Munchkin handed lurker with a question

Monica · June 5th, 2009, 09:30 AM

How's that for a title!

Anyhoo... I"ve been lurking for a while, and can't seem to find an answer to this one. I have a brand new Ninja 250. I have the smallest hands on the planet, and am running into a problem. When starting on a hill I can't reach the front brake and throttle the bike at the same time. Does anyone know of a solution?

Here's what I've come up with so far:

Pazzo adjustable racing levers
Switching out the lever with other bike levers would need to be machined. Most are too large to engage the brake.
Heating the lever and bending it closer to the handle bar.

Anyone have any other ideas??
Thank you for any help you can give!!

Sound Wave · June 5th, 2009, 09:34 AM

i guess you could go the levers route....

but have you tried using both brakes and then when you are ready to go, release the front brake and use the rear brakes only to hold you in place? then your right hand will be free to just operate the throttle.

edit: ah, now i understand your thread title. lol i thought it meant that "a munchkin passed on a question to a lurker."

Alex · June 5th, 2009, 09:36 AM

The Pazzo's would likely make it a little more comfortable, but I think Gary is on the right track as well. Rear brake can be very helpful on a hill, giving us more freedom to concentrate more on the clutch/throttle transition.

Monica · June 5th, 2009, 09:41 AM

I've been primarily using my rear brakes, but fear the wind. We get some pretty crazy windy days here, and I'd love to have both feet on the ground on a hill, til' I'm ready to go. I'm just over 5 foot, and as it is with a lowered ride don't sit flat footed. Both feet when stopping would be ideal

!

Alex · June 5th, 2009, 09:47 AM

How many fingers are you using on the brake? You may have some luck only using your 2nd & 3rd fingers around the brake lever, 4th and 5th remain on the throttle. The lever is much closer to the bar on that end of your hand, and holding them that way may keep your hand from being pulled so far off of the throttle.

Cali619 · June 5th, 2009, 10:17 AM

I would say get the adjustable levers, then you will feel more comfortable. how your hands work the levers is a big thing IMHO cause thats your bread and butter tools. the less you have to think about the mechanics the more focus you will have on the road.

Monica · June 5th, 2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

How many fingers are you using on the brake? You may have some luck only using your 2nd & 3rd fingers around the brake lever, 4th and 5th remain on the throttle. The lever is much closer to the bar on that end of your hand, and holding them that way may keep your hand from being pulled so far off of the throttle.

I have the very tip of my middle finger on the brake when I'm rolling back the throttle. I tell you I have munchkin hands, no joke, wear kids size gloves, my wedding ring is a size 3 1/2. I'm a mutant!

Has anyone had any luck heating up the lever and bending it? I know it will weaken the lever. How much??

The problem with the adjustable levers is, it's still far away to start. It just engages closer to the handle bars. Also on the 2009 Ninja 250, we tried over 40 after market levers & levers off other bikes none fit. I'm not 100% sure the Pazzo will. Anyone know for sure here?

kkim · June 5th, 2009, 10:57 AM

have you read this?
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16132

Monica · June 5th, 2009, 11:23 AM

KKim thank you so much!!!

Banzai · June 5th, 2009, 12:07 PM

I would go Pazzo levers and develop the skill set with the rear brake.

kkim · June 5th, 2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica

I've been primarily using my rear brakes, but fear the wind. We get some pretty crazy windy days here, and I'd love to have both feet on the ground on a hill, til' I'm ready to go. I'm just over 5 foot, and as it is with a lowered ride don't sit flat footed. Both feet when stopping would be ideal

!

not to get personal, kiddo... but what is your inseam measurement?

noche_caliente · June 5th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Monica- I think you will find the pazzos are much nicer to reach! I have them dialed all the way into the 1, and it's perfect for me. Good luck!

kkim · June 5th, 2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

Monica- I think you will find the pazzos are much nicer to reach! I have them dialed all the way into the 1, and it's perfect for me. Good luck!

You have munchkin hands, too?

noche_caliente · June 5th, 2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

You have munchkin hands, too?

I can fit my hand into the cotton gloves my kid has... granted they're stretched, but still...

SpyderGirl · June 5th, 2009, 01:48 PM

I too have munchkin hands, I still can manage to get part of my longest fingers on the brake though. I use the rear brake most of the time when I'm on the hills. It's a skill that takes practice. I was like you, I didn't want to not have both feet down. I do think the adjustable lever will help you though... and practice with that rear brake and learn to balance your bike on one leg. The 250 is really light, you can do it. I was able to hold a 650R up with one leg myself when stopped -- I had to because it wasn't lowered and I am only 5'3".

backinthesaddleagain · June 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM

if you go the bend route be sure that the brake fully grabs the rotor before the lever hits the grip (or your fingers that are on the grip). nothing worse then the old drum brakes that would wear and the cables stretch and you go to grab a handful of brake and the lever hits the grip and you keep 'a rollin'.

Monica · June 8th, 2009, 12:20 PM

Thanks everyone, noche_caliente what bike do you have the pazzo levers on?

I can stop on hills with my rear brake. I just haven't tested in on super windy days. I live near Lake Ontario, and we get some super super winds.

Inseam is about 27". You don't need to know that too much as a girl, so I had to measure on my jeans. I think that's about right.

kkim · June 8th, 2009, 12:56 PM

In addition to lowering the front and rear of the bike an inch or two (no more than that) with a lowering kit, you can shave the seat foam a bit and consider some boots with some bottoms that are built up.

A 27" inseam is a bit short, but not as short as some others here that ride the 250. It's all about gaining confidence to support the bike when you need to.

muffinman · June 8th, 2009, 01:13 PM

Get the Pazzo! I also have small hands and the Pazzo has transformed the bike for me - best mod I've ever done.

Monica · June 8th, 2009, 02:02 PM

We did lower the bike with a dog bone, and I'm comfy on it now.

Muffin man, thanks. What bike (year & make) did you put the pazzo on? Glad to hear good reviews on them.

kkim · June 8th, 2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica

We did lower the bike with a dog bone, and I'm comfy on it now.

did you lower the front also? If not, I bet the bike turns like crap... be careful. try lowering the front too. not only will the handling come back, but the bike will sit even lower than it does now.

how much did the dogbone lower the bike?

noche_caliente · June 8th, 2009, 02:43 PM

Monica - Arthur and I both have the '08 which is the same as the '09. The DIY that Kelly linked for you was mine

I also second what he said about lowering the front - it is the best way to preserve the handling while helping us be able to reach!

dmonaco05 · June 9th, 2009, 08:41 AM

im in oswego (near you) so i know what kinda winds ur dealing with. the problem with bending the lever would be when you need to pull it all the way in for emergency stops you could hit the throttle. when no one is around u and on a hill try holding the bike with just ur feet on the ground no brakes, ill do that in the city from time to time when i keep hitting redlights.

Monica · June 10th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Thank you thank you thank you everyone!

I just purchased new levers. I went with the Pazzo's. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!

kkim · June 10th, 2009, 01:38 PM

... and how do you like them?

Monica · June 11th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I haven't gotten them yet, but I'll keep you posted!

Monica · June 17th, 2009, 08:49 AM

I got the Pazzo levers in and installed on the bike. They make a world of difference! Love them. Thanks to all for confirming the decision, I'm thrilled.

Snake · June 17th, 2009, 09:02 AM

Glad to haer that yor fingers will now be able to rach.

HKr1 · June 17th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica

I got the Pazzo levers in and installed on the bike. They make a world of difference! Love them. Thanks to all for confirming the decision, I'm thrilled.

Pazzo's are nice

Now go practice your hill starts, using the throttle & front brake. Had to teach the wife on our driveway, took her a few times to get it right. Then she was all smiles

noche_caliente · June 17th, 2009, 01:37 PM

That's great to hear! I'm glad you like them!

June 5th, 2009, 09:30 AM	#1
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	Munchkin handed lurker with a question How's that for a title! Anyhoo... I"ve been lurking for a while, and can't seem to find an answer to this one. I have a brand new Ninja 250. I have the smallest hands on the planet, and am running into a problem. When starting on a hill I can't reach the front brake and throttle the bike at the same time. Does anyone know of a solution? Here's what I've come up with so far: Pazzo adjustable racing levers Switching out the lever with other bike levers would need to be machined. Most are too large to engage the brake. Heating the lever and bending it closer to the handle bar. Anyone have any other ideas?? Thank you for any help you can give!!

June 5th, 2009, 09:36 AM	#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	The Pazzo's would likely make it a little more comfortable, but I think Gary is on the right track as well. Rear brake can be very helpful on a hill, giving us more freedom to concentrate more on the clutch/throttle transition. __________________________________________________ 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)

June 5th, 2009, 09:47 AM	#5
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	How many fingers are you using on the brake? You may have some luck only using your 2nd & 3rd fingers around the brake lever, 4th and 5th remain on the throttle. The lever is much closer to the bar on that end of your hand, and holding them that way may keep your hand from being pulled so far off of the throttle. __________________________________________________ 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)

June 5th, 2009, 10:17 AM	#6
Cali619 Giggity Giggity Name: Ryam Location: San Diego Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250R aka Hiryu Posts: 481	I would say get the adjustable levers, then you will feel more comfortable. how your hands work the levers is a big thing IMHO cause thats your bread and butter tools. the less you have to think about the mechanics the more focus you will have on the road. __________________________________________________ Facebook DY Fender chop, Danmoto CB slip-on w/baffle, Airbox removed, Kleen-air removed, shimmed needles, Mikuni #117.5 Main jets, K&N RU-1822 air filter pods

June 5th, 2009, 12:07 PM	#10
Banzai Psychic war veteran Name: Thomas Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Kawi Green '09 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 663	I would go Pazzo levers and develop the skill set with the rear brake. __________________________________________________ * If you're arguing with some idiot over the internet, chances are pretty good he's doing the same thing! Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction

June 5th, 2009, 09:34 AM	#2
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	i guess you could go the levers route.... but have you tried using both brakes and then when you are ready to go, release the front brake and use the rear brakes only to hold you in place? then your right hand will be free to just operate the throttle. edit: ah, now i understand your thread title. lol i thought it meant that "a munchkin passed on a question to a lurker."

June 5th, 2009, 09:41 AM	#4
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	I've been primarily using my rear brakes, but fear the wind. We get some pretty crazy windy days here, and I'd love to have both feet on the ground on a hill, til' I'm ready to go. I'm just over 5 foot, and as it is with a lowered ride don't sit flat footed. Both feet when stopping would be ideal !

June 5th, 2009, 10:57 AM	#8
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	have you read this? http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16132

June 5th, 2009, 11:23 AM	#9
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	KKim thank you so much!!!

June 5th, 2009, 01:21 PM	#12
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Monica- I think you will find the pazzos are much nicer to reach! I have them dialed all the way into the 1, and it's perfect for me. Good luck! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

June 5th, 2009, 01:48 PM	#15
SpyderGirl 3 for street, 2 for dirt Name: Katlyn Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California) Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586	I too have munchkin hands, I still can manage to get part of my longest fingers on the brake though. I use the rear brake most of the time when I'm on the hills. It's a skill that takes practice. I was like you, I didn't want to not have both feet down. I do think the adjustable lever will help you though... and practice with that rear brake and learn to balance your bike on one leg. The 250 is really light, you can do it. I was able to hold a 650R up with one leg myself when stopped -- I had to because it wasn't lowered and I am only 5'3". __________________________________________________ Feel free to look me up on facebook.

June 5th, 2009, 02:00 PM	#16
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	if you go the bend route be sure that the brake fully grabs the rotor before the lever hits the grip (or your fingers that are on the grip). nothing worse then the old drum brakes that would wear and the cables stretch and you go to grab a handful of brake and the lever hits the grip and you keep 'a rollin'.

June 8th, 2009, 12:20 PM	#17
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	Thanks everyone, noche_caliente what bike do you have the pazzo levers on? I can stop on hills with my rear brake. I just haven't tested in on super windy days. I live near Lake Ontario, and we get some super super winds. Inseam is about 27". You don't need to know that too much as a girl, so I had to measure on my jeans. I think that's about right.

June 8th, 2009, 12:56 PM	#18
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	In addition to lowering the front and rear of the bike an inch or two (no more than that) with a lowering kit, you can shave the seat foam a bit and consider some boots with some bottoms that are built up. A 27" inseam is a bit short, but not as short as some others here that ride the 250. It's all about gaining confidence to support the bike when you need to.

June 8th, 2009, 01:13 PM	#19
muffinman ninjette.org guru Name: Arthur Location: USA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R (sold), '05 ZX6R / 636 Posts: 355	Get the Pazzo! I also have small hands and the Pazzo has transformed the bike for me - best mod I've ever done.

June 8th, 2009, 02:02 PM	#20
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	We did lower the bike with a dog bone, and I'm comfy on it now. Muffin man, thanks. What bike (year & make) did you put the pazzo on? Glad to hear good reviews on them.

June 8th, 2009, 02:43 PM	#22
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Monica - Arthur and I both have the '08 which is the same as the '09. The DIY that Kelly linked for you was mine I also second what he said about lowering the front - it is the best way to preserve the handling while helping us be able to reach! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

June 9th, 2009, 08:41 AM	#23
dmonaco05 ninjette.org member Name: Dom Location: oswego ny Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 ninja 250r Posts: 46	im in oswego (near you) so i know what kinda winds ur dealing with. the problem with bending the lever would be when you need to pull it all the way in for emergency stops you could hit the throttle. when no one is around u and on a hill try holding the bike with just ur feet on the ground no brakes, ill do that in the city from time to time when i keep hitting redlights.

June 10th, 2009, 01:35 PM	#24
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	Thank you thank you thank you everyone! I just purchased new levers. I went with the Pazzo's. Thanks for all your help!!!!!!

June 10th, 2009, 01:38 PM	#25
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	... and how do you like them?

June 11th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#26
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	I haven't gotten them yet, but I'll keep you posted!

June 17th, 2009, 08:49 AM	#27
Monica ninjette.org member Name: Monica Location: Upstate NY Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2009 Posts: 16	I got the Pazzo levers in and installed on the bike. They make a world of difference! Love them. Thanks to all for confirming the decision, I'm thrilled.

June 17th, 2009, 09:02 AM	#28
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	Glad to haer that yor fingers will now be able to rach.

June 17th, 2009, 01:37 PM	#30
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	That's great to hear! I'm glad you like them! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

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