Modern Buddy

as some of you may know, i've been wanting a motorcycle for a month or so now, i just felt that my buddy was just too slow at times =X and not only that, i wanted to be able to ride on the highway...

AND FINALLY! i've made my decision in getting a 2008 kawasaki ninja 250, my bf finally gave in after me begging him and telling him i'll be careful and won't race and so now i just need to get my hands on one, their pretty popular and pretty much sold out at the dealers i've been too



im SOOOO excited, SOOO excited, YIPPEEEEE!
im still keeping my buddy, just because she was my first baby, and hopefully she won't be jealous

i cant find ANY 2008's

I am on a couple lists for 2009's tho.

If I get this new job I might just get a full size (read 600cc) bike.

0o0oh the need for speed, ey?!?

the bf wants either an R6 or honda CBR but they're quite pricey for a college student LOL

Bought my '09 Ninjna 250 yesterday - picking it up on Saturday.

Candy plasma blue!!!!!!!! VROOM VROOM....................

Search the web for the new Honda DN-01. It's not for sale here in the states yet, but I really like this bike. It has an automatic transmission too.

Just went to the web and checked out that Honda DN-01.

That is SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would get one of those in a heartbeat if I could.

MikieTaps wrote:
If I get this new job I might just get a full size (read 600cc) bike.

MikeTaps, how could you possibly spare the time to work along with maintaining your presence and status here on MB?

Don't forget you have US to think about.

hahahah i am currently employed i just take lots of "breaks" at work to check up on you guys make sure everyone is doing ok

The DN-01 is an appropriately drool worthy bike.

I actually looked long and hard at a Ninja 250. In the end, I think the things that made me go with a scooter were the automatic transmission (most of my driving is stop and go in town) and less available storage for grocery runs. Yes, you can buy tank bags, tail bags, and saddle bags for Ninjas too, but unless you want to leave them on all the time, it makes it that much harder to do a grocery run.

If I ever moved out to the suburbs - where it wouldn't be a 45 min drive just to get out of stoplights and 14 lane freeways I'd probably get one too.

That Honda DN-1 is nice. I've never liked sport bikes because of their uncomfortable riding position. And the cruiser look is rapidly becoming very passe even though the riding position is really nice. So it makes sense that Honda is introducing a new "sport cruiser" category into the biking world. It think the new category will be a big hit. As usual, Honda had their thinking caps on. Now if only they'd put them on for some new US scooters. I wonder if the DN-1 is why Honda isn't giving the US any scooter love. With it's automatic transmission, perhaps they think US riders will prefer an automatic MC over a scooter since the MC image is so burned into the psyche of Americans.

k1dude wrote:With it's automatic transmission, perhaps they think US riders will prefer an automatic MC over a scooter since the MC image is so burned into the psyche of Americans.

That's why I think we need to get the likes of Arnold, Sylvester, and Bruce on scooters.

BeetleGoose wrote:That's why I think we need to get the likes of Arnold, Sylvester, and Bruce on scooters.

We need a bad-ass scooter hero! The movie could be called Scooter Infidel! I always said it would be really funny when Arnold came out of the biker bar in Terminator, that the only bike in the parking lot should've been a scooter. That would've been hilarious.

r0sa wrote:as some of you may know, i've been wanting a motorcycle for a month or so now, i just felt that my buddy was just too slow at times =X and not only that, i wanted to be able to ride on the highway...

AND FINALLY! i've made my decision in getting a 2008 kawasaki ninja 250, my bf finally gave in after me begging him and telling him i'll be careful and won't race and so now i just need to get my hands on one, their pretty popular and pretty much sold out at the dealers i've been too



im SOOOO excited, SOOO excited, YIPPEEEEE!
im still keeping my buddy, just because she was my first baby, and hopefully she won't be jealous

i'm going to go look at and probably take home a nice 06 ex 250 tomorrow

The guy Shaun that rode 1,300 miles with me this summer and then 1,300 miles back home by himsefl--sold his Tropez almost immediately.

He is going to buy the same 250cc Ninja.

that guy shaun's thoughts on scooting:
http://www.peacescooter.com/shaun/on-th ... e-scooter/

coffeebrown wrote:Bought my '09 Ninjna 250 yesterday - picking it up on Saturday.

Candy plasma blue!!!!!!!! VROOM VROOM....................

WHOOO! congrats!!! if you dont mind me asking, how much did you get it for?

You guys are sissy's, i'm getting this

HMBscoot wrote:i'm going to go look at and probably take home a nice 06 ex 250 tomorrow

NIIIICE! post pics please!

that Honda DN-01 is pretty sick, i would have to sit on it and see if my feet will touch the ground, im pretty short or not that tall, being 5 foot 4 and all lol

Portland_Rider wrote:ScooterTrash,

That Aprilia is for sissy's. I'm getting one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Two_ ... duced).jpg

My engine is bigger than your engine!

PR

I hate to tell you this but thats not a bike

True, but those things get TERRIBLE gas mileage

Thats why I keep the buddy

coffeebrown wrote:Bought my '09 Ninjna 250 yesterday - picking it up on Saturday.

Candy plasma blue!!!!!!!! VROOM VROOM....................

Do you remember when you were too shy to take your scooter from West Philly to Center City? My, how time flies!

Are you keeping your Black Cat?

This is on my VERY short list:
http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle ... Id=VT750C8

Still trying to decide what color scheme I like best...two-tone Red/White, or solid Black.

750cc.... and BEEE-YOU-TEE-FULLLL!

I promised my wife I'd wait and buy it for Christmas...but I'm going to sit on some this weekend if I don't have to put up shutters and prepare to get pummeled by IKE.

My biggest concern is my lower back, which has a degrading disk (just about my tailbone) from spending 30+ years on a surfboard. When I sit up straight, no pains at all...hunched over, not good. So I need to make sure my hips and back are straight while riding...foot peg position will be key...so I'm going to go and sit on one for about 30 minutes (if they'll let me).

Following weekend, I will be renting a Harley for a day and see how that feels, too. I really don't want to spend more than $7k though...so I'm not that anxious for the Harley, but my buddies insist I ride one before I spend any money.

If I can't get comfy on an MC cruiser, I will buy the Suzuki Bergman 400 or 650. (I just saw one and they are bad-ass, too!).

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Didn't realize so many people have Buddy and Ninja 250. Here's mine go Green!

rosa: I got my ninja for $4789 OTD ($3999 list)

polianarchy: hahahahaha.........ah yes, I remember those first scary days. I am definitely keeping my Black Cat!!!! The SO can learn to ride now.

The MSF course definitely fueled the desire for a mc. I've wanted one since I was a teenager but once I started scootering and then took the MSF, I was pulled back in to really wanting one so.....

sparty: LOVE the green - it was my first color choice but after realizing that getting a ninja in ANY color was nearly impossible, I decided to take whichever color became available first. I like my Candy Plasma Blue though!!

My biggest concern is my lower back, which has a degrading disk (just about my tailbone) from spending 30+ years on a surfboard. When I sit up straight, no pains at all...hunched over, not good.

Mark, you know your body best but most riders I know with back issues say the cruiser position (back straight, arms and legs out) hurts them the most. Of course, all back problems are different. I would urge you to spend time seated on each bike you're considering, with hands on the grips and feet on the pegs. Give it some time.

I have very minor back issues and they are aggravated by an upright riding position because my spine winds up taking a vertical pounding as the miles add up. I don't like the crouching sport bike position because it's difficult to see in the city, so I look for sport/standards. These bikes have a relatively upright seating position with relaxed legs. But, your arms are outstretched and your back is arched forward a bit. This also helps aerodynamically at speed. If you're fully upright, you turn into a sail at speeds above 65 or 70.

There are other reasons I don't like cruisers, but that's why there are so many different bikes out there. Hell, I personally think cruisers are an abomination, but whatever gets your juices flowing is what you should go with.

Before you plunk down the cash though, you really owe it to yourself to take a look at the new BMW F-650GS. The 2009 models have the new 2 cylinder 800cc engine. It has the perfect riding position for you and every sort of option (storage, heated grips, ABS, etc) known to man. Fully equipped, it will be out of your price range but it's worth the comparison. Good luck!

coffeebrown wrote:rosa: I got my ninja for $4789 OTD ($3999 list)

sparty: LOVE the green - it was my first color choice but after realizing that getting a ninja in ANY color was nearly impossible, I decided to take whichever color became available first. I like my Candy Plasma Blue though!!

yikes, I never quite understand why 2009 is $500 more than 2008... I bought mine in May for $4300 OTD with 3-yr extended warranty.

Sadly, the day I got it I dropped it . Then few weeks later, I dropped it again, but this time on the other side. now the damage is even.

I actually didn't want a lime green one because it's so flashy, but they are so hard to come by so I'm happy that I got it (I only waited one month!!!).

Thanks GT 1000...it's a toughie, but the best part is that I have a great Buddy, and nothing is "forcing" me to do anything...so I will take my time, and sit on lots of bikes fot a while.

Congrats. Susan added an '04 Ninjette to the garage but continues to commute on the Buddy. The best of both worlds, IMHO.


-K

kawi rose the msrp on the 2009 to 3999. The 2008 were 3499, not sure why.

I bought a Ninja 250 this summer for the same reasons, Buddy can't go on the freeway or on trips or up the canyons around here. I love it, it is black with sparkly purple lightning bolts and it is a great ride. I've found that I prefer the Buddy for grocery trips and whatnot because there is space to store things, where on the bike... nothing.

BUT... Buddy is in the shop waiting (ENDLESSLY WAITING) for a stator, so I put a roll bag on the bike to fill Buddy's role.

my hubby has a ninja and really likes it. Hope you do too!

fyi, I'm going to be in San Antonio this weekend for work...no scooting for me as i'll be at six flags working 12 hour days.

working at six flags doing what!?
just curious

Rosa and CoffeeBrown... Where are the pics of your new rides?!?!?!?!

mikietaps, im in the process of getting one! still contemplating whether i should get brand new or used. or an 08 or an 09

????????? so many decisions!! AHHH

well hurry up allready!

Here's the dealer letter from Kawasaki.


http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forum ... 780&page=5

scroll down about halfway, you'll find the pasted pdf.


Notice - The List on the 250 ninja remains similar, but the MSRP is up. That's a nice little spiff for the dealer, the Ninjette was always a loss-leader around the showroom, tough to get the full MSRP out of them even in the best of times. This makes the bike worth stocking in quantity. Otherwise dealers are gonna work real hard to get you on a 500 or 600.

If your dealer doesn't have an '08 currently in their showroom, they aren't going to. Read the letter. The best they can do now is hold out for the '09s. Our mega-cycle-store just got their "bonus" '09. It's definitely NOT fuel injected. He's got about 25 back-orders for lil' Ninjas and we comiserate about the Buddy Boom of '08 and Ninja-Palooza '08.

We tried to go for a test ride on one the other day and the nearest unit we could find available for testing was over 180 miles away.

If you've never owned a Ninjette before, grab an older one and live with the high revs and 5 speed transmission and don't pay more than $1500. Wait a few years and then get a fuel injected model at Retail or less for one that's a year old. This bike is NOT everyones cup o' tea, and it has a great reputation as a gateway drug...so most owners will buy a bigger, faster bike within a year. I've sold a bunch of these lil' ninjas and they're an absolute blast, even the '86 model with the more "euro" styling was an excellent bike for the city and the occasional 10,000 rpm blast on the highway. Don't fear the revs, Just change the oil frequently and wear earplugs.

If freeway riding is what you guys are after, then the baby ninja may not cut it. Sure it will still do the job but have your engine rev at 8000 rpm+ with high pitching noise isn't that comforting at 70+ mph.

I had both a 07 buddy 125 (now my wife's) and a 05 ninja 250 but quickly learn that the ninja is a little under powered on the highway. I now rides a 06 ninja 650r, which you all check out. Nice power/look + comfy upright sitting position. This isn't my bike but mine is very similar.

I have to say that ninja 250 is still a great bike to start with. Still very different from riding a scooter!!!!! Wouldn't be very confident on the 650r without the ex250 first.

I dunno. At first I wouldn't take the Ninjette over an indicated 65. Then I would run it at 70. Now I commute (Susan takes her Buddy and the Ninjette gets over 60 MPG) effortlessly on it at (indicated) 70+.
Two weeks ago, I rode it to the Boring Rally in Duluth. Took a mixture of two lane, gravel roads and Interstate. On the slab, it actually smoothed out at around 80 MPH. Just don't look at the tach and you'll be fine. Red line is 13 grand anyway, so pulling 9000+ RPM's is no big deal. Remember to check the oil frequently when running for extended speeds.--that motor only holds about two liters.



This is the bestest Ninjette forum that I've found so far: http://forums.ninja250.org/
-K

The FAQ section on ninja250.org is really good, and the forum has pretty good traffic, but I just can't stand their default forum format... it's amazing hardly to read (for me).

The 250 site I regularly visit is http://www.kawiforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32 Tons of mod information there. There's even a bike with under the tail exhaust! Crazy folks... I am keeping mine stock (with wheel tapes).

pocphil: thanks for the lil advice post up there

i feel that since im a girl, i dont think im going to get tired of the ninja 250, i dont think im the type of person that has a need for speed, well, just a lil, i wanted to get my hands on a new 08 ninja, but the dealers i've been to, are all out. i don't know if it's wise to splurge an extra $500 or so on an '09 one. does anybody know the difference between an 08 and 09?

i work for ford as a product specialist and we're doing a demonstration of the new Sync system...the tour I'm on is almost over actually. we've only got like 8 more weeks (started in the spring).