What Kawasaki Ninja 250 should i get?

Question

Ok so im only 17 and i got my motorcycle permit and everything so im ready to ride. im taking some additional courses but i want to hit the streets real soon. i am mature and am not going to be an idiot when im riding. im about 5'7'' and weigh 135 pounds. now that you know this information let me ask you my question:

I made up my mind to buy a Kawasaki Ninja 250 for my beginner bike (i did all the research) so the question is not what beginner bike should i get.. i know its a Kawasaki Ninja 250. the question is.. what type? my max price range is 2,000.. so i know the 2008 ones are to expensive for me..

i want a bike that looks good! that is a BIGGY for me, the look. of coarse i care about saftey and speed and mpg but looks is a big part of it. That is why i dont want to get the really early versions of the Kawasaki Ninja 250.. they look to ugly. sooo...

what type of Kawasaki Ninja 250 should i get?

how much will it cost me?

and do you encourage a different bike?

ty!

Answer 1

You're really limiting yourself by being so focused on one bike when there are any number of great bikes out there in your price range.  

Also, is there a particular reason you've decided on a crotch rocket?  Trust me on this, as a young person, with a newly acquired motorcycle license, I can state with all but absolute certainty that you WILL at some point make the decision to "ride like an idiot" just to see what the bike, and you, are capable of.  Doing stupid stuff is part of growing up, Lord knows I did my share, but doing stupid stuff at 120mph can be extremely unhealthy.  Having lost our only child (son) at age 22 in a car wreck, I can promise you your parents and those who love you will suffer the rest of their lives should you make a mistake on your bike, or should someone else make a mistake while you were riding that caused your death or traumatic injury.

Consider another type of bike.  One that's not so tempting to see how fast it will go or whether or not you can do knee drags, stunts, or stoppies.

Answer 2

the 250

Answer 3

Until the remodel in 2008, the ninja was passed along from year to year like a beetle trapped in amber and preserved.  So, if you don't like the looks of early ones, you are Short On Luck.  The 2008 is $3500 new, and usually above the $3000 mark used.

The 2008 Ninja 250 is UNIQUE.

Answer 4

250'S are hard to come by for 2k, even used they have such a cult following that they don't ever seem to depreciate more that 100$ or 200$ a year.  I would recommend the Ninja 500(more power and can be picked up used for around 2500 if you look) which can acutally look decent if you buy the aftermarket full lower fairings(200-300$) on Ebay.  Even a used 600 Katana can be found for under 3k if you keep your eyes open.  My best advice would be to track down a bike with some heavy rash, scour the scrapyards for some new mirrors and such, sand and prime the bike yourself(this only costs about 25$ to do, and will save you hundreds on labor at a paint shop), then as you get more cash put back paint it whatever color suits you.  If you go this route the bike will be yours in more than just a title, it will be an extension of yourself and you will love your ride even more..... Just my 2cents...