ninja 250 for long commute?

[AZridered]

Are there specific reasons that make you think the DR would be a better commuter than the Ninja?

The seat.
Wide and flat.

[caeman]

Few motorcycle seats are comfy when new.

As for being wide and flat, the Ninja 250 seat is pretty wide and flat.

[MN_Smurf]

As for being wide and flat, the Ninja 250 seat is pretty wide and flat.

Only on the '07 and earlier Ninjettes.....

[caeman]

I had a 2007. The seat changed?

[shaddix]

Are there specific reasons that make you think the DR would be a better commuter than the Ninja?

Not really, probably the ergonomics are better for me though. The main reason I am looking at a DR is the increased versatility. I can ride longer distances more comfortably, I can become familiar with riding on trail and gravel. The plan is to ride it for a year or so and then trade for something with more go. (naked bmw maybe, or a versys/vstrom)

Is the DR650 still a thumper?

yes

[caeman]

Goodness. I thought the Ninaj 250 was loud at 75 MPH. The DR650 must sound like a chainsaw.

[MN_Smurf]

I had a 2007. The seat changed?

When they changed the fairings and everything else in '08...it's now a two piece seat like the bigger Ninjas.....

[sllr]

Some info about the DR650...

It can handle 75 MPH with the (stock) 15T front sprocket, but a 16T sprocket would be my choice for extended rides at that speed. The bigger problem at that speed is being pushed around by the wind.

The stock seat is not very wide. I've got a Sargent seat on mine which is much wider and flatter.

[atomicalex]

The DR650 must sound like a chainsaw.

That's about what my F sounds like. I usually refer to it as a big snowblower.

[shaddix]

I'm at my msf now. Its pretty awesome. The first day sucked but today is badass. I scrape the pegs on the cornering exercise