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

[Gary J]

IMO the bike isn't worthy for street use(commuting and transport .....

I again understand your perspective (Var) of the Ninja 250's 250cc, 30HP engine being not for everyone for such usage (commuting/transport).

However I have to add that IF a rider becomes comfortable in the riding style (keeping the engine in the higher rev "sweet range") ...... that the bike can do the job quite well. Not only that, but it will do so while returning some MPG numbers (60'ish) that REALLY feels good on the pocket bood with today's nearly $4/gallon fuel prices.

I do almost 70 miles/day (round trip) on a Ninja 250, primarily all freeway (Hwy 85) stuff ... and have been using it in that mode for the last 6 years. The bike runs along very nicely in the carpool lane, right with the flow of the upper tier of other vehicles on that section of road, in the 80'ish MPH range (when traffic's moving well).

Ridden properly, the Ninja 250 has no problem running with the pace of any normal freeway traffic, and passes as well (or better) then almost all cars on the road.

Not for everyone ..... as bike buying is certainly a personal-choice thing; but 84K miles of real world use has proven the little bike can serve very well in many facets of the world of motorcycling ..... if the rider is up to it.

 

[Var]

the ninja 250 for me falls short in a few different aspects.

if the bike was as comfy as a v-strom it would get serious consideration from me (moreso in the form of an ex500) as a daily vehicle. I test fitted one and realized there is no chance for that, even with handlebars .

there are many other aspects of the bike that fall short as well, and it doesn't seem to be worthwhile for a street ride.. it can obviously be done and you're among many riders who are living proof.

as a trackday ride that u can buy for cheap and pre-prep'd, it seems like a great buy, although I've never ridden one in track trim. I feel like it has something to offer me as far as learning to ride faster and corner entry speed. really noticing where u drop speed, which I hardly can on my liter bike.

there seem to be many different and better options for a transport bike that have better things to offer, even though they may cost a thousand or so more dollars .

you've seriously embraced that little bike like non other though, and so your opinions are a little harder to process for me..

 

[bte320]

I wonder how something like this would work for someone like me. at 6'3" and 210 ilbs. I'm not a small guy. Probably just use this as a commuter bike.

 

[mnb]

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.

Nice. $1000 over sticker. Tell em

 

[ILOAD2]

Look forward to crossing paths with you,down below 236.

 

[bte320]

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.

The bikes are very popular right now, so naturally the price will go up. Wait a month or two, it'll go down.

 

[dandrewk]

Don't ANYBODY pay over sticker for a motorcycle. Please. Once we go down that road, the dealers have us by the 'nads.

The Ninjette may be popular, but it ain't no Wii.

Yeah, I know, supply and demand, dealers should try to get what they can. But that doesn't mean buyers have to buy.

 

[Kenny 325is]

Bin listening in on everyone's take on Gary's review, very good stuff and the reason I'm chiming in on this is that I own a Hyo GT250R and someone was asking about some type of comparison.

The GT250's are not bad bikes compared to the Ninja 250 so here's my take on the Hyo,
I'm not as technical and experienced as Gary but I'll try my best...

Front brakes a bit spongy but with upgraded braided lines and EBC brake pads pretty much takes care of the problem and with the dual disc gives you and even feel on the front end under heavy braking.

The front suspension is a bit soft and tends to dive considerbly under heavy braking nearly bottom's out. There are no usable adjustments such as compression, rebound or
pre-load so I had the fork springs modified and oil change...sag & pre-load are fine just needs compression and rebound adjustments.

The rear shock has a five way pre-load adjustment and the stock setting is 2. When
I first got the bike I cranked it up to 4 but then crank it up to 5 after putting on 1500 miles. This was an issue and figured my stock shock would not last too much longer.
I did some research and found that shock off a 1988-1995 GSXR750 is a direct bolt on,
I purchased a used GSXR shock and had it re-sprung and re-valved - shock problem solved.

For my suspension upgrades I have to thank Phil at Aftershocks, two thumbs up...

The power plant is a 249cc V-TWIN DOHC 8 valve, Air/oil cooled engine and a 5 speed transmission which delivers smooth continous power up to redline but with the stock gearing you actually get more power out of 4th gear at the top end. 5th gear seams to loose torque and has a difficult time runnining in the upper rpm range. There's a couple of options to regain power and that's playing with the gearing. The stock front gear is a
14t I changed it to a 13t and gain was tremendous, not sure if I want to put the stock 14t back on and change the rear sproket from a 46t to a 50t, I will also have to get a
longer chain.

On the 07's the bike comes with Mikuni carb's and the 08's are FI, there is an occasional flat spot problem with the carb version between 5K-6K I should have corrected the problem when I re-jetted the carb's. For the 08 FI version haven't ridden one but looking through some forums I hear the power is a bit lower than the carbureted version.

The chassis is very similar to the Suzuki GS500 feels a bit taller, I'm 5' 7" and can only plant 1 foot on the ground when stopped and most people that have sat on my bike say it feels just like a 600 along with agressive riding position. Another option the Hyo bike is its 4way adjustment rear-sets nice if you don't want to spend $$$ on aftermarket one's.

The stock tires are Shinko 110/60 front 150/70 rear not a bad tires, now they can hold a line provided the conditions are right but in cold weather I've had the front slide a couple of times. I just replaced them with Pilot Powers 120/60 front and 160/60 rear
the softer compound sticks alot better and is a nice complement to my upgraded suspension.

The dash has a digital speedo, fuel gauge, trip meter on the right and the tacho is a large round standard gauge offset to the left. Only problem I've had so far is with the
fuel gauge, when I top off the tank the fuel display does not work until I put on around 75 miles. This is a problem that can be corrected at the dealership under warranty....

I hope this information is usefull and if anyone is interested in comparing the two bikes side by side I usally ride the hill every weekend weather permitting unless I'm mountain biking.....

Kenny

 

[Var]

the biggest plus i see are the "real" sized rubbers on that thing + a cheap fix for the rear shock. How much horsepower does it have?

 

[Monkeyinmypants]

I love that new ZX-2.5! Thing is sweet...

 

[Kenny 325is]

I need to get it dyno'd but from what I've read getting around 27HP to the rear wheel.....

the biggest plus i see are the "real" sized rubbers on that thing + a cheap fix for the rear shock. How much horsepower does it have?