking it up off the oddly long kickstand and the seating position makes for a very comfortable riding position for riders of all sizes. Add to that a more comfortable seat and the result is a bike that is all-round ergonomically superior.
...
it [Honda] hits a wall shy of 90 mph whereas the green machine will almost nudge 110 mph with the right conditions
...
The Honda has to work harder in order to keep pace on the freeway once you reach that 55-65 mph range
...
the CBR is off and away nearly instantaneously no matter the temp, while the carbureted Ninja requires a couple minutes warm-up time.
...
the seamless six-speed on the Honda is smoother and more positive, where the Kawasaki is slightly dead feeling and can be sloppy engaging

Read the article if you want to find out which "won" the 2-way shootout. My takeaways after reading it was that the Honda is the superior beginner bike for around-town use while the Kawasaki is the superior beginner-intermediate bike or for more highway commuting or more sporty riding.

 

[Kroze]

Whoever test those 2 bikes must have weight more than 300 lbs to get that abysmal 0-60 and 49 mpg. I HAD a 2009 ninja 250r and I average 59-60mpg and I can tell you it's a lot faster than the 7.7 second bs they posted

 

[punjabiplaya]

I've seen almost all 250s at under 7 seconds, and usually in the mid 6s

this guy maybe?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I don't recall anyone saying it's too weak to run on the interstate. I wouldn't want one for the simple fact that both my cars are faster.

Not much to brag about. Most real supersports are in the 3 second range. Get a car that does that then I'll be impressed.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Not much to brag about. Most real supersports are in the 3 second range. Get a car that does that then I'll be impressed.

Yes, but find me a motor-bike that allows the passenger to give you a blow-job while you're driving, and I will be more impressed.

 

[chorb]

Yes, but find me a motor-bike that allows the passenger to give you a blow-job while you're driving, and I will be more impressed.

get a more flexible passenger...?

 

[jlee]

Not much to brag about. Most real supersports are in the 3 second range. Get a car that does that then I'll be impressed.

My point is that if I'm going to deal with the inconvenience of a motorcycle, it had better be faster than my four wheeled options with AC, stereo, conversation-with-passenger capability, and a ROOF. I am a fair weather rider.

I'm not sure where you see 'bragging' here...I thought it was a fairly simple statement.

 

[JackBurton]

My point is that if I'm going to deal with the inconvenience of a motorcycle, it had better be faster than my four wheeled options with AC, stereo, conversation-with-passenger capability, and a ROOF. I am a fair weather rider.

I'm not sure where you see 'bragging' here...I thought it was a fairly simple statement.

I agree. And you may want to update the Mustang GT's numbers. The 2011 does 0-60 in 4.5-4.8 seconds.

 

[Arkaign]

I agree. And you may want to update the Mustang GT's numbers. The 2011 does 0-60 in 4.5-4.8 seconds.

With good drivers it's more like 4.2-4.5

EDIT : Wow 5.6? Even the pre-2011 4.6 GT got around 4.9-5.1 with the manual. For the 5.6 it was probably a very old model, or an older auto model.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Man, I've been hitting the rev limiter in my bike a lot lately. I need a faster bike. 0-60 in 4.0 seconds flat isn't cutting it lately.

Ducati Monster 1100 EVO here I come!

 

[Fenixgoon]

Man, I've been hitting the rev limiter in my bike a lot lately. I need a faster bike. 0-60 in 4.0 seconds flat isn't cutting it lately.

Ducati Monster 1100 EVO here I come!

ditto, clearly i need to go from an FZ6R (~4) to an R6 (~3)

 

[JulesMaximus]

ditto, clearly i need to go from an FZ6R (~4) to an R6 (~3)

I keep getting tempted by the dark side of motorcycling that is the Japanese liter bike but I'm going Ducati Monster because I love the looks and it should satisfy my need for speed for a while. The Ducati would be a keeper but I may end up with a couple bikes eventually and a Japanese SS may be one of them. It wouldn't be a 600 though...at least not the ones I've ridden, they are just too cramped.

 

[Greenman]

Man, I've been hitting the rev limiter in my bike a lot lately. I need a faster bike. 0-60 in 4.0 seconds flat isn't cutting it lately.

Ducati Monster 1100 EVO here I come!

You're not going to do much better than that on anything. The right bike and a lot of practice will get you down around three seconds, but it's a bitch just hanging on when you do it.

 

[satyajitmenon]

**In the interest of bringing back on topic**

Although plenty of opinions abound on the Ninja 250 being an ideal starter bike, I have to disagree.

Don't get me wrong. A 600+ sportsbike is not an ideal bike for a beginner. But something like what I've got (Kawasaki ZR7S - 750cc aircooled, 70bhp at the rear wheels) is a pretty decent beginner bike. Teaches throttle control, and is plenty forgiving for learners. And yet, enough get up n go for the freeway.

A GS500 is just perfect. Not too much power to get you in trouble, and yet stable enough for the highway.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Having said that, I still want more powahh...

 

[Fenixgoon]

I keep getting tempted by the dark side of motorcycling that is the Japanese liter bike but I'm going Ducati Monster because I love the looks and it should satisfy my need for speed for a while. The Ducati would be a keeper but I may end up with a couple bikes eventually and a Japanese SS may be one of them. It wouldn't be a 600 though...at least not the ones I've ridden, they are just too cramped.

i don't know how much bigger the liter SS's are compared to the 600's. most reviews put the honda CBR1000 at the top, so i'd check that out first (although i will say i'm a yamaha fanboy to the core, so i'd get an R1 )

at least on the yamaha side, you might want to check out the FZ1. it's like the SV650 in that it's more of an upright seating position (same with the FZ6/FZ6R)

 

[rstrohkirch]

Soon you'll get bored with straight line speed. When you do know that there are other, far funner bikes waiting.

 

[Zap]

I just looked up some videos and these supermotards are going full lean in some corners, drifting in others, then going off road and doing jumps! Crazy! All on the same tires.

I used to go off road on my mountain bike with slick Panaracer tires because I was too lazy to swap back/forth (only one set of wheels). That is, until I wiped out pretty good on a little 2' high jump, front tire washing out upon landing.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I just looked up some videos and these supermotards are going full lean in some corners, drifting in others, then going off road and doing jumps! Crazy! All on the same tires.

I used to go off road on my mountain bike with slick Panaracer tires because I was too lazy to swap back/forth (only one set of wheels). That is, until I wiped out pretty good on a little 2' high jump, front tire washing out upon landing.

Could you post a link please? Thanks

 

[Zap]

Could you post a link please? Thanks

Of me crashing? Don't have the video. :sneaky:

Of the supermotards? Sure! First video that Google pulled up was what I started with.

 

[RedRooster]

Soon you'll get bored with straight line speed. When you do know that there are other, far funner bikes waiting.

Yup!! :thumbsup:
Of the 8 bikes I've owned, my last two supermotos were the greatest fun I ever had on a bike.
Don't know why I ever sold them, I'm such an idiot.

 

[DirthNader]

I'm looking to start out on two wheels in the next few months... something I've wanted to so since college.

I'll probably go with the Ninja 250, and there's one intangible I've noticed. Resale. 2008+ Ninja 250's sell for $2500-$3000 on CL, and they go fast. Other bikes I've considered don't seem to have quite the resale; I've seen the same GS500F and SV650S on my local CL for months now, both priced around $3000.

Coming in as a novice, I don't want a bike I can't sell easily once I've had some time to figure out a.) if I want to continue riding and b.) what it is exactly that I want to ride.