I am getting a motorcycle soon and was wondering which is better for me, the Ninja 250 or 500. I weigh 200 and will have a passenger once in a while. I am 5'10". I am a beginner as well. Thanks and any other info would be great.
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I used to haul my beast of an ex wife around on a ninja 250. It will handle the weight just fine and is faster than just about any Harley out there. I also rode it from Dallas Tx to Erie Pa without a problem. People that say that the ninja 250 is slow have obviously never ridden one.
Lord Spheros
Yes it is enough. I ride mine at 70+mph on all sorts of crazy twisty roads. I constantly catch and pass other riders. Sometimes I wonder how much trouble I would get in if I could go even faster. How fast do you really want to go? The only problem I have found with my 250 is when I want to pass someone, I can't just roll on the throttle and instantly fly by them. You have to wait for an actual passing zone, downshift, and hammer it.
The ninja 250 wasn't meant for a 200lb man and passenger, though. It can carry about 350 lbs, but man that is going to work the suspension!! The 500 would be better for 2 up, but it's probably one of those things that after your girl tries once, she won't do again. There are also at least 3:1 ninja 250's to 500's. For a single man the 250 is a great little bike.
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i Personally own and ride an ex500 (ninja). Have also ridden a 250 too, i'd say go with the 500. It has more power for when you need it (when you have a passenger) and really isn't much heavier/hared to ride. I'm pretty sure Kawa stopped making the 500's this year. So i'd actually ecomend the 650 seeing as though its a fantastic bike and easy to ride just like its smaller counterparts. everyone says theres no need for power? i can personally atest to instances when i'm thankful i was on a more powerful bike than a "250". For when you NEED to move... ie... car does'nt stop when coming up behind you at a stop sign. Go for the Bigger bike, you won't regret it.
Dimo J
The Kawasaki Ninja 250 can accelerate 0-60 quicker than 90%+ of cars. It can top 100 mph. The 250 enough period. Anything more is just for speeding. How much more you need than a 250 depends on how stupid you want to get. (Isn't it nice we don't have to be smart/sane.)
Mach
Go for 250. After you become a good rider buy 500.