ok, different thought for bike

[Duc-Duc-goose]

I was considering my friends "ninjette", but I found a local add for a '96 duc Ss 900, has like 13k mi, and asking $3900, exact by kbb, any thoughts? It's red, relatively low miles, I would put carbons on and new pressure plate and clutch cover and call it good [moto]

[timmer357]

Don't do it.  I still owe you photos and you can buy mine 

I have had a crazy weekend with family reunions, party, and kid hospitalized tonight.  I promise I will send them soon.

[Duc-Duc-goose]

same bike as you?... Def send pics! Where u located tho?

[Popeye the Sailor]

Uh, if I recall this is a first bike, no?

I would still go with the ninja before picking up a duc.




Sorry if I'm mucking up your sale, timmer.

[He Man]

Its a safe bet to get the ninja (250 or 500?)

the 96 bikes will start giving you small problems just due to age. wires might start breaking loose,moisture in the air starts tearing things apart etc. time kills no matter what. so be prepared for the small things. Though if its been well cared for, these things shouldnt be a problem. I had a 95 900

as far as a ninja 250 vs a 900SS... opinions vary.... youll learn ALOT more by riding the 250 then moving up to the 900SS.

but the 96 900SS didnt make anymore power then a 695 does today. and people say the 695 is a great starter bike. User discresion, if the ninja is cheap, id go with the ninja hands down. (under $1,000)

GL

[somegirl]

as far as a ninja 250 vs a 900SS... opinions vary.... youll learn ALOT more by riding the 250 then moving up to the 900SS.

+1

The ninja will be an extremely forgiving first bike...very hard to get into trouble with it.
Doesn't mean you'll be plodding along though!  I had no problem getting into triple digits on the freeway on one.

You would also have an easier time selling the ninja than the 900 when you want to move onto something else.  Those ninjas are always in high demand.  People sometimes even sell them for more than they bought them for.

[NAKID]

Doesn't mean you'll be plodding along though!  I had no problem getting into triple digits on the freeway on one.

Yeah, but you weigh like 85 pounds Paula!

[Popeye the Sailor]

Well, I got one to an indicated 90 and I'm 235 with gear 

[red baron]

I'm 235 with gear 

Sure.

[Duck-Stew]

Learn on the small bike.  You need to get to the 'I can ride the shit out of this bike and not get scared' phase as soon as possible which means a small bike to learn on.  When you can ride the snot out of the Ninja, ride it for a spell longer and then look for a larger machine.

Buying used for a first bike is ALWAYS wise BTW...  You *will* have issues with it that may include dropping it.

[the_Journeyman]

1st bike?  I don't think a 900SS is a good 1st bike.  They launch forward with some serious authority on even a slightly bobbled clutch release.  Great riding bike, but not a 1st bike at all.  The Ninja 250 or 500 makes a great learning platform & can be held on to for commuting duty once you want a bigger bike.

JM

[ryandalling]

I bought my wife a two fitty.... and she is learning on it... from what I have seen you can turn around and sell it for the same price you bought it at.... good learner... I got it to about 90 with me on it... and I am not tiny... I love taking it around town... fun to ride with me on it.... wifes dropped it a couple times... no damage... does well.

[x136]

Well, I got one to an indicated 90 and I'm 235 with gear 

Hell, even I got that thing slightly north of a hundred once. It just took a long time, a lot of tucking, and a long, smooth, straight, deserted road to get there.

And actually, the speedo is very accurate. It may be the new tires, but after a ~200 mile ride, I found that GPS disagrees with the bike by less than a percent.

[RavnMonster]

Just my .02

My first street bike was my 05 S4R. I didnt need to start out with a Ninja 250. Not saying other people dont, but the bike only goes as fast as you twist the throttle. I didnt want to out grow my bike in a week like I think I would have with a 250. Year and a half later I havent even come close to going down. Not saying I wont, but dont be afraid of a little power. just be smart and dont ride like an idiot.

[silentbob]

And actually, the speedo is very accurate. It may be the new tires, but after a ~200 mile ride, I found that GPS disagrees with the bike by less than a percent.

The speedo and the odo don't have to agree even though they use the same sensor.  Even the R1 which shows some incredibly large non-linear speedo errors is always spot on when it comes to mileage.  The manufacturers intentionally build in the error on the speedo but I think they are required to be accurate when it comes to mileage for warranty purposes.

Oh, and as someone already pointed out in this thread, the 900 is no more dangerous than a 696 and everyone says they are great beginner bikes.