New Rider in NC

[Bk834]

Hi, everyone. New rider here from North Carolina. I just picked up a pretty nice 07 Ninja 250 with 5k on its ticker, for dirt cheap because it ran like crap all through its rpm range, and wouldn't idle, even after the guy had cleaned the carbs. So when I got it home, i pulled the carbs, and saw they were indeed squeaky clean inside, so I figured they must need fully rebuilt. After a few days of research, I had the info I needed to tackle the job. A rebuild kit, along with a factory pro stage 3 jetting kit, and pod air filter installed, as well as tossing in new iridium plugs, she now idles and runs like a champ. Pulls hard through the entire rpm range with no dead spots. Never thought a 250cc bike could run this hard, or be this fast.

Been riding now for about 2 weeks and i am loving it. Not sure the 250R was the best choice for a beginner, as the clutch on this bike is extremely hard to engage properly upon takeoff without stalling it, but Im getting the hang of it. The suspension is a little low for someone who is 6'2 like me, but I fit on the bike decently. Wouldn't wanna take any long road trips on it though. Most of the ninja forums are dead as far as the 250R is concerned, and/or unfriendly to newbies, so I thought I'd give this place a try. Hope to learn more and contribute as I can. Thanks for having me. Ride On!

[RacinNinja]

Bk834! Glad you found us...

[dcj13]

Hi, Brandon! Welcome!

Lots of nice, knowledgeable folks on this forum. You will really enjoy your pre-gen 250.

[JohnnyBravo]

Welcome to the board... Sweet work on your first project! Folks around here still lovin pregens daily. You will get used to the clutch, or find some info around on how to change it up a bit

[CaliGrrl]

Welcome!

[Snake]

Hello and welcome.

[Triple Jim]

Hi Brandon. Another NC guy here, and I just got my '05 250 about a year ago. Not sure why you're having trouble with the clutch, unless you just need some practice. That is assuming your gearing is somewhere near stock. I have a 15t on the front and a stock rear sprocket, and it's the easiest of my four motorcycles to get rolling from a stop. Maybe give us some more details. It could need something simple like an adjustment or new cable.

[VaFish]

Welcome

Pregens are addictive.

[nickjpass]

Welcome

[sp3ak]

Yay for more NC folks!

I'm a new rider as well located in Durham, whereabouts are you at?

I've found this forum, as well as the Wiki at ninja250.org, to be extremely helpful. I haven't really had to do anything to my bike yet but every question I've had has been answered just by reading and searching.

[JohnnyBravo]

^ smart guy

[Bk834]

Thanks for all the welcomes everyone. I'm located just outside of Charlotte, and there are some great twisty back roads here, that I use to practice my leaning on. Its actually came second nature to me. I'm working up to dragging a knee, lol. I adjusted the clutch cable a little, and it's made it much easier to engage now. I've really been enjoying the bike. The acceleration is so addictive I'm already wanting a new XR-10 now, but I know I need to build my skill level on this little ninja first. I gotta say though this little bike goes like a mini rocket at WOT for a 250 now. 112 main jet, 40 pilot, needles at clip position 3, k&n pod. I don't even know what it was like stock, but it's pretty fun little bike now. I see why it has the following that it does.

[Triple Jim]

Have you taken the MSF beginner course?

[csmith12]

Welcome!

[Bk834]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Have you taken the MSF beginner course?

I tried to get in, but the waiting list was truly long here, 5-6 months. We have alot of riders here. So, not wanting to waste anymore of the season. I just went and got my mc learners permit, and set out on my own. I'm just gonna go straight for the license endorsement next. Riding comes pretty natural to me, so I haven't had many problems. I'm 33, a late start to riding I know, but I'm pretty responsible, and highly aware of my surroundings and road conditions right in front of me when I'm riding, so I should be fine. I respect the machine and understand its capacity to kill or seriously injure you given improper riding techniques. Not getting hurt is #1 to me. I wanna be able to ride until I'm at least 60.

[Triple Jim]

You might consider signing up now and taking it in the winter when you're not dying of dehydration in the sun for two days. My daughter learned a lot of good things in two days when she took it.

I know what you mean though... in 1978 when I got my MC license and took the skills test on my first motorcycle, which was a Kawasaki H2, I survived by using respect and caution. At least enough to not get in a fatal crash. But the insurance discount you get for passing the course helps pay for it, and my daughter really did learn a lot of good things all in one weekend.

If you don't take the beginner's course, at least always look where you want to go (avoid target fixation), don't outdrive your vision (don't assume there is no hazard in the road in the blind part of a turn, for example) and always assume you are completely invisible to other drivers, because you usually are.

[shift957]

Welcome! Reading Twist of the Wrist 1 (and 2 couldn't hurt) by Keith Code would be a good start to help you comprehend how to be safer by controlling your motorcycle better and understanding survival reactions and overcoming them. All the awareness in the world can't save you from a driver who doesn't see you and pulls out, if you don't know how to properly handle a bike.

[Ralgha]

Welcome! This is the best forum on the internet, not the best Ninja forum, the best forum!

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

I know what you mean though... in 1978 when I got my MC license and took the skills test on my first motorcycle, which was a Kawasaki H2, I survived by using respect and caution.

When I first read that, I envisioned:


and was like


Then I realized you said 1978.

[snot]

Welcome

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

Then I realized you said 1978.

In the '70s it was very similar. The H2 was the fastest thing on public roads. The times do change though.

[Bk834]

Thanks again everyone. It seems like most people do notice me when I'm riding here, having a bright Red bike and gloss Silver full face helmet helps with my visibility, but I'm definitely always watching everyone like a hawk. I know that idiot drivers are definitely out there, so I'm not taking any chances out here. I'm gonna buy and start wearing real gear and armor as soon as it's not 90* everyday, just for peace of mind. I can't stand it with the heat now.

I see people out riding here in full black leathers in 95* heat, and with heat from all directions, I don't know how they arent straight up oven baking on slow. I can barely stand the helmet when it's that hot out. I will consider taking the msf course later on, even if only to avoid having to schedule a driving test at the dmv to get my endorsement. Once you take the course you get a wavier for the dmv driving test, and can then just walk in the dmv anytime and get the endorsement.

[RacinNinja]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

In the '70s it was very similar. The H2 was the fastest thing on public roads. The times do change though.

And also had spindly frames that would flex and cause issues, or break. I'd say the new H2 is quite an improvement!!

Originally Posted by Bk834

Thanks again everyone. It seems like most people do notice me when I'm riding here, having a bright Red bike and gloss Silver full face helmet helps with my visibility, but I'm definitely always watching everyone like a hawk. I know that idiot drivers are definitely out there, so I'm not taking any chances out here. I'm gonna buy and start wearing real gear and armor as soon as it's not 90* everyday, just for peace of mind. I can't stand it with the heat now.

I see people out riding here in full black leathers in 95* heat, and with heat from all directions, I don't know how they arent straight up oven baking on slow. I can barely stand the helmet when it's that hot out. I will consider taking the msf course later on, even if only to avoid having to schedule a driving test at the dmv to get my endorsement. Once you take the course you get a wavier for the dmv driving test, and can then just walk in the dmv anytime and get the endorsement.

Do not count on anyone seeing you. Ride like you are invisible. Ride like any and all cars will put out in front of you or change lanes into you.

Lastly, sweat is cheaper than skin. Consider a textile jacket that has armor in it, yet allows air to flow through when you're moving to keep you cool. There are decent alternatives to leather, although they may not have the slide resistance, they will certainly afford you more protection than a regular coat and jeans.

I wear a textile jacket year round. It has good armor and also includes a weatherproof lining and wool insulator. Both the weatherproof liner and wool liner zip into the jacket so you can adjust how much heat or cold you want. Cortech is the brand and it was well worth it!

I have the previous generation of this one, have a look. http://www.cortech.net/inc/sdetail/g...jacket/136/532

[Triple Jim]

Right. I actually found that my perforated leather racing pants are cooler than my Kevlar padded jeans. With an armored mesh jacket, I can ride all summer. I just try to plan my routes so I don't have to stop at very many red lights.

[Bk834]

Well due to circumstances beyond my control , I've lost my daily driver cage, so now the '07 250 is my DD. I never imagined I'd be daily driving a bike, and although I love the freedom over my once daily cage ride to work, the relentless stop and go in traffic here is killing me. Does anyone know if they make a centrifugal clutch for these bikes?, like the one Rekluse makes? It doesn't take away your ability to clutch and shift gears once you get into 2nd, it just takes the constant clutching in 1st gear in stop and go traffic outta the picture. As it engages the clutch itself once the correct takeoff rpm is met.

[Triple Jim]

Can you shift your 8 hours around a little to avoid some of the stop and go traffic?

[Bk834]

Unforuntatly no. Can't even take an alternate route to avoid it. I know Rekluse makes drop in centrifugal clutch packs for the Kawasaki dirt bikes, but idk about the street bikes.

[Triple Jim]

No one would know better than the company that makes them. Well, probably that is.

[Bk834]

They aren't listed on their site...was hoping someone here knew of another company that might make one for the 250.

[sickopsycho]

I'm from Raleigh. Glad to see that there's a bunch of NC riders here. 😎🤗

[JohnnyBravo]

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[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by sickopsycho

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Hey how'd you get that emoji on here???

Nvm... I see what it's doing

[sickopsycho]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

Hey how'd you get that emoji on here???

Hahaha I'm on a nexus 6p Android phone running 7.0 Nougat. It's part of the emoji on the phone, I assume that's how. 🤣😋

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by sickopsycho

Hahaha I'm on a nexus 6p Android phone running 7.0 Nougat. It's part of the emoji on the phone, I assume that's how. 🤣😋

Yea same ones on iPhone... But when I try to post them I can't see them... But when you post them I can