[bigwayne3000]

I'm looking into buying a 250 as my first bike when I get my license in another month or 2. I'm going to be buying used and have found a few in my price range I'm interested in but the colors aren't what I want. How much would I be looking at if I were to want to get it painted? I own a 2011 Camaro inferno orange and was thinking of doing the same color with this bike.

 

[clarkmanning]

You will have to find a local painter.
Price could be anywhere from $400 to $1,000.

Please wait at least 6 months before you consider painting the bike; a year would be even better. Most every new rider either drops the bike or has a low speed crash in their 1st year riding. You would be real pissed if you screwed up your new paint job.

 

[bigwayne3000]

Yea I know. I'm enrolling in a motorcycle safety course thats offered by the state of NJ. I've never ridden a bike before so I definately don't want to get on one without knowing anything. I was thinking of taking it to MAACO by me and hopefully getting a decent deal. A buddy of mine knows a bunch of guys who work there since he takes his car there all the time that he's rebuilding.

 

[bigwayne3000]

As I'm talking to you, I broadened my search on Craigslist to include Baltimore and found a '95 Ninja 500 that is actually orange like I want. The guy is selling it for $500 because he says it has a low compression valve problem and needs little engine work. My dad is very good with engines and things (always working on his Ram) so I'm thinking of making the trek out to Baltimore and buying this bike. Would a Ninja 500 be a good beginners bike or would I be better off sticking with the 250?

 

[ZX-7_Rich]

Speaking from personal experience. I wish I had started on a 500 instead of a 250, because I couldn't find a used one at all, and I outgrew the 250 within a few days. But best to say go with whichever feels more comfortable to you. Just my .02

 

[Masta Squidge]

maaco is shit. If you want a crappy paint job that will only last as long as their warranty then go there.

If you go there with a fully prepped bike, then you will get a decent paint job at best. Their prepwork is nonexistant. Too many people complaining about them just washing the car and then spraying over the crap without even sanding it.

 

[bigwayne3000]

I have had 2 buddies go to this MAACO and both haven't had any issues. One of them is finishing up rebuilding his TransAm and had MAACO do his paint job. I found the bike I want anyway in the color I want so I don't think I'll need to worry about the paint job anymore. Now just the engine and possible valve problems haha.

 

[mapolley07]

I also agree that I wish I had started on a 500 rather than a 250. I bought a Ninja 250 back in October and just upgraded to a zx6r. My friend that I sold the 250 to also says he can't wait to upgrade. Had I bought a 500, I still would have it, and wouldn't think of upgrading til the end of the season.

However, I do say that owning the 250 was crucial for me. I think I wouldn't have been able to handle the 600 without something smaller first, or at least would have scared myself into riding like Grandma very quickly, especially since I hadn't ever ridden before. I had ridden a dirtbike once and a quad once before buying my 250, and the first week I rode the 250, I was hitting full throttle all the time and begging for more.

I'm also a big guy, weighing in at 240lb, so the 250 was a bit small for me anyway. Great bike to learn on, just too small for my size if I want to do any highway or distance riding, which is why I upgraded. And a 250 will lift the front wheel if you shift hard or dump the clutch, so don't think its a completely boring ride.

And if you're into cars, my 250 ran dead even with a 2000 Volkswagen Golf GTI 1.8 turbo that had minor mods, and my 250 was stock except for cut down intake snorkels