Just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with either of these bikes kawasaki http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=200 hyosung http://www.ridehyosung.com/2007/2007GT250R.php

 

I would go with the 250r if your just starting. It's plenty quick enough.

 

I have a 94 Ninja 250. Its OK. It makes no power until 7kRPM (has a 14K red line). Once you hit 7K you can really feel it pull. Kawasaki is a pretty big manufacture of bikes, i think the new ZX-13R is the fastest in the world. I've never heard of this Hyosung brand. If I was going to buy one, I would go for the Ninja since it is a brand I am more familiar with (although I may have a biased opinion). Also, Ninja 250s can be picked up fairly cheap used. I would definatly buy used. If this is your first bike and you have no experiance on bikes, you will most likely fall. Almost every person that has ridden my bike for the first time has fallen off. A lot of people who have Ninjas (like me) buy the bike and ride it for a season and then sell it and upgrade to a bigger bike. Thats pretty much what I am going to do. I have a 94 with around 6k miles (i paid $600 for it) and I beat the **** out of it and it starts and runs fine every time.

 

Both the bikes are about the same speed/hp wise, but the hyosung is around $900 more, and looks a bit better i think. This is going to be my graduation present to myself. The only thing i really like about the ninja is their quality name. Ill be using them around town in tampa, Fl where im going to college. Im still not sure which one i want though

 

I've never seen a hyosung so i would n't be sure... i know that a Kawasaki is pretty damn reliable, but it gets an "F"in terms of looks.

If looks is what you're basing it on, go with the Hyosung

 

I can't stress enough that you should buy used. The Hyosung does look a bit better but it is a Korean made bike that I've never heard of and I'm familiar with all the major sport bikes. Also, you can pick up a Ninja very cheap. I'm fairly sure that you will not ride the Ninja very long. After a couple months you will get tired of it b/c it really isn't that fast. Its a good bike to learn how to ride but if you've ever ridden a real sport bike, like a 600CC then you will know why I say that. The 600s are much more fun to ride. I got my Ninja in October, i've ridden about 650 miles so far. I will most like get a CBR600 when the season ends. Also, if you wait until the end of the season you can score some major deals. Thats how I got my Ninja for $600. The only prob with that is that you won't have anything to ride during the summer. Look at www.craigslist.com in the motorcycle. It is mostly private party sellers so you don't have to pay dealer prices. Its also all local people so you can meet with them, test ride the bike and buy it. A couple things that stood out when I looked at the specs on the Hyosung. The Ninja 250 is a 2 cylinder liquid cooled engine with a six speed gear box. The Hyosung is a 2 cylinder air cooled engine with a 5 speed gear box. And you also said the Hyosung is $900 more so it seems that you aren't getting your moneys worth. I also doubt u will find them used.

 

You are right, I wont find one used for at least another 6 or so months. From what I have read, they are very reliable and have been making some suzuki engines for years. (hyosung) But I will only be using this in the city, and dont need it to be fast, i need good gas mileage (like i wanted when i got my civic). I think Ive decided ona ninja, unless i find a used hyosung in the next 3 weeks. Thanks for your help, and any more input would be great!

 

If you have any more questions just ask. Also, remember to gear up before you ride. Any time you get on a bike there is a chance that you will fall so you want to make sure that you are geared up. Especially in city driving, there are alot of people on the road who are stupid and don't know how to drive. Bikes are harder to see so sometimes they might not even see you. You always want to ride as if every other car on the road is trying to kill you. If you've never ridden a bike on the road before, make sure you get plenty of practice before you head out onto the street.

 

Never ridden (legally) on the road before, and i will of course suit up, helmet and all (helmets arent required in FL). Thanks for your help AgentofDarkness

 

No problem