Already took the motorcycle safty class and getting ready to get my first bike.
As everyone recommended, I'm avoiding any 600cc bike as a starter, so I was looking at the Ninja 250R, small engine, and attractive price in the low $4000 brand new, but the bike looks like a sport bike which confuses me is a way, specialy regarding how hard it would be to control it, so I was wondering if that makes it a good starter bike.
I haven't checked the bike in person at a dealer yet, so can you guys give me some input? I'm really trying to avoid buying a cruiser as a first bike, and only looking for new at this point.
Thanks!

 

Great first bike.. trust me, alot of people think you gotta get a 600 or a thousand, and the bike companys have taken great advantage of our big american egos(hence the reason we didnt have a decent looking 250 till ohh what 2009? while the euro countrys had awesome looking ones). Most, not all but most think, ohh bigger is better i can handle it if i just take my time and learn blah blah blah, but the sad truth is that most people cant handle bikes that big. They think they can but... no. Talk to any racing school instructor, talk to anyone who knows anything and has a good amount of track time on a bike. They will tell you that a 125 or 250 is perfectaly fine to start out on. Hell i know quite a few people who WILL SPANK any squid on a 600 with a 250 or 125 at the track. Its about riding the bike correct not size. Plus with the new 250 from kawa last year, and hondas new 125 there is plenty options to look "cool" and have a bike to learn on. plus the 250s costs alot less brand new and used than any 600 or 1k from the same year.. and think would you rather dump a 8grand 600, or a 4grand$ 250?

 

It looks like a sport bike because it *is* a sport bike.
But not in the same sense as the current crop of 600/1000cc repli-racers, which are practically turn-key race bikes with lights (not necessarily making them a good choice for a STREET bike, beginner or no).

I think it's an excellent choice. Ninja 500R would be another great choice for a good sporting STREET bike, another step up the ladder in terms of power/weight/price, though.

 

Great choice. Very nice bike, and fun to learn on. Be safe, and welcome to the sport!

 

Forgot to mention the insurance bonus too! 250 or even a 500 would be soooo much cheaper on insurance (based on your age), also i'm not sure what kinda bikes you're into, but i found myself a '73 Honda CB350 Four cylinder with 8k original miles to rebuild and ride, so you might also consider somewhat older bikes, although that might require more maintenance than you're looking for. The new ninja 250 is sexy though, would be nice if they did the 500 like that.

Either way, keep the rubber on the road and the shiny side up!

 

my vote goes for a boosted Busa




j/k... get the old 250 or 500 instead; parts are readily available, and are cheap

 

Excellent choice. Buy used if you can.

 

I don't see a location under your name, but I just saw a used 2009 Ninja 250 (green) on Craigslist locally for $3000- had 500 miles on it and was "like-new".

 

Thank you all for the input, I'm in Nor-Cal and it seems these are little hard to find used since they are fairly new, but thanks for checking that out

 

Probably the best bike to start out on if you are into sport bikes.