Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
The reason the DF250 is cheaper is because it is inferior in every way to a Ninja. I'm not sure which DF250 you are talking about the Lifan DF250 or the Dong Fang 250. Regardless Chinese bikes are mostly a bit crap compared to a Japanese bike. There are some exceptions where there are well proven bikes that have a good track record, these bikes are the exception to the rule and usually 125cc machines mostly built by the same factories that manufacture Japanese branded bikes on a different production line with different badging. Some are even getting closer like CFMOTO and Chinese made Benelli, but still you'll always be wondering when the next EFI or electrical glitch might happen.
You often hear things like 'it has a 2 year warranty so it'll be OK' or 'my mate has one put 15,000 miles on it so it's fine'. In nearly every case I'd prefer the 2nd hand Japanese bike. Better assembled, better designed, better components. Doesn't mean the DF is destined to fail, just much more likely to.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Thanks ZMC. It's the dog fang I was inquiring about. My mechanic said the same thing but he might tell me anything. I wanted to know from someone who has personally had one or knows someone that does. I know how dependable the ninjas are but with this being my first motorcycle I wanted it from the horses mouth. Thanks again.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Its actually 2008 for the revised 250R…you can get one for under 3K and sell it fairly easily if you want to get another bike later. There have been a few that posted on the site claiming they bought one of the DF250 sport like bikes, they are all short stories, those bikes are really the same as a dual sport covered in fairing. In that the makers can hide all the bad welds and crappy wiring harnesses. If you buy one it may be fun for a while but if you lose interest in it, that loss of interest will come with it losing nearly all it’s resale value as well. You might want to do some more research until you figure out that you could own a Ninja 250 for the same amount of time as owning a DF250 and come out of owning the ninja with residual value, you would be throwing away your money on the DF250, even if you only ride it gently and take excellent care of it, it will still lose its value, basically at resale the Chinese bikes are near worthless. Whereas the Japanese’s bike will retain value.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Thanks MJH. I was worried about resale value as well. I may want to go to a bigger bike someday and don't really want to lose money on it.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Let’s be honest the reason you are even considering the Chinese is because you cannot test ride a used bike. I would not let a person that is not licensed and insured test ride a bike I am selling. So you see these shipped to you as a way to beat that. A way to get endorsement? But in reality if you buy one you will lose any investment.
In the spring I test ride allot of bikes for sale. The seller of used bikes are all ready to sell and if you show up with a license and insurance they will let you take it out on the road. You have to be licensed and insured in reality, if you are researching then really research.
So at first you have to just get licensed for as little investment as possible. Then once endorsed you can test ride and really get and understanding of different bikes.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
if you bought a CB300F and only used it to learn...you could sell it for over 75% of what you paid for it. At 3,999 plus fees you could ride it under full warranty and then sell it. for over $3,000.00. If you buy a cheap shitty Chinese bike you will loose much more 200% of what it would cost to get a brand new Honda.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
I'd take the Japanese bike any day. A 10 year old Jap bike will give you less grief than a new Chinese one !
About 4 months ago I bought my wife a Honda 110 Scooter and at the same time 2 of her friends bought Chinese scooter. The Honda just needs petrol, washing and an oil change. One of the Chinese scooter has stopped completely and the owner is still argueing with the seller to get it fixed, the other one as been into the dealer 3 times for issues.
I rest my case :-)
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
I'd go for a used Ninja 250 over a Chinese bike, especially since you live in the States and there are tons of used Ninja 250's, often with low miles, for cheap. One great benefit is that Kawasaki made little changes to the EX250 (Ninja 250) since it was introduced. I think the 87-07's are all the same except the colors, so parts availability is no problem. In '08 they updated the bodywork and added 17" wheels, and made some other minor changes (not sure on the specifics, though). The 17" wheels are nice for better tire selection, but you can still get excellent tires for the 16" rims.
My suggestion having ridden the piss out of Ninja 250's: as a first bike, I'd go for a used one you can pluck for under $2000. Maybe even an '08 if you wait long enough... but you can buy a good used "first gen" Ninja (87-07) all day for $1500 or less. It's your first bike, right? Don't worry about looking cool... you'll probably drop it half a dozen times just getting used to riding.
That is a much better option than a Chinese bike.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
It is my first bike so used is obviously the better way to go. I've already decided that. I guess I need to make it clear that I will NOT even attempt to ride a motorcycle until I take the MSF safety course. Debating on which bike has nothing to do with the endorsement or if it can be shipped to me. The thought never even occurred to me. I am actually currently riding a cheap little 49cc scooter which is a no name and I've already had to spend over $700 to replace the engine in and $300 before that to replace the clutch. I only paid $800 for the stupid thing but it gets me where I need to go and I get 110 miles a gallon. I knew at some point I would want to grow up to a big girl bike and now is the time. I've always liked the ninja's. I love the body style and I've heard great things about the way they handle and how they are as a first bike. I didn't know of the Dong Fang's until recently and wanted to get an opinion on them from the people who knew best. The one I found was actually on craigslist so it was already assembled and wouldn't need to be shipped to me. I've looked into the honda cbr as well but performance wise it looks like the ninja wins hands down. As for looking cool, I'll admit, I want a nice looking bike. I mean hell, you wouldn't screw someone you're not attracted to so I don't want to ride something that has no appeal for me which is why I don't like the look of the first gen ninja's. The one headlight does nothing for me. lol.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Don't forget to check the engine CCs. 250 does not always mean a full 250cc.
Honda Rebel is 234cc and Yamaha XV / Star is 249cc. Both have been around over 20 years and used prices are VERY low.
Parts are easy to find,as the year changes are only color & decals. 2012 brought handlebar and fuse type changes on the Star.
Most MSF safety courses use these bikes too.
1 Attachment(s)
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mmickinkle
[...] you wouldn't screw someone you're not attracted to so I don't want to ride something that has no appeal for me [...]
That's arguable. An old cranky beaten up 125cc can get u places... But yea, better on a ninja 09.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mmickinkle
[...]which is why I don't like the look of the first gen ninja's. The one headlight does nothing for me. lol.
Actually this year Kawasaki comes back to the single headlight design, better looking than ever IMO:
Attachment 16771
I like that this new Ninja don't try to be big like the inflated fairing of the 2013's, it's a small displacement bike, with a fairing that fits its small frame and engine => harmonious bike.
Anyways, let's come back to 2009.
Don't fall into the trap of getting a cheap CH bike like I did.
U can't blame no one for cheap alloys, scarce availability of spare parts which are crap, no after sales service whatsoever and poor assembly when it was u who refused to pay for it in the first place.
Chinese bikes are built with one thing in mind, being pretty and robust enough to make it out of the shop.
The ninja, year after year, is built with the same thing in mind, being the best 250cc there is.
The questions u should ask urself is which color is gonna be ur ninja 09, how u gonna mod it and where can u push it to max speed safely.
:)
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
It does look better but still not my thing. Lol. And even though blue is my normal go to color I'm thinking black/orange/white or the green kawi has on the special edition 300's. Thanks for the post braillce!
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Actually, the Honda CB300F, which is the naked version of the CBR, is made in China I understand. That's why it sells for #3995 US. Here is a thread from www.advrider.com about the CB300F:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993054
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
birdmove
Made in Thailand, not China.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ZMC888
Made in Thailand, not China.
My mistake. In the aforementioned advrider thread, a few posts refered that it was made in China.
Re: DF 250cc or ninja 250cc?
Thanks Bird. The design is sleek but the 1 headlight really does nothing for me.
