New girl on the block

Jaiyla · May 15th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Hi! I recently purchased my bike a few months ago. I haven't had much time to ride it since I am a full time student and work every second of my life. I need to practice, practice, practice until I feel comfortable on the road.

I have never driven a manual car before, so shifting is new to me. I took my MSF course last summer and have spent the winter rounding up all the proper gear. My boyfriend has been riding for almost eight years. He has a Ducati 900, previous owner of a ninja 636 until it was stolen last summer.

So he has been a great help!

Anyways, I have a 2008 Ninja 250 that I just had lowered, chopped that fender off, and put Shogun frame sliders into it. Last week of school here and then I will be riding her way more frequently!!

I have wandered over here from Kawiforums, but it's nice to meet everyone and I'm hoping to possibly find more girls in WI to ride with!

Alex · May 15th, 2010, 01:12 PM

Jaiyla! Glad to have you aboard...

rceezy · May 15th, 2010, 01:13 PM

Yay! Welcome! And CONGRATS!! Very nice to meet you!

kkim · May 15th, 2010, 01:14 PM

Aloha and welcome, Jennie.

Lowered the bike... front and back, I hope?

Jaiyla · May 15th, 2010, 01:27 PM

kkim, as of right now just 1.5" in the back. It doesn't ride any different and hasn't messed with the performance at all. Completely dealer installed so I didn't have to mess with it myself.

Jaiyla · May 15th, 2010, 01:28 PM

But thank you for the welcome everybody!

To be honest, the "friendly 250 forum" statement is what made me instantly register

kkim · May 15th, 2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaiyla

kkim, as of right now just 1.5" in the back. It doesn't ride any different and hasn't messed with the performance at all. Completely dealer installed so I didn't have to mess with it myself.

Jennie, you may want to consider lowering the front, too, with some lowering blocks. By lowering only the rear, you've made the bike a little harder to turn... something I would think would work against you as a beginner. At higher speeds, turning ability will be affected and the bike will tend to feel like it wants to go straight rather than turn and you'll be fighting the bike in turns. At the very least, you'll lose some of the "nimbleness/flickability" the 250 ninja is noted for.

Jaiyla · May 15th, 2010, 01:48 PM

I have done my research -- like I said, I came from Kawiforums so I read numerous opinions about lowering. I haven't really felt much of a difference at all from turning, but then again I am fairly new.
It definitely will be something I will look into in the future if I do notice any frustrating downfalls! Thank you for your output and concern though

Snake · May 15th, 2010, 02:28 PM

Hello and welcome.

noche_caliente · May 15th, 2010, 03:11 PM

Welcome Jennie

Hershey1 · May 15th, 2010, 03:22 PM

welcome to the block

tabogon · May 15th, 2010, 06:11 PM

Welcome

komohana · May 15th, 2010, 06:25 PM

welcome jennie

ninjabrewer · May 15th, 2010, 06:35 PM

Welcome to the insane asylum, enjoy your newfound passion. As you scream down the ribbons of black, you will feel the stress of academia melt away, becoming just some other detritus along the sides of the road, and only then, can you become one with your machine and free to wander.

nb

BlueRaven · May 16th, 2010, 07:55 AM

I too would suggest lowering the front along with the back. I also thought there wasn't much difference until i put my lowering blocks on a few weeks after lowering the back.

lockie · May 16th, 2010, 08:47 AM

Welcome from the north

Jaiyla · May 16th, 2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

I too would suggest lowering the front along with the back. I also thought there wasn't much difference until i put my lowering blocks on a few weeks after lowering the back.

I mean i did ride the bike before I lowered it and I can't tell any difference! How low did you lower yours?

kkim · May 16th, 2010, 02:51 PM

then how do you know they lowered it? did you do seat measurements before and after?

Alex · May 16th, 2010, 02:54 PM

Kelly - Jennie posted up a pic here of it in the pre-lowered state...

linky

...and had it lowered afterwards so she could get her feet down.

Jaiyla · May 16th, 2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

then how do you know they lowered it? did you do seat measurements before and after?

yes, i can actually get my feet on the ground now.

kkim · May 16th, 2010, 03:15 PM

Alex,

And yet she says she can feel no difference.

If someone else lowered it, my point is that unless she measured the seat height and found a difference before/after, perhaps the link was not installed correctly and the bike's ride height hasn't changed? I bring this up due to the confusion of the Roaring Toyz link holes and which hole does what.

The final proof is how much the seat height changed, if any.

kkim · May 16th, 2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaiyla

I mean i did ride the bike before I lowered it and I can't tell any difference! How low did you lower yours?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaiyla

yes, i can actually get my feet on the ground now.

now I'm really confused.

xtrapsi · May 16th, 2010, 03:58 PM

She means she can't tell a difference in the way the bike handles...

Alex · May 16th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

now I'm really confused.

The first thing to go is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtrapsi

She means she can't tell a difference in the way the bike handles...

Jaiyla · May 16th, 2010, 04:33 PM

what they said ^^^

250rinblack · May 16th, 2010, 04:55 PM

Welcome from waaaaaaaaaaayy over the other side of the Pacific. Enjoy the bike and this forum, both are great fun

kkim · May 16th, 2010, 07:42 PM

lol... yeah, I figured that's what she meant after I posted.

Jennie, please keep this thread in mind as you become a more experienced rider and the speed at which you approach corners increases. If the bike seems to want to find the outside of the turn instead of easily tracking through it, you may want to consider lowering the front as well. It may also make maneuvering when riding slow more difficult as well, like in a parking lot.

have fun... welcome to the forum.

KJohnson21 · May 17th, 2010, 12:16 PM

tjkamper · May 17th, 2010, 12:58 PM

Jaiyla · May 17th, 2010, 04:34 PM

Thanks everyone!!

OldGuy · May 18th, 2010, 08:25 PM

Welcome Jennie - glad to have you with us. Have fun and ride safe.

May 15th, 2010, 01:11 PM	#1
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	New girl on the block Hi! I recently purchased my bike a few months ago. I haven't had much time to ride it since I am a full time student and work every second of my life. I need to practice, practice, practice until I feel comfortable on the road. I have never driven a manual car before, so shifting is new to me. I took my MSF course last summer and have spent the winter rounding up all the proper gear. My boyfriend has been riding for almost eight years. He has a Ducati 900, previous owner of a ninja 636 until it was stolen last summer. So he has been a great help! Anyways, I have a 2008 Ninja 250 that I just had lowered, chopped that fender off, and put Shogun frame sliders into it. Last week of school here and then I will be riding her way more frequently!! I have wandered over here from Kawiforums, but it's nice to meet everyone and I'm hoping to possibly find more girls in WI to ride with!

May 15th, 2010, 01:12 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	Jaiyla! Glad to have you aboard... __________________________________________________ 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 15th, 2010, 03:11 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 Jennie __________________________________________________ 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

May 15th, 2010, 06:25 PM	#13
komohana ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Steve Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.	welcome jennie __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

May 15th, 2010, 06:35 PM	#14
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Welcome to the insane asylum, enjoy your newfound passion. As you scream down the ribbons of black, you will feel the stress of academia melt away, becoming just some other detritus along the sides of the road, and only then, can you become one with your machine and free to wander. nb __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

May 15th, 2010, 01:13 PM	#3
rceezy Lean Me Name: RC Location: America Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 678 Blog Entries: 4	Yay! Welcome! And CONGRATS!! Very nice to meet you!

May 15th, 2010, 01:14 PM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Aloha and welcome, Jennie. Lowered the bike... front and back, I hope?

May 15th, 2010, 01:27 PM	#5
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	kkim, as of right now just 1.5" in the back. It doesn't ride any different and hasn't messed with the performance at all. Completely dealer installed so I didn't have to mess with it myself.

May 15th, 2010, 01:28 PM	#6
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	But thank you for the welcome everybody! To be honest, the "friendly 250 forum" statement is what made me instantly register

May 15th, 2010, 01:48 PM	#8
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	I have done my research -- like I said, I came from Kawiforums so I read numerous opinions about lowering. I haven't really felt much of a difference at all from turning, but then again I am fairly new. It definitely will be something I will look into in the future if I do notice any frustrating downfalls! Thank you for your output and concern though

May 15th, 2010, 02:28 PM	#9
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.

May 15th, 2010, 03:22 PM	#11
Hershey1 ninjette.org member Name: Sabrina Location: mj,hj,nbj Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 Posts: 29	welcome to the block

May 15th, 2010, 06:11 PM	#12
tabogon ninjette.org guru Name: Josh Location: CT Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (Metallic Island Blue) Posts: 262	Welcome

May 16th, 2010, 07:55 AM	#15
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	I too would suggest lowering the front along with the back. I also thought there wasn't much difference until i put my lowering blocks on a few weeks after lowering the back. __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

May 16th, 2010, 08:47 AM	#16
lockie ninjette.org sage Name: don Location: Port Elgin NB Canada Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 blue ninja 250R Posts: 742	Welcome from the north

May 16th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#18
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	then how do you know they lowered it? did you do seat measurements before and after?

May 16th, 2010, 02:54 PM	#19
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	Kelly - Jennie posted up a pic here of it in the pre-lowered state... linky ...and had it lowered afterwards so she could get her feet down. __________________________________________________ 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 16th, 2010, 03:15 PM	#21
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Alex, And yet she says she can feel no difference. If someone else lowered it, my point is that unless she measured the seat height and found a difference before/after, perhaps the link was not installed correctly and the bike's ride height hasn't changed? I bring this up due to the confusion of the Roaring Toyz link holes and which hole does what. The final proof is how much the seat height changed, if any.

May 16th, 2010, 03:58 PM	#23
xtrapsi newbie Name: Gregg Location: Cape May, NJ Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2013 300 ABS Posts: 83	She means she can't tell a difference in the way the bike handles...

May 16th, 2010, 04:33 PM	#25
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	what they said ^^^

May 16th, 2010, 04:55 PM	#26
250rinblack ninjette.org member Name: Mark Location: Brisbane QLD Australia Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): White 2011 Aprilia RSV4R Posts: 125	Welcome from waaaaaaaaaaayy over the other side of the Pacific. Enjoy the bike and this forum, both are great fun __________________________________________________ Whatever you do just don't drop it.

May 16th, 2010, 07:42 PM	#27
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	lol... yeah, I figured that's what she meant after I posted. Jennie, please keep this thread in mind as you become a more experienced rider and the speed at which you approach corners increases. If the bike seems to want to find the outside of the turn instead of easily tracking through it, you may want to consider lowering the front as well. It may also make maneuvering when riding slow more difficult as well, like in a parking lot. have fun... welcome to the forum.

May 17th, 2010, 12:16 PM	#28
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 17th, 2010, 12:58 PM	#29
tjkamper ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Travis Location: Warwick, RI Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls.

May 17th, 2010, 04:34 PM	#30
Jaiyla ninjette.org member Name: Jennie Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	Thanks everyone!!

May 18th, 2010, 08:25 PM	#31
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Welcome Jennie - glad to have you with us. Have fun and ride safe. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

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