You would think so...but that's not the case where @ZeroFret lives. I know. I checked the CL ads for his area. Know how many Ninja 250s I found? None. That's how many. Maybe if he went as far away as Seattle there would be some but in his 'hood, nada. Zip. Zilch. Not even an old school Rebel 250.I will say this...you should be able to find a Ninja 250 all day long! I see them all the time as they're starter bikes that people learn on and either want to upgrade, or find out that riding just isn't in their repertoire!
Maybe. Stock it isn't very impressive. However with some jetting changes, ignition advance and maybe some GPZ cams the story might be quite different. My initial thoughts have already been expressed several posts back. And they probably align pretty closely with yours. However, once I did some poking around to see what he had to work with.....it wasn't alot. Certainly not like here in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.I just think with that Zephyr you will get bored with it quick and then have a hard time trying to off-load it if you want something different - again, which I think will come real soon for you!
I've suggested the same. I'm not 100% sure, but durability was not one of the Zephyrs issues. It is vastly under powered for what is very nearly a 600cc inline 4. Seriously. Stock it's like 49 hp. 10 less than an EX. It's also heavier, though not as significantly so as I initially thought.Bottom line for me would be what I discovered in researching the Zephyr's durability. Is there a "Kawasaki Zephyr Forum"? If there is, join and ask around!
Absolutely this might be what happens. Knowing myself, I probably won’t stop looking at my local CL even after I do have a bike. If a good deal on something comes up, I can still grab it, even if it needs a little work. I like having a project, so I can be building some badass replacement for the Zephyr, but at least I’ll still have something to ride.Reality check ...if you decide to play "hop up and mod" (which inevitably spirals into $$$) be aware you'll never recoup any investment into this 30 year old . If I may suggest...resist the compulsion to "turn it into a 750".....simply maintain, ride, learn and enjoy, flip it when and if so motivated.
Before mods: sweet little bike. After mods: hyper-responsive little torque monster screamer
30 July 2018 by Zaddict
Year: 1991
This is a great bike. In stock form, it's comfy and fun and plenty powerful enough for highway use. With a few mods though, it has the potential to be a dream bike. I upgraded the front shocks with progressive springs and adjustable preloaders and the rear shocks with Nitrons. The stock engine put out 46 hp at the rear wheel (according to period reviews). With stage 1 jetting, a performance exhaust and a K&N filter that number went to 52. Swapping in ZX550 cams (from a GPZ550) and an SPII ignition bumped output to 58hp. It's gone from a sweet little ride to a snarling beast. Dogs bark at me as I pass by because they think my exhaust is growling at them (not kidding). All of my ratings for this review are post mods. Even before I would have put all 4 or 5 stars. Webike has thousands of custom parts still available - just about anything for the zephyr 400 will fit the 550. I can't tell you how much I love this bike.[\quote]