I don't know if it still holds true these days, but when I bought my first bike in '99 the guy was pushing me towards a Ninja 250 despite the fact that I went in there with cash ready-to-go on an Intruder 800 (double+ the MSRP of a 250 at the time). Met someone a few months later that was a salesman at the same dealer; he said the markup on the Ninja 250 is ridiculous and actually gets the salesman a larger commission check than ~75% of the bikes on the floor that are 5x more expensive.

hmm
Anyone here know how much power the 250 ninja engine can handle stock?

I'm interested in getting a 250 ninja myself, not interested in any bike bigger than that.

Slower than your miata

Here's my 04 CBR600:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...a/100_1360.jpg

sorry man, but your post doesn't make any sense. First, what do you mean "how much can the engine handle stock?" if it's stock, then it can handle stock power... If you modify it to make more power, then it's no longer stock.

second, if you want a ninja 250 and don't want anything bigger, why are you looking for more power? The ninja 250 is an archaic design. It's excellent for those who want a cheap beginner bike. If you want more power, pick up a 600. In all reality, the 600cc sportbikes weigh about the same as the 250 ninja.

The 250's are about as fast as mopeds. But aside from being weak they're great bikes. if you want fast, don't get 250. If you want 250, forget fast.

So I got new gears, supposed to go up 2 in the back, but they sent me a +7 on the rear.

Highway sucks, but 4th gear power wheelies are badass lol.

holy shit lol.

that bike has more than enough torque, why did you want to re-gear it?

If anything I'd get something like -2 for it so you can enjoy the torque through longer gears.

I haven't liked much of the 600cc bikes in terms or sitting on various ones, the newer 250 ninja I do like. I ride a 49cc yamaha vino scooter, lot of bigger bikes are faster than that.

I meant stock internals handle

I'm kind of ashamed to admit it, but for a while I was riding my friends 98 Ninja 250. The thing was a real dog...and there could have been something wrong with this particular bike, but it felt unstable as shit at almost any speed. I even lost it quite easily around a turn when I hit a minuscule patch of sand at 5mph or so....got a nice scar from it, too.

I'd say don't bother with something that small, and even if you could extract a few extra ponies you will not be happy with how unresponsive it will be vs amount of cash invested.

Not to be funny, but if you like the sitting position of a scooter, why don't you look at a cruiser? The Honda Magna 750 is a great choice and has very respectable power, the Vulcan is also a good choice.

Nope.

Musta been messed up or something cause they're not as unstable as that.

They're decent in terms of handling and are pretty comfy.

But to make them fast? Probably going to be hard and unrewarding.
And I don't think anyone here will know how much the internals handle cause I don't think anyone would mod a 250 to be fast. A 500 is just as cheap, just as comfy, and much much faster. only down side is they were d/c in 07.
When I had my 06 riding my friends 09 250r and my 500r back to back was like a 1.5L 4 banger vs a v8. Just so much more torque on the 500

58.2 rwhp

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39868

Wow, I stand corrected: people DO modify them lol:eek5:

But that is still seriously weak IMO: 60whp with a turbo setup? pass

100% hp increase on stock internals, that's about the same rule most people follow here. It should be comparable if not faster than an SV650 at that point.

No you're right, that's a big increase from what they make stock, but I mean its TURBOCHARGED. That is a whole lot of modification to reach almost 60whp. Not sure if its worth it.

Turbo Ninja 250 is neat, but not worth it at all imho.

1984 vf500c best lil bike ever made http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0003_large.jpg
Stockish put down 56 whp with mods exhaust etc im probly 75-80 whp atm. All in a 420 lbs wet package i just wish it had more suspension on it though my big ole ass is getting abit sore from it.

Orly? Even 1000cc modern sports bikes only get 10ish HP from a $1000 exhaust system. You think you're getting 20hp with your mods? I'm not going to say you're wrong, but I'd like to see the dyno chart first. I'm going to say you're at or below 60hp.