I am looking to spent around 3.5-4 k on a "starter" bike, I was almost certain i want a used/older katana 600 or 500 ninja and then i found out the local motocycle store can get the kawi 250 brand new around the same budget.

I am getting two opposite voices here, 250 looks great and it's new and all but my buddy is telling me i will outgrow the bike in no time. the 600/500 will be used more dangerous, but it's cheaper to insure and fix if i drop the bike.

I haven't rode in the "new" ninja 250 yet but i like how the 600 katana.

should i go ahead and try out the 250 kawi? or i should just skip the 250 and go straight to the "bigger" motor.

your input=

 

I just recently picked up my 600f4i, and i couldn't imagine riding anything smaller, yet satisfied with the 600 at this point. And only my first month riding.

 

I used to own a 1991 EX500. It cost me $200 and lasted for 15,000 miles before I sold it (for $800). The bike was reliable, cheap, and fun to ride. Granted my bike was a salvaged title (woopty freaking do for $200), and needed a windshield and other cosmetic stuff, but it ran like a champ and provided me a good platform to start sport-riding on. I don't see a reason to buy a brand new anything for a first bike, so look for a nice used bike. The Ex500/Ninja 500 is a great bike to learn on, yet swift enough to keep you smiling after your skill has improved.

 

250

 

Even if it is a 250, I wouldn't buy a brand new bike as a first.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sup gurl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Even if it is a 250, I wouldn't buy a brand new bike as a first.</TD></TR></TABLE>

my thoughts exactly

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sup gurl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Even if it is a 250, I wouldn't buy a brand new bike as a first.</TD></TR></TABLE>x2....I would get a 500 though maybe a 650

 

If you get a 250 or 500, get it used, if you buy new you'll get killed once you sell it. Hell, you could wait a 6 months to a year and find a good deal on a used 08 ninja 250 for not too much money. I've seen a few 07 ninja 250's go for pretty cheap in my area.

 

Look at pictures of the 2008 250r.... It's nice looking.

 

you'll hate yourself with the 250

 

What do you want to do skill wise? Do you want to learn to carve up the canyons and drag knee? Stunt? Just commute with the occasional trip up to the mountains?

 

Buy a Ninja 250 for under $2500, ride for a year, sell it for $2000 after that. Yes, it is not the fastest bike out there. But you need to just survive your first year before you start upgrading and to see if motorcycling is for you.

 

just get an older 600. like an F2, F3 katana, fzr600. that way you can take the first few weeks easy and if you want to do more you can later on. good luck