Ninja 650 or 250?

Question

Here is the deal. I'am 23, i took the MSF class last october, i bought a dirt bike to get a better feel for how bikes are... and now i feel ready to take it to the streets. A LOT of people are telling me that i will outgrow a 250 ninja and to just get a 650. I don't know thoe. I'am a little intimidated by the 650. I even asked the V-logger Moredeth13 about it and even he suggested that if i want to be a really good rider that i start out on the 250 and learn the basics THEN upgrade. I m 6'0 175-180 pounds, and have a good head on my shoulders. I'm just trying to get some guuidence. Thanks

Matt

Answer 1

If you can handle the 250 you can handle a 650.  It all depends on how you plan to ride.  If you are only riding around town, to school and back or work and back, the 250 is fine.  If you plan to do long trips at high speed, the 650 is a better choice.

A 250 can do 65-75 mph.  If you go only a couple of exits on the freeway it will be okay.  But for longer trips it will be more tiring, probably not as safe, and it's not good for the bike either.  For anything else, the 250 is all you need.

Answer 2

A 650 does exactly what a 250 does. The 250 is just slower. It comes down to your financial situation, if you can handle the weight difference, how much you want to pay for insurance, if you are going to do a lot of highway riding. If you are doing a lot of highway riding, over 70mph then the 250 is going to be at 7,000+RPMs all the time. This isn't the best thing for a new bike.

Edit-the Ninja 500 is ugly and outdated. 2009 is it's last year I heard from my UK friends.

Also-the Ninja 250R and 650R actually sound really similar which is funny.

Answer 3

forget the bike problem...one of my sons is 27...years ago bought the larger Ninja...rode for years...now has back and shoulder problems that make the cost of the bike look like nothing..the natural posture of the rider on one, is not "natural" for the human body. Keep that in mind. Rule: fun now, pay later!

Answer 4

If you can afford the 650 you better get it. The 250 is going to be to small. You will be wanting to upgrade from the 250 within a month of riding it. Drive responsibly on the 650 and you will grow into it. You would rather grow into the bike than outgrow the one you have then try and sell it. They also make a ninja 500 that is ok but still kinda small.

Answer 5

250 is way too small man. you will out grow it very quickly. good for taking the msf, i took it last september. if your intimidated by the 650, why not try the ninja 500? its right in between, and its not that big of a size compared to the 650 but its bigger than a 250 and will give you some time to have fun with it without outgrowing it. i would suggest the 650 still, that way you can have somthing you will keep a long time. i know how bikes can be intimidating though. i took the msf course and used a 500 cc buell blast. it wasnt bad i got aliking for it. but now im going to ride a Honda VTX 1300. talk about intimidating. just make sure you use what u learned and choose something you'll ride. dont get the 650 just becuase people say, if u get it but are scared of it you might not ride it as much.. but if you do ride it you'll get used to it and love it. but stay away from the 250. your a tall guy you'll feel really cramped with it, and they are usually over priced or hard to find. (new 08s) get what you will be happy with and keep the rubber down

edit- you can be a great rider regardless what u start off with (as long as its not a 4cyln sports bike youll just kill yourself lol )

Answer 6

I started a few years ago on a 250, and i still recommend it as an excellent bike.

The 650r is definitely not out of the realm of possibility for a first bike either. Also an excellent choice.

You've got good sense for not jumping straight to a full 600cc sportbike. The 650r a parallel twin engine instead of the inline 4-cylinder. You'll be fine on either one.