...at 50mph, i was in 6th gear at about 5500 rpms
So,
It's got a 14,000 rpm redline. 5500 is nothing.
My 400 also had a 14,000 rpm redline, 50 mph was 5000 rpm in sixth, 60 @6000 etc...Made it a little buzzy but nothing that bad.
I love the 250 Ninja because I can ride it 10/10ths WFO, and I do not:
A) attract too much cop attention
B) Instantly place myself in a "OH s**t I"M GONNA' DIE! situation.
I'd honestly rather have the 250 Ninjette than a GS500F.
Nothing against the bulletproof 'zook. It's engine makes a boatload more torque than the Kawi. But it is an old 2 valve aircooled design from the '70s. The 'zook will walk away from the baby Kawi but the Ninjette is more fun to twist the throttle on.