Josh1234 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Yep, I'm 6'2 and ~220 pounds. I've been without a bike for 2 years and have 3 seasons riding time, before that. Two seasons on a Buell Blast 500, and one on a Yamaha YZF-600. (I think. I remember storing the Blast for a winter one year). I never completed the MSF course I actually made the classroom portion, but missed the day on the bike, which is of course the important one. So I'm pretty much self-taught. Anyway, I'm a firm believer that any bike I buy at this point will NOT be my last bike. I'm actually interested in gaining experience on as many different bikes as possible. A Ninja 250 is sort of the most basic starting point for sport bikes, as most will agree. It makes about the same horsepower as my Buell Blast did, within 4 hp. And to be honest, the Blast always got me around just fine. It was /NOT/ underpowered... It was like riding a scooter, which was a lot of fun. I won't be doing any track days, and I won't be doing any racing. I don't need to go fast. And yes, I know I'll look like a monkey humping a football, with such a big guy on a small bike. But I look at it this way: I'm feeling the itch to ride again, and this will get me a bike for dirt cheap. Under 2500. And honestly, I think I'll be able to re-sell it for just as much as I paid for it, if not MORE (yes, that's possible). I'm pretty good at writing a decent craigslist ad, and I like flipping bikes for profit after riding them. It's a newer body style, has under 5,000 miles, and is in great shape. If I ride it for the rest of this year, it'd very likely sell for 3K in the spring. Also, when it comes to looking for a nicer bike... I don't want to spend a lot of money on a bike until I'm sure I will ride often/consistently. Because I have SOME experience with a larger bike, it's not like owning a 250 will "turn me off" of riding if I think it doesn't have enough power. It's just a cheap way to get back on the road. I'm sure it'll feel like a dog compared to my YZF-600, but I've heard it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow. And I'd honestly like to be able to practice and develop some basic skills on a less intimidating bike. It's safe to say that I have a healthy respect for the power and danger of motorcycles as well as the fun & freedom they offer Anyway, that's where I'm at. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh1234 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Forgot to mention: I've ridden 2x 250's briefly... once when I was looking at trading down my yzf-600 for a 250 + cash, and once when I was at a buddy's and his son rode my YZF600 and I rode his 250. Each time gave the same impression, which was that it was like a scooter... Plenty of power to get me around, just clearly not a bigger displacement sportbike. Much less intimidating, like it seemed more "carefree." Had 1 on the highway, and i even think It did okay at highway speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 if you think "under $2500" is cheap, then you are golden. You should be able to find a decent bike for under a grand. You'll likely have to sink a few hundred into it, but nowhere near $2500... I have maybe $800 into my current street bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calinazaret Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Go with the ninja 300. I've heard good things. Shrug. Ride your own ride. If it works for you it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 if it wasn't clear from my first post, I have nothing bad to say about the EX250. My only concern would be that people seem to over-value them this time of year, because beginners put them in demand. With that said, the 2008 redesign has made the older examples less expensive. Also consider a GS500. I really liked how my dad's GS felt. it was stupid small, but in a fun way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calinazaret Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Nice :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Take the bandit Pauly has and you'll be very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 that bandit does look clean for the price. I have been pleasantly surprised with the power from the old Suzuki oil-boiler motor. Granted mine is a 750, but the 600 isn't that far behind as far as top-end. Probably down a bit on torque though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 If a Blast met your power needs than the 250 probably would also. But... That Bandit or an SV650 can be had for under 2500, and are better bkes in more ways than just power. Plus, I hear very few people complaining that their bike has too much hp and it ruins their fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Bandit 600 from Paulie.....hands down the winner. The 600 Bandits run practically forever, are easy to ride, and you would likely not outgrow or get bored with it any time soon. Plus you know the bike has been well serviced and got the A OK for a great bike to own. I had a Bandit 1200S, it was a hoot to ride and dead reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Get the bandit. It will be much easier to ride on the street than the yzf because it's tuned for midrange power, it's longer than the 250 and will have a lot more room for a big dude like yourself and it will probably never break. I ride a heavily modified bandit 1200 and I love it. At least test ride El bandito before you do anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh1234 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Bandit 600. Low miles. I just serviced it and it runs great. Could use tires, but the current ones are rideable.Asking $2500, OBO. What year is it? the biggest strike I'd have against that is that those Bandit's with the fairing up top look like they have a huge overbite The 2nd biggest strike against it is that it's red. I know, I know, call me shallow I'd be willing to look at a couple more pictures though. Is this a bike you own, or a friends? Go with the ninja 300. I've heard good things.Shrug. Ride your own ride. If it works for you it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Ninja 300's can rarely be had for $2300, unfortunately, or I'd snap one up. Even a red one if it wasn't clear from my first post, I have nothing bad to say about the EX250. My only concern would be that people seem to over-value them this time of year, because beginners put them in demand. With that said, the 2008 redesign has made the older examples less expensive. Also consider a GS500. I really liked how my dad's GS felt. it was stupid small, but in a fun way. If I could find a nice GS500 that's not too old, I'd ride it. Especially a nice blue & white GS500F. But a streetfighter would be okay, too.... I come across a lot of older ones, or ones with salvage titles. This bike has a lot of what I'm looking for (resale value, fully faired, blue, cheap, great condition, newer & low miles), and only 2 "minuses:" a little less power than most bikes, and that I'll look a little funny riding it I could live with those for a year until I flip it for profit. Unfortunately, I can't go look at it for a least a week, due to RL and the wife. Dammit! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smccrory Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Bandit 600 from Paulie.....hands down the winner. The 600 Bandits run practically forever, are easy to ride, and you would likely not outgrow or get bored with it any time soon. Plus you know the bike has been well serviced and got the A OK for a great bike to own. I had a Bandit 1200S, it was a hoot to ride and dead reliable.+1, and don't forget to mention that Bandits ooze style and can easily be set up for lay-down racing or sit-up ergos with different handlebars/risers as desired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh1234 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 I only have a few more pics, but they're "maintenance porn" shots I sent to the owner. I don't own it. I serviced it so it could be sold. It's the cleanest bike you'll find for $2500, without a doubt.It's a 2001, or 2002. I don't remember, but the mileage was under 12k when I went through the carbs a few months ago.EDIT: I just looked at the invoice. It's a 2000. Can't seem to find it on any craigslists... maybe it sold already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) owned a Buell Blast but thinks a Bandit is ugly...did i miss something here? Edited June 10, 2014 by 2talltim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smccrory Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 owned a Buell Blast but thinks a Bandit is ugly...did i miss something here? LOL good point, but maybe it's the buggish fairing that he doesn't like. And red. So he'd probably hate my DL650's look. But man, it's ringing my bell. No Stroms in that price range though, not unless they're run out with 150k miles, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calinazaret Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Ninja 300's can rarely be had for $2300, unfortunately, or I'd snap one up. Even a red one Posted that before I saw the bandit. That definitely seems like a better deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calinazaret Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Posted that before I saw the bandit. That definitely seems like a better deal.On second thought, don't buy that bike. It looks...terrible. I should take it off your hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Here you go. $2300. http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/mcy/4456357492.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Well.....we are trying to talk you out of a Ninja 250 "great 2nd bike", but I have a feeling that is still what you think you want. That Bandit would be perfect for you I am tellin ya, and maybe JackFlash would consider selling you his GSF500? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaDoc Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 SV 650 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 SV 650 Sure cannot argue with that in the least bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Also if you plan on trying to sell a 250 for 3k it better be one of the newer fuel injected ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh1234 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 txted the guy about the 500, Tpoppa, thanks. It's from a month ago, but who knows. Find me a blue or silver SV650 fully faired and I'm all over it Bad, the 250 I'm looking at is an '08, so it's the newer model. And supposedly in like-new condition. Even if I ask 3 and they argue me down, it'd still be pretty easy to turn a profit at 2300 purchase price. I'd be all over that ninja 500 TPoppa posted if I could... it's not the brighter blue, which I like more, but I could live with the darker, and would probably be really happy with a EX-500. Thanks guys, keep 'em comin'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Copeland Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 You want another Blast? My wifes is for sale for 2,200. 2009 with 2,600 miles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.