883's are rock solid for reliability
 

I owned a new 94 for 4 years. Nothing ever vibrated off or broke because of vibration. With a high flow air filter, after market mufflers, jet kit and a new ignition it had plenty of power for commuting and a nice sweet spot at about 50-55. It also got in the high 50s to 60 mpg as long as I stayed off the throttle. I sold it for just a little less than the sticker price.

If I was going to ride an 883 again the one thing I would do is either run a smaller rear pulley or install a 6 speed overdrive. Above 55 the thing started to vibrate like a paint shaker. I'm not trying to talk anybody out of a Ninja 250, they happen to be great bikes, I'm just defending what I think was one of Harleys purest bikes.

I just put the new ninja in the garage. a 2007, traded in my ATV

If anyone is thinking about buying a 250 ninja be forwarned.
the new 2008 is almost a thousand dollars more.
There are a few changes but not a thousand dollars worth.

'07 MSRP was $2999. '08' MSRP is $3499.

Completely different bike now. Has 17" wheels vs the albatross 16's that they've put on them since they came out. The Dollar/Yen exchange isn't favorable either. Similar issues happened in the early 90's with bikes; prices went up without dramatic changes.

They changed the plastic a little bit.
headlights are different.
The little ninja now has a single exhaust canister instead of 2.
They reworked the cam to change the power band (LOL) a little bit.

The dealer near me is letting the 07s go for 3200.00 out the door.
Now I just need the nasty cold snap that we have to pass so I can start saving over $300.00 a month in gas over my pick-up truck.

On a small bike, the way you drive makes a huge difference in MPGs. If you wind it out and spend much time over 60MPH, you will get upper 30's at best. If you keep your speed down, and RPMs down (as much as you can and not too much), you should see mid 70's. If you drove it no faster than 35 and spent the whole tank in top gear, and weighed 130 lbs, you might be able to top 110 MPG.

AMEN! 12 horsepower IS plenth!(love your bike by the way) People used to laugh at me when i souped up my moped, :cool: 6 horsepower is good for town! The ninja is AMAZING! It puts just about all the teenager's tuner cars to shame without really trying to hard. 0-60 in about 7 seconds keeping the engine nowhere near redline. Not to impressive by motorcycleing standards, but for gas mileage, it has everything you need! I do agree on the engine though! you do need to rev high to keep a good highway speed, and it has me worried. They have plenty of low mileage engines on ebay when you need one, i just hope the new ninja will have the same engine to keep the cheap $100 engines coming!

Who is telling you to get a bigger bike? the dealer? This bike WILL be big enough for you! just be careful in the rain, my bike will slip on some corners when it is dry outside!

P.S.
check your craigslist and ebay! Download snarfer, and it will automatically check it for you every day!

I had the high exhaust model of that honda 125 years ago, the CL 125 I think it was.
That bike kept up with traffic and was a blast to ride.
That was the same motor that was in my TL125 trials bike I had a looong time ago 1974 I think it was.. I'm Old LOL

One of the funny things about the 250 ninja is is doesn't say "250" on it anywhere. To the nonriding people where I work it just looks like another sport bike. I could tell them all it has 150 HP and does 175 MPH and they would believe it. It looks that fast to them.

Get a scooter...for FE. If you decide to get a "bike"...better to go a bit bigger. Reasons...Once you start hitting highways, a bigger more powerful bike is much safer. For FE, which means (at least to me), something that is more urban like a scooter. Of course the 250cc is between the two IMO and should not be ruled out.

I would love to have a "street legal" Trials Bike!

4 stroke, please.