When my wife became pregnant, she decided to stop riding on the back of the motorcycle. Our son is now 10 months old, so I have been riding solo for over a year. In that amount of time, I have figured out how tight my turning radius is, how far the bike will lean, how quickly it will accelerate and how quickly I can stop in a panic. Without my better half, I slowly started riding like a sqid.
The bike is a big heavy cruiser, so there is only so much I can do on it, but it has got me thinking about something a bit sportier with a lean angle of greater than 10 degrees. I like the idea of a Ninja 250 because my weight and it's horsepower should keep the shenanigans below 35mph.
Wait for the new Ninja 300. Same bike, but better looks and much more power.
In reply to Zomby Woof:
Sounds like OP is not looking for more power. I'd suggest a CBR250R, less power, wider powerband, better gearbox (my subjective opinion), and fuel injection.
The Ninja feels racier/sportier though.
Zomby Woof wrote:
Wait for the new Ninja 300. Same bike, but better looks and much more power.
ehh...he's looking for small, low power. Get the 250. if you want a little more? the 500
oldsaw
PowerDork
10/4/12 12:19 p.m.
In reply to Grtechguy:
The new Ninja has a revised chassis, new bodywork, a wider rear tire, 300cc AND (finally) fuel injection.
It sports a higher price tag, but it may be worth it.
I was thinking this:
LOL! I love the Honda, but the Ninja is available used and my budget would be tight for a second bike. REALLY tight if the wife finds out.
I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend something like a late 90s early 2000 YZF 600. Good power, great riding position compared the the SS 600s, and a very well rounded bike. Plus if you do decide to ride two up again the YZF will be up to the task.
I had a 98 and used it as my daily driver, drag racer, road trip bike, etc.
I put 50k miles on it and it never skipped a beat.....well until the trans started popping out of 2nd at redline after who knows how many drag strip passes.
Another plus is they can be had in great shape all day long for 3k or less.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/3289794830.html
Ive got a 06 ninja project bike, motor needs a new timing chain, I have all the parts and the engine out. New OEM kawa parts too. I don't have time for it. Any takers? cheeep cheep.
My neighbor just picked up an FZ6 (IIRC) for $2700. It looks new, and awesome. I think that a 600 might be the way to go!
I've always thought a 250 would be fun to play around with for a while. Although I feel like it would become boring after a while. I agree that a 600 would be the way to go. I've had my R6 for 4 and a half years now, and I am just now starting to feel like I'm not that into it anymore. That's probably more due to the fact that I don't have any friends who ride any more than the bike itself.
pres589
SuperDork
10/12/12 10:33 a.m.
If a Honda 599 could be found, that might be nice. I like the idea of open bodywork and big round headlights rule.
Cotton
Dork
10/12/12 10:41 a.m.
pres589 wrote:
If a Honda 599 could be found, that might be nice. I like the idea of open bodywork and big round headlights rule.
A lot depends on the conditions you ride in. My Speed triple is fun, but in rain and/or cold I'll pick the k1200s every time.....so much better protection. The K bike is also a much better ride on the interstate, which is a large percentage of my commute.
