Hobicus Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 I went with a friend to check out a 96 Ninja 250 tonight. She's looking for a small starter sportbike, and saw this one in the paper. Of course, I found the bike underpowered, etc, but it had a couple of other problems. The front brake has a bit of a pulse problem... when you're slowing, it feels like it grabs, releases, grabs, releases... I'm thinking it's probably the brake rotor. Thoughts? Also.. it makes quite a bit of clicking noise, sounds like it's valve related. Not sure if an adjustement is in order, or if it's something more serious. The guy who owns it says it's always been like that, and it's the nature of the bike. Whaddaya think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in PA Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 Yep, deffinate warped rotor. Find out what type of valve train it has. Screw and locknut, shim over or under bucket, etc. It's a small bike, it's probably been ZINGED most of it's life. What's the mileage and asking price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted May 13, 2004 Author Share Posted May 13, 2004 $1,500, 7k miles. It's overpriced, though. I'll see if I can figure out what the valve train type is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConqSoft Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 Yeah, that sounds a little high. We sold my GF's 2003 Ninja 250 with less than 700 miles for $2195 a few months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 It's a "clicky" valvetrain normally, though I didn't hear it so I don't know if it's louder than normal. Don't expect it to sound like your XX. The rotor is warped. I know of a couple of EX250s with 50k on the clock and still going. If you can get it for a steal, go for it, but an SV650 is a far better bike if you can swing the cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted May 13, 2004 Author Share Posted May 13, 2004 Thanks for everyone's input. Checking around, I found a front wheel on Ebay which has the rotor for $10 right now. Replacement stocker is going to cost $190 or so, and I found an used one for about 60, so... no worries. I'd prefer it if she'd get a SV 650, but she hasn't been riding all that long, and maybe a 250 is OK for her until she gets the bug for something bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 The SV is no less friendly than the 250. The bigger motor makes it no worse for a starter bike. While she'll probably be fine with the 250 also, the SV is so much more bike all around. Truly the only reason to take the 250 is cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted May 13, 2004 Author Share Posted May 13, 2004 After riding the 250, I concur. However, it's her money. She DOES have some $ issues, and that plays a part, but she's SOOO tiny (95 lbs, soaking wet) that she's worried anything bigger than a 250 will be too much bike for her. I figure I'll let her get her feet wet, then when she gets the bug for something bigger, I'll buy the thing from her and maybe turn it into a trackbike or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBR-RR-XX-CESS Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 she's SOOO tiny (95 lbs, soaking wet) Got any pics? soaking wet will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 Preferred even. And so yet another thread goes into the sewer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl Posted May 13, 2004 Share Posted May 13, 2004 i had one as my first bike...excellent place to start, pretty good aftermarket. if she's small, then it might be better for her. granted, i got rid of mine about 6-8 months after i got it...but it served the purpose well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbrdrydr Posted May 14, 2004 Share Posted May 14, 2004 The EX250 is an excellent motorcycle and one of the few 250s that can go 100 mph. The thing gets something like 70 mpg and is damn smooth when the valves are properly adjusted (pretty easy job) and the carbs are in sync. In the last Iron Butt Rally... a guy riding one of these bikes took 12th place or something like that. Beat the shit out of all sorts or riders on Goldwings, BMWs, ST1300s, etc :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl Posted May 14, 2004 Share Posted May 14, 2004 yup, lol...it'll top out at about 115~125 indicated. only did that once on mine...going downhill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy1100 Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 You're gonna have to teach her to slip the hell out of the clutch, with no torque from the inline twin, it's REAL easy to stall, or it will chug and lurch till the RPMs come up a bit. Pretty unsettling for a newbie. Even the GS500f that my buddy just got for a first bike, just chugs at low RPM, really have to slip the clutch at low speed maneuvers. Still a fun bike though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.