Well, I don't consider myself an above-average rider at all, but I am very experienced; I've been riding on the street since the mid/late 70's, the first couple of years on the back roads of Southern Germany.
I've owned or ridden about 3 dozen different bikes, from 55cc to my Z1000, and I can truly say that the mint '95 Ninja 250 I bought my Nephew to learn on was one of the most fun and best handling bikes I've ever ridden, hands down.
My BF remarked that he saw me lean that little thing farther than he's ever seen me do on anything else. When I bought it, the tires were not worn, but old (it had 1500 miles on it but was 12 years old) so I immediately went out & put some Pirelli Sport Demons on it....GREAT tire for that bike, I'd recommend you get a set sooner than later, you'll love 'em.
I'm actually even heavier than you but still found it had plenty of power. As you found out, you just have to ride it like an old 2 stroke, with the meat of the power band being from 6000-9000 rpm!
Please MAKE DAMN SURE YOU CHECK THE OIL LEVEL OFTEN!!! The pre '08 models like yours have a tiny oil capacity, just > 2 qt. I warned my Nephew about this & he forgot....and lightly seized the motor. Sigh.....and I was going to buy it back from him, too.
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