old_rider wrote on 08/15/16 at 15:26:40:PPppssstttt!!! Get a used 300 ninja!!!
Fuel injected, water cooled, a little torquier (is that a word?) than the 250..... and maintenance is almost NIL!
Yep....the 300 is a better bike. The only downside is cost, as you won't be finding them for $ 800 unless the are a basket case. (And the fact they are fuel injected if you want the ability to work on your carbs periodically).
I needed the 1987 - 2007 version for building the Cafe' conversion (and I bought it for $ 250 with a blown motor).
The Ninja 250/300 forum is great. The general membership isn't as helpful and friendly as this forum - but the page that tells you about tires/engines/mods is perhaps better, as it just lays it on the line without pages of discussion.
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Ninja250_Howto