2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R review (from a beginner's perspective)

*Explanation of how I wrecked this bike is at the bottom*

This is the second part of the video I made while taking a ride up 9 Mile Canyon Road out near Ridgecrest, CA. I got a request to review this bike, so I decided to just throw that in instead of any music.

Please keep in mind that this is my first bike and I've only been riding for about 3 months as of typing this, and these are my impressions of it. I don't claim to be an expert on anything dealing with motorcycles. I just took the MSF course and did a lot of reading online (and watched videos).

A few things I left out:
*The 2011 models no longer come in Passion Red =(
*GET FRAME SLIDERS! I didn't get any and I regret it now.
*I definitely experienced the whistling gas tank that people have talked about before. It wasn't a big deal and it would go away eventually.

HOW I WRECKED-
I was coming onto base headed for the barracks at night and I was approaching a roundabout (traffic circle). I decided I wanted to take the long way back to my room, so instead of going halfway around the roundabout and straight, I would have to go 3/4 the way around and exit onto a different street. Well, being all cocky and thinking I already had my bike figured out, I decided to try and take the roundabout faster and at way more of a lean than usual. When I started going around it and leaning, I started paying way too much attention to the curb on my left (so I wouldn't hit it) instead of paying attention to where my turnoff was, and I ended up missing my turn entirely. Once I thought that my turn was coming I started to straighten out of my lean, but when I looked at where my headlights were shining, it was a curb instead. So, ironically, because I had my eyes on what I was trying to avoid instead of where I wanted to go, I ended up hitting what I was trying to avoid (on the opposite side of the street). Lesson learned.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2011
• kawasaki
• ninja
• 250r
• review
• drift
• innovations
• HD170
• mile
• canyon
• road
• ridgecrest
• inyokern
• mojave
• desert
• sequoia
• mountains
• helmet
• cam
• riding
• moto

[Rey75050]

I'm 6,1 about 220 pounds and bought this bike, and i love it! I can fit on it great and with no problems. A perfect buy for anyone. Thanks craigslist

[derdyserdy]

@Rey75050 Good to hear you were able to find one used! Have fun!

[Yeungster23]

3 months and you bought a new bike? Were you riding anything inbetween getting a license/taking a MSF course? I really would like this as my first bike, do you know any sort of cars.com for motorcycles?

[derdyserdy]

@Yeungster23 I took my first MSF course immediately after buying the 250. I got my moto endorsement a week later. Yes, there was only a month's gap between the wreck and buying a new one, and I didn't ride at all in that time. Get the 250 but try hard to find it used. Don't waste money on dealership fees. cycletrader(dot)com is the site you're looking for, but also don't rule out craigslist.

[Gamer7511]

That looks like one of the worlds best road

[derdyserdy]

@Gamer7511 It's really fun but pretty dangerous in some parts. Blind corners, huge cliffs...that sort of thing.

[245SportsFan]

I'm 5'9 250lbs and its an awesome bike for me. In 16 an it's my first bike tho. Cant beat it for a first bike. Until some rich kid rolls up on his 600 and is like what a little bike and I say who payed for that dickhead.

[derdyserdy]

@StrykerKnights Make sure and post up a video of you riding it after you get it. Don't forget the flip flops and shorts ;)

[GsxR750Speedemon]

Also have a gmax helm too haha like it better than my shoei rf1000

[GsxR750Speedemon]

Dude I get like 25mpg.. guess I ride too hard? I fill up every 120 miles :(

[pmadigan21]

@alexgrz28 yes recommend it, I'm about 6'0 200 and I'm comfortable on this as my first bike

[alexrgz28]

hello, im 6'1 180 pounds, would you recommend this bike to start off?? thank you

[Yeungster23]

@derdyserdy Thanks for replying! I'm definitely trying to get a used 08+ model (I really can't resist lol), but it seems like those are in hot demand right now. You bought it used too?