Have questions GZ250 or Rebel 250?

[dhgeyer]

Well, alazar14, it certainly sounds like you're doing your research before buying. I have to admire that. I've always been more of an impulse guy myself. That's probably part of why I've been through so many bikes in such a short time. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Around here there are a couple of dealers that trade only (or mostly) in used motorcycles. They have large inventories. If you have any such establishments near where you are, you might consider finding them. They tend to allow test rides, as long as you have your motorcycle endorsement. You might luck out and be able to take each of the three bikes that you are now considering out for a short spin.

One suggestion I want to make based on something you said. Please don't start your riding career with a 25 lb pack on your back! This does not help your stability and balance in maneuvers one bit. Get some bungee cords and secure that 25 lb to the seat - and I do mean secure, as in absolutely secure. You can put small saddlebags on any of these bikes, and they will carry stuff safely and securely. What you can't get in the saddlebags, put in your pack, secure the straps completely, and bungee the pack to the bike. Your ride will much more pleasant and safer.

Surprising how few responses you got on the Rebel forum, and how much less real information, especially considering how popular that bike is. Makes me kind of proud to be a part of this forum! We seem to have a lot more collective experience here. A lot of that has to do with the fact that people who once owned GZ250s but traded up, still post here. Another thing you might want to notice is that many people who start on the GZ keep them, even after buying bigger bikes. I'll bet there's a reason for that. And then there's me. I bought my GZ while already owning two much larger bikes, including a full out 1000cc sport touring machine. When I want to go out and tool around the hills for an hour or three, guess which bike I go for?

[Water Warrior 2]

A big + 1 on the backpack suggestion/warning. If it weighs more than a quart of milk it is too heavy.

[alazar14]

Im even considering a Ninja 250r now. I mean it seems to actually be the overall BEST daily commute bike on the market. I wouldn't be surprised due to the fact its the most popular bike in the world today.

Big problem with the Ninja 250s is that they get stolen A LOT. And truth be told San diego county is not very different than New York DC in terms of theft. There are a lot of people who have lost their motorcycles this year. 1 person at my university lost their Ninja 250r. I mean there are about 300 students+ with Ninja 250s but only 1 (That I know of) has gotten it stolen. Another huge problem with the NEW Ninja250 (08+) models is the new cool look makes it so they never drop in price. You end up paying like $4000 for a Ninja 250 used with like 8,000 miles on it or something.

[bonehead]

Lo-Jack!!!

[Water Warrior 2]

Theft problems, just buy a Vstrom and leave it dirty. Problem solved.

[mrlmd1]

Go buy the Ninja. go buy a GZ250, get insurance and a big heavy cable lock, chain it to a tree or pole if you want and don't worry about it. If someone wants to steal it they have to pick it up, all 300#, and put it into a truck. By the time you decide on a bike, school and the riding season will be over. :poke2:

[dhgeyer]

I'm not sure about this, but I think the centerstand was standard on the older Ninja 250 but not on the new one. Of the bikes you are considering, the Ninja is the only one that even can have a centerstand. It makes cleaning/lubing the chain (you have to do that much maintenance yourself) much, much easier, as it gets the rear wheel off the ground so you can spin it in neutral and clean/lube away. Otherwise you can either:

A. clean/lube a few inches, then push the bike forward or backward to get to the next few inches

B. jack the bike up, using some kind of scissors jack from a car, with some kind of wood or equivalent buffer between the jack and the bike

C. Buy a bike jack specifically for that purpose.

I jack my GZ250 up with a car jack and wood pad to do the chain. It's a minor pain every few hundred miles.

The 250R that we had was an 01, and had the centerstand. I think the older model's seat was a little better designed for humans also. But, you're right, it doesn't look nearly as cool. Anyway, try to get one with a centerstand if you can. It really does make life easier.

As far as theft is concerned, get insurance. That brings up another point: sport bikes tend to be more expensive to insure. You might want to get quotes on all the bikes you are considering, and factor that into your decision, since you are researching this as carefully as you are. Around here insurance on any 250 is pretty low, but we're in a rural area. It might be quite different where you are.

I just did a little survey of the 250's for sale on Craigslist in my area (NH). The prices are low right now, as the riding season is about at an end. But, relatively speaking, and as a generalization, the Rebels, Ninjas, and GZ250s are all at about the same price points when age, condition, and miles are taken into account. The biggest difference is that GZ250s are much rarer, and Ninjas tend to have more miles for any given model year, as people actually ride them more.

The Ninja is a more functional bike than the others, both in terms of speed and comfort. Oil changes are about the same trouble on any of them (assuming you don't bother with the screen on the Rebel), but valve lash check/adjustments will be more time consuming, and thus probably more expensive to have done on the Ninja. Another thing to look into.

[burkbuilds]

None of my bikes have had a center stand and that would be great for maintenance but I found this little gadget at Harbor Freight tools and it works pretty well for chain lube and tire cleaning stuff. It's called a wheel cleaning stand made by Haul-Master, item # 98800 about $25 Basically it is an aluminum ramp up to a frame with two rollers mounted about 4" apart, that you simply put behind your tire, roll the bike onto it put it in neutral and you can spin the tire with your hands while you clean or lube it. Weighs a couple of pounds and is only about 1 1/4" thick and seems to hold up pretty well. It's not as good as a center stand, but it works pretty well and you can even use it on the front tire when you are cleaning it.

[alazar14]

bare bones basic insurance is $240 from progressive for the GZ250 and $280 for the Ninja 250r so the insurance is not a problem. Finding a good looking 08 model for $2600 or so with less than 15,000 miles is going to be the problem lol.

[dhgeyer]

Originally Posted by alazar14

Finding a good looking 08 model for $2600 or so with less than 15,000 miles is going to be the problem lol.

That could be a challenge. Around here there is one '08 for sale with 840 miles on it. It has been dropped and has some damage, and is priced at $2900.00. If they're asking that kind of money in October in NH, it will go for more in the Spring when people are actually buying 250s. Personally, I'd go for an older one that's been garaged and treated well and has a centerstand. We bought our '01 in 2006, and had no trouble with it save gunked up carbs from sitting too long. But that was our fault - we let it sit over the Winter with no Stabil in the tank. And a couple of tankfuls of Chevron Techron made it right as rain.

If you go for an older one, you can get a very acceptable starter Ninja for well under $2000.00 around here. Prices are probably a bit higher where you are.