My GZ's brother from another mother.

[patrick_777]

Picked up something to keep my GZ company on those cold winter nights in my garage.

http://www.postimage.org/Pq2a8ec0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq2a8ec0)

http://www.postimage.org/gx2S9zvr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx2S9zvr)

http://www.postimage.org/gx2S9GZS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx2S9GZS)

So far, I've only put about 10 miles on it, but it's looking like a keeper to me.

'08 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

[music man]

ohhh man you got one of those. A buddy of mine got a blue one about two or three months ago, and he let me ride it and man it is nice.

[patrick_777]

I was actually lucky to pick this one up. The guy was selling it below what he owed on it, and the 08s are RARE around here.

[Sarris]

Very nice looking bike. The '08 is really a vast improvement over the older models. But, I got to tell you that old fat guys like me have one hell of a time riding them. I tried one out at the local Kawi dealer and there was no way I could get my feet on those rear mounted pegs. I also couldn't find the glove box for my gonads, as leaning over on them like that, put me in some real serious compression and left me with a high pitched voice all afternoon.

I'll stick to cruiser style bikes, thank you.

LOL
:) :lol:

[alanmcorcoran]

I kind of get the idea of a more powerful bike (than a GZ) for freeway cruising, but what's the appeal of having a sport 250 as well as a standard 250? Is the Sport version a lot quicker/faster? Does it have a 6th gear for highway?

If I keep at it (riding) I anticipate I will probably get a second bike was well, but I'm thinking more of a midsize (750) tourer. But I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I buy bike #2.

[Sarris]

Alan, it has a six speed tranmission and about twice the horsepower as the GZ with a 13,000 rpm redline. Kids tell me they are a blast. And it's about 3 times faster than the Geezer.

:2tup:

[primal]

I'm personally gonna try to find a Ninja 250 next summer. Hopefully I'll be able to afford my GZ250, but we'll have to see...

[patrick_777]

Alan, it has a six speed tranmission and about twice the horsepower as the GZ with a 13,000 rpm redline. Kids tell me they are a blast.

:2tup:

It's very freeway capable with a top end of around 120mph and just a tad lower mpg than the GZ. This one has an aftermarket exhaust and a jetted carb, so it'll probably only look at mid-50s for mileage.

After just a few minutes riding it, I can tell it's a lot "torque'ier" on the low end than the GZ, but doesn't have as much in mid-range powerband than my GZ. Overall, if I'm going to be riding to the store and back to pick stuff up, I'll take the GZ. It (the GZ) is easier to carry stuff on (bags/net etc) and has (believe it or not) about 6x the space under the seat than the Ninja.

Also...here's an added bonus. I didn't originally like this on it, but after being around it more and more, it's starting to grow on me.

http://www.postimage.org/aV2xnhM9.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV2xnhM9)

http://www.postimage.org/gx2Se2mA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx2Se2mA)

[Easy Rider]

If I keep at it (riding) I anticipate I will probably get a second bike was well, but I'm thinking more of a midsize (750) tourer. But I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I buy bike #2.

Being an (ahem) mature individual AND now being able to ride into the dealership (legally) on a bike puts you in a MUCH better position to actually get test rides than a kid or red-neck just walking in off the street.....in my experience anyway.

AND the test ride is the ONLY way to really get a bike that you like.
You can read every word ever written about the bikes you have an interest in and it just ain't the same as riding them.

[patrick_777]

being able to ride into the dealership (legally) on a bike

+1

This is an absolute fact.

[LilNinja77]

Nice second bike :tup:.

The '08 is really a vast improvement over the older models
Really, that depends on what you want to USE the bike for. The older model is far more utilitarian than the new model, but the new model looks more "hip" and "up to date" so it's selling like hotcakes. For example, Patrick made reference to the GZ actually being easier to carry stuff on than with the 08 Ninja......that wouldn't be the case with the older model. The debate over which is better has been beat to death, revived a couple times, and had its' zombie corpse beat to death again over on the ninja250 forum. Honestly neither is "better", they really are just different bikes and different people are attracted to each and will likely use them for different reasons. Personally, I don't much care for the redesigned model. Nothing wrong with them, just not my cup O tea. Regardless, finding one at a decent price these days is a nice accomplishment given how scarce they are. Patrick, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay?

On another note, and not trying to jack the thread, but I'm actually selling my 07 Ninja 250 right now. The potential buyer has asked for a hold of a couple weeks in order to get his next paycheck so he can actually pay me in cash. Will see how it goes and will let ya'll know.
Ride safe

[patrick_777]

Patrick, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay?

PM'd you.

The potential buyer has asked for a hold of a couple weeks in order to get his next paycheck so he can actually pay me in cash. Will see how it goes and will let ya'll know.

Just a bit of unsolicited advice here and also not to derail the thread, but I wouldn't do this unless he pays you a hefty deposit to hold it, and also sign a contract (notarized of course) saying that half of it is non-refundable if he doesn't seal the deal later. If not, you're actually losing money holding up a sale with a money-in-hand buyer.

[LilNinja77]

PM'd you back as well.

On the potential sale, yes I know, I've thought about it and after talking to this guy pretty extensively; I'm going to go out on a limb and trust him. Who knows, it could come back to bite me in the ass, I suppose only time will tell that. All of the other interested parties so far have either neglected to return my communications, or have just been eliminated due to other reasons, so at the moment at least it's of no inconvenience to myself. He already knows that if someone comes up in the meantime, that he will need to put a deposit down.

Anyway, off that topic, nice find and nice buy with your new bike!
Ride safe

[jonathan180iq]

nice pick up Patrick. If nothing else, the new Ninjas get a boat load of aftermarket support, just cause it looks cooler.
I'd say you're only a few hundred miles away from selling your GZ.

There. I said it first.

I assume you're already hanging out over on the Ninja250 forums.
I'll keep an eye out for you.

[patrick_777]

I'd say you're only a few hundred miles away from selling your GZ.
There. I said it first.

We'll see. I'm still not going anywhere from here.

I assume you're already hanging out over on the Ninja250 forums.
I'll keep an eye out for you.

I really haven't simply because the forum interface really sucks. I'm not a fan.

[LilNinja77]

I really haven't simply because the forum interface really sucks. I'm not a fan.

Haha, everyone says that at first........honestly, it's the best forum format I've ever used. People are always asking if they will change it to phpBB.......but it already is phpBB. It's just been hacked to be the way it is. Big piece of advice for navigating over there:
In your personal settings, change the thread-view option, and use the "topics by date" button as it makes things easier to keep track of. Oh, and the next-gen forum over there is where the vast majority of the stupidity is this summer, just a flood of babies asking the same damn questions over and over and over and over, as a result it's where more of the "ugliness" seems to be focused.

And by all means, save yourself the grief and check the FAQ and use the search button(s) before asking anything.....let's just say it's gently encouraged :tongue:
Ride safe

[patrick_777]

I will probably just stick around here exclusively.

[music man]

And also you were saying how rare the 08 ninjas are around there. They are rare everywhere right now, unless you want to pay through the nose. When they first came out they had a waiting list a mile long, my buddy that got one, a friend of his saw it went immediately to the Kawasaki dealership where they told him to get in line. His buddy bought the last one they had and they did not know when they could get more.

The combination of the new styling and the price of gas at the time of its release made for a perfect storm for the "new ninja".



Later

[LilNinja77]

I will probably just stick around here exclusively.

Honestly, you'll probably enjoy things more that way. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the ninja forum, but it's a completely different animal. Things are much more relaxed and friendly over here IMO.
Ride safe

[Graydog]

~By a route obscure and lonely,
haunted by ill angels only~

Ok Lilninja....where does that quote come from. Gotta know.

[Graydog]

~By a route obscure and lonely,
haunted by ill angels only~

Ok Lilninja....where does that quote come from. Gotta know.

Ok, as Rosana Rosanadana said....Never mind. I was thinking Wordsworth and it was Poe. Doh! Close doesn't count in poetry!

(sorry....off topic...enough said).

[Water Warrior 2]

Sharp looking bike. Kawie Green is also a good one.