February 23rd, 2012, 12:39 AM | #1 |
Towster ['__'`,-,
Name: Josh
Location: San Diego, CA
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Noob Stalling Question
Man I feel nooby so dont bite me in the butt here. The ninja is my first standard transmission I have driven before. I own an automatic car and have never driven manual.
Anyway, for whatever reason, I have been frequently stalling when I start from a dead stop. I think it is because I am SOMETIMES only in 2nd gear from a stop. I dont downshift all the way to first. Mostly because I am a rookie and I dont know which gear I am in at a given moment. What do you guys do to remember what gear you are in? Do you count as you upshift or something? Also, When I stall at a dead stop, the ninja will sometimes refuse to start! Yesterday, I was stuck at an intersection for a good 30 seconds trying to figure out WTF was happening. I was turning the ignition off, adjusted engine cutoff switch, clutch in, starter button. Nothing was STARTING! Finally I put the bike in neutral and then it started. Is it possible I had the bike in second gear and that is why it refused to start? I just couldnt understand why it was not starting after it stalled. |
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February 23rd, 2012, 01:20 AM | #2 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
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Sometiems you have to pulll the clutch in really far in order for the bike to start
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February 23rd, 2012, 01:32 AM | #3 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
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Don't be afraid to put your rpms up to 6k when you pull away at lights, better than stalling
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February 23rd, 2012, 02:45 AM | #4 |
Gear crash test dummy
Name: Max
Location: South Bay (So. Cal)
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1st gear, to me, has a more obvious clunk when you click down in to it. I dunno - it just feels more final. While you're waiting you can also move around a little bit and try to click down.
As others have said don't be afraid to give the bike gas before you ease the clutch out. Nothing dangerous will happen; it takes a lot of rpms and dumping the clutch to wheelie this bike. When I stalled as a noob I also had issues starting the bike unless it was in neutral. Either pull the clutch all the way in and see if that works or get in neutral real quick and get going. |
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February 23rd, 2012, 05:38 AM | #5 |
Super Noob
Name: Alex
Location: Mobile, AL
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Just remember to keep on downshifting before you come to a stop and like it's been said, first gear has a definitive and resounding click to it. If you've come to a stop and aren't sure you're in first, ease off the clutch to the friction zone (just a wee bit until you hear the engine sound change) and then drop gears...the ninjette can be prickly about downshifting from higher gears when stopped.
Practice, practice and practice brother...can't say that enough and stay safe |
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February 23rd, 2012, 05:44 AM | #6 |
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Make sure you're in first gear, more gas, let clutch out slower and more smoothly.
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February 23rd, 2012, 06:28 AM | #7 |
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Every bike is different ............ first you need to find the bite point of the clutch. This is the point in which the engine and transmission is engaged,
sit with your bike on idle...(remove any mp3 player) and slowly release the clutch lever until you hear the engine revs drop and more importantly feel the bike wanting to move .at this point pull in the clutch and try again and again until the bite point becomes natural. When you feel that you know where the bite point is as you reach that point slowly and smoothly apply the throttle if you hear the revs drop apply more throttle until you are moving away smoothly then apply more gas to accelerate to the desired speed. after a while it will become so natural that you will wonder why you had any problems in the beginning above all dont try to show of in front of people and ride safe spend time with your bike and practice
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February 23rd, 2012, 06:30 AM | #8 | ||
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Quote:
Next time crack the throttle open while cranking up. Quote:
#3 skill to polish: from a stop, let the clutch out slowly enough as to start dragging the bike without a sudden reduction of engine rpm's. Keep rpm's around 2,500~3,000 (throttle at a fixed position) and practice releasing the clutch level slowly looking for that point at which the engine's rpm's begin to decrease and the bike starts to pull. That is the zone that you have to master. Before and after that "grabbing" point is not that critical. After you master that, then you need to practice the simultaneous (and progressive) opening of the throttle and releasing of the clutch lever. Keep the balance of the bike while doing all that. Best
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February 23rd, 2012, 07:17 AM | #9 |
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First gear has a really solid clunk and slightly further throw than the other gears. If you're ever wondering what gear you're in at a stop, just keep the clutch pulled in, and tap the lever down with your foot like you would in any normal down shift. If you're in first, it won't go any further. Also, depending on how quickly you downshift, the downshift to 1st gear will flash the neutral light really quick and it will catch your eye.
The biggest thing to get accustomed to what gear you're in is to just get out there and get riding experience. Eventually, you'll just be able to tell be how the bike feels what gear you're in, and downshifting at stops/shifting around town will be second nature. Just give it time and consciously try to set up as many "good" habits now as you can. Right when you start is when habits sink in the best. Have you taken the MSF course? |
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February 23rd, 2012, 07:35 AM | #10 |
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Not sure if your telling him to shift to neutral at stops but that would be against what the OP learned during the MSF.
On the street - At intersections and stops, shift to first and stay in first in case you need to go unexpectedly. In parking lot - Whatever you need to do to practice
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February 23rd, 2012, 07:37 AM | #11 |
The Corner Whisperer
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February 23rd, 2012, 07:45 AM | #12 |
Avid Kitteh Poster
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Since youre on a 250 you can be pretty silly with what RPMs youre at when you take off...
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February 23rd, 2012, 08:43 AM | #13 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
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Quote:
Thanks, Chris
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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February 23rd, 2012, 09:15 AM | #14 |
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February 23rd, 2012, 09:36 AM | #15 |
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I used to rely on hearing the sound of the engine but the problem is if you are parked next to a very loud car or anything else that drowns out the sound of our quiet engine then that method proves to be worthless.
This is what I was taught on how to deal with the bike from a dead stop. It is a VERY boring exercise but it taught me quite a bit. Take about 20 minutes out of your time and do this in a parking lot. Put the bike in 1st gear with the clutch pulled in at a stop. Slowly let the clutch out until the bike moves about 3 feet (without stalling). Pull clutch in again and repeat. This will put muscle memory in your hands so you will know at what point to go from releasing clutch and adding throttle. The point at which your bike will slowly move and not stall is the point where you start adding throttle. I hope this makes sense. |
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February 23rd, 2012, 01:26 PM | #16 |
my hair matches my bike
Name: Tiffany
Location: Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area
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The most helpful thing for me was to practice the rocking backwards and forwards with the clutch. Put the bike in first gear, SLOWLY release the clutch until you find the friction zone and roll forward. Grab the clutch again and roll backwards. (Note: you will only be able to roll backwards when the clutch is fully grasped)
IDK, it helped me. |
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February 23rd, 2012, 04:50 PM | #17 |
Avid Kitteh Poster
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I cant say ive really had this problem though. Been driving standard transmissions since I was a little guy, riding quads and such.
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February 23rd, 2012, 05:14 PM | #18 |
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Neither have I. that's why I'm having a little trouble relating to the problem. Been riding in a stick shift car since I was 2, and been driving that same car since the first week I got my temps. Finally sold that car to a junkyard in the fall. The clutch is just something I can feel at this point without any thought
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February 23rd, 2012, 06:12 PM | #19 |
wat
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the part everyone forgets to mention is holding the clutch in the friction zone until you pick up speed before ccontinuing to let it out. if you go smooth and steady you will stall it almost every time. if you smooth out until you start to go, then PAUSE there until you pick up more speed, then sllllllooooowwwwwly ease out the rest of the way from there, you wont stall.
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February 23rd, 2012, 10:37 PM | #20 |
Towster ['__'`,-,
Name: Josh
Location: San Diego, CA
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Thanks for all the responses. I think I should mention, I know the friction zone on the bike like the back of my hand. I have mastered easy and smooth takeoffs. I just had this one exception where the bike stalled on my when I slowly took off. And I think it was because I was in 2nd gear and not first.
I am reading through the owners manual and it looks like the bike HAS to be in neutral for you to start it? MSF taught me to always turn the bike off in 1st as it gives the bike an essential parking brake for hills. I was easily able to start the MSF bike in 1st, but does the ninja refuse to start in first? BTW, when I say refuse to start, I mean the bike does not crank at all. If I stall, I would like to be able to quickly turn the bike on while still in first, instead of frantically searching for neutral, then turning on, then back to first. Way tooo much work for a lazy ass like me |
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February 23rd, 2012, 10:44 PM | #21 |
Avid Kitteh Poster
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No it doesnt?
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February 23rd, 2012, 10:46 PM | #22 |
Towster ['__'`,-,
Name: Josh
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February 23rd, 2012, 10:49 PM | #23 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
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You can start it in first but you have to have the clutch pulled in far enough, nearly all the way in
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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 |
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February 23rd, 2012, 11:11 PM | #24 |
Towster ['__'`,-,
Name: Josh
Location: San Diego, CA
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February 23rd, 2012, 11:21 PM | #25 | |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
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Quote:
Pull it all the way back to the grips
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February 24th, 2012, 05:54 AM | #26 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
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Quote:
There a safety switch there that kills the engine if you gear-in with the stand down.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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February 24th, 2012, 08:30 AM | #27 |
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But you can start it with the clutch in.... I think? Now im questioning myself...
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February 24th, 2012, 08:45 AM | #28 |
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You can start it with the sidestand down and in gear as long as the clutch is pulled in. If you want it to idle while on the sidestand though, it has to be in neutral obviously.
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February 24th, 2012, 07:57 PM | #29 |
Avid Kitteh Poster
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I think I tested it today and you cant... but I already forgot...
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February 25th, 2012, 11:03 AM | #30 |
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...well then I stand corrected. Just put it in neutral when you start it then.
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February 25th, 2012, 11:32 AM | #31 | |
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Quote:
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February 25th, 2012, 11:36 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org guru
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To better clarify, from http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Underst...afety_switches
Short version A bike can be started: in neutral with the side stand down and the clutch out in neutral, with the side stand up and the clutch out in gear, with the side stand down and the clutch in in gear, with the side stand up and the clutch in Also, feel free to give it more throttle before you go, bring it up to 5-6k or so and you will never have this issue. If you are worried about giving it too much throttle and hitting something, you can use your rear brake to regulate your speed by providing artificial resistance. |
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February 25th, 2012, 12:48 PM | #33 |
KThanksBye
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I stalled mine today Everyone has there noob moments
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February 25th, 2012, 03:28 PM | #34 |
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I believe you can; Justin - I'd check your clutch safety switch. LC86's post is spot-on.
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February 25th, 2012, 05:35 PM | #35 | |
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February 26th, 2012, 03:52 PM | #36 |
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Practice practice practice...practice this one thing until you master it...find a parking lot you can practice constantly in an empty business park or somewhere you can practice shifting, hard braking, and down shifting safely... Practice that for a few weeks. Trust me, I have been driving a manual for 14 years....it takes practice on a bike initially. You'll be fine
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March 1st, 2012, 01:47 PM | #37 |
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Easiest way when learning is to click it down as far as it will go once stopped, tip it back into neutral (just until the light comes on to be 100% sure) and straight back down into 1st.
That way you know you're in 1st. The ninja will pull away easily in 1st, a bit slower in 2nd, and reluctantly in 3rd (not that I recommend trying it, I did it once or twice at the start to see how each gear pulling away felt) The downshift through neutral is longer & more substantial than any of the others, you'll learn when it's in 1st quickly enough. |
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March 1st, 2012, 03:42 PM | #38 | |
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Quote:
And only do it until he knows what the downshift through neutral feels like, or learns to count... |
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