Ninja 250 Vs 300? Brand New Rider

[Rewk]

So i have been looking for quite some time into the ninja i will be riding in Toronto area and want to motovlog my start of riding to have videos of my progression.
I'm 19 about 5'7 5'8 and 120-130 pounds (just guessing)

Was looking into the 250 and 300 Kawasaki Ninja not sure if there is really that big of a difference for being a new rider or if i should just go with the 300 because it will last a bit longer.

My main worry is that in 3 months when i'm comfortable with riding i will want/need something a bit bigger has anyone gone through this type of situation?

Also is the Ontario drivers test a parking lot test or the one where a car follows you?

 

[sixmiffedy]

3 months isn't a long time to build up experience and road skills imo, I'd wait a bit longer before progressing up to a bigger bike, maybe do a year on the 250 then get one?

Riding in a city is a whole other world to riding on a single lane twisty road, the amount of things you need to look out for can be mental sometimes.

Anyway, I'd say go for the 250, do a year, build up your knowledge and experience then think about say a 500/600, there's no rush to get a big bike.

 

[SighBored]

300 VS 250? It's not much of a difference really. Couple of HP, little more acceleration, little more top speed. If you can go with the 300, at least you have a more decent riding pace on the open highways and not stressing the engine. Also the new 300 comes with slipper clutch, that's nice.

 

[PistnRods]

What SighBored said. The biggest thing for you being a new rider would be ABS that was an upgrade option on the 300.

 

[SwissMotard]

I'd get a 600 and restrict it if you really have no control over your right hand.

That's if your licence allows it.

 

[Rewk]

I'd get a 600 and restrict it if you really have no control over your right hand.

That's if your licence allows it.

Well i need the cheap insurance so under 500 is cheaper from what i have understood also remember i weight about 110-120 so to hold that bike up if it starts to fall over is my biggest worry dropping it is not a HUGE concern for me but i would rather not let that happen

 

[Rewk]

3 months isn't a long time to build up experience and road skills imo, I'd wait a bit longer before progressing up to a bigger bike, maybe do a year on the 250 then get one?

Riding in a city is a whole other world to riding on a single lane twisty road, the amount of things you need to look out for can be mental sometimes.

I think you may have misunderstood the information i gave you, I don't currently have a bike (250)

 

[PistnRods]

Well i need the cheap insurance so under 500 is cheaper from what i have understood also remember i weight about 110-120 so to hold that bike up if it starts to fall over is my biggest worry dropping it is not a HUGE concern for me but i would rather not let that happen

If you only weigh 110-120 then either of these bikes can keep you entertained for a while. It will feel quick to you since it's not lugging around a larger rider. I remember my '00 Ninja 250 felt plenty quick for me when I was 135lbs.

 

[captf]

remember i weight about 110-120 so to hold that bike up if it starts to fall over is my biggest worry

Apart from the lightest bikes, if a bike starts going over, it's going over. All you can do is slow its descent. So, best to pretend it's not going to happen

And even then, with a light bike, once it reaches a certain angle, it's going down.

 

[Lurch]

All about the brain-wrist connection really. Work on forward planning skills too, don't rely on a "slow bike" to keep you out of trouble. Even a 125 can out accelerate most cars on the road.

To practice your observation skills, try a thing called the braking game. Try and ride along a road without using the brakes (do touch the brake lever to show following traffic you're slowing though). Look far ahead for bends and traffic lights and try to slow just using the engine (don't use the gearbox to heavily slow the bike). Also means anticipating traffic ahead, are they going slow, do you need to slow down to allow them to turn or before you can assess an overtake etc etc.

 

[RealRider]

Unless you plan to keep the bike for 2+ years go a cheap 250. Flog it for 12 months then upgrade.

 

[KiDGiB]

You could look into the Ninja 650r. Insurance is still cheaper than a 600, since it's a parallel twin.

 

[Arctic Pride]

Try to find a Suzuki GS500. As a new rider expect to put the bike down at least once. At 5'7 you might be able to fit an SV650 as well, very easy bike to ride and enough power to grow into

 

[RealRider]

What did you end up with?

 

[TheDutchTexan]

If you want a 250 I would look at the <2007 kawasaki ninja's. They got that 90's superbike styling, are decently quick for what they are and dirt cheap.