April 30th, 2014, 02:51 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Mike
Location: Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250r Posts: 8
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Front suspension question
So I have a 2007 ninja 250, it's my first bike and I am still learning but I have a question on the suspension. I have noticed a couple of times when I am braking I just hit the front brake and the entire front end just fully collapsed, like the front dropped 6". This seemed quite dangerous as it was hard to control the bike with this. I am wondering if this is a problem with the bike or more of a design flaw. Fortunately for me it has all worked out well and I have tried to brake more with the rear brake but would like to figure this out.
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April 30th, 2014, 03:21 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Hansveer
Location: Bombay, India
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.
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Hi buddy, depending on your weight, the front springs might be too soft for you. Buy a stiffer spring and some heavier oil and you should be good to go.
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April 30th, 2014, 03:23 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brian
Location: Atlanta
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 250 Ninja Posts: 179
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Very soft springs combined with the 200mm factory oil level and no damping.
At least, that is what the manual calls for oil level wise. You can up the level to help, but stiffer springs are a must. |
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April 30th, 2014, 03:31 AM | #4 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Try a change of fork oil before going crazy replacing parts: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...he_fork_oil%3F
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April 30th, 2014, 05:37 AM | #5 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Milford, CT
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250r Posts: 212
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April 30th, 2014, 05:41 AM | #6 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Change the fork oil (service the forks) as its been what now 7 or 8 years and probably never been done and practice being smooth
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
April 30th, 2014, 05:55 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Hansveer
Location: Bombay, India
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.
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Not true... Learning or not, a properly setup and serviced suspension will go a long way. It is not normal for the forks to bottom out, and if it is, your suspension needs work.
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April 30th, 2014, 07:05 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Milford, CT
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250r Posts: 212
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I would normally agree with this but not when we are talking about a beginner rider. Of course.. I have no way of knowing whether or not his front forks need service but I can tell you that 100% of beginner riders on a ninja 250r will bottom out the front forks.
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April 30th, 2014, 11:26 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Mike
Location: Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250r Posts: 8
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Thanks for your replies, I'll take a look at the fork oil. I was thinking it might have something to do with me to as I'm a big guy probably pushing 300 pounds so there is that too and being new doesn't help. Do you have any recommendations on A heavier fork oil?
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April 30th, 2014, 11:37 AM | #10 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Milford, CT
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250r Posts: 212
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April 30th, 2014, 12:33 PM | #11 |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
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These little Ninjas (including my 500) seem to come with very soft springs. For a 300lb rider, RaceTech's calculator (which admittedly may not be 100% accurate for everyone) recommends a spring twice as firm as stock. With a spring rate half of what it should be, I wouldn't expect proper suspension operation.
There's a difference between expecting parts changes to fix poor skills/technique and replacing way out of spec parts with ones that match you. |
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May 1st, 2014, 05:44 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Milford, CT
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I agree but I still think much of it has to do with improper braking technique. Beginner riders always grab too much front brake. |
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May 4th, 2014, 01:42 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: harry
Location: Central Florida
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332
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Not because of Noobness
Sorry, but as you learn and progress, you learn to brake harder (unless of course you never get out of second gear for fear that it will cause a time vortex or something like that).
Basic survival riding a bike (never mind riding one in a sporting manner) depends to a large degree on being able to consistently take the braking to the edge. Intentionally trying to avoid hard braking, and the resulting lack of the needed skill set earns you an invitation to the Darwin Awards draft. The issue of the "collapsing forks" is pure and simple. It is a maintenance/setup issue. One of the few things I dislike about my baby ninja is the non-adjustable suspension. (OK, technically it IS adjustable, but not EASILY). Mine dives a bit with braking, but it offers a nice plush ride, while still working well enough. The ultra nimble chassis and light weight makes it pretty easy to ride around the shortcomings. Motofool suggests a close look at your maintenance first. I agree unless you are a heavyweight, in which case, you need some chassis work.
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May 4th, 2014, 04:47 PM | #14 | |
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Name: Juan
Location: Rancho Cucamonga
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May 5th, 2014, 06:00 AM | #15 | |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
change the fluid while your swapping springs because it likely needs to be done anyways and a little heavier will give a bump in fork control along with the springs. and smooth smooth smooth with inputs
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May 5th, 2014, 06:28 AM | #16 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
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269lbs is how much a 250 racer weighs in at that is only .03 seconds off my pace (pretty darn fast). He races on the stock front bits but collapsing don't sound good at all. You got one of two things going on;
1. There is something mechanically wrong with the front end, fluid, springs, etc, ect. 2. Rider sensitivity. It's perfectly fine to be unhappy with the stock bits. But if everything is in working order, the stock stuff will stand up to 400lbs of 2up riders on a spirited canyon carving ride. Been there, done that. Can you have someone else ride it and give you further input? And if you have it checked out by a tech/shop, might as well replace the springs and oil, it's cheap enough and goes a long, long way in all areas.
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May 6th, 2014, 01:17 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
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May 7th, 2014, 02:54 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: harry
Location: Central Florida
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332
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braking
Good braking skills put you at a stop 2 feet before the side of the SUV that ran the stop sign instead of 10 feet on the other side. Bleeding. With broken bones.
You can't do that without proper skills, and you can't do that unless you are braking hard. Do not confuse grabbing a fist full of lever in a panic, with hard braking. And you can't do it at all without doing it enough to develop muscle memory because if you have to think about it and decide what to do, it's too damn late. Well developed braking skills ARE smooth and progressive.
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May 7th, 2014, 12:05 PM | #19 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Milford, CT
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