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right Ninja for a new rider

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D

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello Everyone
I will be taking a motorcycle riding safety course this spring and getting my bike licence afterwards. I want a bike that I can commute back and forth to work with, but I also want a bike I can head out on the weekends for weekend getaways so I am looking for a good beginner bike for sports touring. Yes I have considered the Ninja 250 or Honda CBR 250 but was told will out grow them fast. I am turning 50 years old, stand 5t 10" and weigh 225 lbs. I am looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 650r and the Ninja 400r and was wondering what the experienced riders in the forum thought of these bikes to start out? Is there any other bikes I should consider? l maybe looking at a used 2009 Ninja 500r with 3200km on it as a possible option as well. Thanks in advance for taking time to look at my post and hopefully provide some insite.

Thanks
Darren
 
Treysum

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#2 ·
dbk23 said:
Hello Everyone
I will be taking a motorcycle riding safety course this spring and getting my bike licence afterwards. I want a bike that I can commute back and forth to work with, but I also want a bike I can head out on the weekends for weekend getaways so I am looking for a good beginner bike for sports touring. Yes I have considered the Ninja 250 or Honda CBR 250 but was told will out grow them fast. I am turning 50 years old, stand 5t 10" and weigh 225 lbs. I am looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 650r and the Ninja 400r and was wondering what the experienced riders in the forum thought of these bikes to start out? Is there any other bikes I should consider? l maybe looking at a used 2009 Ninja 500r with 3200km on it as a possible option as well. Thanks in advance for taking time to look at my post and hopefully provide some insite.

Thanks
Darren
Click to expand...
I had the same issue when I began riding. I started with a 650r as well after long periods of contemplation. I had no issues handling the power of my 650 as a new rider but I also had respect for the power and didn't take risks. Either the 400r or the 650r are fine beginner bikes in my opinion. Keep in mind though, you don't want to take more than you can handle so if you think those would be too much, start with a 250.
 
Treysum

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#4 ·
dbk23 said:
I am wondering being new to bikes, would there much difference between the Ninja 250r and the Ninja 300?
Click to expand...
As far as the body and frame, they are nearly identical. As far as power is concerned there are a few difference. The 300 is fuel injected unlike the 250. The 300 also has a slipper clutch and an ABS option. They also made the connecting rods shorter which increased the stroke to 49mm. Which results in the 296cc rather than 249cc.
 
earlthepearl

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#6 ·
Ninja 300- Curb weight 380 pounds- 38 HP Fuel injection- 2 cyl.- New 5 grand.
Myself i'd be happy with a 300. Lower Insurance also.


Ninja 650- Curb weight 460 pounds- 65 HP Fuel injection- 2 cyl.- New 8 grand.
I went with this because of a good deal at the time..2012..Insurance isn't bad. I'm 57... This goes plenty fast enough for me.... Garmin Nuvi said 133 top speed one time when i was riding with some R models passing Harleys? Flat stretch with a bit of a downhill slope. I sure wasn't looking at the speedo or the fcking gps at that speed, but nuvi records top speeds.


Ninja 6R- Curb weight 423 pounds- 65 HP- DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies and oval sub-throttles - 4 cyl. New- 11 grand... Lot of $$. Maybe if ur gunna drive track u want it. Insurance will be quite high. People i rode with say they can hit 145+.... Who looks at that speedo at that speed..n...they didn't have a gps mount. Maybe they carried on in pocket or something?

60 will kill ya fast as 100.

http://www.newninja.com/forums/f96/the-ninja-is-no-more-8354.html

379.3 lbs.








 
N

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307 Posts
#7 ·
i have driven the 250,400,500,650 and i would start with a good used 500 plenty of power lots of torque and if you lay it down not a huge loss and lots of spare parts you can find easily.i find the 250 too high reving for regular use.but with the extra power and torque of the new 300 should be ok too.IF you can find a 400 they are great thats what i currently ride.i live in s'toon so not far from edmonton.
 
morgan46

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#8 ·
earlthepearl said:
Ninja 300- Curb weight 380 pounds- 38 HP Fuel injection- 2 cyl.- New 5 grand.
Myself i'd be happy with a 300. Lower Insurance also.

Ninja 650- Curb weight 460 pounds- 65 HP Fuel injection- 2 cyl.- New 8 grand.
I went with this because of a good deal at the time..2012..Insurance isn't bad. I'm 57... This goes plenty fast enough for me.... Garmin Nuvi said 133 top speed one time when i was riding with some R models passing Harleys? Flat stretch with a bit of a downhill slope. I sure wasn't looking at the speedo or the fcking gps at that speed, but nuvi records top speeds.

Ninja 6R- Curb weight 423 pounds- 65 HP- DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies and oval sub-throttles - 4 cyl. New- 11 grand... Lot of $$. Maybe if ur gunna drive track u want it. Insurance will be quite high. People i rode with say they can hit 145+.... Who looks at that speedo at that speed..n...they didn't have a gps mount. Maybe they carried on in pocket or something?

60 will kill ya fast as 100.

http://www.newninja.com/forums/f96/the-ninja-is-no-more-8354.html

379.3 lbs.
Click to expand...
Ninja 6r 65 hp????
 
N

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#13 ·
if i was new to riding i would go with the 300,400,500 they are lots of bike for new rider.they will also be ok to go on longer trips too and it will take awhile to outgrow them.thats just the way i see it though.and i run on 1 cyl most of the time too:thumb: earl
 
earlthepearl

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#19 ·
I don't know where it was that showed those specs?, but it was wrong for a zx6r....:eek::eek:
Don't know ir there was other 6R's of a lesser sort before?:facepalm:
I have the 2012 650 upright version. Just the so called 65 HP engine. Plenty 4 me. Was all I could afford n get into a so called sport bike. :dance::dance:
Wanted new because I always get screwed buying used.:eek:
This was I know what I have n if taken care of it will last me a while. I hope..? :facepalm::facepalm:
I'm not one to clean it after every ride, but when it get's dirty i'll take the time then to give it a decent scrubbing...LOL:thumb::thumb:
I'd rather keep things in good working order...oil, lubed, etc. and ride than just keep it shiny to show off to the snobs.....if u get my drift....
:dance::dance:
I put over 5000 miles on this new bike in 3 months. Lifes fcking short man....ride n enjoy....Nevermind all the bullshit...:thumb::thumb:








 
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morgan46
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