2012 Ninja 250R vs 2003 Speed Triple

[Tunertype]

Ok so I entered the dealership sweepstakes from Kawasaki to win a Ninja 250R. About 4 other people did the same thing at the same dealership and out of those 4 people they picked me as the winner!! I am now the proud owner of a brand new 2012 Green Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

Here is my delema. It still costs me money. I had to pay 600 for tax title and registration and I will be getting hit for gift tax on my tax returns in April. Plus the insurance on the bike costs an extra 100$ a year and I don't need 2 bikes. So I'm gonna sell one. I'm just not sure which one to sell and which one to keep. They both have advantages

The Ninja 250R has great fuel economy, has a factory warranty, has 2 miles on the ODO, looks awesome and it's so tiny I can flat foot it like I"m riding a cruiser bike at a stop light. It's very light and low. It might not be able to cruise on the highway well.

The Speed Triple(converted Daytona) has incredible power, an awesome exhaust note, standard bars, and cool looking 190 rear tire on a single sided swingarm. It also has 24k miles on it, and no fairings. It's alittle top heavy too.

Since the Ninja is a 2012 and the Daytona triple is a 2003 with 24k on it they are probably worth about the same for resale. Which one should I keep?(or who wants to buy one of them?) or which one is easier to sell? or which one is worth more in your opinion.

Ninja 250R

Speed Triple

[wiggeywackyo]

Get out. I won one too but it's out in Colorado. I might have to forfeit it because I can't pick it up in person.

[Lxpony]

sell the ninja.

[jbmass]

Yeah sell the ninja

[Ryno]

I'd keep the Triumph

[Tunertype]

I guess I'll have to see how the ride home is to see if I can live with the power or not.

I can't seem to edit posts in this part of the forum.. So I guess the street triple wasn't around until 2008 and the R until 2009. Just had to correct that.

How much do you guys think I could get this time of year for a brand new 2012 Ninja 250R. The cost that was nilled out in the winnings was 5000$ after dealers fees destination and the price of the bike. I paid nothing but tax title and registration.

Get out. I won one too but it's out in Colorado. I might have to forfeit it because I can't pick it up in person.

They told me if I hadn't picked the bike up by the 13th I would have forfeited it. So have a couple weeks, but that's about it. The sweepstakes wasn't well publicized so I figured there would be a low number of entrants, plus not alot of people who are already into bikes and have their own are gung ho about getting a new 250. 2 things that really attracts me to it are the fuel economy and that it looks like a real sportbike only alittle smaller. The styling I think is actually better than some new 600 and 1000 sportbikes. I'm just not sure if I can deal with highway commuting on it. I will give it a good test run tomorrow when I pick it up.

[Cid369]

You won't be happy with the 250 in the long run, sell it.

[dankatz]

It will always be easier to sell the 250 and frankly I think they keep their price well. It is not a bad highway commuter except for being light. Can you keep both and sell the Ninja in April/May of next year when new fresh of beginner riders start?

[jcrawford]

man I wish i had the funds I would pick this up in a heartbeat to be used as a commuter and a bike for my girl to learn on. I can't afford 4-5k though

GLWS and Congrats on winning the contest.

[gregp]

I agree. I would do everything possible to keep them both. It is nice to be able to switch up your ride every once in a while.
The Ninja 250 is a very capable machine, though, even for highway use. It just will not have the punch of your S-3.

[Falko]

Sell'em both and buy that Mille Factory that has been bouncing around here.

[nt650hawk]

enter the Ninja in Moto 3 next year!

[Expat]

Get out. I won one too but it's out in Colorado. I might have to forfeit it because I can't pick it up in person.

If you forefit it, If I fly out there, can I have it??

[nhbubba]

Dump the Ninja, keep the Triumph.

I think the 250 is neat and all, but there isn't a chance in hell I'd get rid of my 'real' bike for one. And quite frankly, I think the only real good 250 is a beater thats been abused by a string of noobs before me and handed to me for lite money.

If its worth ~$3700 to someone, I'd gladly let it go.

But that's me.

[TheIglu]

They were doing this nationwide at every Kawasaki dealer. My dad won the Ninja 250 at Central MA Powersports. He has no idea what he's going to do with it yet, picks it up next Thursday.

[nhbubba]

I kind of wish I'd entered now. Missus'd have killed me if I brought a second bike home though.

[Expat]

They were doing this nationwide at every Kawasaki dealer. My dad won the Ninja 250 at Central MA Powersports. He has no idea what he's going to do with it yet, picks it up next Thursday.

So every Kawasaki delaer gave one away?? Wow, thats a lot of bikes!!

[e30addict]

Damn. Wish I'd known about the contest

A 250 is a great bike to keep around.

[Tunertype]

wow 3 winners just on this forum!! yeah there would be a winner for every dealership so there would be a decent amount of them. I really don't think I can justify keeping both. It would be nice though. Space and again I'm paying about 1800$ for the thing when all the taxes are taken care of. That's the price of an older 250.

I betcha the 250 handles better than the S-3, I know my 500 did. You could flick it over like nothing and it didn't need to lean as much to go around a given corner. Think it's they bigger tires they weigh so much they keep you upright.

Do you guys think putting miles on the 250 would hurt the value too much? It has to be registered and titled for me to take it as a prize and the insurance was only 80$ more on the plan. If I keep it to April to sell I might be tempted to drive it around. Ya think the value on a 250 with 2000miles on it is that much lower than one with 100 miles? NADA and KBB only give values for model and year regardless of mileage. I've also gotta cover it in protective stuff and keep it safe from any scratchs I'm sure having a bike in prestine condition helps the value.

[e30addict]

250's don't seem to depreciate much, regardless of miles.

You probably could sell that bike for between 3-4 grand for the next year or two if you have the luxury of time to find the right buyer.

[Kurlon]

Damnit, wish I had known about the giveaway, local Kawi dealer didn't advertise it at all, don't know if they even participated...

[nhbubba]

I don't know used bikes, but my thinking would be a few k miles would matter less than condition. Keep it pristine and I think you'd be just as far ahead as you would with ~100 miles. I think.

Were I you, there is zero chance I could resist riding it around. Even if it cost me in the long run.

[mace]

Personally I would DEFINITELY not "forfeit" the bike - borrow money if you have to, but if you only have to pay 800 bucks or so for a bike that's worth 4K, you'd be foolish to forfeit it.

Hell, buy it, and sell it back to the dealership right there for 2K.


My plan would be buy the ninja - store it this winter... ride it if you want ( i dont think it will effect the $$ that much)

and sell it in the spring when all the newbies are looking. I would also post the speed triple in the spring --- combine the $ and buy something else u want.

tons of great bikes out there -with 7 or 8 grand in your pocket you should be able to get just about any used bike you can think of.

good luck!

[DoubleRGirl]

you should be able to get a decent amount for the 250 (although it's end of season so i don't know about now) but when i was looking, kawi dealers wanted more for used ninja250's than a brand new cbr250. i don't know if you'd be happy with just the 250 for every day. i love mine but i'm glad i have the other bike for the track and once i'm done with grad school i'm trading it for another 600

[nt650hawk]

I would track day the hell out of one of those.