First ride yesterday

[LT505]

Got a Ninja 250 about a week ago and took it out for its first short ride yesterday. I have ridden friends bikes in parking lots before but have never been on the road.

I took it up the back roads by my house with a 25 MPH speed limit and there are never any cars back there. The main thing I was worried about was one decent sized hill but I made it up no problem. My top speed during the whole ride was 25 MPH and I never got above second gear. Overall it was a fun time and I can't wait to keep learning about riding and to get more comfortable.

I will probably take it out on the back roads a few more time before winter and then ill put the Bike away until I take the MSF course in March. Not going to bring it on any roads that have a lot of traffic until I can take the MSF course though.

[CC Cowboy]

I remember my first real bike like it was yesterday. I put 200 miles on it the first weekend in my yard. I was only 14 but my dad was on a trip and I couldn't wait to ride it.

[LT505]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I remember my first real bike like it was yesterday. I put 200 miles on it the first weekend in my yard. I was only 14 but my dad was on a trip and I couldn't wait to ride it.

Haha thats great. I really enjoyed it even though it was only about a 20 minute or so ride.

Unfortunately we are getting hit by that hurricane so I won't be able to ride it again for at least a week.

[csmith12]

It's always something right?!?!?!?

Gratz on your newfound freedom, enjoy and be safe out there.

[LT505]

Originally Posted by csmith12

It's always something right?!?!?!?

Gratz on your newfound freedom, enjoy and be safe out there.

It sure is

Thanks. I know this probably is not the thread to ask in but have any of you guys tried those Kevlar riding jeans? If so do they work/are they comfortable or would I be better off with something else? Want to get riding pants just not sure which kind.

[csmith12]

I have not but others have. I went straight from textile to full leather suits. I am cool that you jack your own thread. lol

[Axellor]

Congrats for your first ride specially on the road and it sounds really great that you enjoyed a lot your driving and it was safe also. I appreciate your plan to ride the bike after the course. Good luck.

[LT505]

Just took it along the same path today and have a question.

What is the proper way to approach going down hill? Going up the hills is no problem but when I am going down I am not sure what I really should be doing. I shifted to 1st at the top of the hill and was not giving it much if any throttle at all going down. When I got to the bottom and started to accelerate the engine was revving but the bike was not speeding up very much until I got to a higher RPM because I assume I should have been in 2nd gear. Any tips?

[xSean13]

Haven't tried any kevlar jeans, but from the research i've done: considering their price (usually $100+), it isn't worth it as opposed to getting some textile pants or cheaper leather pants.

[JeffM]

Originally Posted by LT505

What is the proper way to approach going down hill? Going up the hills is no problem but when I am going down I am not sure what I really should be doing. I shifted to 1st at the top of the hill and was not giving it much if any throttle at all going down. When I got to the bottom and started to accelerate the engine was revving but the bike was not speeding up very much until I got to a higher RPM because I assume I should have been in 2nd gear. Any tips?

Welcome to riding.

You are correct about 1st gear. When riding down hill you will experience engine braking and the lower the gear will equal more engine braking. With the 250, 1st gear is used only for starting and for very, very slow riding.

The correct gear for going down hill is the same as the correct gear for the speed you are traveling, unless the hill is really steep. Then, you might want to select one gear lower to keep acceleration in check or just back off the throttle.

Take your time getting used to riding and do not jump in over your head if you do not feel comfortable. I rode around my neighborhood for about a month before actually going out on the road. Even then I went out on a quiet Sunday on a road I was very familiar with.

Be safe.

Jeff

[Eldiablo]

Congrats man! I got my first bike a couple of months ago and have not stopped riding it! My dad had a bike a couple of months before that, and I couldn't get enough of it, so I went and got my own. Already put over 1800 miles on it!