Ninja 250R - Riders Review

Right...

Well I purchased this bike (Kawasaki Ninja 250R in Red) brand new in September this year and it's now got around 2,000km on it (should have more, but bloody rain in Brissy right now!!!!).

Why did I purchase this bike?
Well, my mate had one of the earlier model 250R's in 2008 as a starter bike and he loved it. That and they are renowed as one of the great 250cc sports bikes for beginners looking to get into riding or who haven't ridden before. They are more or a sports style than most other 125cc or 250cc bikes out there, and are not quite as upright in seating position as the 500cc and 600cc LAMS approved bikes, so it is a perfect match for someone who is looking to start out but who has a tendency/want to get into sports or super sports bikes when they complete their RE license period. They are also very basic mechanically, twin carby job and very easy to repair and maintain and cheap as s*** to run.

How much did it cost?
I purchased mine brand new, and mine is the 2011 model. Cost me just over $8,000 all up with single seat rego (no need getting double seat as you can't ride with a pillion on your RE's and the bike in my opinion is just too small to carry two people), seat cowl and a lowered rearset pegs and accessories (fitted). The other good thing about this bike is that they generally hold their resale pretty well, so when I'm done, the bike should fetch between $6,000 and $7,000... if Kawasaki don't cut the a*** out of the new models that is.


What are the best aspects about this bike?
Well I have been riding it for about 3 months now, and I have never ridden before August of this year, so as a novice rider I really like the following things about this bike (as a first bike!) -
1. Small, light and very chuckable (can also be a negative);
2. Very predictable handling, easy steering and engine braking helps;
3. Cheap to fuel and service;
4. Looks like a sports bike (more than anything else in it's class);
5. Engine really opens up after the first service and loves to rev!


What are the worst aspects about this bike?
Well you will probably hear people say things like 'why would you ever need more power than a 250cc' or 'you'll never get sick of this bike, this is all you'll ever need!'.... well they are all dead wrong! After the first 2 weeks of riding, I wasn't 'sick' of the bike... but I was ready to move on to a bigger bike for sure, one with a lot more power, and the longer I ride this bike, the more I want a 1000cc, if you think it won't happen to you I will put a bet against this and happily take your money. This is not to say it's a bad bike at all... just that once you master the road on this thing you'll want more, I g/tee it!. Anyway, things that I don't like about this bike are;
1. You have the rev the tits off it to really make it responsive;
2. Gets blown around on the highway, cos it's so light;
3. Not so great for longer rides if your over 6ft (I'm 6'3 and it's OK, but it is really made for sub 6ft riders)
4. You are forever changing gears, so once you master riding this thing and get speed up around the twisty roads, you'll be up and down through the gears, while your mates on bigger bikes will change maybe once!

Would I recommend this bike to others?
Hell yes, but be warned if you are a serious rider, you will get sick and tired of it quickly and want to move on, but the law stops you doing that for 12 months, so in the meantime enjoy this bike. It is fun to ride, great to own, cheap to run and very easy to learn on, whilst looking great for what it is in my opinion.

Cheers
Beersy

 

Picture of the Ninja 250R (and me on it).... as reviewed above!