Honda CBR250R or Kawasaki Ninja 250?

[JimW]

Been thinking about buying one or the other. I'm a Honda person but some of the reviews claim the Ninja 250 is the better bike. What do you all think? I'll buy new since most of the used ones, I've seen have been beat on pretty bad

[Weldangrind]

I sat on the Honda version at the recent Vancouver bike show, and it's a nice little machine. I'd lean that way, although the proof will be in the test ride.

[JimW]

I'm thinking the same way, W&G. The fuel injection on the Honda is definitly a great temptation.

[FastDoc]

Fuel injection is a REALLY BIG DEAL.

After riding Roger's FI KX450 I won't get another carbureted single cylinder performance machine.

The Ninja is faster and more powerful, but only on top where it does not help much in day to day riding. The CBR has more midrange. I owned a 2009 Ninja and loved it, rode it about 5,000 miles in the summer I had it. Actually my girlfriend put half those miles on it. It was great but a pig below about 8,000 RPM.

The main advantage the Ninja has is a big used market to choose from. I've never seen a used CBR show up on the local CL.

Plus the Honda is a Honda...

[JimW]

Absolutely, Doc! I have nothing against the other manufacturers but a Honda is a Honda. FI is tops but more expensive to work on if a person has problems. I know the cbr will will run a circle around the Kawi in the lower range. And true, the used market on the cbr is non existant right now and most of the used ninjas I've found have had the crap beat out of em. I'm reluctant to give good money for something that's been ridden hard and put up wet.

[katoranger]

Sounds like you decided on the honda.

[JimW]

Haven't fully made my decision yet, Kato but leaning toward the Honda.

[FastDoc]

Plenty of nice Ninjas out there too.

http://kpr.craigslist.org/mcy/2823294133.html

I like the Honda, but l.ike I say I've never ridden one. I am familiar with their CRF250 motors which are very powerful, but that is a different engine.

[JimW]

Odd how things happen. An 07 Ninja just showed up on c-list about 120mi miles from me. Has 3000mi and he said hed take 1750.00 for it but, I can't get there before the weekend so, I guess I'll wait and see if he still has it saturday. By the pics on c-list it's in near new condition. Does the price sound fair?

[JimW]

Guess, I shoulda looked at your message first Doc. I can see 1750.00 is darn good

[FastDoc]

The 08's are where Ninja made a lot of updates so an 08 is worth quite a bit more than the 07.

[JimW]

What updates were made?

[FastDoc]

A lot. Different/better/more modern wheel sizes, stronger transmission, quieter engine and drivetrain and exhaust, heavier duty suspension, revalved forks, different/more modern body and instruments, better brakes, more powerful motor, better/more comfortable seating, less weight, etc. Many many small improvements, but the better brakes tires wheels and suspension all add up to big improvements. This list is just OTTOMH.

I rode both generations, you can really appreciate the difference.

Nothing wrong with the older ones, but the new ones are better.

[JimW]

I looked it up, Doc. Changes to the head, 17" wheels, and body work.

[SpudRider]

You're wise to check out the used, 07 Ninja 250, Jim. However, if I were going to buy a new bike, I would buy the Honda CBR250R. Here's a link to a thread I posted a while back comparing both bikes.

http://www.chinariders.com/modules.p...wtopic&t=11563

I really enjoyed reading the following review at Cycle World.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2011/03/04...mparison-test/

I like the fuel injection, torque, high technology, and simple maintenance of the Honda. I would love to own one myself.

Spud