Commuting on the Ninja 250

sm0kediver · August 7th, 2008, 01:52 PM

I ride my 2003 Ninja 250 to work 5 days a week (weather permitting) and I am always looking for better ways to carry things. Right now I am using a Cortech Mini Tank Bag (great bag for the 250 btw), and bungee cords on the rear. I have been looking at the Cortech Sport Tail Bag, but I want other options. Any recommendations? In particular, I'd like to be able to carry a gallon of milk without resorting to a milk crate and bungee cords...

Saturn_V · August 29th, 2008, 07:40 PM

Another 250 commuter here...

I've got some Cortech soft saddlebags (not sure what model) that came off of my old VFR. The mounting straps are kind of big for the Ninja, but it works and gives me pretty decent carrying capacity. Not enough for a gallon of milk, though. I've been kind of thinking about a tail bag as well, though, so I'd be interested to see if anyone's got any other (more useful) suggestions than mine...

-S5

Alex · August 29th, 2008, 07:50 PM

A gallon of milk is tough, as it's reasonably heavy and you want it in something that doesn't bounce around that much. Hard bags are a challenge on either generation of Ninjette, but I did see someone who replaced the rear seat on a 2008 model with a mount for a Givi-like top case.

I really liked the Ventura Rack system on our 2004 Ninjette, it would have worked fine for a gallon of milk, but the setup isn''t cheap and may be overkill for just occasional use.

barrypz · August 30th, 2008, 05:08 PM

I put a piece of 3/8 plywood in the bottom of a 20 inch duffle, then put a couple of hasps out the bottom so I could bungee it to the exhaust supports. It is good for a weekend away, or a quick trip to the market.
Barry

JCCJMM_ · August 30th, 2008, 05:48 PM

My Dowco tail bag would fairly easily hold a gallon of milk, plus a little extra.
Cost me $40 plus shipping (about $8) from motorcyclesuperstore.com.
Even includes a sewn-in rain cover.

Great bag for the money

sprale · September 26th, 2008, 02:13 PM

My '07 is perfect for commuting. I ride 20 miles one way five days a week. I get 72mpg on average lately. I have a Ventura rack, Givi top case, Fieldsheer saddlebags and an Oxford (large) tank bag. I custom cut a large touring-type windscreen and put 15/41 gears on it. I have a spare seat that I am going to modify this winter as well. I have about 20k miles on mine already...

2007 Quarter-Concours Ninjette

dw8 · September 29th, 2008, 09:38 AM

The easiest way to put storage on a 250!

http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic...=708804#708804

JCCJMM_ · September 29th, 2008, 04:09 PM

It definately is a low cost and effective option.
I don't think it looks too hot, but it is pretty cool nonetheless.

Purspeed · November 21st, 2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

A gallon of milk is tough, as it's reasonably heavy and you want it in something that doesn't bounce around that much.

True that. I tried carrying a bottle of supplements and that was a pain.

sprale · November 21st, 2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw8

The easiest way to put storage on a 250!

http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic...=708804#708804

Sweet! The Action Packer has migrated here as well!

Sure beats the cost of the Ventura rack and Givi case on my Ninjette! How nice standard hard luggage would be on small bikes.

TonyKZ1 · December 9th, 2008, 09:35 AM

I'm doing the commuting thing on my Ninja too, have been for several years now. I've got a Motopak GT-17 tankbag that I use most of the time but when I need to carry more than it'll hold I put on my Motopak GT-Tail Bag as it holds 30L.
Works good for me, Tony

August 7th, 2008, 01:52 PM	#1
sm0kediver one disaster at a time Name: Jody Location: West Georgia Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): EX250J9 Posts: 411	Commuting on the Ninja 250 I ride my 2003 Ninja 250 to work 5 days a week (weather permitting) and I am always looking for better ways to carry things. Right now I am using a Cortech Mini Tank Bag (great bag for the 250 btw), and bungee cords on the rear. I have been looking at the Cortech Sport Tail Bag, but I want other options. Any recommendations? In particular, I'd like to be able to carry a gallon of milk without resorting to a milk crate and bungee cords...

August 29th, 2008, 07:50 PM	#3
Alex 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	A gallon of milk is tough, as it's reasonably heavy and you want it in something that doesn't bounce around that much. Hard bags are a challenge on either generation of Ninjette, but I did see someone who replaced the rear seat on a 2008 model with a mount for a Givi-like top case. I really liked the Ventura Rack system on our 2004 Ninjette, it would have worked fine for a gallon of milk, but the setup isn''t cheap and may be overkill for just occasional use. __________________________________________________ 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)

August 30th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#4
barrypz ninjette.org newbie Name: Barry Location: connecticut Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250 Posts: 6	duffle I put a piece of 3/8 plywood in the bottom of a 20 inch duffle, then put a couple of hasps out the bottom so I could bungee it to the exhaust supports. It is good for a weekend away, or a quick trip to the market. Barry

September 26th, 2008, 02:13 PM	#6
sprale Dead-thread Necromancer! Name: Levon Location: Central Texas Join Date: Sep 2008 Motorcycle(s): K5 V-Strom Posts: 144 Blog Entries: 3	2007 ZG250 Quarter-Concours My '07 is perfect for commuting. I ride 20 miles one way five days a week. I get 72mpg on average lately. I have a Ventura rack, Givi top case, Fieldsheer saddlebags and an Oxford (large) tank bag. I custom cut a large touring-type windscreen and put 15/41 gears on it. I have a spare seat that I am going to modify this winter as well. I have about 20k miles on mine already... 2007 Quarter-Concours Ninjette

December 9th, 2008, 09:35 AM	#11
TonyKZ1 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Marble Hill, MO Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1975 Kawasaki KZ400D (Sold), 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold), 1997 Yamaha XJ600s Seca II Posts: 231	I'm doing the commuting thing on my Ninja too, have been for several years now. I've got a Motopak GT-17 tankbag that I use most of the time but when I need to carry more than it'll hold I put on my Motopak GT-Tail Bag as it holds 30L. Works good for me, Tony __________________________________________________ 1997 Yamaha Seca II - mostly stock, Racetech upgraded forks, FZ6R rear shock, Oxford Heated Grips, Barkbusters Blizzard Handguards, a Scottoiler vSystem chain oiler. My Mileage Tracker Page.

August 29th, 2008, 07:40 PM	#2
Saturn_V ninjette.org newbie Name: Matt Location: Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): '05 EX250F, '01 Sprint ST Posts: 2	Another 250 commuter here... I've got some Cortech soft saddlebags (not sure what model) that came off of my old VFR. The mounting straps are kind of big for the Ninja, but it works and gives me pretty decent carrying capacity. Not enough for a gallon of milk, though. I've been kind of thinking about a tail bag as well, though, so I'd be interested to see if anyone's got any other (more useful) suggestions than mine... -S5

August 30th, 2008, 05:48 PM	#5
JCCJMM_ ninjette.org member Name: John-Michael Location: Texas Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 133	My Dowco tail bag would fairly easily hold a gallon of milk, plus a little extra. Cost me $40 plus shipping (about $8) from motorcyclesuperstore.com. Even includes a sewn-in rain cover. Great bag for the money

September 29th, 2008, 09:38 AM	#7
dw8 ninjette.org member Name: Steve Location: Boise Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): None Posts: 24	The easiest way to put storage on a 250! http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic...=708804#708804

September 29th, 2008, 04:09 PM	#8
JCCJMM_ ninjette.org member Name: John-Michael Location: Texas Join Date: Aug 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 133	It definately is a low cost and effective option. I don't think it looks too hot, but it is pretty cool nonetheless.

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