Info on Ninja (buying as a gift)

[KDMJ]

Hi Guys

My lovely husband has just passed his test and I want to buy him a new Ninja as a surprise present (well maybe not too much of a surprise after all the hints he has dropped!)

I know very little about bikes, particularly road bikes although both husband and teenage son have ridden motocross for years so before I ring Causeway Kawasaki and make a fool of myself, can someone give me some info?

From my google research, there seem to be 2 different 250 Ninja's - the normal one, and the special edition. I can't seem to work out any obvious difference between the two. I even checked the specs on the Kawasaki website but it didn't tell me very much. I imagine there will be a difference in price, so could someone let me know if the expected extra dollars would be worth it? I know he wants either a red or black one (even though he has a new KX450F for off road which is green) - do both versions come in those colours? He will probably only keep the bike for a couple of years at most before getting a bigger one, so would re-sale/trade in be better with the special edition?

Hope you can point me in the right direction or give me any useful info at all.

Cheers

[Bushido]

Hi!

The only difference between the two is a sticker kit on the special edition. Bike wise, they are identical.

[SilentBob]

The special edition is green with the chequered flag design on the bottom. That tiny design is pretty much it for a special edition.
If your husband wants black/red then normal edition it is.
Different in resale? Might be a tiny difference. Kawasaki just recently had a massive pricedrop on new 250Rs so the resale values are still rocky. Is it enough for you to worry about? Probably not. Things like mods, stamped logbooks, overall condition will affect the resale more I believe.
Maybe check out the Honda CBR250R if he doesn't have his heart set on a Ninja.

[gongzee]

What SilentBob said, and I heard it comes with a different pipe from stock (though not too sure about that one). Other than that it's the same. imo, might as well go for normal one (or don't go for a ninja at all, they look like ass!). As for resale value I don't think it will make a much of a difference. Most people looking to buy one would know what the differences are between a special edition and normal ie not much.

[SilentBob]

I just checked the Kawasaki website. My info appears to be slightly outdated.
Special edition is just green with black lower fairings and stickers around the Ninja logo.
Exhaust looks to be exactly the same.
Basically the general consensus is still go the normal one. Maybe even pick up one 2nd hand from a guy upgrading to put the money saved towards to big bike.
Take your time, don't rush.

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Honda CBR250R may be an ideal starter bike, think about it.

[Phildo]

Honda CBR250R may be an ideal starter bike, think about it.

The Ninja will be vastly easier to sell in 12 months time though, and pull in better dollars. The 250 market is very loyal to Kawasaki 250cc bikes (ie GPX, ZZR and now Ninja).

[Kalika]

The Ninja will be vastly easier to sell in 12 months time though, and pull in better dollars. The 250 market is very loyal to Kawasaki 250cc bikes (ie GPX, ZZR and now Ninja).

I disagree with that (and not just because I have a new CBR) - people like Hondas, and like some variation too. Add to that the fact that the CBR is a great bike, and I am sure that I/anyone who owns one will have any problems selling the CBR in 12 months for a good price.

[Gray_]

+1 on CBR resale. Good bikes are good bikes, and being a Honda counts for a lot too.

[Logie]

If he is racing motorcross and has a Kwaka KX450, he is obviosuly a Kwaka man, and if you're a Kwaka man, you dont go to Honda lol, its like a Holden man going to buy a Ford.

Check my Avatar for the 2011 Special Edition, was it worth the extra $200 for the colour, Probs not, but i just couldn't help myself when i saw it.

[KDMJ]

Thanks for all the responses and advice so quickly! No wonder I couldn't find what the difference was between the 2 models - there isn't really any difference apart from the colour..

Seems like I have started a Kawasaki vs Honda debate

I know he has had a good look at the Honda and thinks it is a good bike, but he is a Kwaka man through and through (until he buys his Harley in a couple of years... ) So it looks like the standard Ninja in either red or black - and I guess I get to pick the colour!

The reason we are looking at brand new rather than a second hand one, is firstly the warranty, and the fact that as the prices of the new ones seem to have come down, the savings on the newer 2nd hand ones is not that much to risk buying something that may have been thrashed. He takes great care of his bikes so I don't mind paying the bit extra for a new one.

So - I guess I need to start checking who has the best deal on a new one? He bought his KX450F from Causeway but I should ring around the other couple of dealers too and see who can give me the best price.

Anything I should be aware of when speaking to the dealers? I'm not scared of haggling for a good price, but wondering if there are any pitfalls/extras etc that I might want to keep in mind when I call them?

[Kalika]

Remind them that the new CBR goes for $6K ride away, and the Hyo goes for $6.5K ride away - so you don't want to pay more than that. And get them to throw in the first service for free -- cause that is what you would get with a new Honda or Hyo.

[pucara]

Why do you want to buy him one new, when he is going to change it in a few months? 250's are your starting point, may be don't make it a surprise, talk to him, pay for the new bike (used or new) and he will be happy anyway. You can save big dollars that can be put towards the upgrading a few months later.

[Stoneville]

Why do you want to buy him one new, when he is going to change it in a few months? 250's are your starting point, may be don't make it a surprise, talk to him, pay for the new bike (used or new) and he will be happy anyway. You can save big dollars that can be put towards the upgrading a few months later.

Good on you, I have written this a number of times today and deleted before posting.

I know it might be really good to give him something new, but I agree, just get a bike and attach a card to it saying, the rest of the pressie will be spent on a new bigger bike next year If he has been riding for a long time he will no doubt loose interest in the 250 pretty quick.

[Logie]

She did state that the new bike warranty played a big part in her decision, and honestly, that was the biggest factor for me aswell. I could pick up a new Ninja for 6.2k from Causeway, or get a second hand with 8-15k on the clock for about $500-$700 less, it was worth spending the extra to get a brand new bike

[pucara]

I do understand that, and is a valid reason, however, we all know that the 250 new or not will not last in anyone's hands as we all want to upgrade as soon as you master the class. You can pick up a very decent gpx for 3k in good condition and that will last you until you upgrade. a year max? That makes you a good saving of 3k at least, and you will not loose too much when you sell it.

[KDMJ]

Well it's basically decided - the Ninja in red and Mack1 have come in with a much better price than Causeway. They are handy too as we live NOR. I'm going to see if they will throw in a free first service or something, as I love to bargain.

I appreciate the comments about a cheap used bike especially as he will probably only ride it for a couple of years at most (even though he is saying different at the moment!) but I kinda like knowing what we are getting and they seem to get a pretty decent resale price after checking out bikes for sale. Actually some of the secondhand Ninjas are more expensive than the new ones! Didn't look at what extras/mods they have but was a bit surprised at the prices.

We also have a 16 year old who rides motocross and will probably be keen to get his bike licence in the next couple of years, (once he gets his P plates,) so if he is very, very nice to his parents then he might have a nice red Ninja to use until he buys his own bigger bike later. (yeah, I know - spoilt brat...)

I'll let you know how we go when we get it, but would like to say a big thank you for your advice and opinions - you were a great help.

Jules

[killswitch54923]

I disagree with that (and not just because I have a new CBR) - people like Hondas, and like some variation too. Add to that the fact that the CBR is a great bike, and I am sure that I/anyone who owns one will have any problems selling the CBR in 12 months for a good price.

Latest sales figures (amcn mag) show the ninja is out selling the cbr250 at a 2 to 1 rate since its release...

[Loud]

Latest sales figures (amcn mag) show the ninja is out selling the cbr250 at a 2 to 1 rate since its release...

How much better a car does that make a Kia than a BMW?

[Logie]

How much better a car does that make a Kia than a BMW?

But a Kia is a fraction of the price of a BMW. The Ninja costs more than a CBR, and is still selling twice the amount.........