How to "increase" friction zone?

michael38 · May 19th, 2013, 03:16 PM

I am new to riding and I just bought the 250 as my starter bike

But compared to my friend's ninja 250 (same one that I have), and the ones that I rode during the safety course, my ninja has a very small friction zone.
I mean I have to release almost 90% of the clutch to get the bike moving and I would like to have better control of the friction zone.

How can I increase the friction zone??

Alex · May 19th, 2013, 03:32 PM

You can't really make the friction zone wider, but you can change where in the throw of the lever it starts to engage, at least a small amount. There is a thumbwheel adjustment at the end of the clutch lever, and another adjuster at the other end of the clutch cable down where it attaches to the engine/transmission casing.

Info in this DIY:

DIY How to Lube and Adjust the 250R Clutch Cable

Jiggles · May 19th, 2013, 04:09 PM

Alternatively, draining all of your oil and riding will likely increase your friction zone.

ninjamunky85 · May 19th, 2013, 04:17 PM

My ninjette is the same way. I just learned to pull the lever only a little bit.

xaple · May 19th, 2013, 04:21 PM

Mine is the same way, I just live with it. I pull it in less than an inch to shift.

DaBlue1 · May 19th, 2013, 04:35 PM

Adjustable levers may help your problem. You won't have to pull the clutch in real far or have to let it out so far.

Motofool · May 20th, 2013, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Adjustable levers may help your problem. You won't have to pull the clutch in real far or have to let it out so far.

This will help you much if your fingers are short.
You can also rotate the base around the handle bar in order to suit your ergo.

Link to original page on YouTube.

If your clutch behaves very differently, then you may have a problem of warped-worn friction discs and/or improper oil.

Have an experienced friend test it for you just to verify it is not your inexperience.

csmith12 · May 20th, 2013, 06:29 AM

As a new rider, I find it awesome that your wanting to customize your controls.

But as a new rider, the small friction zone will help you along the way of clutch control.

In time, you will like that the friction zone is small. It's one of many things that make the lil ninja feel so easily controlled. With adjustments you can put the zone near the end of the lever's movement and with a small bump of the lever, your "in da zone".

In general, find ways to let the bike do the work for you, so you don't have to work hard to ride it.

BRad704 · May 20th, 2013, 08:31 AM

If you use any less than all 4 fingers to shift, you will learn to enjoy the short throw required to shift. IMHO YMMV

May 19th, 2013, 03:16 PM	#1
michael38 ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Canada Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R Posts: 20	How to "increase" friction zone? I am new to riding and I just bought the 250 as my starter bike But compared to my friend's ninja 250 (same one that I have), and the ones that I rode during the safety course, my ninja has a very small friction zone. I mean I have to release almost 90% of the clutch to get the bike moving and I would like to have better control of the friction zone. How can I increase the friction zone??

May 19th, 2013, 03:32 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	You can't really make the friction zone wider, but you can change where in the throw of the lever it starts to engage, at least a small amount. There is a thumbwheel adjustment at the end of the clutch lever, and another adjuster at the other end of the clutch cable down where it attaches to the engine/transmission casing. Info in this DIY: DIY How to Lube and Adjust the 250R Clutch Cable __________________________________________________ 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 19th, 2013, 04:09 PM	#3
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Alternatively, draining all of your oil and riding will likely increase your friction zone. __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

May 19th, 2013, 04:17 PM	#4
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	My ninjette is the same way. I just learned to pull the lever only a little bit. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

May 20th, 2013, 06:29 AM	#8
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	As a new rider, I find it awesome that your wanting to customize your controls. But as a new rider, the small friction zone will help you along the way of clutch control. In time, you will like that the friction zone is small. It's one of many things that make the lil ninja feel so easily controlled. With adjustments you can put the zone near the end of the lever's movement and with a small bump of the lever, your "in da zone". In general, find ways to let the bike do the work for you, so you don't have to work hard to ride it. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 19th, 2013, 04:21 PM	#5
xaple ninjette.org guru Name: Daniel "God" Location: South Florida Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 326	Mine is the same way, I just live with it. I pull it in less than an inch to shift.

May 19th, 2013, 04:35 PM	#6
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Adjustable levers may help your problem. You won't have to pull the clutch in real far or have to let it out so far.

May 20th, 2013, 08:31 AM	#9
BRad704 Big Dreams, Small Wallet Name: Brad Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (Sold), 93 VFR750F (In Pieces) Posts: 508	If you use any less than all 4 fingers to shift, you will learn to enjoy the short throw required to shift. IMHO YMMV __________________________________________________ ~BRad

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