What do you think of ninja's ?

[Rerard]

I was looking at bikes on the internet and I like the ninja 500R and 250R. I want a bike that looks cool but is not that powerful because im still learning and it will be my first bike.. I figure these should be pretty light and easy for me to handle plus they are cheap!.. msrp on the 250 for a new one is only 3k

[redline]

Pay the extra money and get and FZR 600 or ZX-6 or for even more $$$ but much more bike get a Yamaha R6 or a Suzuki GSXR 600. The size difference between a 500 and a 600 is minimal but the performance differences are huge. Those old 500 ninjas havent't been changed much over the years, and there slow the 600's get reworked almost every year because the factorys race them. Pay the extra money and grow into the bike, instead of paying less $$ and growing out of it becuase it is to slow and out dated. Just my 2 cents

[lordwest]

I know a buddy that is selling a '86 ninja 600, this is one sweet bike it has low miles and a new paint job, it is not extremely powerful but it is fast and fun. he will sell it for 1500

my name is Nic
916 801 1946

[StoopidMonkey]

I own a 94 FZR600 right now. I love it, its the first motorcycle ive ever ridden, other than a little tote goat. It has plenty of power and it only weighs 398 lbs dry. Lighter than almost all the other 600s. I thought it was an easy bike to learn on. I do like Ninjas though. I wouldnt pay 3k for one though. I got my FZR600 for $1500. In peices of course, i just had to put it all back together. Look on ebay though for FZRs and theres alot on there for reasonable prices. hope this helps.

[twisted83toy]

I like the ninja's, my friend had one and it was pretty cool. I just think honda and Yamaha make a better bike....just my 2 cents.. I looked at alot of bike before buying mine and I am very satisfied... save your money and buy something fairly new (under 8000 miles)... it will be worth it in the long run.

By the way does anyone have a extra helmet they want to get rid of? doesn't matter how it looks just need one for a passenger. The bmx helemt my friends use just doesn't seem safe to me.

[Rerard]

I decided I dont want the Ninja anymore... went to the shop and the guy recommended the Suzuki SV650S and I like that one. I looked into it and most people I talked to agreed with that recomenedation so I think im gonna get that one.

[Krylon..]

I am a Honda man.... Look into the CBR 600f's..... My bro had a 96 600 F3 and it was very nice and fast! I only rode one bike before riding his CBR and it was a 500 Ninja.. I would definately recommend the CBR 600's over the 500 Ninja. It has very controllable power, good for a beginner..

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by Retard:
<STRONG>I decided I dont want the Ninja anymore... went to the shop and the guy recommended the Suzuki SV650S and I like that one. I looked into it and most people I talked to agreed with that recomenedation so I think im gonna get that one.

</STRONG>

Great bike!!!! I learned to ride on an EX 500 (older version of the Ninja 500) Its a perfect learners bike.

[Ian30]

GSXR - You will grow into it in a hurry and you won't be sorry. I have a friend that learned on the GSXR 600 and a year later wished he had bought the 750. Buy a GSXR 750 - the best bike for the money.

[Rerard]

Guy at my work has one of those and he likes it a lot.. now you guys got me all confused damnit!

oh well im sure whatever I get it will be a shitload of fun.

[emsoffroad]

The SV650 is the best bang for buck out there. Very very fun to ride. Stay away from the 250 kawi. The new Gixxer 600 will run with any older 750. I would go with the gixxer 1000, got to love the 4th gear wheelies!

Best advice is to get what you can afford. And what you like. Just be wary of out growing your bike. Don't be afraid of a larger bike it will only go as fast as your right hand does.

[Chris Dirt]

Don't be afraid of power. It is just as easy to learn on a fast bike as it is on a slow bike. But a tall or heavy bike will be more difficult to learn on than a mid sized bike.
Don't be a poser. Don't get a hard core, race replica bike unless you will really be needing all it has to offer. Comfort is important. I am NOT suggesting you get a cruiser. But think about what type of riding you will will be doing.

[MellowYellow]

My .02 is get a dirt bike <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> and learn at your own pace. At least get a used bike. Most riders drop their first bike. Even if it is a slow drop, it sucks to drop a new bike. How tall are you? If you are short, then you will definitely drop your first bike and maybe your second too. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> I dropped mine on my parents’ dirt driveway. I put my foot down on a rock and down it went at 0 mph. It happens. Anyway, most of the newer bikes are a joy to ride if they fit you. In the changing economy, you will find someone selling their toy that just sat in their garage. Don’t worry about which brand is faster, which bike out performs…etc. A good rider on an old FZR400 can leave most others in the weeds (in the twisties).

The little ninja 250 is VERY small. If you are tiny and very timid-don’t buy a bike <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> j/k ..just don’t buy a 250. They are fun to race because everyone in your class is slow too, but other than that it is just too slow. The 500 is better, but you will out grow it. The other posters are correct they have not changed in years, so buy an old one. Learn on it and sell it. Then go by that 650…nice bike.

[lordwest]

I THINK THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD FIGHTERS, YOU DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH THEM!

[r77toy]

If you're looking to buy a used scoot, the 500 twin is a good choice, haven't changed since the last century, lots of them in the bone yards, EASY TO WORK ON, have you looked under the fairing on some of the 4 cylinder bikes? If you're buying new, the SV650 gets my vote

[Rerard]

I bought the SV a couple months ago and I love it... too bad its cold as fawk right now.

[86Project]

I worked at a bike shop for a while back in 96 and 97 and I rode all the bikes back then. The GSXR600 is fast as shit, 0-100 in under ten seconds and if your learning is downright scary. I personally like the SV650 but its jsut a twin, you will outgrow it in no time. I picked up a old honda nighthawk 450 86 model for 200 bucks put some tinker time into it and taught my wife to ride on it. Then sold it for 1500 because it ran good and had low miles. You could always start slow, and ugly for that matter and then take your time and decide what you want. I learned when I was 6 on dirt bikes and raced semi pro for a while when I was younger so I just run crotch rockets now, but I would suggest learn cheap buy bigger later. It would take you a long fuckin time to outgrow a newer fuel injected 750, they are fuckin' scary so learn then step up. But there is a world of difference between a twin and a twin cam 4 banger, it comes on like a muther at around 5000 to 6000 and pulls hard as shit. Your decision just givin you options. Enjoy

[86Project]

It should keep you happy for several years, Enjoy

[Rerard]

lol, thanks... so far so good, I love the 60MPG (when I go easy on it) and 200$/yr for insurance.

[Kyron]

Go look at and ride a Buel Blast.... a friend at mine at works wife bought one and they like it . He said it's pretty fast too, he has a Motard XR650L and a Suzuki SV650 and a couple Hardlys too...

[Keith Strong]

Dude, start slowly!!!! Do not jump on a race style bike like a GSXR and think you will just figure it out as you go. I learned how to ride on an EX500 (older version of the ninja 500). Perfect first bike, it iwll teach you the basics of how street riding works and help you learn to control yourself. It will still go 100+ but is a much calmer bike. I bought mine for 1200 bucks, rode it 2 years with barely more than an oil change and a few sets of tires, then sold it for 1400 Learn to ride, then move up to a GSXR or whatever 600, then ride that a year or two, then go for a big bore bike Just my experience.

[RobertXJ]

The SV is a fantastic bike, even for a beginner. There are tons of aftermarket stuff. Check out svrider.com for lots of cool info. I have ridden my friends and it has good power and very useable torque, thanks to the twin. Dont be pulled into the trap of outgrowing the bike in a few months. That bike with a good rider will spank a bigger bike/lousy rider in the twisties, and thats where all the fun is. Doesn't take much skill to haul ass in a straight line. I have a few friends I ride with and do the roads around Berryessa (lots-o-twisties!) . When it warms up maybe we can get toether for a ride.