**almost** rode across USA on my 09 Ninja 250

mbharat · September 5th, 2009, 02:23 PM

Hello all,

So I moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Lafayette, CA. Decided to ride my Ninja 250 all the way! Started out with 9700 miles on my bike (MANY thanks to Mission Motorcycles in SF for doing the 8000 mile service on my bike). Ended with around 12,400 miles on it.

A) This was my first long trip on the ninja so I decided to hit the twisties only for 800 miles and then just super-slab. The route was:
1. Lafayette, CA - Jackpot, Nevada. Did a few local roads till Reno, Nevada.
2. Jackpot, Nevada - Missoula, Montana. This was the most awesome part, took US93N through southern Idaho and through Montana. The ride along the Salmon River was breathtaking.
3. Missoula, Montana - Glendive, Montana
4. Glendive, Montana - Minneapolis, Minnesota
5. Minneapolis, Minnesota - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

B) Some facts:
1. Dist. covered: 2701 miles (approx. 4346.83 kms) A perspective on the distance from the standpoint of India (I was born there

): the Himsagar Express that goes from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (southernmost point in India) to Jammu Tawi, Jammu&Kashmir (northernmost state in India) covers a distance of 3715 kms (src.: wikipedia). So, I traversed the length of India in: 5 days (8 - 12 hrs riding/day).
2. Gas: $160. Assuming an average gas price of $2.65/gallon, I got around 44.5 miles/gallon.
3. The only mods. to my bike were a Corbin seat, tank bag and my backpack as a topcase courtesy of a bungee cord. I **did** have a couple of saddlebags but I shipped them to Wisconsin in Jackpot, Nevada because they were unnecessary. TRAVEL LIGHT!
4. I lubed the chain every 700 miles, checked oil and chain slack. Nothing went wrong with the bike.

C) Any Wisconsin ninjette riders want to meet up before we get hit by the winter

? PM me if you want to meet up!

Bart

Strider · September 5th, 2009, 03:01 PM

WOW -- Iron Butt award coming your way! LOL

Did you take any pics along the ride?

noche_caliente · September 6th, 2009, 10:01 AM

that's a nice ride

now you need to visit the east coast

randomwalk101 · September 8th, 2009, 10:25 AM

nice ride man. Did you have some type of mod to your seat?

Momaru · September 8th, 2009, 11:15 AM

Holy cow, definitely an IB rider there. Thanks for sharing!

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

now you need to visit the east coast

Kawasabi · September 8th, 2009, 11:20 AM

Damn, already over 12k for an 09, averaging over 10k a month!!!!!!!

High Roller indeed.

mbharat · September 8th, 2009, 12:40 PM

1. Pics - Like it says in my original post, I took very few. Mostly because we were hightailing across the country enjoying the ride. Anyway, here are some from the public facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=5b5e5068ca

Only one of the pics. was taken by my friend who was riding on a VX-800 with me (till Missoula, Montana). The other three pics. are from wikipedia. They are pics. of places we passed through during our ride: Craters of the Moon, Idaho; Salmon River, Idaho-Montana and Twin Falls, Idaho (note: we did not visit them in that order).

2. Custom seat - Like it says in my original post, I have a Corbin seat. Worth the $285.

Bart

Sailariel · September 8th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Bart, Nice job!

headshrink · September 8th, 2009, 09:54 PM

And wasn't there a thread recently debating if a Ninjette could even go on the highway? Thanks for helping us prove 'em wrong

I'm sure it felt very satisfying.

mbharat · September 9th, 2009, 02:52 PM

Hey,

Yeah it was very satisfying to see the BMW riders stare at my ninja

. J/k. I was like a BMW rider in the first day of the trip, carrying EVERYTHING including the kitchen sink

(j/k about the sink again). Here are more pics. courtesy of my fellow VX-800 rider:

http://california.eecs.berkeley.edu/...ob09/Index.htm

Zoom in on the picture in the gas station in Nevada. Notice my topcase, tankbag and two saddle bags. Also, my saddle bags were tourmaster cloth. They are over the stock exhaust but had enough clearance. So, NO they did NOT melt (rode a total of 11 hours with them the first day, from Lafayette, CA to Jackpot, NV).

But then, I lightened up in Jackpot: only a tankbag and topcase

. In the words of my fellow VX-800 rider: "I went from being a motorhome to a motorcycle

". I shipped my saddle bags to Milwaukee from Jackpot, they arrived safe and sound.

Bart

headshrink · September 9th, 2009, 03:08 PM

All this effort and you still have that fender hangin' off the back end? Sorry Bart, your bike is still a virgin

Scipyo · September 10th, 2009, 03:24 PM

how was your hand not causing you to scream in pain? I can't ride on the freeway for more than 2 hours without cursing in my helmet for a while. Please tell me your secret!
Posted via Mobile Device

VeX · September 10th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Wow cool beans! I just moved from Cali, but drove the two trips out to Iowa

You're only a couple hours north of me so huzzah to that.

mbharat · September 10th, 2009, 03:54 PM

Hey,

I stretch for like 20 minutes a day in the morning (been doing that for the past 18 years). I am thinking thats a major reason why I don't feel pain while riding.

Bart

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scipyo

how was your hand not causing you to scream in pain? I can't ride on the freeway for more than 2 hours without cursing in my helmet for a while. Please tell me your secret!
Posted via Mobile Device

headshrink · September 10th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scipyo

how was your hand not causing you to scream in pain? I can't ride on the freeway for more than 2 hours without cursing in my helmet for a while. Please tell me your secret!
Posted via Mobile Device

I can tell you the secret to the helmet part.... Arai. They are the only helmet manufacturer, to my knowledge, that makes their helmets to fit specific shapes of heads. I can wear mine all day without a hint of pain or uncomfortability.

I just got a 'cramp buster' to hold me over until I get something a little better. I haven't had much chance to try it out because I don't have a need very often. I am thinking about a Throttle Meister in the future. They look really nice, but they aren't cheap.
http://www.throttlemeister.com/

AnarchoMoltov · September 10th, 2009, 08:58 PM

I live about 1.5-2 hrs from you...Out of curiosity, why would u leave Cali, and move to the coldest place on EARTH??

...j/k

mbharat · September 11th, 2009, 06:59 AM

Hey Dan,

I got a better job in Wisconsin. Yeah, i get that question a lot from motorcyclists here in Wisconsin since my license plate is still from California

.

I know about Wisconsin winters (been here during last winter and walked around when it was around 30 degrees celsius BELOW zero WITHOUT windchill).

I am sure though that I will get upset cause I can't write the bike during winters. I am trying to get my brain twisted around that fact.

Bart

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnarchoMoltov

I live about 1.5-2 hrs from you...Out of curiosity, why would u leave Cali, and move to the coldest place on EARTH??

...j/k

welcome2thedawn · September 28th, 2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scipyo

how was your hand not causing you to scream in pain? I can't ride on the freeway for more than 2 hours without cursing in my helmet for a while. Please tell me your secret!
Posted via Mobile Device

i know that feeling...just got back from the coast....3 hour ride....my wrist was killing me...my hand was tingling...my elbow, back, and ankles were super sore...and i lift 5-6 days a week so it's not from being out of shape...and i don't have a death grip...i open my hand and just press my palm on the throttle...i could handle everything else if not for my hand cramping up and falling asleep...long rides are great, but i must figure out a way to make it more comfortable...

kkim · September 28th, 2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welcome2thedawn

i know that feeling...just got back from the coast....3 hour ride....my wrist was killing me...my hand was tingling...my elbow, back, and ankles were super sore...and i lift 5-6 days a week so it's not from being out of shape...and i don't have a death grip...i open my hand and just press my palm on the throttle...i could handle everything else if not for my hand cramping up and falling asleep...long rides are great, but i must figure out a way to make it more comfortable...

crampbuster

AnarchoMoltov · September 28th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welcome2thedawn

i know that feeling...just got back from the coast....3 hour ride....my wrist was killing me...my hand was tingling...my elbow, back, and ankles were super sore...and i lift 5-6 days a week so it's not from being out of shape...and i don't have a death grip...i open my hand and just press my palm on the throttle...i could handle everything else if not for my hand cramping up and falling asleep...long rides are great, but i must figure out a way to make it more comfortable...

holy ****, u lift 5-6 days a week? when do you let your muscles recover?

welcome2thedawn · September 28th, 2009, 03:20 PM

i do a 5 day split rest a day and start over so each muscle group only gets hit once a week....and i sleep 8-10 hours a night

adouglas · September 29th, 2009, 06:31 AM

Nice job!

At the end of August I did a similar trip (2600 miles in 13 days). Not quite up to the 8-10 hours/day you did, but then I was on vacation, not trying to get somewhere.

My answer for cramps in the throttle hand was to use several different positions, plus shake the hand out a few times an hour.

- Hold throttle with thumb and first two fingers.
- Hold throttle with ring and pinky.
- Hold throttle with palm pressure, with thumb and fingers relaxed (but ready to grab the throttle for safety).

All worked just fine. Didn't feel the need for a crampbuster or anything like that.

+1 on the well-fitting helmet. Arai makes a variety of shapes but they're very, very expensive. I found that the Joe Rocket RKT101 fits my noggin perfectly and it only cost me $120.

I found that stopping regularly (once an hour or so for me) was absolutely essential to maintaining comfort over the long haul. The stops need not be long, just enough to get off the bike and walk around for a minute or two.

Hitting the Interstates will get you from Point A to Point B in minimum time, but I find them boring and tiring. I opted to get off the highway and take state and local roads whenever practical... it added a bit of time to the trip but was well worth it because I was much less fatigued and much more entertained at the end of each day.

More info about how to stay comfortable and refreshed on long rides is in the thread about my trip:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...9&postcount=19

CZroe · October 1st, 2009, 02:26 AM

I rode all day every day in my GA-to-CA trip... averaged over 16hrs a day. Well, with stretching, gassing, warming, etc stops (it was in December). With a full tank bag and backpack, I traveled much lighter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawasabi

Damn, already over 12k for an 09, averaging over 10k a month!!!!!!!

High Roller indeed.

Over 1K a month.

September 5th, 2009, 02:23 PM	#1
mbharat ninjette.org member Name: Bart Location: Milwaukee Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 08 CBR600 RR Posts: 13	almost rode across USA on my 09 Ninja 250 Hello all, So I moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Lafayette, CA. Decided to ride my Ninja 250 all the way! Started out with 9700 miles on my bike (MANY thanks to Mission Motorcycles in SF for doing the 8000 mile service on my bike). Ended with around 12,400 miles on it. A) This was my first long trip on the ninja so I decided to hit the twisties only for 800 miles and then just super-slab. The route was: 1. Lafayette, CA - Jackpot, Nevada. Did a few local roads till Reno, Nevada. 2. Jackpot, Nevada - Missoula, Montana. This was the most awesome part, took US93N through southern Idaho and through Montana. The ride along the Salmon River was breathtaking. 3. Missoula, Montana - Glendive, Montana 4. Glendive, Montana - Minneapolis, Minnesota 5. Minneapolis, Minnesota - Milwaukee, Wisconsin B) Some facts: 1. Dist. covered: 2701 miles (approx. 4346.83 kms) A perspective on the distance from the standpoint of India (I was born there ): the Himsagar Express that goes from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (southernmost point in India) to Jammu Tawi, Jammu&Kashmir (northernmost state in India) covers a distance of 3715 kms (src.: wikipedia). So, I traversed the length of India in: 5 days (8 - 12 hrs riding/day). 2. Gas: $160. Assuming an average gas price of $2.65/gallon, I got around 44.5 miles/gallon. 3. The only mods. to my bike were a Corbin seat, tank bag and my backpack as a topcase courtesy of a bungee cord. I did have a couple of saddlebags but I shipped them to Wisconsin in Jackpot, Nevada because they were unnecessary. TRAVEL LIGHT! 4. I lubed the chain every 700 miles, checked oil and chain slack. Nothing went wrong with the bike. C) Any Wisconsin ninjette riders want to meet up before we get hit by the winter ? PM me if you want to meet up! Bart

September 5th, 2009, 03:01 PM	#2
Strider Back on the Black! Name: Alan Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 (Black) Posts: 831	WOW -- Iron Butt award coming your way! LOL Did you take any pics along the ride? __________________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ATGATT 4EVER

September 6th, 2009, 10:01 AM	#3
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 a nice ride now you need to visit the east coast __________________________________________________ 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

September 10th, 2009, 08:58 PM	#16
AnarchoMoltov ninjette.org guru Name: Dan Location: Chicago, il.... Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Suzuki GSX-R750 Posts: 378	I live about 1.5-2 hrs from you...Out of curiosity, why would u leave Cali, and move to the coldest place on EARTH??...j/k

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September 8th, 2009, 10:25 AM	#4
randomwalk101 self wrencher Name: john Location: houston Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250r and 07 600r Posts: A lot.	nice ride man. Did you have some type of mod to your seat?

September 8th, 2009, 11:20 AM	#6
Kawasabi ninjette.org member Name: J Location: NYC Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): RED 250R Posts: 112	Damn, already over 12k for an 09, averaging over 10k a month!!!!!!! High Roller indeed.

September 8th, 2009, 12:40 PM	#7
mbharat ninjette.org member Name: Bart Location: Milwaukee Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 08 CBR600 RR Posts: 13	1. Pics - Like it says in my original post, I took very few. Mostly because we were hightailing across the country enjoying the ride. Anyway, here are some from the public facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...5&l=5b5e5068ca Only one of the pics. was taken by my friend who was riding on a VX-800 with me (till Missoula, Montana). The other three pics. are from wikipedia. They are pics. of places we passed through during our ride: Craters of the Moon, Idaho; Salmon River, Idaho-Montana and Twin Falls, Idaho (note: we did not visit them in that order). 2. Custom seat - Like it says in my original post, I have a Corbin seat. Worth the $285. Bart

September 8th, 2009, 05:39 PM	#8
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Bart, Nice job!

September 8th, 2009, 09:54 PM	#9
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	And wasn't there a thread recently debating if a Ninjette could even go on the highway? Thanks for helping us prove 'em wrong I'm sure it felt very satisfying.

September 9th, 2009, 02:52 PM	#10
mbharat ninjette.org member Name: Bart Location: Milwaukee Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 08 CBR600 RR Posts: 13	Hey, Yeah it was very satisfying to see the BMW riders stare at my ninja . J/k. I was like a BMW rider in the first day of the trip, carrying EVERYTHING including the kitchen sink (j/k about the sink again). Here are more pics. courtesy of my fellow VX-800 rider: http://california.eecs.berkeley.edu/...ob09/Index.htm Zoom in on the picture in the gas station in Nevada. Notice my topcase, tankbag and two saddle bags. Also, my saddle bags were tourmaster cloth. They are over the stock exhaust but had enough clearance. So, NO they did NOT melt (rode a total of 11 hours with them the first day, from Lafayette, CA to Jackpot, NV). But then, I lightened up in Jackpot: only a tankbag and topcase . In the words of my fellow VX-800 rider: "I went from being a motorhome to a motorcycle ". I shipped my saddle bags to Milwaukee from Jackpot, they arrived safe and sound. Bart

September 9th, 2009, 03:08 PM	#11
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	All this effort and you still have that fender hangin' off the back end? Sorry Bart, your bike is still a virgin

September 10th, 2009, 03:24 PM	#12
Scipyo ///////////////////////// Name: Connor Location: Lafayette, CA Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2008 Posts: 12	how was your hand not causing you to scream in pain? I can't ride on the freeway for more than 2 hours without cursing in my helmet for a while. Please tell me your secret! Posted via Mobile Device

September 10th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#13
VeX That's me! Name: TJ Location: Ames, IA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r (Tis blue), 2008 CBR600RR Posts: 454	Wow cool beans! I just moved from Cali, but drove the two trips out to Iowa You're only a couple hours north of me so huzzah to that.

September 28th, 2009, 03:20 PM	#21
welcome2thedawn ninjette.org guru Name: dawn Location: portland, or Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250r modded, 73 honda cl200, 74 kawasaki 400 triple Posts: 255	i do a 5 day split rest a day and start over so each muscle group only gets hit once a week....and i sleep 8-10 hours a night

September 29th, 2009, 06:31 AM	#22
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	Nice job! At the end of August I did a similar trip (2600 miles in 13 days). Not quite up to the 8-10 hours/day you did, but then I was on vacation, not trying to get somewhere. My answer for cramps in the throttle hand was to use several different positions, plus shake the hand out a few times an hour. - Hold throttle with thumb and first two fingers. - Hold throttle with ring and pinky. - Hold throttle with palm pressure, with thumb and fingers relaxed (but ready to grab the throttle for safety). All worked just fine. Didn't feel the need for a crampbuster or anything like that. +1 on the well-fitting helmet. Arai makes a variety of shapes but they're very, very expensive. I found that the Joe Rocket RKT101 fits my noggin perfectly and it only cost me $120. I found that stopping regularly (once an hour or so for me) was absolutely essential to maintaining comfort over the long haul. The stops need not be long, just enough to get off the bike and walk around for a minute or two. Hitting the Interstates will get you from Point A to Point B in minimum time, but I find them boring and tiring. I opted to get off the highway and take state and local roads whenever practical... it added a bit of time to the trip but was well worth it because I was much less fatigued and much more entertained at the end of each day. More info about how to stay comfortable and refreshed on long rides is in the thread about my trip: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...9&postcount=19