Son is moving to Dallas Ft Worth area so he's selling a bunch of things including his 2005 Kaw 250 Ninja. I went over today an changed the oil, swapped the plugs, checked brakes, adjusted the chain, etc. So I took if for a ride and dang, I forgot what a fantastic "learning" bike the Kaw is. Nimble, light, great gas mileage, OK power (not overwhelming), stops quick, and it doesn't look bad at all. (It is a bit small for me ) Another little side note he paid $1500 for it about 4 years ago. Looking in the classifieds same year model has people asking $2000. I doubt he will get that but he is only out typical maintenance. A pretty good job of putting together a good product by the Kaw engineers for sure. Dumb ass dad might buy it for quick errands and what not. Smart ass mom says no

too much power you are going to get yourself in trouble.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
too much power you are going to get yourself in trouble.

I'm more into the 1 liter class The boy wanted to get a 600cc but I wouldn't let him. The 250 seems like I'm pushing a bicycle around when I move it. Getting to be a big plus for this old man.

Haha. I race motorcycles and within the limits of the rules the more power the better. But on the street you can't use any of it. So the lower power bikes are just way more fun, you have to shift like a maniac to keep rolling and conservation of momentum matters whereas on your liter bike who gives a crap. Be a tough bike on the superslabs but around town be fun.

I've written about this before, but my favorite go for a ride on fun twisty roads is an Aprilia 50cc. It makes maybe 10hp. It makes no power till 12K, so you spend all your time trying to keep it above that and never give up any forward momentum you have made... Don't have a clue where you live and the roads, but the Kawi would be fun in most places.

Small displacement can be fun. When I was living in Barcelona, I dropped my motorcycle off for service.

They gave me a 50cc loaner to get home with and use for a day or two.

I don't remember the brand / model, but it was one of the "enthusiast" types, that liked to run at screamingly high RPM's. A lot of the locals used these for city bikes and rode them pretty aggressively.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I've written about this before, but my favorite go for a ride on fun twisty roads is an Aprilia 50cc. It makes maybe 10hp. It makes no power till 12K, so you spend all your time trying to keep it above that and never give up any forward momentum you have made... Don't have a clue where you live and the roads, but the Kawi would be fun in most places.

No Utah. Lots of canyons in the Wasatch mtns. Plenty of slow and very fast twisties which are very close to home (10-15 minutes away). My only (tiny) complaint on the Kaw is that the frame is about 2" short of being comfortable a ride of any length. Oh, do you own an Aprilia? If you say yes I'm pretty sure I am going to turn green (very green) with envy

I own several aprilias (and honda's and suzuki's and yamaha's and KTM and ...) . But if I lived in really steep terrain I'd duck a 250 ninja and at least get to a 400.

If he’s a young man get those insurance quotes first. CC’s equal $$’s.

The new ZX4RR or whatever the name is of the new 400cc 4cyl Kawi sounds like a blast, too bad it's 13k with crazy wait lists

I had a blast on the 650cc Vulcan S. You could push it hard without being in felony territory

Missed out on a few older BMWs over the years, 650 & 750cc models.

quote:

Originally posted byoceansphere:
The new ZX4RR or whatever the name is of the new 400cc 4cyl Kawi sounds like a blast, too bad it's 13k with crazy wait lists

Dude? I casually followed the smaller displacement bikes but WTF? 13K? What a reality check for me. Makes me think a vintage 250 Kaw for ~ $2000 dollars seem like a steal.

Thanks for the education my friend.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:

quote:

Originally posted byoceansphere:
The new ZX4RR or whatever the name is of the new 400cc 4cyl Kawi sounds like a blast, too bad it's 13k with crazy wait lists

Dude? I casually followed the smaller displacement bikes but WTF? 13K? What a reality check for me. Makes me think a vintage 250 Kaw for ~ $2000 dollars seem like a steal.

Thanks for the education my friend.

And the one we get here isn't even the full power version the rest of the world is getting.