In the Market for a cheap bike

[JacobAziza]

Sounds like you may be set on the Honda, but just wanted to point out: someone on this board just got over 100mpg on the last tank on their Ninjette (ninja ex250)
You're not gonna see that kind of mileage on the Honda.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-a-8686-3.html

[theycallmeebryan]

Originally Posted by JacobAziza

Sounds like you may be set on the Honda, but just wanted to point out: someone on this board just got over 100mpg on the last tank on their Ninjette (ninja ex250)
You're not gonna see that kind of mileage on the Honda.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-a-8686-3.html

Yup. These Ninja 250's are great bikes.

As far as maintainence goes, the only thing i replaced is tires. I do valve adjustments, oil changes, carb servcing, and all other services myself since this bike is so easy to work on.

[wolfraven]

Well, since the most I normally drive in a day with my current ride is like 50 miles of stop and go, the bigger difference for the moment would be initial cost. If I can't get that Honda for the price I want it for, which is fairly likely, a Ninja 250 is why I'm already planning on saving considerably more. I've had it happen a lot, I want one thing...and it falls through, but I score something better not too long afterward. I got my last bicycle right after my VW got taken out in traffic, and the bicycle got stolen just before I got my current car. That was the third car I looked at, because the rest turned out to be not worth it. The Honda will get easily 2x the gas mileage as my Capri, as 25mpg is my max and was probably pure luck (all I get is the bad traffic times of day now >.<) and I was reading elsewhere that this thing gets like 45 stock, 50 with a different sprocket...and that wasn't somebody who was going for mileage, either. It's a step in the right direction, at the very least. But, well, I don't have it yet...so it's speculation. I'm also considering what wonderful things I could do with a baby Ninja, because unlike the Honda, it has fairings...and I would be perfectly happy to customize the living daylights out of it. Nothing's totally set until I get my hands on it, and even then, it's not always for good. I'm just upgrading from clunker to hopefully something better, and if I can't get the price down to an amazing deal, I'll be saving for the Ninja. At work today, I ran some numbers, based on average...with the Honda, it would cost me about $16 to visit my mom, if I rode it the whole way...the Ninja would only cost me like $10. My car, however, would probably die a horrible death somewhere near Gig Harbor, nevermind the rest of the 90 miles or so lol!

[theycallmeebryan]

Originally Posted by wolfraven

Well, since the most I normally drive in a day with my current ride is like 50 miles of stop and go, the bigger difference for the moment would be initial cost. If I can't get that Honda for the price I want it for, which is fairly likely, a Ninja 250 is why I'm already planning on saving considerably more. I've had it happen a lot, I want one thing...and it falls through, but I score something better not too long afterward. I got my last bicycle right after my VW got taken out in traffic, and the bicycle got stolen just before I got my current car. That was the third car I looked at, because the rest turned out to be not worth it. The Honda will get easily 2x the gas mileage as my Capri, as 25mpg is my max and was probably pure luck (all I get is the bad traffic times of day now >.<) and I was reading elsewhere that this thing gets like 45 stock, 50 with a different sprocket...and that wasn't somebody who was going for mileage, either. It's a step in the right direction, at the very least. But, well, I don't have it yet...so it's speculation. I'm also considering what wonderful things I could do with a baby Ninja, because unlike the Honda, it has fairings...and I would be perfectly happy to customize the living daylights out of it. Nothing's totally set until I get my hands on it, and even then, it's not always for good. I'm just upgrading from clunker to hopefully something better, and if I can't get the price down to an amazing deal, I'll be saving for the Ninja. At work today, I ran some numbers, based on average...with the Honda, it would cost me about $16 to visit my mom, if I rode it the whole way...the Ninja would only cost me like $10. My car, however, would probably die a horrible death somewhere near Gig Harbor, nevermind the rest of the 90 miles or so lol!

The best part about the Ninja 250's, if anything, is that there are soooo many people out there that have one. Any part you need for the bike is readily available, whether it be on the forums, craigslist, or ebay. Also, over at Ninja 250 Riders Club :: Profiles , there is a very extensive wiki that includes everything from changing light bulbs to tearing the complete bike down piece by piece. The wealth of information available and the years of experience offer by board members simply makes buying a ninja 250 worth while. The bike has enough power to do whatever you need it to do. Noone needs to go over 100mph, noone needs to ride wheelies down the highway, noone needs to do 0-60 in 2 seconds.

Lets not forget that there are a couple of Ninja 250's out there with over 100,000 miles on the original motor. Pretty impressive for an engine that's made to spin to 13,000 rpms.

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by wolfraven

I've had it happen a lot, I want one thing...and it falls through, but I score something better not too long afterward.

Yep. I was planning to be a park ranger. Went back to school, got biology and geo degrees, EMT and peace officer certificates, went through the whole intense application process, passed - and then the funding was cut and the position disappeared.
I started moving stuff in the truck to make ends meet. I thought it would be for a week or two.
3 years later Biodiesel Hauling is a certified green business.
I have learned not to bother to plan for the future.

Originally Posted by theycallmeebryan

Ninja 250 Riders Club :: Profiles ...
Noone needs to go over 100mph, noone needs to ride wheelies down the highway, noone needs to do 0-60 in 2 seconds.

Hey, I have a profile with those guys. Great website.
Incidentally, the Ninjette will go 110mph stock (a younger stupider me did it daily) and it won't do 0-60 in 2, but it can do it in 5.75 seconds, (faster than most sports cars).
And when you drive like that, you still end up getting 50+ mpg.

[wolfraven]

Well, getting a Ninja 250 is why I'm saving more than I'm willing to spend on that big Honda...but I'm probably going to get an older one, which I'm sure will crop up here soon...saw one the other night on CL for like $750 and it was an 89, looked nice...very well maintained, and only had a dent to the tank....compared with my car, that's 18x better lol. But I'm saving first, going for cheapest possible option first and foremost to replace my car while I attempt to repair it...or save for a decent used car, preferably FWD with some ABS and traction control, after last year's snow...heh, long story short, the Capri does NOT do snow...but honestly, I'm on the lookout for a Ninja 250 or 600 eventually anyway. I found a similar e-motorcycle build to Ben Nelson's elsewhere...and it had a larger motor, and I had a few different ideas...beyond an EV conversion, I was thinking of doing some heavy customization, and the Ninja would be a better starting point for either direction...but for now, it's whichever I have the cash for...I might work for one of the only currently succeeding car dealerships in my specific neck of the woods, but I'm definitely not making much...so it'll take a bit lol. That's the point of asking for advice, and I'm glad all you folks keep it coming!