Honda Rebel (2014 vs 2002) vs Kawasaki Ninja 250/300R?

Question

I'm considering buying a motorcycle as a primary means of transportation and have never ridden a motorcycle before. Two bikes I really like so far are the Kawasaki Ninja and the Honda Rebel (partial fanboyism considering I love my 2001 Honda Civic EX coupe 5-spd MT).

I was considering them new, and was leaning towards the Honda Rebel due to simplicity and styling, but one of my co-workers has a 2002 model that he is willing to let for for $1800, possibly a little less, and it has 1,500 miles on it.

As for my driving, it's typically very conservative. I'm very easy on acceleration using early shift points, and usually stay at, or slightly below the speed limit, but I do push my car once in a while, so I still want it to be fun vehicle to drive. I expect these habbits to fully transfer to motorcycle driving.

So my questions are as follows:

What features will I be missing out on from the 2014 Honda Rebel to the 2002? What are the spec differences?

I think the Ninja might get better economy due to more advanced engine with similar curb weight (does anyone have a definitive answer to this question?), so the I'm wondering: what level of maintenance will the Ninja require? I gathered the Rebel is very low maintenance, so if there a difference in maintenance costs between the Rebel and Ninja, how would the fuel-economy (if any difference there) offset the cost of maintenance? 
Basically, which is cheaper to own and drive as a commuter?

JetDoc · Accepted Answer

Go for the used Honda. MOST people that start out on 250/300cc bikes only ride them for a year or so before they are ready to move up to a bigger, more powerful bike. YOU will probably be the same. Why take the depreciation of a NEW bike when you can get the same riding experience from a less expensive used one?

Buy it for $1800, ride it for a year and sell it for the same amount.

? · Answer

I don't know about the rebel but I have the Ninja 250. It is an ok bike which I got for commuting to work. Reasonably comfortable but I wish it got better gas mileage. What I find disappointing is the gearing makes it rev too high at higher speeds which I think is what drops the mileage. At 70 mph it is pushing 6000 rpm. My last bike would cruise 70 mph at about 4500 rpm and it got about the same mileage but was a sport bike with 1100 cc's. Maybe if you never try to go highway speeds you will do better.

Candid Chris · Answer

Sorta apple to orange comparison. Yes same sized engine but different seating/riding styles.

Suggest you enroll in a MSF Basic Riders Course and go from there.
It'll save you money in insurance in a year's time and should teach you a great deal on how to save your @ss, motorcycle riding isn't the safest means of transportation.

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Honda Rebel (2014 vs 2002) vs Kawasaki Ninja 250/300R?

3 Answers