The ninja 250 is a proven reliable little engine. The only real changes to the 08 or 09 models is the outter body plastics. Engine and electronics remain pretty much unchanged. As a mechanic, I see very little problems with these bikes PROVIDED that you let them warm up before doing 80 mph on it. Like any engine they can suffer from broken valves, scored bearings etc if you start the bike up and rev it up or go off down the street at 80 mph before the oil warms up and circulates good. These are the only 250cc bikes that I EVER recommend because they are the only ones capable of doing sustained highway speeds. They are fun and light and very flickable. If it were me, I would buy a good used one that has only a few thousand miles on the odo as these can be had for around $2k or less all day long.
