Bought a Ninja 250 today 5/16/11

[exploring/carolina]

Purchased a 1999 Ninja 250R (first Ninja) today 5/16/11 with 2100 miles for my wife. Will need to install new set of tires and clean/adjust the carb. Looks like this bike has been stored inside most of it's life & is in good condition. My wife likes the seat height/weight of the bike and it's in such good condition, will leave it stock. Really enjoyed test riding the Ninja today before I bought it.

[Snake]

Congrats, it looks good.

[oroboros]

Cool! Low miles too.

[s_que58]

Nice looking bike.

[n4mwd]

Definitely looks like a good one. I personally like the pregens for a variety of reasons - center stand, faster, better mileage, etc.

Why are you changing tires? They look good in the photo. Are they dry rotted or something?

[RedCromwell]

Congrats! Is it your wife's first bike?

[Ninja_Noob]

Congratulations!

[exploring/carolina]

Thanks Everyone.

She started riding the Honda CRF230L Dual Sport last year. Had trouble finding a pure road bike that she was comfortable with the weight & height.

About the tires, I could get more miles on them, but wanted new tires since the originals were still on the bike. Have a tire machine that makes it easy changing tires.

[kkim]

yes, change out those 12 year old tires. search the forum for some ideas on what are great tires for the pregens.

while you clean out the carbs, consider shimming the needles. it makes the bike a lot more user friendly by delivering more low rpm torque.

watch out, that bike must be fast... after all, it's green.

[exploring/carolina]

Will check out the the tire threads. Ride every chance we get in the NC mountains. Probably order tires tomorrow.

Will start work on the carb tomorrow. The previous owner had purchased a Kawasaki service manual. Will check out tech threads on the carb and shim the needles. Will need low RPM torque in horseshoe turns!

Did not know about "Green" being so fast!

Riding last week in the NC mountains and took this shot of a set of switchbacks:

[MrEmmortal]

That road looks like fun!

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by MrEmmortal

That road looks like fun!

It had "lots" of 180s. Don't have to go fast to have fun on a road like that!

[Green Streak]

Nice bike! That looks like a good road. Where is that one at? I go up to the SC/NC/TN mountains quite a bit during the summer.

[exploring/carolina]

Thanks,

It's Rt. 197 South of Burnsville.

Only problem with this road is about 4 miles of gravel south of the twisty section. We were on Vstrom's, SV's and a R1200GS, so we rode the gravel section too. There was a great place to eat lunch at Burnsville, too:





Cool table:

[Yasko]

I love the blue rims.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by exploring/carolina

Thanks,

It's Rt. 197 South of Burnsville.

Only problem with this road is about 4 miles of gravel south of the twisty section. We were on Vstrom's, SV's and a R1200GS, so we rode the gravel section too.

I'm not too crazy about gravel either. I live on a dirt road and have to creep at 10mph until I get to the pavement. Any faster and you never know when you are going to hit a soft spot (as in 'deep hole full of sugar sand'). Its hard on the chain too. Still it looks like some fine riding up there. I did Lake Okeechobee a few months ago with a friend. That was fun.

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by Yasko

I love the blue rims.

Originally Posted by n4mwd

I'm not too crazy about gravel either. I live on a dirt road and have to creep at 10mph until I get to the pavement. Any faster and you never know when you are going to hit a soft spot (as in 'deep hole full of sugar sand'). Its hard on the chain too. Still it looks like some fine riding up there. I did Lake Okeechobee a few months ago with a friend. That was fun.

The bike does have "cool" colors. Been changing motorcycle tires today for a friend. Will be working on the Ninja tomorrow.

I like riding gravel/fire roads on my KLR. If there is lot's of gravel, will let some air out of the tires for better handling. Keep an air pump to put the right pressure back in the "tyres" once on pavement again.

Here is a shot on Old NC 105 overlooking Shortoff mountain:

[bluepoof]

Congrats!! What a great looking bike.

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by bluepoof

Congrats!! What a great looking bike.

Had a couple of "riding" friends over today and they could not stay off of the Ninja!

Thanks!

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by exploring/carolina

Had a couple of "riding" friends over today and they could not stay off of the Ninja!

Thanks!

Ninjas are highly addictive. Now, they are going to want to buy one too.

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Ninjas are highly addictive. Now, they are going to want to buy one too.

It's my wife's bike "but" will be allowed to ride it on some mountain day rides with my riding friends. Can't wait to see how this 325lb bike handles on the twistys.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by exploring/carolina

Can't wait to see how this 325lb bike handles on the twistys.

throw some sticky tires on there and you'll be amazed by the bike's ability to corner.

with a few low cost mods, the bike can really come alive from it's stock form, but it starts to work away from a user friendly bike that your wife is looking for.

[highpsiguy]

I have had a klr and vstrom...among many others. The baby ninja is very dirt road friendly for me. Don't make your wife miss out because there is a little dirt between here and there. Mine does great on easy offroad stuff. NO KIDDING . Don't believe me; go and give it a try. My 1000cc Concours SUCKED on dirt roads/gravel. I don't know difference. O BTW Kenda 671s ROCK. and CHEAP

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by kkim

throw some sticky tires on there and you'll be amazed by the bike's ability to corner.

with a few low cost mods, the bike can really come alive from it's stock form, but it starts to work away from a user friendly bike that your wife is looking for.

Originally Posted by highpsiguy

I have had a klr and vstrom...among many others. The baby ninja is very dirt road friendly for me. Don't make your wife miss out because there is a little dirt between here and there. Mine does great on easy offroad stuff. NO KIDDING . Don't believe me; go and give it a try. My 1000cc Concours SUCKED on dirt roads/gravel. I don't know difference. O BTW Kenda 671s ROCK. and CHEAP

Will mount some sticky tires, but keep it user friendly!

Like the Kenda's on the KLR. Like the price, too!

Did not know how the Ninja would be on dirt. Sometimes there is a one or two mile road dirt road connecting great paved twistys.

Thanks!

[n4mwd]

My personal favorite is Pirelli Scooters which come in OEM sizes. They are very sticky on dry pavement. They have never let me down on wet pavement, but I don't like to push it. Tires that have high mileage warranties tend to have harder rubber. The scooters are only 5K.

One warning about cornering with the Ninja. If you are used to other bikes, you might find yourself going too fast around the corners. That can get you into trouble if you aren't careful. I ride mine all the time but I still find myself accelerating too fast into a corner from a stop.

[exploring/carolina]

Reading old forum threads about tires for the Ninja.
Hope to order tires tomorrow.

Thanks,

[beqwarrior]

magnificent

[kkim]

Originally Posted by exploring/carolina

Reading old forum threads about tires for the Ninja.
Hope to order tires tomorrow.

if you don't mind sharing, what conclusion have you come to?

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by beqwarrior

magnificent

Thanks

Originally Posted by kkim

if you don't mind sharing, what conclusion have you come to?

Placed order this morning for:

1-PIRELLI MT75 120/80T-16 REAR (MT7504)
1-PIRELLI MT75 100/80T-16 FRONT (MT7503)
2-New Valve Stems

These look like soft tires for a fair price. No problem getting less miles
out of them, since I have a tire machine.

The original tires were 100/80/16 & 130/80/16

Since my wife is 5'3" I did not want to go to 90 profile tires
since I would probably have to lower the bike for her. Will
readjust the shift lever because her riding boots have
thick soles giving her additional height.

Have some chores to take care of this morning. This afternoon
will remove fuel tank, empty gas, check/possibly remove petcock
screen, install inline automotive paper element fuel filter, and remove
carbs for cleaning/adjustment.

Will see how far I get on the bike this afternoon.

Thanks,

[n4mwd]

I didn't realize the MT75 came in 80's. I may get some myself next time around. Also, don't forget to get the little stick on weights. The lead ones are best because the steel ones are too big. I had a hard time finding them around here. In a pinch, harbor freight sells the steel ones. Or you can make due with car ones.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by exploring/carolina

Placed order this morning for:

1-PIRELLI MT75 120/80T-16 REAR (MT7504)
1-PIRELLI MT75 100/80T-16 FRONT (MT7503)
2-New Valve Stems

These look like soft tires for a fair price. No problem getting less miles
out of them, since I have a tire machine.

The original tires were 100/80/16 & 130/80/16

Since my wife is 5'3" I did not want to go to 90 profile tires
since I would probably have to lower the bike for her. Will
readjust the shift lever because her riding boots have
thick soles giving her additional height.

Have some chores to take care of this morning. This afternoon
will remove fuel tank, empty gas, check/possibly remove petcock
screen, install inline automotive paper element fuel filter, and remove
carbs for cleaning/adjustment.

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

I didn't realize the MT75 came in 80's. I may get some myself next time around. Also, don't forget to get the little stick on weights. The lead ones are best because the steel ones are too big. I had a hard time finding them around here. In a pinch, harbor freight sells the steel ones. Or you can make due with car ones.

One of the guys I ride with reuses the stick-on weights. He removes them and uses double sided sticky tape to re-install weights while balancing new tires.

Will try the double sided tape trick on the stick-on weights next time. Golf shops use double sided tape to install golf grips.

The MT75 tires are stock on the Buell Blast and the following link to the tire section in the Ninja250 FAQ page had good things to say about them:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9813

Thanks,

[DaBlue1]

Hey exploring/carolina,
Those switchbacks look nice. I'm trying to put together a ride with a few other riders to the Diamondback the first weekend in June. I'm right down the road from you in Mt. Island. BTW, your bike looks like the one they had at Matthews Fun Machines a few weeks ago. I will post up more info about the Diamondback ride sometime next week. Let me know if you want to join in. I'm sure you've probably already been.

[Green Streak]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

I didn't realize the MT75 came in 80's. I may get some myself next time around. Also, don't forget to get the little stick on weights. The lead ones are best because the steel ones are too big. I had a hard time finding them around here. In a pinch, harbor freight sells the steel ones. Or you can make due with car ones.

Have you tried Dyna Beads. I bought a couple of bags but haven't had a chance to put them in the bike yet. No wheel weights needed with these. should be better since it re-balances your tires automatically each time you ride.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Hey exploring/carolina,
Those switchbacks look nice. I'm trying to put together a ride with a few other riders to the Diamondback the first weekend in June. I'm right down the road from you in Mt. Island. BTW, your bike looks like the one they had at Matthews Fun Machines a few weeks ago. I will post up more info about the Diamondback ride sometime next week. Let me know if you want to join in. I'm sure you've probably already been.

Thanks for the invite. Will be happy to go on the ride.

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by Green Streak

Have you tried Dyna Beads. I bought a couple of bags but haven't had a chance to put them in the bike yet. No wheel weights needed with these. should be better since it re-balances your tires automatically each time you ride.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

Have not tried dyna Beads yet, but understand they work well in motorcycles.

Thanks!

[exploring/carolina]

Removed the fuel tank and carburetor today. The bike did not run well when I bought it, seemed like carburetor problems.

I looked in the fuel tank when I bought it and saw a small amount of white coating that looked like tank liner. When I removed the tank and emptied it, look what I pulled out of the tank. Someone tried to install a tank liner without removing the rust & prepping the tank properly. Got most of the old liner out.

The tank also had a new petcock valve installed. The new petcock valve/screen was in good shape.

Pulled the float bowls off of the carburetor and does not look bad, so far. Will clean out the carburetor.

Ordered the POR 15 HD motorcycle tank liner kit. It also has a stripper to remove a previously installed failed tank liners. Have used POR 15 tank liner in the past without problems.

Looks like this bike sat so much it got "lots" of rust in the fuel tank when someone tried to line the tank. The original petcock screens were probably stopped up, too.

[kkim]

yuck... not a liner man, myself, for this very reason.

I assume you've cleaned out clogged carbs before? don't forget to shim the needles while you have it apart.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Green Streak

Have you tried Dyna Beads. I bought a couple of bags but haven't had a chance to put them in the bike yet. No wheel weights needed with these. should be better since it re-balances your tires automatically each time you ride.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

MCN tested them awhile back, they found them to not work at all. YMMV.

The following comes from their answer to a letter asking about Dyna Beads in the February 2010 issue:

"MCN evaluated the Dyna Beads on a reader's suggestion back in October of 2006. Although the tiny white ceramic beads have apparently found favor with long-haul truckers, we tested them in a Honda 599. Using a shop's spin balancer, we checked the bike's rear wheel, which had 1.6 oz. of balance weights in place. The balancer agreed with the amount and location of the weights. After installing the specified two ounces of beads in the rear tire and then removing the rim weights, the balancer found an out of balance condition. This test was repeated five times and the balancer continued to call for the replacement of the 1.6 oz. of rim weights in the same location. Over-the-road testing was next. Without the rim weights, the rear wheel produced noticeable vibration and the installation of the beads gave a barely perceptible improvement. Also, the weight of the beads added so close to the tire tread gave a noticeable increase in gyro stability, making the steering heavier. We also tried them on a car and were disappointed. Bottom line: Save your money for a proper spin balance."

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by kkim

yuck... not a liner man, myself, for this very reason.

I assume you've cleaned out clogged carbs before? don't forget to shim the needles while you have it apart.

This is my first motorcycle carburetor, so I may have questions.

The red color is the rust someone tried to line over. This is what happens with poor prep or no prep before installing the liner.

A guy that rebuilds vintage motorcycles for a living told me how to reline the tank using POR 15, & it worked well.

Thanks,