Thinking of getting back in the saddle

adouglas · May 12th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Hey all.

Been away from bikes for several years and thinking about getting back into it. I had an 89 EX500 and it was great. Did a wonderful tour of Nova Scotia on it some years back. However, my rule is that if you're not using a toy you should sell it, so I did.

Didn't really miss motorcycling for a long time, but the new 250R has really got my attention, though. It is one very, very sexy beast. Perfect size for me, since I'm on the small side (5'6" if I eat my Wheaties, 30" inseam), I'm many, many years past the "need" for a bigger bike, and I really love small, light, efficient machines.

Though I still have my MC endorsement and am confident that I remember everything I need to remember, I'm a big, big fan of safety in general and recurrent training in particular (private pilot, former staff editor at Aviation Safety magazine) so I've just signed up for another basic safety course. I'd take the experienced rider course but I don't have a bike at the moment. No matter...it's a few bucks well spent and I'll have some fun putting around the parking lot for a couple of days.

BlueTyke · May 12th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Welcome to the boards!

Alex · May 12th, 2009, 04:47 PM

KJohnson21 · May 12th, 2009, 04:54 PM

Snake · May 12th, 2009, 05:43 PM

Welcome to the boards. I think you are making a wise choice. I too had my fill of "big" bikes from Harleys to the big sports bikes. This machine is all I need.

Strider · May 12th, 2009, 05:47 PM

and

adouglas · May 12th, 2009, 06:04 PM

In another life I drove race cars (just time trials...never got my race license). I learned that it's WAY more fun to drive a small, light, "weak" car hard and competently than a big, heavy, powerful car at the limit of your sphincter comfort zone.

During TT practice, everybody's out on the track, but you're allowed to pass only on the straights. So, in the Saab Sonnett III I was driving (maybe 65-75 hp on a really good day, but tiny and F1-light...like 1500 lbs) I'd get blown off on every straightaway... but in the twisties I'd be all over the bumper of Camaros, Porsches and Vipers. Every time. Pissed them off no end. I loved it.

I was able to do it simply because when it comes to HANDLING, weight is everything and horsepower doesn't count as much. Basic Newtonian physics... inertia rules. My car weighed half what theirs did so it didn't need a big engine.

One of my personal heroes is the late, great Colin Chapman, the genius behind the gorgeous Lotus F1 cars of the 60s. He was the guy who came up with the idea of a monocoque chassis that used the engine itself as a stressed member. One of his mottos: "Add lightness."

He understood that smaller and lighter is better. It ain't about horsepower.

So to me, a Ninja 250 isn't a "beginner" bike or something "small." It's an efficient machine that goes fast enough to give me what I need. Anything more would be a stupid waste.

I drive a Honda and I love it. It's a blast to drive despite having only 110 hp. One time I rented a new-gen Mustang and hated the experience. Felt like I was driving a Panzer. Tiny slit windows, too much weight and too much power. Raw horsepower does not impress me at all.

BlueRaven · May 12th, 2009, 06:06 PM

OldGuy · May 12th, 2009, 06:07 PM

Welcome Andrew - I think you are going to fit right in with the rest of the inmates, I mean members.

noche_caliente · May 12th, 2009, 08:52 PM

welcome!

komohana · May 12th, 2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

In another life I drove race cars....

So to me, a Ninja 250 isn't a "beginner" bike or something "small." It's an efficient machine that goes fast enough to give me what I need....

my thoughts exactly

aloha and welcome to the forum

Sound Wave · May 13th, 2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

One time I rented a new-gen Mustang and hated the experience. Felt like I was driving a Panzer. Tiny slit windows, too much weight and too much power. Raw horsepower does not impress me at all.

hey, hey. no reason to get nasty now.

you had my support until you had to go and bash the mustangs.

nah.. just playing.

yeah, the mustangs have too much power for some. that is what i love about them. with an aftermarket suspension, they can handle reasonably well.

i also love the handling of my 250 though. anyways, welcome to the forums. stay away from mustang bashing and you will be fine. there are a lot of us here.

EJ30157 · May 13th, 2009, 08:11 PM

Welcome!

May 12th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#1
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Thinking of getting back in the saddle Hey all. Been away from bikes for several years and thinking about getting back into it. I had an 89 EX500 and it was great. Did a wonderful tour of Nova Scotia on it some years back. However, my rule is that if you're not using a toy you should sell it, so I did. Didn't really miss motorcycling for a long time, but the new 250R has really got my attention, though. It is one very, very sexy beast. Perfect size for me, since I'm on the small side (5'6" if I eat my Wheaties, 30" inseam), I'm many, many years past the "need" for a bigger bike, and I really love small, light, efficient machines. Though I still have my MC endorsement and am confident that I remember everything I need to remember, I'm a big, big fan of safety in general and recurrent training in particular (private pilot, former staff editor at Aviation Safety magazine) so I've just signed up for another basic safety course. I'd take the experienced rider course but I don't have a bike at the moment. No matter...it's a few bucks well spent and I'll have some fun putting around the parking lot for a couple of days.

May 12th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#2
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Welcome to the boards! __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

May 12th, 2009, 04:47 PM	#3
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	__________________________________________________ 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)

May 12th, 2009, 04:54 PM	#4
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?

May 12th, 2009, 06:07 PM	#9
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Welcome Andrew - I think you are going to fit right in with the rest of the inmates, I mean members. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

May 12th, 2009, 05:43 PM	#5
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	Welcome to the boards. I think you are making a wise choice. I too had my fill of "big" bikes from Harleys to the big sports bikes. This machine is all I need.

May 12th, 2009, 05:47 PM	#6
Strider Back on the Black! Name: Alan Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 (Black) Posts: 831	and

May 12th, 2009, 06:04 PM	#7
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	In another life I drove race cars (just time trials...never got my race license). I learned that it's WAY more fun to drive a small, light, "weak" car hard and competently than a big, heavy, powerful car at the limit of your sphincter comfort zone. During TT practice, everybody's out on the track, but you're allowed to pass only on the straights. So, in the Saab Sonnett III I was driving (maybe 65-75 hp on a really good day, but tiny and F1-light...like 1500 lbs) I'd get blown off on every straightaway... but in the twisties I'd be all over the bumper of Camaros, Porsches and Vipers. Every time. Pissed them off no end. I loved it. I was able to do it simply because when it comes to HANDLING, weight is everything and horsepower doesn't count as much. Basic Newtonian physics... inertia rules. My car weighed half what theirs did so it didn't need a big engine. One of my personal heroes is the late, great Colin Chapman, the genius behind the gorgeous Lotus F1 cars of the 60s. He was the guy who came up with the idea of a monocoque chassis that used the engine itself as a stressed member. One of his mottos: "Add lightness." He understood that smaller and lighter is better. It ain't about horsepower. So to me, a Ninja 250 isn't a "beginner" bike or something "small." It's an efficient machine that goes fast enough to give me what I need. Anything more would be a stupid waste. I drive a Honda and I love it. It's a blast to drive despite having only 110 hp. One time I rented a new-gen Mustang and hated the experience. Felt like I was driving a Panzer. Tiny slit windows, too much weight and too much power. Raw horsepower does not impress me at all.

May 12th, 2009, 06:06 PM	#8
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.

May 12th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#10
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	welcome!

May 13th, 2009, 08:11 PM	#13
EJ30157 Kelly Kim's Friend Name: EJ Location: Atlanta Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): (Used to)2008 Green 250R, 2007 Ninja ZX-6R Posts: 77	Welcome!

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