Why is everybody so gung-ho about the 250R?

Question

First off you'd be lucky to find one before next Feb.

Secondly, even though the website says $3496 MSRP, no dealership in America will sell it for that cheap. I've heard of people paying as much as $5500.

Thirdly, the lower end 600CC bikes are beginner sport bikes. ZZR600, CBR F2, F3 / F4i, YZF600 would be fine for a mature person to learn on even without the MSF. Maturity is the key.

The 250R is a waste of time and money to buy because in less than 6 months, the buyer would be ready for something else.

I would really only be ideal for the chinese food delivery guy, or the person just looking to commute to work and back avoiding the highway.

When they redo the 500, nobody will mention the 250 anymore.

Answer 1

you make a good point, in canada honda has this 125 thing too, i don't get it... they're scooters that fake it as crotch rockets

Answer 2

I've noticed a phenomenon in Yahoo answers where the people answering questions collectively get stuck on individual brands or products, and recommend them with no regard to the individual person asking the question. Go to the Buying and Selling Auto section and ask what kind of car you should buy. You'll get a dozen responses telling you to get a Honda or Toyota, even if you say you want a 2 seat sports car with a V8. Go to the billiards section and tell them you're looking for a new pool cue and have a $500 budget, and they'll tell you to get a Mcdermott (Mcdermotts top out in quality in the $150 range).

I'm sure there is a segment of the population who would be well advised to buy that bike, but it's probably a lot smaller percentage of people than the answers on Yahoo would indicate.

Answer 3

Weight and ergonomics.

A 90lb 5'5" beginner rider will not fit on a larger sportbike and will be intimidated by the power and speed.

The 250 Ninja & Rebel are perfict bikes for them.

If you have a problem with the bike, don't buy, ride, recommend, or even waste your time thinking about it.

Go out for a ride and get some enjoyment out of it.

Answer 4

First time in 20 years, pretty much why

I like the Hyosung better, though a hair slower. IT HAS CLIP ONS! and i think it looks better

Im debating on getting the Hyosung/UM or a ZZR600.

600's kill me on insurance though so I won't care, as long as it's faster than a 883 Sportster, which it is.

s***w YOU ARM THE HOMELESS I HOPE YOU FALL INTO A PIT OF DIRTY HEROIN NEEDLES

Answer 5

friend of mine just got a 250R less than a month ago  and is talking about getting a bigger bike. the 250 is just not big enough, its more of a novelty than a real bike.  luckily he bought his used.

Answer 6

I think people take a liking to the new 250R because it's cheap, they get great gas mileage and looks like a 600. Plus it's a Kawasaki, which means its held to a higher standard of quality.

I think its ridiculous for a dealer to charge $5500 for a bike like that. Obviously there is a demand for these bikes, thats why the dealers jack the prices up. But if I was a beginner and I wanted a good bike to start out on, I wouldn't be spending $5500 on a brand new bike. Especially when you can get a used 600 for much less. And on top of that, why would you buy a brand new bike as your first, because at some point, you're going to drop it.

I have taken a liking to the new 250R, but you wouldn't catch me buying one new from a dealer. I have been looking into them because they look good and are great on gas, plus it doesn't look like a 250.  But like you said, the buyer would definitely be ready for something bigger within a few months. And I'm sure I'd be ready to get something bigger after a while, thats why I'm not 100% sure on it.

But Kawasaki definitely did good job on the 250R. Thats for sure.

Answer 7

Because they have fooled them selfs in to thinking no one can tell big it is.And they got stuck with one and they want every one to be stuck also to make them selfs feel better. Also they give them away with cracker jackes. I think the Hyosung 250 GT is a better bike.

Answer 8

I don't get why they are recommended so much.  I agree that a mature responsible person would be better suited with a slightly used 5 or 6 hundred cc bike...as long as it's not one of the real 'R' models.

I think one of the reasons they are so popular, is probably the cost of insurance. Also, in states or countries where you have to "step up" with your license as you gain experience.

Answer 9

Its the cheapest bike out there. It retains it value for around 2-3 years and most people want to learn on something not to powerful. Along with that the 250 isnt a bigger bike, so its easier for smaller people (besides the cbr and gxr) under 5'8-10 that they can sit on and feel very comfortable. Its not to sporty and has a up right seating arrangement.

Theres many other reasons ;)

Answer 10

Not everyone is gung-ho about spending alot of money and aren't gung ho about going really fast on the highway.

You don't realize there are many, many people out there on a tight budget that do only need and want a small 250cc bike for commuting to work and for people who love the sport bike styling, the Ninja 250R fits that category very well.

If Kawasaki redoes their 500 like the new 250R, it will also bring in a new market of people who want more than a 250, but don't want to spend the money on a 600cc, but then there will be people like you saying why a 500 and just get a 600?

Just let people choose the bike they want.

Answer 11

+1, they have a VERY small demographic, i'd definitely suggest a 600 to a newbie

Answer 12

I bought a 2005 Ninja 250 new, my 4th bike.  I had owned larger bikes, but this is by far the best I've had.  60 mpg is nothing to scoff at, and can be had with plenty of torque and top end power.  Avoid the highway?  Absolutely not!  The first two years I rode it, I drove 90 miles of pure interstate every day weather permitting and often when the weather sucked.  110 mph is easy with this bike and a 4-hour road trip I took, again on the interstate, did not leave me with a friggin knot between my shoulders like the last sportbike I had did.    I have ridden many times with passengers, including my 190-pound son and had no problems with handling nor performance.  Zero mechanical troubles and now, almost 12,000 miles later, my only additional expense has been regular oil changes, all 2 of them...  I get complements on the looks all the time and would not consider buying anything else.

So, when I looked at Kawasaki's website to see if they had any cool new paint schemes for 2008, I was overjoyed to see that they had redesigned it this year.  It looks a LOT more like a sport bike now, and in my opinion is the best looking sport bike Kawasaki offers right now.  Mechanically, there have been many upgrades that I am looking forward to.  The local dealer would let me have one for the $3,499 MSRP...  if he had one.  It is still the best value for the money, hands down.

The problem?  They are so popular, no dealership within 60 miles of here has one and the waiting period for one is around 6 weeks...  By that time, the 2009s will almost be out, giving me more options for paint schemes.  The only decision I will have to make is "2008 or 2009?"

Dis it all you want, but I have never ridden a better bike and I look forward to straddling the new one...