Review: 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

[somegirl]

I thought I'd post this review as we get a lot of visitors looking for beginning bikes, either for themselves or for friends / family members.

I recently had access to a Ninja 250 which I was temporarily holding onto for a newbie rider friend.  In the meantime, I rode it in the twisties, city streets, and on the freeway.

First impressions:
The bike is very light and short, I can almost flat-foot it.   It was nice being able to sit on a bike and easily roll it around.  This is great for building confidence and learning about balance and how to park a bike.

It ran great, no issues, very reliable.  The controls were all easy to reach and the bike felt very responsive.

Twisty riding:
This bike excels in the twisties.  Its small size makes it extremely nimble, it turns remarkably quickly, and very little engine braking mean that it carries an incredible amount of speed through the corners.  It was an absolute blast to ride, and I enjoyed passing up a group of newer riders on liter bikes.

City streets:
This is the only place where I really felt the lack of power on the bike.  The 250 can out-accelerate cars from a stop, but not at the rate that I am used to.  I usually chose not to split to the front of the line at a red light because of this; however I wouldn't really expect beginning riders to be doing this anyway.

Freeway:
I was talked out of getting a 250 as my first bike because people told me it would be no good on a freeway. Well, after riding it, it was obvious that those friends had never ridden one.   It was great fun to be able to ride as if I were on a racetrack, taking on-ramps WOT.  I had no problem out-accelerating and passing cars as needed.  I was able to get the bike up to 108 mph indicated on a straight flat in 6th gear.   I know I'm light, but that was with some headwinds and a 20-lb backpack on.  The only downside is that riding high speeds on this bike requires high RPMs, so it does get pretty buzzy which can be uncomfortable for longer rides.

Other comments:
I averaged well over 50 mpg on the bike and I was not trying to save gas at all.  BTW, someguy (who is much taller and heavier than me) also tried it out and had no complaints about its performance in the twisties or on the freeway.    I also was able to take my friend 2-up on the bike without problems (total weight about 260 lb plus gear).

I think this is an excellent beginning bike, very confidence-inspiring.  I tried my best to test it out by making typical noob mistakes, such as whacking on the throttle, dumping the clutch,  or mis-shifts.  The worst the bike ever did was lurch a bit.  I also tested out some emergency braking and had no trouble with that.

If I were to add another bike to my stable, I might think about one of the 2008 models for some twisty fun.

[Juan]

Thank you misincredible, nice report. 

[the_Journeyman]

Nice writeup Msinc!  I've did some riding on one of those also.  I will say that I sponginess of the suspension led to some instability when throwing the 2004 I rode into a corner really hard.  It wanted to move around under me, kinda squirm from all the force being applied to the suspension & chassis.  I only weigh in a about 170 lbs.  Still an excellent ride for a new rider though ~

JM

[somegirl]

Apparently the suspension really improved in the 2008 version.

[raulduke]

I rode one of those...it was a fun bike.  Not fast but  really fun.  I couldn't agree more. 

Great review.

With bags it would be the PERFECT commuter bike...60+ mpg...claimed

[ducaki]

Great writeup msincredible.

Coincidentally I own a 2005 Ninjette also.  I've had her for two years with 0 problems.  Basic machinery and a dedicated group of riders make all repairs doable in your own garage.

I commute on her to work and it is always a fun ride.  I average about 65mpg.  She has seen speeds above 108 on numerous occasions (I only weigh 130 lbs).  I call her the twisty queen and I have passed a lot more bigger cc bikes on the those kind of roads than have passed me.

Never had a problem on the high way (this bikes real power and happiness comes in at about 10K RPM).  The buzziness is there but easily fixed with a better set of grips.  As far as accelerating from red lights - much faster than 90% of cars out there unless they are on the true sport car or exotic range.

For those that do a lot of city riding - easy fix with a different tooth sprcket.  Even tho she looks taller than the Monster when resting next to each other, you can reach the ground better since the seat is more narrow.  Overall comfort is way better than the Monster since the ninjette is more standard than sport.  Throw a double bubble screen and some saddlebags on it and it is the perfect commuter.  Certainly the bike I reach for every morning to get to work.

Comparison to the 08 model.

The 08 has a price tag $500 more than the previous years and look a lot better and current imo.  The older model has not be redesigned for over 20 years!

The 08 model loses the dual pipes and the centerstand    Very bad in my opinion.

The older model is better for carrying cargo and I would imagine more comfy for a passenger.

The 08 model gets a full size front wheel/tire. A +

The older models will have tons of parts around and could be picked up for next to nothing since the 08 are out.  I am tempted to pick up the new model but dont want to get rid of my 05 either

[Qfactor]

on my list to buy...

Q

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yup, I rode it too, and the thing did just fine for me. I'm taller and heavier than msinc (6', 200(me, not her)), and the ergos and rideability felt just dandy. This bike is nowhere near as refined as the duc, but that's not what it's for. It was a blast in the twisties, on the streets, and the highway...well...I prefer the literbike. It was incredibly easy to operate. It really is more fun to ride a slow bike fast.


<mini-rant>
I really feel this bike is ideal for beginners. I've seen a lot of "no good on the highway" and "no power" derogatory statements which seem to be complete fabrications. For one thing, it has enough power, for another, I highly doubt a newer rider will instinctively try to accelerate hard out of a bad situation, so needing to be able to is just a bad excuse, not to mention the fact that it accelerates *just* fine. Other comments such as dealing with the "hassle of selling the bike" (who has ever had trouble selling a working 250?), and "get what you want, not a starter bike" seems silly. How could you know what you really want out of a bike until you learned to ride one?
</mini-rant>

[mihama01]

The new 2008 model are *really* popular in Japan (especially in green) even though they have been selling ZZR250s upto last year. Very cheap and excellent value for money.

As per a review from a UK bike mag....

I the UK they have 33HP learner laws. Many makers sell a restriction kit to reduce their bikes below this level. Pass your test; remove the restrictor and get full power of the bike.

With the 250 you can't do this cause its already at full power. Other than that great bike. (I always lusted after the GPX250 many years ago)

[Hyperion]

This thread makes me reconsider my decision to not get an 08 250R. I know its a good idea to start on, but I dont really like it and it still costs $3500. I'd rather spend that same amt or a little more and get something that I really like, but then again it is a learning experience and you cant always have ur cake and eat it too...

Keep the comments commin guys *edit* and gals 

[Stangman]

Those little Ninjas have always been great starter bikes.  Those new ones actually look pretty decent.

My first streetbike was a late 90s Ninja 500 and I learned a ton riding that bike.

[Fox]

I'm a noob who just bought a '05 620 dark. I was heavily considering the '08 250 and it was a bitter sweet experience to decide to get something different. I was unable to find any 1) in stock 2) for less than $4,800 out the door. It's a lot of money for a 250. My wife says that she may want to learn how to ride and if she does I'll take a trip down to the Kawasaki dealership and hope that they have increased production to meet the demand. Or maybe by that time I will be upgrading and give her the 620. Now that's a thought.

That being said, I LOVE my 620. I have always wanted a monster and now at the age of 32, it is mine. Sometimes I just sit on it in the garage with a smile on my face.

Thanks to the DMF for all the info thus far. It has been very helpful.

[Hyperion]

2) for less than $4,800 out the door. It's a lot of money for a 250.

Thats another issue that I am faced with, paying that much money for it when i'd rather spend that same amount on a 620 or something else.

...decisions decisions

[695LAM]

The 250 was my first bike and I would not have done it any other way.  I had and 04 silver.  Road the piss out of it for two or so years before I stepped up to the 695.  It was the best bike to learn on for me.  I took the course and two weeks later had the 250.  Wish it would have looked like the 08's that came out.  Now we just may get one of those just to mess with.

[Dragsterhund]

msincredible, how tall are you?