why do beginning riders ignore the 250cc bikes?

Question

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1145

if veteran riders speak this highly of the "ninjette", why do beginning riders pas it over, not even considering it for a first bike?

Please keep in mind that the guy who wrote the above article normally rides a 'busa.

(add "most" before beginning)

I know all beginners don't ignore them, but most here on Answers do.

the EX250- the bike the above article is about- is designed with the 250 LB 6'3" rider in mind, and most "big" people find them comfortable bikes.

if you are less than this Vanity comes into play, and you really need to take a look at priorities:

"what will my friends think?" OR
"will I still be alive to know what my friends think?"

and I agree with the UK rules, I definitely think we need something similar (not the same) here in the US.

all of the statistics that I have found show that riders who start on 500cc bikes or less are better riders than those who start on 600cc+ bikes, and have fewer accidents when they do get a larger bike in less than two years.

Answer 1

Is one love answering the right question?

Answer 2

seems to me, and i'm a stateside rider btw, those who ride rockets get them for 1 or 2 things only: the ability to do triple digit speeds in under 3 seconds, and to launch into a wheelie at a red light in heavy traffic. i dont think a 250 has quite enough balls to stand up as quick as a 600cc+, and probably, that is the main reason......u cant be a squidly showoff on a 250.
they also cant handle the fact that since its a 250, they'll be labeled as 'riding a girl's bike'. case in point: hd's sportster's. practically every1 calls em either a barhopper, or a girl's bike; whether its a 883 or a 1200, but the 883's seem to get slagged on the worst. never mind that engine and weight wise, it's a hell of alot bigger than the 'lowly' ninja. the type of engine is the ninja's advantage for starters, and its low weight seals it.....it'll eat a sportster for lunch.

i'm not much for rockets, but if i were to start riding 1, it would be the 500 ninja. when i sat on both at the 'stealer', i noted that the 250's bars were a tad on the low side, and the 500's bars were basically just right. too many squids jump on these liter bikes cuz their professional rider rides 1, and finds out the hard way they cant handle it.

i would be all for banning all 750cc and up sportbikes on the street. top 3 reasons: 1: riders act like the road is their 'personal race track', 2: splitting lanes at triple number mph 'just because', and the main reason: squids stunting in the street; be it wheelies or stoppies, and the 750cc and up machines have enough (or more than enough) power to pull them off......a 250cc machine just doesnt have the balls to do it. everytime i hear of a bad motorcycle wreck, i automatically assume it was another squid that went down. and so far this season, i've been right 4 out of 5 times. stateside rules of engagement is way too easy to get a license and to ride any bike. it needs a serious overhaul instead of manditory helmet laws. make the squids learn how to ride....or ban them from the streets.

Answer 3

Hey Godz68

In the UK it's because you're restricted by law to a 125 ofter you've taken your compulsory basic training, then to 33 bhp for two years after (which does encompass some slightly bigger bikes)

This may be why you are more likely to see a chicken with teeth than a 250 on the road! It appears most manufacturers (here at least) aren't interested in promoting or selling them.

Most people (well over 21's) are more inclined to do their direct access licence (testing on a 500cc) then go and get a 600 - though plenty people buy bigger for 1st bike - especialy born agains.

Answer 4

In most countries there are restriction son the bikes learners can ride. In the UK, its 125cc (and a 12 horsepower limit). In many other countries its 250cc.

In Australia they now have a very sensible system of "learner-approved motorcycles" - which is based on power and weight.

As far as I know the USA is the only country where learners can ride any bike they like.

These restrictions are based on accident rates - new riders on larger bikes have more, and more serious, accidents.

When 250cc machines can do, or even exceed 100mph, surely they're sufficient until you have a few 1000 miles under your belt ?

Answer 5

Im not gonna knock the 250. 250's are good bikes for beginners or for someone trying to hone there track skills that wants to become smoother, without having too much power. It eliminates the need to shift too much and use the extra power of higher cc bikes and run too hot into the turn and use the hp to fly out of the turns. (Good track times dont come from hp but come from the rider being smooth and consistant) It can help you to get faster by smothing and honing your entry and exit lines and being all together smoother on the bike and controlls.
I think its a great bike for beginners but there are others that i would reccomend instead of the 250. The SV-650 being the main one. The 250's are alittle ugly and old fashoned also. Maybe thats why beginners dont like them.

Answer 6

Not all of them do. The Ninja 250 is one of the top selling bikes from Kawasaki. Not only that, but it's design hasn't changed (except in minuscule ways) since 1986.

This would seem to be a good indicator that many riders are embracing this bike.

My youngest son who is 15 rides one BTW.

Answer 7

Because they who know the least know the rules don't apply to them. Back in the day we started on 150s, 175s, or 185s, and got good at it before moving up to the 350s, and 400s. We took our time and became good riders and then we got bigger bikes. Now everyone wants to look like a rider instead of becomming a good rider.

Answer 8

You can rack that up to Macho Ego.
If you take the motorcycle safety course, they start you out on smaller bikes. And once someone is on a small bike and you get passed by a huge Harley, the brain goes into total melt-down.
And you gotta have something bigger & better than the one that just roared pass your little bike.
My first Harley was a 1970, that my best friend built for me. I designed my gas tank and he built the "scoot" out of old parts he had lying around. It was a monster and weighed almost 900 lbs. I rode it off & on for almost 35 years. Hurricane Katrina killed it.

Answer 9

My first motorcycle was a Suzuki TS250. My wife learned to ride on a Honda 250cc Rebel before moving up to an 800cc Suzuki Volusia.

I think a 250cc motorcycle is the perfect machine for a beginner, and I strongly recommend them to people who want to learn motorcycle riding.

Answer 10

Im a girl and I wouldnt want to ride a 250 cc's either. My first bike was 800 cc's

Answer 11

i would not suggest a 250cc unless your a small (in size ).
250cc are good bike some are made very well. but in the end they are just 250cc (no power) and you out grow them.
a lager bike like a 600cc or bigger gives the rider room to grow. plus if your a big person the weight can make the bike harder to control. plus some people start riding because of the image of a biker and what bad a** biker rides a 250cc.
then after awhile they ride because they love it . and buy a bike for them and not a image