Noob here with a couple of questions

[devmasa]

Hi all,Hows everyone doing?
I have been lurking on these awesome forums for some time now..trying to soak up as much information as possible.And I must admit that the forum members look like a very fun loving and helpful bunch.I live in Burbank .I am an absolute noob with motorcycles.
After going through a number of posts and reviews I have decided to go for a used Kawasaki ninja 250 as my beginner bike.I have a cpl of questions about buying a used motorcycle:
1)How do u check the used motorcycle's history.I mean is there a carfax equivalent for 2-wheelers?(I will probably buy a used ninja 250 off craigslist)
2)Where can I find the best/cheapest insurance for an absolute beginner ?(I am guessing a used ninja 250 should not cost too much)
3)Gear: Where to buy from ?
4) Are there any riding groups in/around Burbank ?

Thanks in advance

Cheers

[R-ggressive]

Welcome:welcome
1. Dont know if there is such a site but if you buy a used bike just look it over real good for damge or missing parts, if you have no idea what you are looking for, take someone with you that can help. Maybe if it is local someone from her emay go check it out with you.
2. Contact bojy on this forum he does insurance and may help you out, http://www.sportbikers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13407&highlight=insurance+quotes.
3. As for gear go to the local shop and check it out, get your hands on it and try it on, then look online for better deals, like terra-powersports, newenough.com and so on
4. Keep an eye on the group rides forum and see where people are meeting.
Also look up info on MSF class and skillz days.

[RiceBike]

Welcome!

[BadVibe]

Welcome:welcome
1. Dont know if there is such a site but if you buy a used bike just look it over real good for damge or missing parts, if you have no idea what you are looking for, take someone with you that can help. Maybe if it is local someone from her emay go check it out with you.
2. Contact bojy on this forum he does insurance and may help you out, http://www.sportbikers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13407&highlight=insurance+quotes.
3. As for gear go to the local shop and check it out, get your hands on it and try it on, then look online for better deals, like terra-powersports, newenough.com and so on
4. Keep an eye on the group rides forum and see where people are meeting.
Also look up info on MSF class and skillz days.

Great advice.

Oh, and welcome :welcome

[Marmalade Dad]

Welcome aboard. :welcome

I'd listen to Mr D!rty. He knows what he's talking about. Not all the time. But definitely this time. ;)

[Streak]

Welcome :D

[gamboa527]

welcome.... i have a ninja 250 and it's my first bike it is very good bike to learn off of ...check with craigs list and you can do research at ninja250.com this site has alot of info on them

[Bojy]

Welcome:welcome
1. Dont know if there is such a site but if you buy a used bike just look it over real good for damge or missing parts, if you have no idea what you are looking for, take someone with you that can help. Maybe if it is local someone from her emay go check it out with you.
2. Contact bojy on this forum he does insurance and may help you out, http://www.sportbikers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13407&highlight=insurance+quotes.
3. As for gear go to the local shop and check it out, get your hands on it and try it on, then look online for better deals, like terra-powersports, newenough.com and so on
4. Keep an eye on the group rides forum and see where people are meeting.
Also look up info on MSF class and skillz days.

Best advice you can get is what RIco just said about the MSF course. We are lucky enough to have a Honda Riding Center in So. Cal. I'd highly recommend doing your course there if you dont mind driving to Colton. They have pro moto gp riding that teach there. Awesome course.

[ReDDoG]

welcome.

I got an 07 250r for sale ;)

[NICK C.]

Welcome:laughing1 :banana :lmfao

[Vtec44]

Welcome to the forum. :welcome :D I have nothing helpful to add to this thread lol

[devmasa]

wow..thanks for the help guys..I have another quick question :
If I am buying a used motorcycle from a private seller,what kind of paper work for the bike should I look for/expect from the seller ?

p.s.: I had my first MSF riding class today at the westside motorcycle academy...it was awesome.

[ReDDoG]

A pink slip and a bill of sale. Also do yourself a favor and call CHP and tell them you about to buy this bike and ask them to run the VIN, you tell them who is on the pink and they will say yes or no. ; )

[jesse.m]

Welcome. :bikerdude

'89 to '07 Ninja 250 is basically the same bike, so you can probably get a good deal on an older one with low-ish miles and still find parts if needed. It was my first bike and like most people, I highly recommend it. Dings and scratches are ok, but watch out for ones with long scrapes or "fresh paint" that indicate a high-speed crash.

[Asian Dave]

Welcome.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

[NomadRip]

Welcome! Good bike! Those can be a lot of fun! :banana :welcome

[Airbornedawg]

Welcome to the site...:welcome:welcome

[Makomoto]

Welcome !!

[allsportsplayer]

Welcome

[smokingloon]

check out the site sponser for some gear. They usually have discounts for forum members. I got some t-pro gear from nomadic

[devmasa]

Thanks for all the greets and the helpful tips guys.So I am done with my MSF course and all set to buy the ninja 250.

[devmasa]

So I am hearing a lot of suggestions from my friends/colleagues etc that ninja 250 is a low powered motorcycle and I might have difficulty with it on the freeway etc.How true is all this? Am I going to start disliking the 250's power within a cpl of months?
Ninja 500 and suzuki SV 650 were some of the other bikes suggested.
I want to hear your opinions....

[Marmalade Dad]

One benefit of the Ninja 250 is its resale value. You can usually sell the bike for approximately the purchase price.

If you're going to do a lot of freeway riding, then the bike will feel out of breath, especially when all the other idiot cagers are doing 80-90.

But that's pretty much the only detractor.

[Gun]

Welcome........Ride Safe.

[HurricaneSquid]

Welcome!

Probably depends on how much freeway riding you'll be doing. If alot, then you might get tired of it quicker. In the canyons though, it's more than enough. Also, I've heard some say that they get pushed around by wind easier cuz the 250s are much lighter. Just something to think about.

I started out on my Ninja 650R and have been glad I did. The power is juuuuuust right. :)

Good luck on your search!

So I am hearing a lot of suggestions from my friends/colleagues etc that ninja 250 is a low powered motorcycle and I might have difficulty with it on the freeway etc.How true is all this? Am I going to start disliking the 250's power within a cpl of months?
Ninja 500 and suzuki SV 650 were some of the other bikes suggested.
I want to hear your opinions....

[Asian Dave]

So I am hearing a lot of suggestions from my friends/colleagues etc that ninja 250 is a low powered motorcycle and I might have difficulty with it on the freeway etc.How true is all this? Am I going to start disliking the 250's power within a cpl of months?
Ninja 500 and suzuki SV 650 were some of the other bikes suggested.
I want to hear your opinions....

My ex had a 250 and i rode it on the freeway. You'll be fine. I'm 5'3" and weigh 225 lbs. If I can do it you, can do it.

Just redline the thing. I got it up to 100 mph.

[FightOn!]

:runaway

[McSteven (tm)]

So I am hearing a lot of suggestions from my friends/colleagues etc that ninja 250 is a low powered motorcycle and I might have difficulty with it on the freeway etc.How true is all this? Am I going to start disliking the 250's power within a cpl of months?
Ninja 500 and suzuki SV 650 were some of the other bikes suggested.
I want to hear your opinions....
its more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

oh, and welcome! :welcome

[The Sauce]

I'm 5'3" and weigh 225 lbs.

:yikes that's a HUGE bitch!

(I'm speaking, of course, about cross-sectional diameter, not overall height).

[McSteven (tm)]

:yikes that's a HUGE bitch!

keep it in the circus! :laughing2

[freakdawg]

Welcome to the site eh...:welcome

You'll be fine on the 250 as a total noob.. and less likely to ride beyond your abilities as well...

[Asian Dave]

:yikes that's a HUGE bitch!

(I'm speaking, of course, about cross-sectional diameter, not overall height).

Get in my belly!!

[Night Train]

Welcome to the forum!!

[devmasa]

So a lot of things happened on the motorcycle front after my last post.
- Got my motorcycle license,new plates and insurance
- Got myself a Red 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250...I absolutely love the motorcycle
- Went on the freeway for the first time on my motorcycle last weekend and got the biggest adrenaline rush of my life
- My car just sits in the parking spot and envies my ninja :-)

But I guess the ninja 250 is not too stable/fast for freeway riding..let me know what you guys think

[NomadRip]

It's plenty "stable" enough. Fast enough? For what? To accelerate past sketchy situations? Not really. You're going to have to use it's agility more than power in those situations.

[Vtec44]

Awesome! You just need to get comfortable at downshifting if you need more power. That bike is very fun, and get like 60mpg.