February 10th, 2016, 10:00 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: O
Location: New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 96
|
Can 2007 Ninja 250 handle the highway?
I'm still new to riding. I ride around local roads mostly anywhere from 30-50 mph roads. I haven't gone on a major highway yet. And I'm a little nervous wondering if my bike can handle it.
When I drive on the highways there are some weird ups and downs a little bumpy, and they're far from a perfect straight road. I wonder what it would be like on my bike. Anyone else have a similar lightweight bike. How does it handle the highway roads. |
|
February 10th, 2016, 10:02 PM | #2 |
Vintage Screwball
Name: B
Location: Washington
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250, 2008 Ninja 250, 2019 KTM 1290SDR, 2017 FZ10 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '16
|
Just fine. Stay away from semis for a while, if you can, until you get used to the bike. They will blow you around a little bit.
__________________________________________________
Goin' fast on slow bikes! |
|
February 10th, 2016, 10:18 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AL
Location: west new york
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): ex250r, vulcan 800b, k1200r Posts: 40
|
Yes it can handle the highways. I took my little 2 fitty from New Jersey to Deal's Gap in No. Carolina. Took I-95, I-66 to Skyline Dr. in VA and leisurely rode to Robbinsville and spent a week touring around there. My Ninja can do 95+ mph, more going downhill. Have fun and ride safe.
|
|
February 10th, 2016, 10:26 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Hey, I'm new to riding, too! I've had my Ninja250 up to 60mph, and husband has had her up to 70 or so on the freeway. I'm not up to freeways myself, yet, though I've gone through some mild canyons.
So far- just keep at it! We've been giving me one new thing at a time: gentle canyon, very slow. Then a bit more challenging curvy bits, and a downhill. Then wind. Yesterday was a bit more of a curvy road, plus some wind, a freeway-type merge, and traffic (but not an actual freeway). And we haven't taken my speed up too quickly. Oh, and parking lots make great places to practice skills. Or deserted areas - like industrial areas on weekends when everybody's home. |
|
February 10th, 2016, 10:56 PM | #5 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
|
|
February 10th, 2016, 11:33 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Another thing I've found helpful is the "Master Yoda" riding position- essentially kind of squatting on the bike, instead of a rounding-the-back-sit like you do in a regular chair.
Bend at the HIPS, not waist Maintain a SLIGHT arch to the back, not allowing it ever to "curve" Move the butt AFT so the weight is OVER YOUR FEET. Apply pressure to the feet, using the THIGH muscles, so you are sitting "lightly" ELBOWS BENT, now DROP the hands to the bars. It's a post on a BMW sport-touring site, but it has helped me be more in control of the bike, even as a newb, and helps keep my back from hurting. It's really hard for me to keep the weight off my hands unless I do the Master Yoda. |
|
February 14th, 2016, 05:02 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Fred
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Feb 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250r Posts: 41
|
It can handle the highways. Funny thing though is that at 70 mph on the highway during my commute to work my FZ8 gets about the same mileage as the little 250 due to the fact that the engine is wound up pretty good at that point.
|
|
February 14th, 2016, 05:32 PM | #8 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
The Ninjette is a fine highway bike. I have ridden mine even to my trip to North Carolina coast. With my weight of about 220lbs in gear, and the bike with a tank and tail bag it did just fine.
SERENITY is stock except the gearing which is +1/-2.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
February 14th, 2016, 07:19 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Shoulder Blade
Location: WV
Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Hoodrat 250 Posts: 242
|
Is Serenity like the one on Firefly? Good show. Too bad it was cut short.
__________________________________________________
"Brah, you can't be looking like that on a 250, brah. You gotta mod a 250, brah. It's like the hachi-roku of bikes." |
|
February 14th, 2016, 07:28 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: steven
Location: new york
Join Date: Jun 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2004 kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 44
|
the 250 can keep up with the highway but the biggest problem with them are the wind. The wind blows you around like nothing and you find yourself fighting with the wind at times. It's only on windy days though.
|
|
February 14th, 2016, 07:31 PM | #11 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/blog.php?b=8347
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
February 14th, 2016, 08:33 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Seriously though... Google is your friend. Try it. There's probably 20 threads on just this forum asking if the ninjette is capable of highway travel.
The answer? Ride the darn thing yourself and find out. If it works for you, stick with it. If you find that you prefer not to ride highway, then find alternate routes. It's that simple. What does a bunch of random opinions on the internet mean on if your bike is okay on the highway? But really. Google should always be your first step. 30 seconds goes a long way. |
|
February 14th, 2016, 08:41 PM | #13 |
.
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
MOTM - July '15
|
A lot of people say that it gets worse gas mileage on the highway but I still find it gets about 60 mpg, but I have a +1 sprocket in the front, which brings the RPM's down from 10k to a little over 8k.
|
|
February 15th, 2016, 06:21 AM | #14 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
|
The biggest challenge you face on the highway is your own nervousness.
The bike is fine on the superslab. I did a 2600 mile tour on mine a couple of months after buying it. No sweat. I learned a lot about ergonomics and comfort on that trip.... Yes, semis will cause the bike to move. It's a bike, after all. Relax. Stiff is bad, loose is good. Don't be tentative... if a big rig is slowing you down, pass assertively. You'll find that with a low-powered bike like this, wind resistance is a bigger deal than it would be on a larger motorcycle. Get used to tucking (i.e. slide back in the seat, chest ON the tank), especially when passing. The common misperception that the Ninjette can't handle the highway comes from the fact that it's low-powered. However, I've found that its performance is on par with a typical small car (It's about the same as my 2008 Honda Fit in terms of passing ability). My GSX-R, on the other hand, accelerates like a Ferrari. It's a matter of expectations. On a big bike you say "make it so" and you're instantly in front of the car you're trying to pass. On a Ninjette, you plan just as you would if you were driving. As others have said, wind it up. It's happy there.
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 15th, 2016, 07:58 AM | #15 |
-
Name: -
Location: -
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.
|
Can an EX250 handle the highway????
I don't know, maybe we should ask Kurt Worden, Leon Begeman and Duke Dunsford. Don't know who those guys are? They are three riders who've competed and completed the Iron Butt Rally riding the Kawasaki Ninja EX250. Kurt Worden was the most recent finisher, completing the 2015 Iron Butt. He covered 8,768 miles during the 11 days of competition. He finished 37th out of 75 total finishers, the highest a Ninja 250 rider has ever placed. Kurt's accomplishment in 2015 adds to the EX250's Iron Butt legacy of Leon Begeman (2003) and Duke Dunsford (2005). Yeah, I think the EX250 can handle the highway. Question is, can you? |
|
February 15th, 2016, 10:51 AM | #16 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
I first was licensed to ride a motorcycle in 1986. Before I got back on bikes this past July my last bike was a 1997 CBR1100XX, I lived in the Australian Outback and we had no speed limits outside of town. So going fast on a bike was not an unfamiliar experience. But 14 years without being on a bike and then hopping on a Vulcan 900 for a couple of days I wasn't prepared for riding my little Ninjette on the highway. Especially riding it naked without the fairing. The first time I took it out on the freeway was very white knuckled. The bike just seemed to be reving too hard to do 60 mph. After a few trips on the highway and getting used to the idea that yes the red line really is at 14K and reving it to 10k or 11k as you roll on the highway is not a problem. I'm just saying, work your way up, have faith that your Ninjette can really handle the speeds just fine. |
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 19th, 2016, 09:05 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Paddy
Location: Galveston island somewhere near Texas
Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ninja ex 250 Posts: 17
|
2003 ninja
I do it everyday 20k miles with no problem
|
|
February 19th, 2016, 09:47 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ryan
Location: Beaufort SC
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250, 04 KTM 625 SMC, 01 Xc250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
|
I thought she had a taller windscreen, different mirrors, aton of lights, and some reflectors. Along with other comforts and farkles.
__________________________________________________
Because Unregistered sucks at riding. |
|
February 20th, 2016, 07:13 AM | #19 | |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Quote:
I should clarify, mechanically engine wise, except for the CoPs modification. I personally think the taller windscreen hurt my mpg a little.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
|
February 20th, 2016, 07:34 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Monroe, MI
Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - June '15
|
Big guy on a little bike did it no problem for a season. Then I got a big bike. Lol
__________________________________________________
'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 06:44 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
|
I'm also a noob rider and have only been on the highway once. Unfortunately, that was the first time I've put significant miles on the bike since I was riding it home from where I bought it. I love to ride the bike around town but I have to admit I'm not comfortable riding it at higher speeds yet. At an indicated 70 mph (which is actually a little over 60 as I learned from the friend following me), the engine was rapped out to nearly 9k. They say the engine will run at 9k for a long time with no problems but it gets a bit tiring for this old bastard at 43 years old in regard to vibration and noise. Mine does have an aftermarket exhaust on it so maybe it wouldn't be quite as tiring with the stock exhaust.
I recommend you try it for a few miles to see what you think. However, I'm reading some of these posts as a noob rider and all I can think is how my ride wasn't nearly as pleasant as some make it sound. Now that I have more experience with the bike, I will try the highway again. I just need this winter to get over with! |
|
February 25th, 2016, 06:59 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Monroe, MI
Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - June '15
|
I put the larger sprocket up front, which helped a bit, I typically cruised at an indicated 80-85 which put it up around 9000 ( i thought) are you sure you were in 6th??? lol
__________________________________________________
'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:05 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
|
Haha yeah, I attempted to upshift a few times since I was surprised to see such high rpm's. This was last August so maybe it wasn't quite 9k. I posted about it on here so I'll look for that post later. I just remember my hands were numb from the vibration, after about 10 minutes haha. I might've had too much of a death grip though, since it was my first time over 45 mph.
I look forward to trying it again when it gets warmer. I feel much more confident on the bike now, so I'm hoping the highway will feel better. I'd like to ride it work (about 12 miles highway). Edit: I read my initial post and it was 8k. C'monnnn Spring... |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 25th, 2016, 07:25 AM | #24 |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
I ride my 04 Ninja 250 on some of the busiest highways in this nation, NJ/PA turnpike over 100 mile span, one way during my twice weekly commute between NYC and NE PA.
80+ mph, 11k rpm, not a problem. OEM sprockets, chain, just larger rear tire than OEM. The wind/turbulence do effect the handling of lightweight vehicle such as the Ninja 250, but just like anything, practice, practice, practice.. eventually you will master/overcome the fear. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 25th, 2016, 07:26 AM | #25 | |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered) |
|
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
February 25th, 2016, 08:01 AM | #27 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Michael
Location: Northern NJ
Join Date: Nov 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Honda CB 500x Posts: 120
|
Earplugs! Good ones! You won'r regret it.
I remember when I first merged on a major highway (I-287S in NJ) I was immediately passed by 3 semis at their highway speed. I remembered to lean a little, but the first one was "oh f***g S****t c****p M******r", the second one was like "oh f****k, again" and the third one was "it is not THAT bad". You get used to it I will definitely go highway if need to, but would prefer back road when I can. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 08:02 AM | #28 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
Quote:
|
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 10:37 AM | #29 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
You can minimize bar buzz by relaxing your grip, installing better grips, and extra heavy bar ends
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 12:13 PM | #30 | |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
When my rear tire got worn out, I just replaced with 130/90-16 rear tire that has a larger diameter profile than OEM rear tire.. that jacks up the rear end, make the front end more stable for higher speed, at the same time allow lower engine rpm at all speed. Also makes it much easier to put the bike on centerstand. |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 05:30 PM | #31 | |
Vintage Screwball
Name: B
Location: Washington
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250, 2008 Ninja 250, 2019 KTM 1290SDR, 2017 FZ10 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '16
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
Goin' fast on slow bikes! |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 05:48 PM | #32 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
Changing the front sprocket is cheap and day enough to do. +1 seems to be the go to if you spend a lot of time on the hwy, but if most of the time is spent in town then keep the OEM set up.
The Ninjette loves to rev, it's built for it, hard to get use to if it's your first bike,
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 05:58 PM | #33 | |
Vintage Screwball
Name: B
Location: Washington
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250, 2008 Ninja 250, 2019 KTM 1290SDR, 2017 FZ10 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '16
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
Goin' fast on slow bikes! |
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 11:57 AM | #34 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Quote:
I know it likes to rev, but I'm used to the car, which shifts at 2500rpm. And now the ninjette wants to hit 10? And more? Wow. So yeah, there's an adjustment. Working on it. |
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 12:25 PM | #35 | |
vampire
Name: A
Location: IT
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
REDline starts at about 13k rpm, that means anything below that is fair game. You have to run the engine at least 60% of its rev range to get decent power output, which is about 7500 rpm... that's with OEM sprockets and rear tire diameter. To me; anything between 70-90% (7-12k rpm) is happy zone. Anything below 30% (4k rpm) is likely lugging the engine... not so good. |
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 03:46 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Chris
Location: Bristol, UK
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): ZZR250, VFR800 Posts: 491
|
My 2001 ZZR250 will cruise at 80mph on the motorways & can do 200 miles on a tank full at that speed. So your bike will be fine YMMV
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 07:40 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
|
My red line starts at 14k.
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 07:46 PM | #38 |
in your machine
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
|
14k up to 2004, 13k 2005 and up, makes little difference though, due to power peaks around 12,500(IIRC) and falls off so no need to go any higher.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
|
February 27th, 2016, 04:33 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org member
Name: A.P.
Location: Butler County, PA
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 BMW F800s, Former 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 117
|
Like many are saying, perception and familiarity count. First interstate ride felt like I was riding a wood chipper. Second felt like a weed whacker. Third felt like a 250. Good luck and keep your vision on most everything but the gauges. The engine sound is a bit unnerving at first but you get used to that too. Shoot, I drive a diesel Jetta that redlines at like 500 RPM. The bike runs at 10-13k RPM, sounds all wrong at first but meh, that's what they do. Just do all your pre-checks, trust your machine, and ride.
__________________________________________________
Inertia shouldn't define potential. |
|
February 27th, 2016, 09:32 AM | #40 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Yeah, I know, redline's at 13. It just feels so strange to rev it up!
Mental adjustment, getting used to how it feels. Working on it. Hopefully get to ride a few miles on Monday. Work, getting in the way of having fun. Pshaw. |
|