New Super Newb From California

mrudich · March 17th, 2014, 08:09 PM

Hello everyone. I'm both a newbie to this forum and to motorcycling. I live in Mendocino County (Northern CA). I'm only 16 (almost 17) and no I'm not a crazy reckless youth. I've been riding for about half a year now and am so far enjoying every moment of it. I feel much more comfortable on two wheels than I do in a car.

I bought a 2005 Ninja 250 last summer with under 750 miles on it. I really enjoy riding, but I have no idea what's going on on the inside. I've put a little over 3,000 miles on it already, and haven't done anything to the bike in terms of maintenance (Which is probably really bad). I mean I've checked the tire pressure and kept it clean, but aside from that I haven't done anything. I'm not mechanically smart... (yet) So basically I'm a COMPLETE newbie when it comes to working on a motorcycle and I'd like to eventually be able to do all my own work, because taking it to a shop is way too expensive. (I also don't know many people with motorcycles so I don't really have anyone to talk to in regards of motorcycle maintenance and such.)

If you have any tips for a young newbie then I'd be more than happy to hear them. Thanks!

csmith12 · March 17th, 2014, 08:18 PM

Welcome Mateo!

Check out the Pregen Subforums and the Riding Skills subforum. The stickies are particularly good!

Plenty of good peeps, great riders and lots of wrenchers here.

greenaero · March 17th, 2014, 08:28 PM

Welcome Mateo! You should be coming up for an oil and filter change soon. That is an easy maintenance to do and a good start for learning to maintain your moto. Start getting some tools and start learning to do the maintenance and repairs needed on your moto. Most are pretty simple and there are lots of resources here to help you on your way.

KJohnson21 · March 17th, 2014, 08:45 PM

My Aunt lives in Mendocino! I don't need to tell you about the awesome roads there. Be careful!

jeffb502 · March 17th, 2014, 09:01 PM

Welcome! I'm new myself. I think you'll find a good balance of experienced riders to give you good advice and new riders that are learning along with you here.

Don't forget your chain. I think it's supposed to be lubed every 400 miles and the slack checked every 600 miles, so you're overdue for that. It's easy and there's a lot of information on here about it.

If it has the stock tires you should probably replace them. There is a date code on the sidewall. It's pretty easy to learn how to read it.

If you need help with any of this stuff just ask; people are very helpful around here.

ForceofWill · March 17th, 2014, 09:09 PM

Welcome man! Do some reading on http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

Nearly all the stuff you need to know is there for the pregen.

komohana · March 18th, 2014, 12:18 AM

greetings mateo
welcome to the forum

get your hands on a OWNERS MANUAL for your specific motorcycle if you haven't yet. that'll help get ya on yer way

Kscreations08 · March 18th, 2014, 12:29 AM

WooHoo first to say it!!!! Take the MSF as soon as possible

Ginganinja · March 18th, 2014, 01:24 AM

Welcome bud! Congrats on the bike and good for you for learning at a young age. Just be safe while you do it, and wear your gear!

Here's a link for changing the oil and filter. http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Oil_Change_Procedure

There is also an oil screen that should be checked about every other oil change right by the oil filter. it's the five bolts, next to the filter. it has a paper gasket, that will need replacing, so make sure you buy one of those before you remove the bolts.

Make sure you clean and lube your chain often, otherwise it will stretch, rust, or kink, and eventually ruin the sprockets, and shorten the life of the chain. A new chain is anywhere from $80-$100 to replace. Lube it about every 300 miles. and please don't do it with the engine on!!!! put the bike on the center stand, put the bike in neutral, and just turn the rear wheel with your hand with the bike off, in order to lube the chain. it's not worth losing fingers, to save some time.

Invest in a torque wrench!!!! You can get a decent one for cheap from harbor freight, and it is the single most important tool you will ever buy! Almost every bolt on a car or bike has a torque specification, it tells you how tight you need to tighten it. a torque wrench does this for you. If a bolt is too loose it will fall out, and if you tighten it too tight, you run the risk of stripping the threads or breaking the bolt. I speak from experience. So get a torque wrench asap! the oil drain plug and the oil filter bolt both need to be torqued to 14.5 ft-lbs when you put them back in.

Start with that.

nickjpass · March 18th, 2014, 06:26 AM

welcome

DEFY · March 18th, 2014, 06:40 AM

welcome!!!

allanoue · March 18th, 2014, 07:03 AM

Mateo

Change your oil and oil filter now.
Make sure your tiers are not 9 years old.

Motofool · March 21st, 2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrudich

Hello everyone. I'm both a newbie to this forum and to motorcycling...............If you have any tips for a young newbie then I'd be more than happy to hear them. Thanks!

Welcome to Ninjette.org, Mateo !!!

Don't miss our Riding Skills section.

Snake · March 21st, 2014, 09:41 PM

Hello and welcome.

misfitsailor · March 22nd, 2014, 12:20 AM

Howdy and welcome to the forum.

redbike2 · March 24th, 2014, 03:31 PM

welcome. if you have the bug, you'll be riding your whole life.

as you can see from the forum, the 250 is a great bike that you can ride forever. pretty easy to work on too.

take it easy, enjoy the ride, and atgatt.

the folks on this site are really knowledgable (excluding me) and will render great advice.

rasta · March 24th, 2014, 08:26 PM

Hey there!! Mendocino County huh? Don't ride stoned, it's nearly impossible

EternalNewb · March 26th, 2014, 03:43 PM

Welcome aboard! I'm so envious that you got to start at that age! My family was completely against me owning/riding motorcycles. Ride safely!

250rr · March 27th, 2014, 11:01 AM

Welcome, my friend.

JudyG · March 27th, 2014, 01:39 PM

Welcome from another Noob

March 17th, 2014, 08:09 PM	#1
mrudich ninjette.org member Name: Mateo Location: Mendocino County Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82	New Super Newb From California Hello everyone. I'm both a newbie to this forum and to motorcycling. I live in Mendocino County (Northern CA). I'm only 16 (almost 17) and no I'm not a crazy reckless youth. I've been riding for about half a year now and am so far enjoying every moment of it. I feel much more comfortable on two wheels than I do in a car. I bought a 2005 Ninja 250 last summer with under 750 miles on it. I really enjoy riding, but I have no idea what's going on on the inside. I've put a little over 3,000 miles on it already, and haven't done anything to the bike in terms of maintenance (Which is probably really bad). I mean I've checked the tire pressure and kept it clean, but aside from that I haven't done anything. I'm not mechanically smart... (yet) So basically I'm a COMPLETE newbie when it comes to working on a motorcycle and I'd like to eventually be able to do all my own work, because taking it to a shop is way too expensive. (I also don't know many people with motorcycles so I don't really have anyone to talk to in regards of motorcycle maintenance and such.) If you have any tips for a young newbie then I'd be more than happy to hear them. Thanks!

March 17th, 2014, 08:18 PM	#2
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	Welcome Mateo! Check out the Pregen Subforums and the Riding Skills subforum. The stickies are particularly good! Plenty of good peeps, great riders and lots of wrenchers here. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 17th, 2014, 08:28 PM	#3
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Welcome Mateo! You should be coming up for an oil and filter change soon. That is an easy maintenance to do and a good start for learning to maintain your moto. Start getting some tools and start learning to do the maintenance and repairs needed on your moto. Most are pretty simple and there are lots of resources here to help you on your way. __________________________________________________ 235 MPG Hypermotorcycling to a better tomorrow

March 17th, 2014, 08:45 PM	#4
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	My Aunt lives in Mendocino! I don't need to tell you about the awesome roads there. Be careful! __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

March 18th, 2014, 12:18 AM	#7
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.	greetings mateo welcome to the forum get your hands on a OWNERS MANUAL for your specific motorcycle if you haven't yet. that'll help get ya on yer way __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

March 17th, 2014, 09:01 PM	#5
jeffb502 ninjette.org guru Name: Jeff Location: Santa Maria, CA Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White Ninja 300, 2010 Red Ninja 250r (Sold) Posts: 335	Welcome! I'm new myself. I think you'll find a good balance of experienced riders to give you good advice and new riders that are learning along with you here. Don't forget your chain. I think it's supposed to be lubed every 400 miles and the slack checked every 600 miles, so you're overdue for that. It's easy and there's a lot of information on here about it. If it has the stock tires you should probably replace them. There is a date code on the sidewall. It's pretty easy to learn how to read it. If you need help with any of this stuff just ask; people are very helpful around here.

March 17th, 2014, 09:09 PM	#6
ForceofWill Blind 250 Loving Whore Name: Tom Location: Chesapeake, VA Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.	Welcome man! Do some reading on http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page Nearly all the stuff you need to know is there for the pregen.

March 18th, 2014, 12:29 AM	#8
Kscreations08 Fresh Deli Meat Name: Kevin Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Ninja -Neener- Posts: 678	WooHoo first to say it!!!! Take the MSF as soon as possible __________________________________________________ We shall call thee "Seahorse." -Antiant on Couvade Syndrome

March 18th, 2014, 01:24 AM	#9
Ginganinja pregens for the win! Name: Andrew Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 07 ninja 250, 07 yamaha r6 Posts: 77	Welcome bud! Congrats on the bike and good for you for learning at a young age. Just be safe while you do it, and wear your gear! Here's a link for changing the oil and filter. http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Oil_Change_Procedure There is also an oil screen that should be checked about every other oil change right by the oil filter. it's the five bolts, next to the filter. it has a paper gasket, that will need replacing, so make sure you buy one of those before you remove the bolts. Make sure you clean and lube your chain often, otherwise it will stretch, rust, or kink, and eventually ruin the sprockets, and shorten the life of the chain. A new chain is anywhere from $80-$100 to replace. Lube it about every 300 miles. and please don't do it with the engine on!!!! put the bike on the center stand, put the bike in neutral, and just turn the rear wheel with your hand with the bike off, in order to lube the chain. it's not worth losing fingers, to save some time. Invest in a torque wrench!!!! You can get a decent one for cheap from harbor freight, and it is the single most important tool you will ever buy! Almost every bolt on a car or bike has a torque specification, it tells you how tight you need to tighten it. a torque wrench does this for you. If a bolt is too loose it will fall out, and if you tighten it too tight, you run the risk of stripping the threads or breaking the bolt. I speak from experience. So get a torque wrench asap! the oil drain plug and the oil filter bolt both need to be torqued to 14.5 ft-lbs when you put them back in. Start with that.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 18th, 2014, 06:26 AM	#10
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	welcome __________________________________________________

March 18th, 2014, 06:40 AM	#11
DEFY ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ Name: Nick Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.	welcome!!!

March 18th, 2014, 07:03 AM	#12
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	Mateo Change your oil and oil filter now. Make sure your tiers are not 9 years old.

March 21st, 2014, 09:41 PM	#14
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.

March 22nd, 2014, 12:20 AM	#15
misfitsailor Ninjette Jockey Name: Tim Location: Stockton, Ca Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Howdy and welcome to the forum. __________________________________________________ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?.

March 24th, 2014, 03:31 PM	#16
redbike2 ninjette.org member Name: Jonathan Location: Boston Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 48	welcome and atgatt welcome. if you have the bug, you'll be riding your whole life. as you can see from the forum, the 250 is a great bike that you can ride forever. pretty easy to work on too. take it easy, enjoy the ride, and atgatt. the folks on this site are really knowledgable (excluding me) and will render great advice.

March 24th, 2014, 08:26 PM	#17
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	Hey there!! Mendocino County huh? Don't ride stoned, it's nearly impossible __________________________________________________ "even a proper fitting helmet can 'get loose'" -csmith
	0 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 26th, 2014, 03:43 PM	#18
EternalNewb ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: S Location: CA/MA, usually Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Ninja 650R, 2001 F650 Dakar Posts: A lot.	Welcome aboard! I'm so envious that you got to start at that age! My family was completely against me owning/riding motorcycles. Ride safely!

March 27th, 2014, 11:01 AM	#19
250rr ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Mark Location: Portland Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.	Welcome, my friend.

March 27th, 2014, 01:39 PM	#20
JudyG ninjette.org member Name: Judy Location: N Florida Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 80	Welcome from another Noob

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