Full Circle

surfninja · December 31st, 2014, 08:31 PM

First Post, and Intro.

My first real motorcycle was a 250cc, German two-stroke single, fiftythree years ago, and I have had 15 motorcycles of all types and sizes between then and now.

I realized that I enjoy running a small engine hard much more than reigning in a big engine, and this 250 is just so fun to run.

So I bought a White 2011 250, with 6800miles on the clock, and all totally stock.

I may not be the typical Ninja 250 rider, but what do I care. I just love that little engine.

I think I have all the local cops scratching their heads wondering, who is that old fart riding a small sport bike, with a big grin that just won't go away.

Thanks for all the work building and maintaining this site.

csmith12 · December 31st, 2014, 08:33 PM

Welcome!

dcj13 · December 31st, 2014, 10:33 PM

Welcome Wolf! I know just what you're saying.

Happy New Year!

Motofool · December 31st, 2014, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfninja

............. My first real motorcycle was a 250cc, German two-stroke single, fiftythree years ago, and I have had 15 motorcycles of all types and sizes between then and now............

Welcome, Wolf !!!

Something like this?

How would you compare that two-stroke 250 cc machine with the Ninja 250?

surfninja · January 1st, 2015, 03:23 AM

Motofool,

Very close, but not quite. Is that an NSU?

Mine was a Zundapp 250 Super Sabre.

You can search up a photo.

Totally different from a Ninjette.

snot · January 1st, 2015, 08:27 AM

Welcome

cbinker · January 1st, 2015, 08:41 AM

Welcome, and any rider is a 250 rider.

Motofool · January 1st, 2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfninja

Motofool,

Very close, but not quite. Is that an NSU?

Mine was a Zundapp 250 Super Sabre.

You can search up a photo.

Totally different from a Ninjette.

Oops! .... wrong side of Germany.

That picture is of a MZ ES 250, made in German Democratic Republic, between 1959 and 1962.
I had one of those in the 60's.

A friend of mine had a red Zundapp like yours; it was a sweet machine with transmission like silk.
I remember the chromed sides of the tank, the enclosed chain guard and the peculiar front fender.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%BCndapp

I have found some good pictures here:
http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/Eu...?sort=3&page=1

Finesse · January 1st, 2015, 09:45 AM

there is no such thing as a typical ninjette rider

welcome!

greenaero · January 1st, 2015, 09:51 AM

Welcome Wolf! You made a good choice and will enjoy yhr Ninjette a lot.

CC Cowboy · January 1st, 2015, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Oops!

I'm loving that MV Agusta in the background.

Looks in Pebble Beach. Amelia Island is just as good!

surfninja · January 1st, 2015, 01:19 PM

Two of you have found my first bike, a 1961 Zundapp Super Saber.

The only thing that was better on this bike than most modern bikes, was that fully enclosed chain guard. Drive chains would last forever on these bikes with no road dirt or rust. And yes you mentioned the transmission, it was called a constant mesh, as all the gears remained in the same position on the countershaft, while a spline down the center engaged the gear to the driving shaft.

It in many ways was a better engineered bike than the later BSA and Triumph machines that I had later.

But not so good as the BMW R90 that I road for a long time.

Then followed by numerous oriental sport and naked rod bikes, and several dirt bikes.

But for round the town, and short trips, this Ningette wins the prize for fun to run.

Thanks guys for bringing back many great memories for an old rider.

KJohnson21 · January 1st, 2015, 05:54 PM

Snake · January 2nd, 2015, 07:47 PM

Hello and welcome.

fry1024 · January 5th, 2015, 11:30 AM

Welcome surfninja. Glad you made it.

surfninja · January 5th, 2015, 12:01 PM

Hey, thanks for the welcome Jason, Rick, and Ken.

And, no I do not have a name for my Ninja yet.

I will have to wait until it comes naturally.

It is a bright sunny day and 72 deg. in north Florida today, time to ride.

alex.s · January 5th, 2015, 12:35 PM

this raises the question; why aren't all bikes fitted with enclosed chain gaurds?

welcome. happy new year.

surfninja · January 5th, 2015, 12:59 PM

Good question.

Cons:

It would cost more to manufacture.

It would slightly complicate rear wheel removal.

It would increase the unsprung weight at the rear wheel.

It might make a motorcycle look like a scooter.

Pros:

Your chain and sprockets would last a long long time.

Question, how many people would buy a full chain guard if it was available?

December 31st, 2014, 08:31 PM	#1
surfninja Full Circle Name: Wolf Location: Fernandina Bch. FL Join Date: Dec 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r Posts: 6	Full Circle First Post, and Intro. My first real motorcycle was a 250cc, German two-stroke single, fiftythree years ago, and I have had 15 motorcycles of all types and sizes between then and now. I realized that I enjoy running a small engine hard much more than reigning in a big engine, and this 250 is just so fun to run. So I bought a White 2011 250, with 6800miles on the clock, and all totally stock. I may not be the typical Ninja 250 rider, but what do I care. I just love that little engine. I think I have all the local cops scratching their heads wondering, who is that old fart riding a small sport bike, with a big grin that just won't go away. Thanks for all the work building and maintaining this site.

December 31st, 2014, 08:33 PM	#2
csmith12 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	Welcome! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 1st, 2015, 03:23 AM	#5
surfninja Full Circle Name: Wolf Location: Fernandina Bch. FL Join Date: Dec 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r Posts: 6	250 two stroke singles Motofool, Very close, but not quite. Is that an NSU? Mine was a Zundapp 250 Super Sabre. You can search up a photo. Totally different from a Ninjette.

January 1st, 2015, 08:27 AM	#6
snot 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	Welcome __________________________________________________ https://www.brocksperformance.com/VZ...0035+C450.aspx

January 1st, 2015, 08:41 AM	#7
cbinker 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	Welcome, and any rider is a 250 rider. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

December 31st, 2014, 10:33 PM	#3
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Welcome Wolf! I know just what you're saying. Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2015, 09:45 AM	#9
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	there is no such thing as a typical ninjette rider welcome! __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 1st, 2015, 09:51 AM	#10
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Welcome Wolf! You made a good choice and will enjoy yhr Ninjette a lot. __________________________________________________ 235 MPG Hypermotorcycling to a better tomorrow

January 1st, 2015, 01:19 PM	#12
surfninja Full Circle Name: Wolf Location: Fernandina Bch. FL Join Date: Dec 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r Posts: 6	Wow, What Memories Two of you have found my first bike, a 1961 Zundapp Super Saber. The only thing that was better on this bike than most modern bikes, was that fully enclosed chain guard. Drive chains would last forever on these bikes with no road dirt or rust. And yes you mentioned the transmission, it was called a constant mesh, as all the gears remained in the same position on the countershaft, while a spline down the center engaged the gear to the driving shaft. It in many ways was a better engineered bike than the later BSA and Triumph machines that I had later. But not so good as the BMW R90 that I road for a long time. Then followed by numerous oriental sport and naked rod bikes, and several dirt bikes. But for round the town, and short trips, this Ningette wins the prize for fun to run. Thanks guys for bringing back many great memories for an old rider.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 1st, 2015, 05:54 PM	#13
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?

January 2nd, 2015, 07:47 PM	#14
Snake 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	Hello and welcome.

January 5th, 2015, 11:30 AM	#15
fry1024 ninjette.org guru Name: Jason Location: WV Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 650R & 2007 Buell Blast Posts: 323	Welcome surfninja. Glad you made it.

January 5th, 2015, 12:01 PM	#16
surfninja Full Circle Name: Wolf Location: Fernandina Bch. FL Join Date: Dec 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r Posts: 6	Great to be here Hey, thanks for the welcome Jason, Rick, and Ken. And, no I do not have a name for my Ninja yet. I will have to wait until it comes naturally. It is a bright sunny day and 72 deg. in north Florida today, time to ride.

January 5th, 2015, 12:35 PM	#17
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	this raises the question; why aren't all bikes fitted with enclosed chain gaurds? welcome. happy new year. __________________________________________________

January 5th, 2015, 12:59 PM	#18
surfninja Full Circle Name: Wolf Location: Fernandina Bch. FL Join Date: Dec 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250r Posts: 6	Enclosed Chain Good question. Cons: It would cost more to manufacture. It would slightly complicate rear wheel removal. It would increase the unsprung weight at the rear wheel. It might make a motorcycle look like a scooter. Pros: Your chain and sprockets would last a long long time. Question, how many people would buy a full chain guard if it was available?

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