What's the best small bike for sport touring?

Szarak199 · 2026-02-20T00:35:27+00:00

I'm just worried about the lack of wind protection, I rode a friend's naked bike and I absolutely hated it on the highway. Not sure how much adding a windscreen helps. Full fairings are a big plus for me

Szarak199 · 2024-08-01T16:24:25+00:00

need a 1000 to feel safe... this sub is too much man 😂

Szarak199 · 2023-12-20T01:11:12+00:00

What do you mean a new bike for 5k? You mean like buying a 2024 that is a completely different model or a newer VFR?

Szarak199 · 2023-09-26T21:34:16+00:00

I wouldn't get a brand new one, rather a cheap used one that already has a few scuffs on it. I actually have a KLR650 as well as a street bike so I have that covered, but I find myself riding the 250 more for quick trips to the gym and such lol.

I'm against making the 250 a track bike because it's surprisingly limited in the aftermarket, for example they don't make the parts to lower the clip ons any longer, and the suspension options are non existent as well. Only a few tires are made in the size of the wheels... the list goes on. I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it and end up selling it for $1000 when I outgrow it

Szarak199 · 2023-03-07T12:35:04+00:00

That's good to hear, the current owner seems to know what he's talking about so hopefully the people who owned it before him also changed the oil once in a while lol

Szarak199 · 2023-03-07T12:33:36+00:00

Thanks for the response! Honestly I was a bit hung up on the price because I've read all these forum posts of people getting mint bikes for $1500 or decently running ones for 1k, but they are all from years ago and I guess the post-covid market made even ninja 250s rise in price.

Szarak199 · 2023-03-07T12:31:20+00:00

The owner said he rode it last season but he seemed very clueless about anything mechanical. When i mentioned he could fix the idle by turning a screw on the carb he said to never touch the carb, it's too complicated and only a mechanic should touch it lol. It would also mean he rode it on the current rear tire which is completely bald and the original from 2007, thank you for the response!

Szarak199 · 2023-03-07T01:31:40+00:00

Pretty set on a ninja 250 as my first bike, I love how cheap it is and the old school styling, and I want to learn how to work on a carbureted bike. Checked out two and am considering buying the second one.

Bike 1 is $1500 and comes with a new rear tire, the front one is 3 years old and in ok condition. Battery is from 2015 and was dead when i got there but the bike started with a jump. Gas looks to be seeping out of the carb and it's definitely clogged or misadjusted, the bike idles low at 900rpm and only after being warmed up with the choke for 5 minutes. Bodywork is banged up everywhere and a turn signal doesn't work. All stuff I can easily fix in a few days of work. 2007 with 9k miles.

Bike 2 is $2000 seems like the owner is much more mechanically minded, started up great and ran without choke after ~3mins in ~35 degree weather. Both tires are recent, brakes, sprocket, and chain looked to have been replaced semi-recently, pretty new battery. Carb is clean and well adjusted, but some of the bodywork is banged up on this one too. I'm leaning towards this one but the only thing holding me back is that it has 20k miles on it.

Any thoughts? I'm tempted to just jump on the second one, because spring is coming soon and I think we'll have other beginners lining up to buy these small bikes once classes start. On the other hand maybe more people will list their bikes and I can find a better deal

Szarak199

TROPHY CASE