1,500 Miles in 4 days

zenrush · May 30th, 2010, 09:32 PM

Has anyone done a ride like this on their 250? Looking for advice on what to consider and hopefully hear from someone who has some experience with a ride like this.

I am going to Dallas where I will stay for two nights then heading home to VA to see family. Dallas to VA will be single night stops only (Little Rock and Nashville). I will stay 8 or 9 days in VA then make the run back to Lubbock. The only change to the return trip will be a single night layover in Dallas instead of two nights.

I will be running with a manta tank bag and either a tail bag or saddle bags. I am worried about heat from the exhaust damaging the saddlebags since they have do not heat shields so I will probably just run the tailbag.

No mods whatsoever to the ninja. Well I removed the rear fender.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

CC Cowboy · May 31st, 2010, 08:04 AM

I only advice I can give you is, if you have more time enjoy the many fabulous roads that are on your route.

Banzai · May 31st, 2010, 08:14 AM

Stop by WalMart and get you one of those camelback type water backpacks and always have water with you. It's hot out there on your travel route, and if anything happens, you're going to need water so you don't get dehydrated. Put a pack of crackers in a pocket, too.

CZroe · May 31st, 2010, 08:26 AM

I went from GA to CA in 4 days. I wish I could have slowed down and enjoyed the scenery more, but it was frickin' cold (late December). I did have a backpack with a water bladder (from Wal-Mart!) and a Bell tank bag (also from Wal-Mart). The tank bag is larger than yours but I was likely carrying much more (was moving cross-country). Yes, I was sore for many days but the chapped neck and face was much worse. My skin was flaking for weeks! I wasn't even aware that you could "chap" anything other than your lips. Cold air = dry air and dry are will siphon moisture from your body.

zenrush · May 31st, 2010, 10:00 PM

Water is critical. Got it!

Thanks for the advice.

And man.... GA to CA in 4 days. That has to be some kind of ride.

KELPHYN · May 31st, 2010, 10:44 PM

Sounds like a good ride. As for luggage, if you can fit what you need in the tailbag go that route. The lighter the better. 1500 miles. Hmm, adjust chain tension, check oil, air filter, tire pressures and tire tread. Remember to pack your chain lube as you will need it, also will probably have to adjust your chain once on the road (take your tools). Also when is your next oil change do? If falls in the middle of your trip may as well do it before you leave. Proper bike prep takes a lot of the worry out of a longer trip, the less you have to worry about the more you will enjoy the ride.
So, lots of fluids, lube your chain, take lots of pictures and most of all.. relax and enjoy the ride.

CZroe · June 1st, 2010, 11:17 AM

Yeah, tools are a great idea. I dropped my Parrot SK4000 into my tail fairings at a gas station in Louisiana and had to spend hours trying to get it out with the stock tool kit. Not fun.

Alex · June 1st, 2010, 11:37 AM

Dropped my only bike key into the fairings of an R6 a few years ago. Was lucky to be riding with a guy who owned a Yamaha dealership, who made an educated guess about where it landed, and he turned out to be right on the first shot. Took < 5 minutes, when I was thinking it would be an hours-long ordeal.

EuphCW1 · June 1st, 2010, 08:11 PM

Manage your fatigue. If you get fatigued/tired/sore it is just another thing to dull your focus and concentration. Move around on the saddle, and stop often. The more often you stop the longer distance you can go before you get fatigued (in my experience). A few extra 10 minute stops wont add much time to your trip, and you will arrive feeling better.

Wear earplugs if you don't already (bring plenty of extras if they are the disposable kind).

May 30th, 2010, 09:32 PM	#1
zenrush ninjette.org member Name: Russ Location: Texas Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 650R, 2009 250R (sold) Posts: 55	1,500 Miles in 4 days Has anyone done a ride like this on their 250? Looking for advice on what to consider and hopefully hear from someone who has some experience with a ride like this. I am going to Dallas where I will stay for two nights then heading home to VA to see family. Dallas to VA will be single night stops only (Little Rock and Nashville). I will stay 8 or 9 days in VA then make the run back to Lubbock. The only change to the return trip will be a single night layover in Dallas instead of two nights. I will be running with a manta tank bag and either a tail bag or saddle bags. I am worried about heat from the exhaust damaging the saddlebags since they have do not heat shields so I will probably just run the tailbag. No mods whatsoever to the ninja. Well I removed the rear fender. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

May 31st, 2010, 08:04 AM	#2
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I only advice I can give you is, if you have more time enjoy the many fabulous roads that are on your route. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 31st, 2010, 08:14 AM	#3
Banzai Psychic war veteran Name: Thomas Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Kawi Green '09 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 663	Stop by WalMart and get you one of those camelback type water backpacks and always have water with you. It's hot out there on your travel route, and if anything happens, you're going to need water so you don't get dehydrated. Put a pack of crackers in a pocket, too. __________________________________________________ * If you're arguing with some idiot over the internet, chances are pretty good he's doing the same thing! Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction

June 1st, 2010, 11:37 AM	#8
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	Dropped my only bike key into the fairings of an R6 a few years ago. Was lucky to be riding with a guy who owned a Yamaha dealership, who made an educated guess about where it landed, and he turned out to be right on the first shot. Took < 5 minutes, when I was thinking it would be an hours-long ordeal. __________________________________________________ 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)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
First 500 Miles	Proteus	Ride Reports	11	August 8th, 2014 08:05 AM
Six states, seven days, 2000+ miles	ninjamunky85	Ride Reports	64	May 27th, 2014 05:14 PM
First 500 Miles on my Ninjette	BlackNinja8	Riding Skills	104	April 5th, 2012 10:46 AM
1,500 miles...too early for synthetic?	jent	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	7	August 20th, 2011 03:57 AM
500 miles	drstimpy	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	4	April 6th, 2010 07:17 AM

May 31st, 2010, 08:26 AM	#4
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I went from GA to CA in 4 days. I wish I could have slowed down and enjoyed the scenery more, but it was frickin' cold (late December). I did have a backpack with a water bladder (from Wal-Mart!) and a Bell tank bag (also from Wal-Mart). The tank bag is larger than yours but I was likely carrying much more (was moving cross-country). Yes, I was sore for many days but the chapped neck and face was much worse. My skin was flaking for weeks! I wasn't even aware that you could "chap" anything other than your lips. Cold air = dry air and dry are will siphon moisture from your body.

May 31st, 2010, 10:00 PM	#5
zenrush ninjette.org member Name: Russ Location: Texas Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 650R, 2009 250R (sold) Posts: 55	Water is critical. Got it! Thanks for the advice. And man.... GA to CA in 4 days. That has to be some kind of ride.

May 31st, 2010, 10:44 PM	#6
KELPHYN ninjette.org guru Name: Calvin Location: Quesnel, B.C Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R (sold), 2013 300SE Posts: 276	Sounds like a good ride. As for luggage, if you can fit what you need in the tailbag go that route. The lighter the better. 1500 miles. Hmm, adjust chain tension, check oil, air filter, tire pressures and tire tread. Remember to pack your chain lube as you will need it, also will probably have to adjust your chain once on the road (take your tools). Also when is your next oil change do? If falls in the middle of your trip may as well do it before you leave. Proper bike prep takes a lot of the worry out of a longer trip, the less you have to worry about the more you will enjoy the ride. So, lots of fluids, lube your chain, take lots of pictures and most of all.. relax and enjoy the ride.

June 1st, 2010, 11:17 AM	#7
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Yeah, tools are a great idea. I dropped my Parrot SK4000 into my tail fairings at a gas station in Louisiana and had to spend hours trying to get it out with the stock tool kit. Not fun.

June 1st, 2010, 08:11 PM	#9
EuphCW1 ninjette.org member Name: Craig Location: Austin Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 EX250-J, 2008 Honda CBR600RR Posts: 12	Manage your fatigue. If you get fatigued/tired/sore it is just another thing to dull your focus and concentration. Move around on the saddle, and stop often. The more often you stop the longer distance you can go before you get fatigued (in my experience). A few extra 10 minute stops wont add much time to your trip, and you will arrive feeling better. Wear earplugs if you don't already (bring plenty of extras if they are the disposable kind).