Old fat guy buys a Ninja 250r...

kyrider · July 8th, 2011, 08:53 PM

Hello everyone! I am new here after visiting another forum and thanks for having me. So, I am 45yrs old around 300lbs and I just bought a 2006 Ninja 250R after several days of reading. I got this http://tinypic.com/r/a4aquu/7 lil beauty for $1300. I have not rode in 25yrs and this is now officially my midlife crisis.

I am taking the next MSC that is offered and hope I did the right thing.

Any advice?

Alex · July 8th, 2011, 08:55 PM

kyrider! Glad you found us...

Live2ride · July 8th, 2011, 08:56 PM

Welcome to the forums! Great looking bike and don't worry, you bought a ninja 250, you did the right thing

.

heylookitsfranco · July 8th, 2011, 08:57 PM

can't go wrong with a deal like that! welcome and congrats!

ducducgooseit · July 8th, 2011, 08:58 PM

Welcome to the 250 party.

kkim · July 8th, 2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

So, I am 45yrs old around 300lbs and I just bought a 2006 Ninja 250R after several days of reading. I got this http://tinypic.com/r/a4aquu/7 lil beauty for $1300. I have not rode in 25yrs and this is now officially my midlife crisis.

I am taking the next MSC that is offered and hope I did the right thing.

Any advice?

wait, if 45 is mid life, what does that make me?

Aloha and welcome.

best advice I can give any newcomer is to take the MSF and to wear ATGATT.

have fun, ride safe

kyrider · July 8th, 2011, 11:35 PM

Thanks y'all!

Part of me is scared to death. Everyone is telling me just how dangerous it is. My wife supports me(don't know if it is because I have good life insurance) I always wanted to buy a bike since 1986 but life took over and that dream ended up on the far part of my backburner.

Last yr one of my summer youth workers started talking about him getting a bike and the dream moved up to front and center. He is a good kid just 19 and he now has a very nice Triumph Speedmaster. His father also owns a cycle shop. I called him today and asked his opinion and he told me to go for it.

I am excited but anxious as well.

Indy250r · July 9th, 2011, 06:09 AM

Welcome back. You're going to be fine, you are a lot smarter than you were when you were 20.

sarapacman99 · July 9th, 2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

Part of me is scared to death. Everyone is telling me just how dangerous it is. My wife supports me(don't know if it is because I have good life insurance)

this made me laugh so hard hahaha

i have yet to find that woman who supports my love for bikes. you lucky man!

KJohnson21 · July 9th, 2011, 06:59 AM

choneofakind · July 9th, 2011, 07:15 AM

congrats on the bike kyrider! you'll love it. and great deal on it too! welcome to ninjette. the people here are great and they've helped me through everything I can even imagine asking about. you bought the right bike and came to the right place

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

wait, if 45 is mid life, what does that make me?

Aloha and welcome.

best advice I can give any newcomer is to take the MSF and to wear ATGATT.

have fun, ride safe

that makes you a crazy little old man from Hawaii who knows way too much about motorcycles (especially the green ones) and is treated almost as a god by his fellow ninjetters.

(did i mention the old part?

)
I kid.

ninjaprof · July 9th, 2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

Thanks y'all!

Part of me is scared to death. Everyone is telling me just how dangerous it is. My wife supports me(don't know if it is because I have good life insurance) I always wanted to buy a bike since 1986 but life took over and that dream ended up on the far part of my backburner.

Last yr one of my summer youth workers started talking about him getting a bike and the dream moved up to front and center. He is a good kid just 19 and he now has a very nice Triumph Speedmaster. His father also owns a cycle shop. I called him today and asked his opinion and he told me to go for it.

I am excited but anxious as well.

Some anxiety is good. It will help keep you 100% attentive , willing to learn and safety conscious (ATGATT)

choneofakind · July 9th, 2011, 07:22 AM

+1 to that. Fear of going down is what makes me willing to suffer through sweating in the summer sun in all my gear.

ninjaprof · July 9th, 2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

+1 to that. Fear of going down is what makes me willing to suffer through sweating in the summer sun in all my gear.

Exactly! Everybody is always asking me "Aren't you hot in all that stuff" and I say, "yes, but hot is less uncomfortable than skin grafts!"

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjaprof

Exactly! Everybody is always asking me "Aren't you hot in all that stuff" and I say, "yes, but hot is less uncomfortable than skin grafts!"

ah... old, fat and smart!

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarapacman99

this made me laugh so hard hahaha

i have yet to find that woman who supports my love for bikes. you lucky man!

You should hear my friends...Stuff like, can I take a pic of you and your kids so they can remember you. Then mentioning people I know who have been in bad motorcycle wrecks. Friends are just great!!!

eddiekay · July 9th, 2011, 12:21 PM

The bike will easily, safely carry 300lbs with the shock set high.
There's a 60 cent mod on this board to firm up the front....washers.
Just dont get sucked in to goin out and buying a big bike...after a few seasons on the ninjette I'd bet money you'll be a better rider than 99% of the guys on hogs

alex.s · July 9th, 2011, 12:29 PM

welcome! advice? enjoy life!
remember, the best crash prevention one can have is a careful and attentive rider.

greatwhiteninja · July 9th, 2011, 01:18 PM

welcome.. im 6foot 330lbs.. i take mine to work probably 3-4 times a week, about a 15mile trip one way . pulls me around fine. i actually have pretty much evry mod you can have done performance wise though, but the few guys i ride with cant believe how quick the little ninja is especially pulling me around..loL!

highpsiguy · July 9th, 2011, 02:29 PM

I am 6ft 4 and 275- 42 years old....bike pulls just fine. I did put on a Ninja 500 rear shock. My motorcycle mechanic did something to the front forks and made them stiffer so they would not dive so much with me. Made a big difference. The ninja 500 rear shocks are fairly easy to find, bolts right in..at least so on my 02 model. Enjoy the lil ninja.

greatwhiteninja · July 9th, 2011, 02:38 PM

ive never noticed a issue with my stock shock, i do have it at the highest setting but its never bottomed out as of yet.. 800 miles and counting

actually going to lower the bike this week even so see how that goes.

MrEmmortal · July 9th, 2011, 03:18 PM

You should be able to find some good roads to ride on in ky. I wish I still lived up there just to ride the twisties. One more thing. C A T S cats cats cats.

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiekay

The bike will easily, safely carry 300lbs with the shock set high.
There's a 60 cent mod on this board to firm up the front....washers.
Just dont get sucked in to goin out and buying a big bike...after a few seasons on the ninjette I'd bet money you'll be a better rider than 99% of the guys on hogs

How do you adjust the shock?

greatwhiteninja · July 9th, 2011, 04:55 PM

should be a collar on the shock itself .. with maybe 5 settings, the further you turn it the tighter the spring gets, turn the other way it gets softer and easier to squash the suspension.

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

How do you adjust the shock?

can't on a pregen

more stuff to keep you busy, though...
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5586

and more reading...
http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Index

have fun

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatwhiteninja

should be a collar on the shock itself .. with maybe 5 settings, the further you turn it the tighter the spring gets, turn the other way it gets softer and easier to squash the suspension.

Thanks!

greatwhiteninja · July 9th, 2011, 04:57 PM

Oops sorry thought they were same as new Gen

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Anyone know where I can get a 500 shock?

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 05:04 PM

put a shock from a new gen on it. it will raise the back of the bike about an inch, though. If you're tall, it shouldn't matter. benefit is that the steering angle gets sharper and your bike will turn a bit better/quicker in the twisties.

Shaol1n Monk · July 9th, 2011, 05:09 PM

welcome KYrider! u made the right choice, enjoy and ride safe. there is NO feeling like riding a bike and we all have heard from more than one friend/relative how dangerous riding is, but hey crossing the street on foot is dangerous too. live life and enjoy it!

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

put a shock from a new gen on it. it will raise the back of the bike about an inch, though. If you're tall, it shouldn't matter. benefit is that the steering angle gets sharper and your bike will turn a bit better/quicker in the twisties.

Will it just bolt right in?

Where can I get one?

kyrider · July 9th, 2011, 05:35 PM

Another question?

How will I know when the carbs need cleaning?

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

Will it just bolt right in?

Where can I get one?

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ght=rear+shock

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ght=rear+shock

keep an eye on the marketplace on ninjette or ebay. I bought a used newgen shock off ebay for $35.

kkim · July 9th, 2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

Another question?

How will I know when the carbs need cleaning?

when the bike doesn't idle steady and hunts around or worse...
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65198

gfloyd2002 · July 9th, 2011, 06:14 PM

I'm here just to check to see if this thread is about me. Guess not. Oh well, hello and welcome!

On the danger thing, just wear ATGATT and read up on biking safety. I've put some key studies on my blog here that show pretty convincingly that most of the problems you can get into are rider error. That puts you in control of most of your safety, which should be a pretty comforting thing for a more mature rider willing to prepare. Also, be sure to check out David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling, a great book that discusses safe riding technique.

Enjoy your time here. The Ninjette is a great bike, and we've got a great group here.

choneofakind · July 9th, 2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

How do you adjust the shock?

you buy a shock off a current-gen and then adjust the preload thingy. once you know the bike and decide if you want to mess with the suspension or not, I highly recommend the current-gen shock. easy, inexpensive replacement that offers a mild upgrade in performance and is literally a 15 minute job once you get the bolts unstuck

kyrider · July 10th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Found several EX500 shocks on ebay. Will they work well? I have had trouble finding an 08-11 shock. Is the EX500 adjustable?

Does the EX500 simply bolt in same as the OEM?

Read about the SV650 shock as well but I think it requires a mod.

kyrider · July 10th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

you buy a shock off a current-gen and then adjust the preload thingy. once you know the bike and decide if you want to mess with the suspension or not, I highly recommend the current-gen shock. easy, inexpensive replacement that offers a mild upgrade in performance and is literally a 15 minute job once you get the bolts unstuck

Any idea where I can get current gen shock?

kyrider · July 10th, 2011, 02:30 PM

Thought I would mention my bike has 21k on it.

blueflash · July 10th, 2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrider

Thanks y'all!

Part of me is scared to death. Everyone is telling me just how dangerous it is. My wife supports me....

I am excited but anxious as well.

Good to have a supportive wife, eh? I bought our 250 for her... she's ready to go ride with me... but for years before, she understood how important motorcycling was to me... She's a keeper, and it sounds like you have a keeper as well!

As far as the "dangerous part" goes... In spite of what my co-worker nurse and neighbor insurance adjuster say... there is no such situation as "they changed lanes and hit him... nothing he could do"... I've explained... "don't be there!" I make sure that, any time possible, I'm not in a blind spot, and I never just cruise next to a car... speed up or slow down... If they do something stupid... don't be there! OH... and I wear fully gear, gloves, helmet, body armor jacket / pants, and boots for every ride.

One of my buddies had a response to the "dangerous motorcycles" theory... I've known a couple of people that have died on bikes... I have known a LOT of people that have died in car accidents... Those car things scare the heck out of me... I'll play it safe and ride the bike...

Ride safe, keep your wits about ya, and you'll be fine... the MSF courses are outstanding... and at 45, you're still a junior... I'm 48...

July 8th, 2011, 08:53 PM	#1
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Old fat guy buys a Ninja 250r... Hello everyone! I am new here after visiting another forum and thanks for having me. So, I am 45yrs old around 300lbs and I just bought a 2006 Ninja 250R after several days of reading. I got this http://tinypic.com/r/a4aquu/7 lil beauty for $1300. I have not rode in 25yrs and this is now officially my midlife crisis. I am taking the next MSC that is offered and hope I did the right thing. Any advice?

July 8th, 2011, 08:55 PM	#2
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	kyrider! Glad you found us... __________________________________________________ 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)

July 8th, 2011, 08:56 PM	#3
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	Welcome to the forums! Great looking bike and don't worry, you bought a ninja 250, you did the right thing . __________________________________________________

July 8th, 2011, 08:57 PM	#4
heylookitsfranco ninjette.org member Name: Franco Location: Fairfax, VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2006 Ninja 636 Posts: 175	can't go wrong with a deal like that! welcome and congrats! __________________________________________________

July 9th, 2011, 06:59 AM	#10
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	__________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

July 8th, 2011, 08:58 PM	#5
ducducgooseit Name: ... Location: ... Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): ... Posts: 999	Welcome to the 250 party.

July 8th, 2011, 11:35 PM	#7
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Thanks y'all! Part of me is scared to death. Everyone is telling me just how dangerous it is. My wife supports me(don't know if it is because I have good life insurance) I always wanted to buy a bike since 1986 but life took over and that dream ended up on the far part of my backburner. Last yr one of my summer youth workers started talking about him getting a bike and the dream moved up to front and center. He is a good kid just 19 and he now has a very nice Triumph Speedmaster. His father also owns a cycle shop. I called him today and asked his opinion and he told me to go for it. I am excited but anxious as well.

July 9th, 2011, 06:09 AM	#8
Indy250r ninjette.org member Name: Brad Location: Indiana Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 KTM 990 ADV Posts: 234	Welcome back. You're going to be fine, you are a lot smarter than you were when you were 20.

July 9th, 2011, 07:22 AM	#13
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	+1 to that. Fear of going down is what makes me willing to suffer through sweating in the summer sun in all my gear.

July 9th, 2011, 12:21 PM	#17
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	The bike will easily, safely carry 300lbs with the shock set high. There's a 60 cent mod on this board to firm up the front....washers. Just dont get sucked in to goin out and buying a big bike...after a few seasons on the ninjette I'd bet money you'll be a better rider than 99% of the guys on hogs

July 9th, 2011, 12:29 PM	#18
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	welcome! advice? enjoy life! remember, the best crash prevention one can have is a careful and attentive rider. __________________________________________________

July 9th, 2011, 01:18 PM	#19
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	welcome.. im 6foot 330lbs.. i take mine to work probably 3-4 times a week, about a 15mile trip one way . pulls me around fine. i actually have pretty much evry mod you can have done performance wise though, but the few guys i ride with cant believe how quick the little ninja is especially pulling me around..loL! __________________________________________________ #1

July 9th, 2011, 02:29 PM	#20
highpsiguy ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Athens Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1981 Honda Cx500 Custom, 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 1	I am 6ft 4 and 275- 42 years old....bike pulls just fine. I did put on a Ninja 500 rear shock. My motorcycle mechanic did something to the front forks and made them stiffer so they would not dive so much with me. Made a big difference. The ninja 500 rear shocks are fairly easy to find, bolts right in..at least so on my 02 model. Enjoy the lil ninja. __________________________________________________ "Rudeness is a weak persons attempt at strength."

July 9th, 2011, 02:38 PM	#21
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	ive never noticed a issue with my stock shock, i do have it at the highest setting but its never bottomed out as of yet.. 800 miles and counting actually going to lower the bike this week even so see how that goes. __________________________________________________ #1

July 9th, 2011, 03:18 PM	#22
MrEmmortal ninjette.org member Name: Mark Location: Viera, Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r pearl se Posts: 120	You should be able to find some good roads to ride on in ky. I wish I still lived up there just to ride the twisties. One more thing. C A T S cats cats cats.

July 9th, 2011, 04:55 PM	#24
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	should be a collar on the shock itself .. with maybe 5 settings, the further you turn it the tighter the spring gets, turn the other way it gets softer and easier to squash the suspension. __________________________________________________ #1

July 9th, 2011, 04:57 PM	#27
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	Oops sorry thought they were same as new Gen __________________________________________________ #1

July 9th, 2011, 05:01 PM	#28
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Anyone know where I can get a 500 shock?

July 9th, 2011, 05:04 PM	#29
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	put a shock from a new gen on it. it will raise the back of the bike about an inch, though. If you're tall, it shouldn't matter. benefit is that the steering angle gets sharper and your bike will turn a bit better/quicker in the twisties.

July 9th, 2011, 05:09 PM	#30
Shaol1n Monk shaol1n ninja stuntman Name: Jae Location: Philly Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha YZF R6 Anniversary "Yoshiko" 2007 Honda CBR600RR "Katsumi"(SOLD) 2010 Ninja ZX-2R "JADE" (RIP) Posts: 726	welcome KYrider! u made the right choice, enjoy and ride safe. there is NO feeling like riding a bike and we all have heard from more than one friend/relative how dangerous riding is, but hey crossing the street on foot is dangerous too. live life and enjoy it! __________________________________________________ YOSHIKO 06 R6 Flushmount signals,Comp Werkes fender elim,GYTR Carbon Fiber Exhaust,Gold Shorty Levers,Shogun Frame Sliders,custom carbon fiber tank pad,white powder coated wheels,Dunlop Q2 tires

July 9th, 2011, 05:35 PM	#32
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Another question? How will I know when the carbs need cleaning?

July 9th, 2011, 06:14 PM	#35
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	I'm here just to check to see if this thread is about me. Guess not. Oh well, hello and welcome! On the danger thing, just wear ATGATT and read up on biking safety. I've put some key studies on my blog here that show pretty convincingly that most of the problems you can get into are rider error. That puts you in control of most of your safety, which should be a pretty comforting thing for a more mature rider willing to prepare. Also, be sure to check out David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling, a great book that discusses safe riding technique. Enjoy your time here. The Ninjette is a great bike, and we've got a great group here. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

July 10th, 2011, 02:13 PM	#37
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Found several EX500 shocks on ebay. Will they work well? I have had trouble finding an 08-11 shock. Is the EX500 adjustable? Does the EX500 simply bolt in same as the OEM? Read about the SV650 shock as well but I think it requires a mod.

July 10th, 2011, 02:30 PM	#39
kyrider ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bobbert Location: Russell Springs, KY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Thought I would mention my bike has 21k on it.

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