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’08 Ninja 250 – Phase 2 “Real World Impressions" (Ridden in Anger)

Once again, thanks for the continued effort on such quality write-ups. This bike seem like a blast, and I'm glad you enjoy it so much. DOes your wife ride? If not, then I bet she's going to regret the deciscion of buying this bike for you. :laughing
 
is it possible to power wheelie a stock 07 250?


i think my sub-concious just laughed at me and pulled a > :hand :loser
 
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Burning1 said:
In my experience, it's just barely possible to power wheelie a stock GSX-R600.
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wind it up to apx 7k in 1st and coast at that for a moment, close the throttle fast and crack it open fast...it'll come up

NOTE: I do not endorse or condone stunting :)
 
GaryJ,
do you think your going to upgrade the suspension or brakes in anyway?
did you on your previous ninjette?



TIA
Tux
 
next stop: track?
 
dandrewk said:
How would it do at Infineon?
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There's slightly less peak speed disparity between a 250 and a full-sized sportbike at Infineon, versus T-Hill or Buttonwillow, but still a big gap.

On the current AFM configuration (AMA T1 and T9 chicanes), managed to run some 1:57's on an open track in practice, on a race-prepped previous generation Ninja 250 late last year. That's probably about 13+ seconds/lap off what a similarly skilled rider would run on average liter-sized racebike.

At T-Hill, the gap tends to be a few seconds more between a Ninja 250 and a big bike ...... due to the length of the straights ... and subsequent time spent running at higher speeds (100MPH+)

Those two bikes are apples-n-oranges; so the real value's in focusing on comparing the "2nd Generation" (1988-2007) Ninja 250's to the new '08 model. Definitely a lot of change .... once things are taken away from the "spec sheets", and put behind the handlebars in the real world of riding!
 
Var said:
Did you feel a difference in chassis strength or were you not riding fast enough to tell? They used the old frame and added gussets right?
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Good questions Var.

Though yesterday's second outting ride on the '08 Ninja 250 was definitely more "spirited" (60% pace), it's still a number of notches below the level (roadracing) that I've had the chance to experience the previous generation bikes. As such, I can't yet speak for how the chassis will perform in the most extreme possible use.

Despite that, the HUGE difference in the solid/stable feel that the overall (frame, swingarm, forks, tires, etc) package transmitted back to me as a pilot .... during the 100 miles of backroad test riding I have logged .... tells me it's definitely good!

The legacy version Ninja always felt like it had a "hinge" in the middle, whenever it was pushed hard through corners with any dips, bumps, etc. The front end and rear end seemed to have a mind of their own, as if disconnected from each other.

The '08 bike feels like one solid structure while riding ........ from front tire, through the frame, out the swingarm, and to the end of the rear tire. Everything tracks together in the same plane, when reacting to pavement irregularities while cornering.

I found that it gave me a lot of confidence to push the bike through the turns. This confidence paid big dividends in allowing me to really relax my grip on the bars, and let the bike "work" underneath me.

The much firmer, and better damped, suspension was a big factor in being able to let the bike do the job, rather then having to use my body as a secondary suspension to prevent disturbing the bike ..... and/or having it use up the travel and touch down hard parts.

Upping the pace on yesterday's ride I found that I was having to remind myself of the fact that the bike under me was a $3,500 "econo/entry-level" machine. :shocker It sure ain't a Ducati DesmoDici-RR, MotoGP replica ...... but from a "fun factor" perspective ..... for most real world riding situations ...... I wouldn't trade it at the moment; for anything. :thumbup
 
So are you saying this would make a good all around bike for someone, that perhaps, has a 4,000 dollar piece of shit sitting in his garage in pieces that wants something else?
 
sounds great so far, can't wait until someone posts up a comparison of stock vs advanced kawasaki's exhaust. If the power increase is as much as they say it is, then I am freaking excited.

You nailed the description I was saying about the porous finish on the wheels... I just thought it was lackluster compared to the quality of finish on the frame and fairings. Not that it stuck out like a sore thumb or anything, it was just something I noticed.

edit> any chance of a video gary?
 
mcarb said:
So are you saying this would make a good all around bike for someone, that perhaps, has a 4,000 dollar piece of shit sitting in his garage in pieces that wants something else?
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Really depends on a lot of factors, Mcarb.

-------------------------------------------------

  • - The "type" (city, commuting, long distance, backroads, 2-Up, etc) of riding the person does

    - The size (height ... and especially "weight") of the rider

    - Expectations in terms of acceleration rate/power

    - Acceptance of "revving" as a necessary style of riding

    - Skill/experience level of the rider

    - "Need for Speed" (top)

    - Size on one's ego :teeth

-----------------------------------------------------

With the "bigger is better" (in engine displacement) mentality that is quite prominent here in the USA, I suspect many will never come to own one of these new Ninja 250's.

The '08 Ninja 250 is a bike that "is what it is" .... and "isn't what it isn't". IF the things that "it is", are items on the checklist of what a rider is looking for in their bike ownership, it'll be pure magic.

For those that haven't had any past experience with what it's like to ride a bike on pubic roads ..... in the real world .... on a machine with less then 30HP, I have no doubt a lot of these new Ninja 250's will end up on the "For Sale" boards after a very low number of miles have showed up on the odometer.

"A diamond" or "a lump of coal" .... depends on the individual. :)
 
IMO the bike isn't worthy for street use(commuting and transport), but would be more than enough bike for twisties, or the track if setup properly. I don't feel safe with the lack of power that the bike has.

Also i like to pass cars in the twisites, which would be fairly dagerous with such a low powered bike
 
the 250 is fine for everything but freeway commuting. though some hardcore ninjette enthusiasts will say it's even okay for that.

short stints on the freeway are fine, but it would be a bit nervewracking to take it long distance what with the lack of passing grunt and the engine always screaming at you at freeway speed.
 
It all depends on your tolerance. The 2nd Gen. can do 80-90 no sweat, and it wouldn't hurt a thing for it to cruise long distances at 65-70. It would be noisy and vibrate-y. That's why I'd like to see Gary's assessment of how the new version feels at highway speeds.

Now, as to wind on that light bike, I'd keep a low profile going over the bridges.
 
Hmmmm, I may check one of these out for crusing around the hills and keep the BMW for, well, in case I need any heavy metallic parts or anything.
 
I REALLY want one of these '08 Ninja 250s for around-town and track riding. Sadly, I just got a quote from OTD and they're asking $4,499! That's more than my '06 SV650 would sell for. :cry
 
As soon as Gary's reviews hit the 'net, the global OTD prices rose nearly $300 within minutes.

C'mon Gary, help some fellas out. Tell us everything that's WRONG with the bike. :teeth

-jim
 
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