Ninja 300 or 650?

[dbk23]

Hi All
I had posted a while back about a good first sports tourer and I wanted to thank everyone for their valuable input. I wanted to run another scenario by everyone as things have changed dramatically for me in the past few weeks. So as a reminder I am a brand new rider with no previous experience riding bikes. I am 50 years old, weigh 220 lbs and stand 5t10". I of course being a new rider having looked at the Ninja 250/300 and Honda CBR250. When I was at the Kawasaki dealer this weekend, he mentioned I should consider the 650r as well. The reason is that I will be using the bike to commute to work and that involves a good stretch of highway speeds at 100kph. The sales person said the 650r would be more stable on the highway and not get blown around like a 250/300 would. Also I want to do weekend over night trips with buddies from work. This would involve all highway speeds with mountain sections of riding. Again I am not sure of how the smaller 250/300 would handle the mountains?

Here is the kicker, I know reading alot of the questions on the forums about a great beginner bike that a lot of riders say to start on the smaller 250/300 and then trade up in a year or so to a bigger bike. For me unfortunately my wife had cancer and due to the disease we found out she will not be able to return to work ever. So our financial situation has been changed dramatically. Luckily being a Paramedic I make a decent wage to support us. However what ever bike I get will probably have to do me for 5 plus years, as I will not have the luxury financially of starting on a small bike and then trading up to something bigger after a year or so. What ever I get will have to last me quite  a while and do what I want of the bike which is commuting and sports touring. So thoughts, should I still go the 250/300 route or consider the 650r? Thanks again as usual for your fantastic advice.

[Sport-Touring]

[falconati]

I've been reading about these recently, and it sounds like the Ninja 300 should do plenty fine at 100 km/hr.  The 250 is wheezing at about 120 km/hr, but the 300 is doing just fine.  I think the 650 would be fine for a beginner...the only reason I would go with it though is if you could find a used one for less than a new 300 (and I believe you can).

[mugwump58]

Many bikes of the 250 genre retain value very well. Good point on the price of a used 650 vs a new 300. Bet a used EX 500 would be cheaper still.

[motociclista]

The plan of buying a 250 and then trading up to something like the Ninja 650 after a year is usually based on the idea that the 250 starter bike would be used, not new. In that scenario, you wouldn't take much if any of a hit on depreciation. But if you buy a new Ninja 300, you will.

I think the Ninja 650 is a fine choice for a first bike for someone who is your size and is responsible, and I'm guessing that if you are a paramedic you probably have the right attitude. So go for the Ninja 650 if you like it (I have the similar Versys and you can read about my take on the bike here: http://www.theridesofar.com/2012/05/two-years-on-a-kawasaki-versys/).

Don't be surprised, however, if the idea of buying your first bike that will last you forever doesn't pan out. Someone who has never ridden may think he knows what kind of riding he's going to enjoy, but reality is often different. That's normal. And it's another reason why buying used and cheap as a first bike and then trading up after a year to what you really want is a good plan. Done that way, it's no more expensive than buying a new bike now ... a new bike that you may be stuck with, in your situation, and may not turn out to be what you want after you have a year's experience and find out what kind of riding you want to do.

[nonposter]

I commuted on a 2005 250 for 6 years. It had no issue dragging my fat self at better than 80mph (128kph), and would go faster if needed. The only reason I stopped commuting on it was because I got a new bike (V-Strom 650).

You did get blown around a little bit, and it would not be something I would prefer to take on a 1000 mile ride, but it would certainly do it without issue. I did not feel any less safe on a 250 than any other bike I have ridden.

On top of that, you could get a used 250 for way less than anything else and most likely sell it for more than you paid after a year of riding. Worst case, you could ride the 250 for a couple months and then sell it.

The only drawback: I was planning on starting on a 250 and moving up later, and I still have my 250. It's too much fun to ride to sell.

- nonposter

[nater]

Since money is an issue, why don't you get a used bike in the 500cc range.  Look for something in the $2500 range.  You can sell that in a couple of years for $1500 - $2000 when you will have a better idea of what you really want.  I've never heard of the first bike being the last one.  Everyone that is bitten by the bug always finds a way to move up to better and more awsome.

[Skee]

No matter how well you think it through, many people discover the bike they really want is not the first one they thought they wanted.  That's why it's best to start with a lower cost used bike.  You could very well start with a Ninja, and after a while discover that you'd be happeir with a dual-sport or standard daily commuter or fully faired or naked bike.  You really need to ride for awhile to sort that out.

[Rammer]

dbk23,  I realize you're in Canada and prices are different up there, but I wanted to point out what they're like around here.  A brand new 2013 Ninja 300 sells locally for $4799.00 plus assorted fees etc. A 2011, new, left over, still on the show room floor, 650r sells for the same $4799.. For my money, I'd be looking for a use 650r. Yes the 250's and 300's seem to keep their resale value, but do you want to deal with selling and re-buying again once you realize the small one is not what you want/need? I wish you the best of luck!

Erik.

[Kootenanny]

Friend of mine started last year on a CBR250R.  I've been on some rides with the guy, and lemme tell ya, his 250R is not the slouch some might have you believe.  The only time he might have an issue is passing at speed...no, the bike doesn't have the acceleration of a bigger bike...but it moves right along, higher speeds are not a problem.  As a commuter, the 250R makes a lot of sense.

That said, I think a reasonable and competent beginner should be fine on a 650R--but I don't think you'll learn how to handle a bike as quickly as you might on the smaller one.

[Skee]

+1 Others may disagree, but  think in a tight corner - on neutral throttle - it takes more skill (but far less effort) to handle a smaller bike.  A heavier bike will stay planted, assuming you set up correctly.  A lighter bike is far more sensitive to tiny steering inputs, weight shifts, and easier to correct.  And a whole lot more forgiving of throttle errors.  Of course, the less powerful bike is nowhere near as much fun on the corner exits.   And forget about passing in a short stretch on a hill.  There's pros and cons on both sides.

[mugwump58]

An interesting 300 test ride. lj is cool.

http://youtu.be/mNHfGfW3deg

[camaroz1985]

I'm looking at the 300 again.

I started on a 250 (2 years), then a 650 (Versys, 2 years), now a Ural (1 year), and looking at getting either a 250 or 300 again.  They are just a lot of fun.  You can easily do some light touring on them, and have no problem with highway speeds (and above), but I always find myself searching back roads no matter what motorcycle I am on, and that is where the 250 (and I will assume the 300) really shine.

[wibornz]

Buy the 650r.  A used one can be had on the cheap.  I bought one for my son that was two years old with about 8,000 miles on it for 2100 dollars.  The 650 will be a lot better bike in the long run and you can grow into it.  There is a reason why people buy the little bikes and then sell them in a year.... yawn.... It does not take long for the thrill to wear off.  I find a fast scooter more fun to ride than the 250/300 bikes.  It would be one thing if you were a young kid and this was your first bike, but I would think with your age and job, you would not be effected by the poor decision making skills that a young rider would have to over come.  I say buy once and buy right.

[bluepoof]

 They are just a lot of fun.  You can easily do some light touring on them, and have no problem with highway speeds (and above), but I always find myself searching back roads no matter what motorcycle I am on, and that is where the 250 (and I will assume the 300) really shine.

Exactly this!  

[camaroz1985]

Another thing to consider is insurance.  I know for me (27, married, no accidents ever or violations within the last 5 years) the insurance for the 650 is 3x what it is for a 250 or 300.

[HipGnosis]

Have you considered a Honda CBR500?
Depending how 'far back' you want to go to/for back roads, you could get the R, F or X.