August 14th, 2015, 10:37 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Hello from the frozen tundra
Hello all, just picked up a 2009 250R green/white from my boss here in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It has 3040 miles on it and he sold it to me for what seems to be a great price ($1700). I haven't found another one that cheap in this condition. It's had one of the fairings repainted in the past and it doesn't match exactly, but it doesn't bother me. Otherwise, the bike is in great condition and runs perfectly.
I just started riding last month, when I took the MSF BRC. I figured I'm not getting any younger and I've always wanted to ride so I said screw it - I'm doing it. I rode the bike home just this past Thursday, which was the first time on public roads for me. Prior to that, I had ridden it 40 miles within our large fenced in storage area. It was a bit alarming for me to see/hear the engine rapped out to 8000 rpm while cruising on the highway. That's going to take a bit of getting used to but to be honest, I'll probably just ride this bike around town most of the time anyway. I stumbled on this forum while googling for cargo bag options. I just want a small bag to throw things in so I can use the bike to go to the store or whatever. Is it common for the speedometer to be off? I was cruising an indicated 65-70 mph on the way home but a friend following me said I was only going 55-60. That explains why I was getting passed by everyone hahaha. So I'd have to cruise at 9k+ rpm to maintain 70 mph? Unfortunately, there isn't a back road to drive to work on. Happy to be here! This forum seems to be a good place to be. I'm sure I'll have plenty newb questions to ask, if I can't find answers with a search. Thanks for having me. |
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August 14th, 2015, 11:02 PM | #2 |
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
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Mike V! Glad you found us...
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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August 14th, 2015, 11:39 PM | #3 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 16
MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14
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Howdy Mike and
Most speedos are off on the high side by a few percent (maybe to keep you from speeding, I dunno?) you can always check it with a GPS or smartphone to get an idea what the error is and compensate for it. Yeah, the RPMs will run higher than you expect. If you find yourself on the highway or interstate a lot, a quick mod is to swap the front sprocket from the 14 T stock to a 15 T. That'll bring your RPMs down a bit in higher speeds and lessen the buzziness of the bike on the long haul. Before I filled it up with repair stuff, my tail bag was great for carrying small purchases, now I tend to use my tank bag to toss light stuff in. There's a lot of cargo options out there, soft or hard, that'll make carrying whatever you need to easier. Welcome to the fun world of the Ninjette!
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<-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow. |
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August 15th, 2015, 05:13 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Nicolas
Location: Montreal, Canada
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2 Ninja 250r, Tl1000s and ZX7r Posts: 31
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Welcome Mike V
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August 15th, 2015, 06:04 AM | #5 |
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
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I ran around 11,000 rpm keeping up with my big bike buddies in the twisties.
The speedo seems a bit off to me, usually it's about 5-7 mph iirc. For luggage I found the blaze saddlebags to be a great day to day bag, add a tailbag and tank bag and there is lots of storage. I think wardie on here may be selling my old blaze bags. The tank bag itself is 19 liters, I might get sell it as well since it doesn't fit on my KLR, and it doesn't sit right on my Tenere.
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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August 15th, 2015, 06:06 AM | #6 |
Track Clown
Name: Chris
Location: Kingman, AZ
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '15
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hello
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August 16th, 2015, 12:51 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Hi NevadaWolf, do you remember where you got your tail bag from? I had also heard about the sprocket change from the previous owner. I might do that eventually.
verboten1, thanks for the info on the bags! Thanks for the welcomes. |
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August 16th, 2015, 06:13 AM | #8 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 16
MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14
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Mine came from one of my local shops. Cortech is fairly ubiquitous so if these strike your fancy, finding them local should be easy.
Google shows Revzilla, Amazon, and a few other online retailers carry it also. http://www.cortech.net/inc/sdetail/s...il_bag/181/575
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<-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow. |
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August 16th, 2015, 06:37 AM | #9 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Welcome Mike!
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 16th, 2015, 08:37 AM | #10 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Quote:
Thanks! |
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August 16th, 2015, 11:17 AM | #11 |
Blind 250 Loving Whore
Name: Tom
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.
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Welcome. 9k at 70mph is right on for stock gearing. These bikes have no problem with that believe me. Remember it's not a car, you'll get used to the rpm.
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August 16th, 2015, 11:22 AM | #12 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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Hi, Mike! Welcome! You're really going to enjoy the 250R. These bikes don't really come alive until you get to around 8K RPM.
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August 16th, 2015, 03:57 PM | #13 |
sammich maker
Name: snot
Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '15
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welcome
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https://www.brocksperformance.com/VZ...0035+C450.aspx |
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August 17th, 2015, 05:35 AM | #14 |
ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ
Name: Nick
Location: NY
Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.
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welcome !
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Spoiler for topic:
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August 24th, 2015, 02:03 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14
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Hello and welcome
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August 26th, 2015, 07:39 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Spooph
Location: Golden, CO
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '15
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Yea, you're bike is broken in, so let her have it! Mine has spend thousands of miles above 9K and no issues... That is what makes the 250 fun. You can wring it's neck all over the place and still stay mostly legal.
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My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar. |
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August 26th, 2015, 09:56 AM | #17 |
motorcycle rider
Name: Bruce
Location: Victoria, BC
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.
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I've found that the speedometers of most motorcycles over read by as much as 10%. If it says 70 mph, you might only be in the low 60s.
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'14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) |
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September 11th, 2015, 05:05 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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I've gotten a few rides in since posting here and getting much more confident.
A few weeks ago (still one of my first couple rides), I was about to take a right on green but had to slow for a kid on a bicycle coming at me on the wrong side of the road. By the time he went by, I was apparently going too slow for the gear I was in and lugged the engine badly. To make it worse, the light had just turned red as I went through (turned right), so I had people up my butt waiting for me to get going. That was a bit of a hair raising experience, but I've gotten much better with knowing what gear I'm in and realizing that it takes a little more effort to downshift into 2nd and 1st while rolling. At the time, I thought I was in a lower gear than I was. I felt much more confident during the last ride I went on but I'll be careful to not become over confident. I love this little bike. It's weird having other riders wave. I've always been in a car seeing riders do that but now I realize 'oh sh*t, they're waving at me'. Hahaha. |
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June 16th, 2016, 07:29 AM | #19 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Been a while since I've checked in. So after almost a year of riding the little Ninja 250, I feel that I'm ready for something with more power and better suited for the highway. I've only put 600 miles on the 250R but I find that I'm shifting and even rev-match downshifting without much thought. It's kind of like learning how to drive a manual car - after a while, you don't even think about it. It makes me feel much more at ease on the bike since I'm able to concentrate more on what is going on around me.
So what bike is next? The local powersports place has a leftover new 2014 CBR650F and a 2014 VFR800F Interceptor that are both marked down quite a bit. I'm leaning more toward the VFR after reading how well it does on the highway and seems to be an all around good bike. I also like that it has a VTAK "V" engine instead of the inline 4 in the 650F. Any experience with the newer VFRs? The local VFR is marked down to $10k from $12.5k. Maybe I can get it for even less. It's bright red so I'm guessing that's why it's still sitting there which is great for me, as a weirdo who loves red bikes. I don't get a warm fuzzy when I walk into that place though so I'm not sure if I want to give them the business. I'm open to other makes/models too. Anything else I should consider? I like sport bikes but with the handlebars a bit higher than the typical 'super' sport bike. Seems that the categorizing of bikes is different on whichever site you look at, but I don't think I'd be comfortable on the "super sport" style bike. On the other extreme, I don't like the feet-forward seating position of the cruiser bikes. The sport touring category seems to be a bit tall and awkward looking to me (such as the FJ), so I probably wouldn't be interested in those either. I'd also like to stay away from naked bikes; although the FZ-07 / FZ-09 sound like great bikes, I'd like more wind protection for the highway. Yamaha's FZ6R could be a possibility too. Thanks again for all the advice on this forum! Even when I do get another bike, I will continue reading this site. The rider tips from the many experienced riders on here are invaluable! |
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June 16th, 2016, 09:13 AM | #20 |
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
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Just my opinion, and it's not answering your question, but here it is anyway.
600 miles in a year? Keep riding the Ninjette. They do just fine on the highway. I did a 600 mile camping trip over Memorial Day weekend on mine. If the high RPM's really really bother you, then change the gearing, but it isn't necessary. |
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June 16th, 2016, 10:14 AM | #21 | |
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
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That is pretty much what I said, then deleted.
Quote:
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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June 16th, 2016, 07:00 PM | #22 |
The Asian Caucasian
Name: Abu Mishary Mohd Fairus
Location: Malaysia
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250 SE 2015 (sold); Honda ADV160 (current) Posts: 796
MOTM - Jan '17
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When I read "tundra", this came to my mind....
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Losing someone is not painful. They are a part of us all this while and will always be with us. But missing them is. |
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June 16th, 2016, 08:45 PM | #23 |
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
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June 17th, 2016, 09:29 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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June 17th, 2016, 01:16 PM | #25 |
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
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Welcome, I can personally recommend the Rapid Transit 19L recon tank bag, has a bunch of pockets, and plenty of storage space. It fits the bike great
http://www.rapid-transit.com/Products/Recon19.htm FEATURES Magnetic tank bag WIND & WATER RESISTANT 1000D nylon construction Scratchguard rubberized contact fabric Magnetic mounting system Integrated tank protector Backpack convertible Hydration Ready ( optional bladder ) Audio Ready System Map window, Cell phone & Eyewear storage Rain cover Reflective stripe 40cm x 26cm x 18cm storage (18.7 Liters) 15.8” x 10.2” x 7.1” storage (1144 cubic in.) My tailbag is a discontinued Rapid Transit, it's expandable, and has a lot of storage space.
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violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. |
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June 22nd, 2016, 09:18 AM | #26 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Quote:
You guys are right though. The Ninja isn't *that* bad. It revs at 9k rpm at an indicated 80 mph (guessing 72 actual) but I've gotten used to it by realizing to quit being paranoid of the wind (very flat terrain here) and that I don't need to have a death grip on the bars. I'll ride this bike through at least this season and maybe next Spring jump onto something bigger. Thanks for the suggestion but I picked up the Cortech tailbag a few months ago. Very nice and it's just about the right size. |
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
June 22nd, 2016, 10:10 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Tim
Location: Lake Havasu City,AZ
Join Date: Jun 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 SE Posts: 22
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Welcome to the forum! I grew up in Fargo,ND just moved out to AZ 4 years ago. I ride my year round. Loving it!
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:green moto: |
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June 23rd, 2016, 12:58 AM | #28 |
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
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Welcome!
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June 23rd, 2016, 06:22 AM | #29 | |
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
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Quote:
Yeah, relax man, I went 1 tooth bigger on the counter sprocket, calmed things down a little bit. If my big ass can put 2400 miles on in a week on the little ninja, it's good for anyone lol.
__________________________________________________
'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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June 23rd, 2016, 03:20 PM | #30 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R, 2014 CBR650F Posts: 46
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Quote:
I'm enjoying the 70-80 degree summer weather that we typically have here. Yeah the winters can suck but after living in Missouri for 12 years, I don't miss the heat at all. This definitely isn't my first choice of places to live year round but the wife is happy since she's originally from this area. After dragging her around the world while in the Air Force for 20 years, she gets to stay put where she wants to for a while. |
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