Passed my A2 - Ninja 250R or Royal Enfield Electra 500?

[Doug97]

I passed my A2 test last Friday using my own Cagiva Raptor 125. So now I have 3 options: derestrict the Raptor (which should give 30bhp)



get a Ninja 250R (which is 33bhp)



or get a Royal Enfield Electra Classic 500cc (which gives 25bhp)



The first option is obviously the cheapest, but the Cagiva is a little small for me. Is the Ninja also quite small? Is the Royal Enfield too underpowered? What do you think?

[CatBallou]

 

CONGRATULATIONS

PS I'm a short almond and the 250 ninja felt comfy when I sat on it, 

[Shadow Mike]

Underpowered or not, that Enfield is great!

[HappyHippy]

The Cagiva and Ninja are both 2-strokes, is that right? I've never ridden a stroker but understand them to be heavier on the maintenance.

Of the three I think I'd prefer the Enfield (it's a lovely looking thing) but beware that the gearing will be different (RHS, 1 up and 3 down IIRC). The Enfield will obviously be slower than the others but it depends what you want.

As always, sit on them all definitely and get test rides if you possibly can

[qwakers]

the ninjas a 4 stroke.

[Mr Mandy]

As much as I love sports bikes, I would go for the Electra.

[Doug97]

Of the three I think I'd prefer the Enfield (it's a lovely looking thing) but beware that the gearing will be different (RHS, 1 up and 3 down IIRC). The Enfield will obviously be slower than the others but it depends what you want.

If I bought the new version the gears are like on an ordinary bike.

Just did a bit of Googling and apparently you can get the Enfield with a performance kit fitted, which gives an extra 25% power, so that sounds quite good. The kit would really suit the Clubman, but it's getting a bit too pricey so I'll stick with the Classic!

[Angelic_Babe17]

Congrats, and the Ninja!

[Sprocket]

How about buying a 600cc and get it restricted, then when your 2 years are up get it de restricted.

TBH you cound not a totally different group of bikes...

[Doug97]

How about buying a 600cc and get it restricted, then when your 2 years are up get it de restricted.

TBH you cound not a totally different group of bikes...

Yeah I thought about getting a bigger one and restricting it, but it seems like a bit of a hassle (and extra expense). When my 2 years are up it'll give me a good excuse to start shopping for a new bike! 

[SOUP]

The insurance on anything with plastics will be astronomical.  I would go for the Enfield or a restricted, naked 600. 

Well done on your test by the way matey!!!!       

[mikiboy]

or get a 400.
Why buy new.   You are still learning and will be for a long time

[Ed.]

i'd say out of the choices the ninja, mainly cuz its the most sencible. You park that classic up anywhere, it'll be as easy to hotwire as a light bulb, so beware.

Personally i'd opt for what everyone else has said, get a bigger-ish bike and restrict it, its cheaper in the long run and will most likely last longer cuz it wont have to rev itself to bits trying to keep up with everyday traffic. think 350-600cc

Although i Obviously dont know anything due to my age, but i'm speaking practically here. 

[Mr Mandy]

i'd say out of the choices the ninja, mainly cuz its the most sencible. You park that classic up anywhere, it'll be as easy to hotwire as a light bulb, so beware.

It doesn't have classic electrics matey

[notoriusb.e.n]

derestrict the cagiva, until you're ready for a big bike. Gives you a 30bhp bike, which should be easily as fast as the other two. remeber the others will only do about 110-120, and the raptor should do about that once derestricted. Then you can save for a while, and get a really swish 600.

[mikiboy]

The Enfield is BLOODY heavy and rather cumbersome.  Good enough bikes if you like that sort of thing.  I know a guy who bought one and was very happy with it.
The ninja is nice.
I would say, DO NOT spend more than £1500 on a 1st bike.
CVhances are you wont keep it long as you will, drop it, get bore, suffer from sore wrists, neck, knees, lack of wind protection, too much input required to make it ride nice etc ect tec.
These things you dont find out until you live with a bike.
Buy cheap and sell cheap for the 1st 2 or 3 years and then decide on what you know you REALLY want

[Aks]

As said i'd advice getting a 600 and restricting it. If your getting a ninja which out of the lot i would personally get your probably going to be buying new? I just picked up a 2004 sv650s (well picking up on sunday) for just over £2000, and £150 for restriction but a better choice IMO.

[DoktorMandrake]

or get a 400.
Why buy new.   You are still learning and will be for a long time

The man don't lie. If you de-restrict the Raptor, surely you'll only have to re-restrict it when you come to sell it, as any buyer will likely be on L-plates. I can vouch for the 400s - cheap as chips, hold their value, apparently take restriction well, are well built and easily withstand all the abuse that us learners can throw at em.

[Doug97]

Hmm, I'm starting to come around to the restricted 600 idea, if only cos I went into my local a Yamaha dealer and was told that they fit the restrictor kits for free. Plus there's an interest-free finance offer going at the moment (which also gives you £350 cash back, so that'll pay for an alarm). So I might go for the MT-03.



There's definitely an argument for not buying new but I would still need to find a finance deal, plus I'm allergic to paying interest.

[DaZsLy]

Hmm, I'm starting to come around to the restricted 600 idea, if only cos I went into my local a Yamaha dealer and was told that they fit the restrictor kits for free. Plus there's an interest-free finance offer going at the moment (which also gives you £350 cash back, so that'll pay for an alarm). So I might go for the MT-03.



There's definitely an argument for not buying new but I would still need to find a finance deal, plus I'm allergic to paying interest.

What bike is that? fazer?

[Doug97]

Yamaha MT-03.

[Aks]

Its unique looking which isn't a bad thing. Don't see many on the road.

[FoggyZX9R]

Ninja. Parallel twin 4 stroke. Engine is solid as a rock. You can rev the nuts off it and it wont hurt it and you'll feel your going a lot quicker than you are adding to the fun factor. It'll still get you nicked though.
Value will hold pretty well as Yam and Suzuki wont be bringing thiers out for a couple of years, and I firmly belive that there is a 250 market in the UK.
Very very easy to ride round town and on the twisties its been more fun than any 600 I have ridden.

Power isnt everything, fun is my sons Ninja has been just that.

Plus it looks pretty cool.

Two problems
One you cant get one till October as far as I know. The 200 that were impoted have been sold within a month. October being the next delivery into the UK.
Two there isnt any 0% rate on these bikes.

Best of luck in your choice.

If price is an issue and you decide to go for a restricted, which I think is also a very sensible move, have a look at the Thundercat Yamaha

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/?N=189%20148%204294043369
 

[Mr Mandy]

Its unique looking which isn't a bad thing. Don't see many on the road.

A very disappointing bike, that's why.


Yamaha screwed up big time with the MT range.

They over-estimated demand, flooding the country with a bike no-one wanted. A lot of this was due to the original prices.

There are several dealers, DK for example, who have dozens of them and cannot shift them without making a loss.

[Sprocket]

I always liked the look of MT03 it looks nice, what was the problem with it???

[Mr Mandy]

I always liked the look of MT03 it looks nice, what was the problem with it???

It got slated big time on reviews.


The fuel economy and performance being the main reasons.


Personally I quite like them, but the majority don't.

[stormer]

Underpowered or not, that Enfield is great!

+1 a real motorcycle.......

[Doug97]

This review seems to like the MT-03:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag4/art20051201/htm/route-yamaha-MT-03.htm

[Sprocket]

It wasn't a bad write up....

[Doug97]

I also like how its power is only 45bhp, so I won't be completely strangling it when I restrict it. And the article says "perfect for beginners."

Just need to get rid of the Cagiva first! It's on eBay, MCN and Autotrader.