New female rider, love my lean mean green Ninja!

[laynaru]

Hi everyone!

My name is Yelena, I'm from the Portland area all the way up in Maine. I just got my motorcycle license this July, and having never ridden any sort of four-wheeler, dirt bike or snowmobile this was a pretty huge accomplishment for me! Then in August I purchased my very first bike, a 2012 Ninja 250R in candy apple green. I frickin' love it I had frame sliders installed because I knew I was definitely taking a risk buying such a new bike for my first one, and I will be the first to admit that yes, they have definitely come in handy haha.

I look forward to learning so much more about my bike and becoming part of the community!

And since we're on the subject, I do have a very important question if someone can lead me in the right direction: I'm not super short, an ambitious 5'2'', but I do not sit flat-footed on the Ninja. It becomes very difficult to move the bike while in neutral because I just have no grip on the ground, I have to get off the bike and push it. Sort of a pain in the ass to be honest Then there was in incident where I stopped a little too quickly at a light and the bike just tilted slightly to the side, because I'm short it almost took me with it and the lean resulted in me scrambling to stay up and revving the throttle like crazy. The bike has already been lowered on its own as much as it can be, so I know I'm going to have to buy a lowering kit or something so I can ride it comfortably and not worry about falling off at the slightest lean. Someone told me I didn't have to drop so much $ on a kit but can just buy this wish-bone shaped piece that is placed near the front of the bike? Any advice is super appreciated!

PS My bike's not leaking anything lol thanks for everyone's concerns though! It's simply the water that drained when I took my bike cover after a few days of rain

[Monkeytofu]

Originally Posted by laynaru

And since we're on the subject, I do have a very important question if someone can lead me in the right direction: I'm not super short, an ambitious 5'2'', but I do not sit flat-footed on the Ninja. It becomes very difficult to move the bike while in neutral because I just have no grip on the ground, I have to get off the bike and push it. Sort of a pain in the ass to be honest Then there was in incident where I stopped a little too quickly at a light and the bike just tilted slightly to the side, because I'm short it almost took me with it and the lean resulted in me scrambling to stay up and revving the throttle like crazy.

The bike has already been lowered on its own as much as it can be, so I know I'm going to have to buy a lowering kit or something so I can ride it comfortably and not worry about falling off at the slightest lean. Someone told me I didn't have to drop so much $ on a kit but can just buy this wish-bone shaped piece that is placed near the front of the bike? Any advice is super appreciated!

Welcome!

Yes, lowering kits aren't expensive. You could also consider buying handle bar risers so that your riding position is more relaxed and back which should give you a more easier time maintaining your position on your bike.

[laynaru]

I think that the stance the bike puts me in is fine, I hardly ever notice I'm in that forward-leaning position. The only slight discomfort it's caused me is sometimes my left elbow will lock up. I think it's the fact that I hardly touch the ground haha. I can't use my legs to really help move the bike, especially on an incline or downhill, the bike's just too heavy without me being able to plant my feet firmly on the ground. Any suggested lowering kits?

Thanks for the help!

[CThunder-blue]

Welcome to the forums!

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...50R-Parts.aspx

[250rr]

Welcome from the Portland of the West, my friend. Can't help you on the lowering kit. No knowledge base. You might want to take a look at what most alarmingly looks like an oil leak, however.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Welcome to the forums!

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...50R-Parts.aspx

Thanks for the link!

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by 250rr

Welcome from the Portland of the West, my friend. Can't help you on the lowering kit. No knowledge base. You might want to take a look at what most alarmingly looks like an oil leak, however.

Haha oh no, the picture does make it appear to have a serious leak. No worries though! It's actually all the water that collected in my bike cover after the crappy weather we had, once I took the cover off it just spilled everywhere

[psych0hans]

[KJohnson21]

[csmith12]

Welcome Yelena!

[CC Cowboy]

I go to Portland a few times a year. Great restaurants, sucky weather (except the 2 weeks of summer).

I think your bike is leaking something!

[cuong-nutz]

I think her bike just has a small bladder syndrome lol.

I have some stock links from a 07 ZZR600 if you want. It'll lower your rear a good bit. I have no idea how low it'll lower it. Non adjustable, of course.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I go to Portland a few times a year. Great restaurants, sucky weather (except the 2 weeks of summer).

I think your bike is leaking something!

Portland's not THAT bad, it was like 65 degrees out yesterday and at the end of October.

My bike's OK! It's just the water that spilled when I took the bike cover off after it had rained for a few days.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

I have some stock links from a 07 ZZR600 if you want. It'll lower your rear a good bit. I have no idea how low it'll lower it. Non adjustable, of course.

I think I'll probably invest in some new links for the front and rear, reading up on it a bit it looks like if they're too low it can really cause some damage to the wiring and surrounding plastic. Thanks though!

[Tenacious_Me]

Hi!
I purchased the lowering links that you're talking about.
I haven't used them. I shaved the seat a lot, and now I can tiptoe the bike.

It takes a lot of fore thought and planning strategic stops/parking, but I've decided to not lower it after all... so the links are up for sale.

Let me know if you're interested. They are brand new.

Thanks and welcome!

[cuong-nutz]

If you ever change your mind, just let me know.

[laynaru]

Let me talk to one of my more bike-knowledge equipped friends and see what he's got to say about the links, I'm still new to modifying/adjusting a motorcycle so I really don' know much about it! If we were talking about mods on cars I'd be all up in thissss. I'll get back to you!

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by Tenacious_Me

Hi!
I purchased the lowering links that you're talking about.
I haven't used them. I shaved the seat a lot, and now I can tiptoe the bike.

It takes a lot of fore thought and planning strategic stops/parking, but I've decided to not lower it after all... so the links are up for sale.

Let me know if you're interested. They are brand new.

Thanks and welcome!

Have you had any major issues with the height at all? It was fine the first few weeks I had it because it seemed I was on a flat surface everywhere I went, but then once I approached hills, inclines and slippery surfaces I had a really hard time moving the bike. The incident at the stop light where I stopped too quickly and nearly fell was terrifying because I was in the middle of traffic and didn't want to just drop the damn thing right there

[Goom]

Welcome to the forum!

I like the idea of shaving your seat like @Tenacious_Me did. I'm not sure how much you can shave off of these seats without making them unbearable, but if you can make it work, I think you'll be happier with the ride.

[loz944]

welcome

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by Goom

Welcome to the forum!

I like the idea of shaving your seat like @Tenacious_Me did. I'm not sure how much you can shave off of these seats without making them unbearable, but if you can make it work, I think you'll be happier with the ride.

I looked into doing it, it doesn't seem too difficult and looks like I can get an inch or so out of it.

[tuan3742]

Welcome from the opposite side of the States.

even though i'm 5'6'', i can't fully flat foot both my feet either. when you're making a stop, do you use both your front and rear brakes together? i find that it smooths out my braking and as i approach a complete stop, it is easy for me to drop my left foot and i just leave my right on the brake.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by tuan3742

Welcome from the opposite side of the States.

even though i'm 5'6'', i can't fully flat foot both my feet either. when you're making a stop, do you use both your front and rear brakes together? i find that it smooths out my braking and as i approach a complete stop, it is easy for me to drop my left foot and i just leave my right on the brake.

I usually keep a pretty good distance between me and the car in front (or at least now I do) so I usually have a long ways to slow down and only use my rear brakes. I hardly ever use my front, only when I've needed to stop quickly. I guess the most embarrassing thing to happen because of my height was when I pulled into my land-lady's driveway to park... her driveway has deep grooves on either side from cars going in and out and I stopped right next to one not noticing... the next thing I know as I'm tilting the bike to the left waiting for the kickstand to touch the ground, the bike just kept leaning because the kickstand when into the groove and I was too short to really hold the bike up and it fell right over with me still on it. If I could touch the ground fully I would have been able to notice the bike leaning and caught myself/stopped it before it dropped. Most epic fail ever of dumping a motorcycle.

[tuan3742]

Originally Posted by laynaru

I usually keep a pretty good distance between me and the car in front (or at least now I do) so I usually have a long ways to slow down and only use my rear brakes. I hardly ever use my front, only when I've needed to stop quickly. I guess the most embarrassing thing to happen because of my height was when I pulled into my land-lady's driveway to park... her driveway has deep grooves on either side from cars going in and out and I stopped right next to one not noticing... the next thing I know as I'm tilting the bike to the left waiting for the kickstand to touch the ground, the bike just kept leaning because the kickstand when into the groove and I was too short to really hold the bike up and it fell right over with me still on it. If I could touch the ground fully I would have been able to notice the bike leaning and caught myself/stopped it before it dropped. Most epic fail ever of dumping a motorcycle.

Okay, right there is concerning. In most cases, rear brake is useless when used by itself. You actually should use both your front and rear brakes together. stopping becomes a lot easier and for emergency cases, will be quicker and safer.

[ninja250r81]

think this lady rider is pretty short.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Domagoj]

Welcome to the forum!

There is a nice article in wiki section about lowering. You can also find it in the DIY directory.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by laynaru

I usually keep a pretty good distance between me and the car in front (or at least now I do) so I usually have a long ways to slow down and only use my rear brakes. I hardly ever use my front, only when I've needed to stop quickly. I guess the most embarrassing thing to happen because of my height was when I pulled into my land-lady's driveway to park... her driveway has deep grooves on either side from cars going in and out and I stopped right next to one not noticing... the next thing I know as I'm tilting the bike to the left waiting for the kickstand to touch the ground, the bike just kept leaning because the kickstand when into the groove and I was too short to really hold the bike up and it fell right over with me still on it. If I could touch the ground fully I would have been able to notice the bike leaning and caught myself/stopped it before it dropped. Most epic fail ever of dumping a motorcycle.

i had the same thing happen to me, when i first started riding.
you just need to be more aware of the ground surfaces, and your footing.

anything different from normal needs to be treated with care.

start practicing using the front brake but only use two fingers.
a handful of brake is usually NOT a good thing.

did you take the MSF?
if not i think you should look into it, the drills are low speed but build confidence and control.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by ninja250r81

think this lady rider is pretty short.

Link to original page on YouTube.

I actually just came across that video on YouTube a couple weeks ago. She's tiny! I don't know how that girl could easily move that bike around at low speeds or in neutral... maybe she knows something I don't lol

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by lgk

i had the same thing happen to me, when i first started riding.
you just need to be more aware of the ground surfaces, and your footing.

anything different from normal needs to be treated with care.

start practicing using the front brake but only use two fingers.
a handful of brake is usually NOT a good thing.

did you take the MSF?
if not i think you should look into it, the drills are low speed but build confidence and control.

That's actually how I got my license, I took a 2 day hands-on course and I went from never having sat on a motorcycle to being able to do a figure 8 in a drawn rectangle. It was awesome and without it I don't think I would have been able to learn properly. Now it seems that since I've fallen a couple times because of not being able to really touch the ground, it's made me slightly scared to ride because when I approach any obstacle(literally and figuratively) I panic a little. I guess the only way to get over my fear is to just ride, right?! Practice, practice, practice... And I will definitely start working on using my front brake as well, didn't realize it was so crucial.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by laynaru

That's actually how I got my license, I took a 2 day hands-on course and I went from never having sat on a motorcycle to being able to do a figure 8 in a drawn rectangle. It was awesome and without it I don't think I would have been able to learn properly. Now it seems that since I've fallen a couple times because of not being able to really touch the ground, it's made me slightly scared to ride because when I approach any obstacle(literally and figuratively) I panic a little. I guess the only way to get over my fear is to just ride, right?! Practice, practice, practice... And I will definitely start working on using my front brake as well, didn't realize it was so crucial.

yep, to get over it you have to ride, and train yourself out of it.

during a stop, just try to think it through, and analyze potential dangers.
it will become natural soon after you learn balance.

try using the right peg to help balance the bike while putting your left foot down.
if you feel uncomfortable, get someone to hold the bike while you try it.

the front brake provides most of the stopping force during a stop. the rear brake for accounts for about 0-15% since it loses traction due to the weight transfer dynamics. skilled use of the front brake is an important aspect of being a good rider.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by lgk

yep, to get over it you have to ride, and train yourself out of it.

during a stop, just try to think it through, and analyze potential dangers.
it will become natural soon after you learn balance.


the front brake provides most of the stopping force during a stop. the rear brake for accounts for about 0-15% since it loses traction due to the weight transfer dynamics. skilled use of the front brake is an important aspect of being a good rider.

Thanks for the advice! It's encouraging to hear feedback like that, definitely going to work on my balancing skills more-so now that I've heard what others have to say.

[lgk]

glad to be of help.

[tuan3742]

Originally Posted by lgk

yep, to get over it you have to ride, and train yourself out of it.

during a stop, just try to think it through, and analyze potential dangers.
it will become natural soon after you learn balance.

try using the right peg to help balance the bike while putting your left foot down.
if you feel uncomfortable, get someone to hold the bike while you try it.

the front brake provides most of the stopping force during a stop. the rear brake for accounts for about 0-15% since it loses traction due to the weight transfer dynamics. skilled use of the front brake is an important aspect of being a good rider.

You took the words right out of my mouth. was literally going to say the exact same thing on my next post =P

[dudemanbrah]

welcome!

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by lgk

the front brake provides most of the stopping force during a stop. the rear brake for accounts for about 0-15% since it loses traction due to the weight transfer dynamics. skilled use of the front brake is an important aspect of being a good rider.

Learn to use the front brake, don't grab it but put it on smoothly & progressively.
As you're getting down to running/walking pace add a bit of rear to smooth out the final stop.

Once you get to a full stop point the bars left, left foot down & the bike should tip over in a predictable manner. Point the bars forward & use the takeoff to stabilise the bike, once you're moving you can get your foot back on the peg (don't drag it for too long, on the peg keeps the bike more stable).

Try that before going for the lowering kit

[tuan3742]

Yeah, my sister is the same height as you, and she didn't do the lowering kit either and rides fine. sometimes she squids it up a bit too bad..skirt + heels....>.>

[Snake]

Hello and welcome

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Learn to use the front brake, don't grab it but put it on smoothly & progressively.
As you're getting down to running/walking pace add a bit of rear to smooth out the final stop.

Once you get to a full stop point the bars left, left foot down & the bike should tip over in a predictable manner. Point the bars forward & use the takeoff to stabilise the bike, once you're moving you can get your foot back on the peg (don't drag it for too long, on the peg keeps the bike more stable).

Try that before going for the lowering kit

Man, I still have sooo much to learn about riding. Thanks for the advice, I will definitely work on that. I think I'm going to try shaving the seat down before I decide to add lowering links to it, maybe the seat alone will help a lot.

[laynaru]

Originally Posted by tuan3742

Yeah, my sister is the same height as you, and she didn't do the lowering kit either and rides fine. sometimes she squids it up a bit too bad..skirt + heels....>.>

Hahahaha, that would be an epic sight. Can't say that will ever happen to me, but who knows.

So your sister really has no issues with it? I think I just spooked myself after the few small incidents I had with it nearly falling. Time to grow a metaphorical pair.

[laynaru]

BTW everyone, thanks again so much for the warm welcomes and advice!