New to the forum, new to riding!

AgentCircus · July 17th, 2010, 11:00 AM

Hey all! Just picked up a 2006 Ninja 250 last weekend. I've already taken the MSF course, got my M1, and I've been taking it easy riding around the neighborhood. I'm actually still afraid of driving in traffic - I've only done it twice. Once on the way home where my friend was following me, and once to get an oil change/chain lube. How long does it take to get comfortable riding on the streets? It feels extremely fast going over 30 MPH, but even at 40 MPH cars still try to cut me off! Any advice and suggestions are appreciated, I'm hoping to learn a lot here.

Alex · July 17th, 2010, 11:09 AM

AgentCircus! Glad to have you aboard...

00NissanNinja · July 17th, 2010, 11:13 AM

Welcome, typically i feel the faster you go the bigger your chances of being cut off by someone like going on the interstates is where I have people cut me off the most. You'll get comfortable eventually just drive around town for a bit then gradually go to higher speeds or more trafficked areas. Friends following you in there cars will also ease your mind, which is what I did when I had to take my bike in for service when I first got it.

AgentCircus · July 17th, 2010, 11:18 AM

Yeah, I did feel a bit safer with my friend following me - but that was a one time thing. For now I just stick to empty streets around my house. I still haven't filled up gas yet, the gas station is too far (By far I mean a 1.5 miles, lol). My goal is to be a reasonably proficient rider by the end of summer, because in fall the bike will be my only means of transportation.

Oh, as for interstates. I don't think I'll be on a freeway for the first year of me riding at least. Maybe that'll change once I get comfortable. The fastest I've gone on the bike is about 50 MPH - and not for longer than a second or so, so 65-75 MPH just seems insane to me right now.

00NissanNinja · July 17th, 2010, 11:24 AM

Yeah I didn't get on the interstate for a little over a month, Just take it slow and step by step and you'll get more comfortable but as always watch out for yourself while riding and be safe!

ninjabrewer · July 17th, 2010, 12:19 PM

Welcome to the world of bikers. Just takes practice and experience. Get accustomed to the bike in areas that don't have a lot of traffic so that when you do get on the freeways and roads with the higher speeds, you can pay attention to the traffic and riding the bike will be second nature.

nb

BlueRaven · July 17th, 2010, 06:22 PM

bob706 · July 17th, 2010, 06:25 PM

Welcome to the forum

ninjagirl · July 17th, 2010, 10:05 PM

Just take it slow. When I first got my bike I drove it around the neighborhood for a few days. I'm glad I did because I droped it in my driveway because I couldnt reach the ground lol...It was actually kind of funny to watch it was in slow motion lol. So after i got my bike lowered I finally took it out in the street. The first time was at night and I felt much better about doing that because there was less traffic. I couldnt go over 35 mph because I was breaking in the engine, and at that time people were very mad at me! But now I can go 50 + and it feels great! Just take it easy, and remember you have to adjust to the bike, the bike doesnt adjust to you

Have fun and be safe!

KJohnson21 · July 19th, 2010, 11:36 AM

scttlthn · July 19th, 2010, 12:05 PM

welcome.. and nice bike..

CC Cowboy · July 19th, 2010, 12:54 PM

There are a few members that live in your area. I suggest getting together with them and riding so they can give you pointers and keep you safe.

Welcome!

scttlthn · July 19th, 2010, 01:01 PM

@ CC Cowboy.. Thanks for the advice.. I plan on doing just that.. But I'm still saving up for my bike.. So all the advice I get now are words of wisdom..
Posted via Mobile Device

BIGT94z · July 20th, 2010, 03:18 AM

welcome to your new home!

Snake · July 20th, 2010, 08:48 AM

Hello and welcome.

fenwaynomar45 · July 20th, 2010, 09:10 AM

I practiced at a school at night when I first got my bike even after taking the MSF course. I just kept going faster and faster until I had confidence.

AgentCircus · July 20th, 2010, 09:31 AM

Yeah, if anyone is near the valley and wants to give a few pointers just send me a pm.

dimeified · July 20th, 2010, 11:32 AM

The comfort of riding with traffic on the highway at speed came in my first season after a month or two. I remember when 35 felt fast. I remember joining this forum when someone told me that they remembered 35 feeling fast. I remember 60 scaring the crap out of me.

Now in my second season, when im crouched down going 85-100 and get back up and slow down to 60 i feel like im crawling.

noche_caliente · August 20th, 2010, 04:54 PM

July 17th, 2010, 11:09 AM	#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	AgentCircus! Glad to have you aboard... __________________________________________________ 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)

July 17th, 2010, 11:13 AM	#3
00NissanNinja I hate driving... Name: S Location: SW Ohio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.	Welcome, typically i feel the faster you go the bigger your chances of being cut off by someone like going on the interstates is where I have people cut me off the most. You'll get comfortable eventually just drive around town for a bit then gradually go to higher speeds or more trafficked areas. Friends following you in there cars will also ease your mind, which is what I did when I had to take my bike in for service when I first got it. __________________________________________________ 09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast

July 17th, 2010, 11:24 AM	#5
00NissanNinja I hate driving... Name: S Location: SW Ohio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.	Yeah I didn't get on the interstate for a little over a month, Just take it slow and step by step and you'll get more comfortable but as always watch out for yourself while riding and be safe! __________________________________________________ 09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast

July 17th, 2010, 12:19 PM	#6
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Welcome to the world of bikers. Just takes practice and experience. Get accustomed to the bike in areas that don't have a lot of traffic so that when you do get on the freeways and roads with the higher speeds, you can pay attention to the traffic and riding the bike will be second nature. nb __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

July 17th, 2010, 06:22 PM	#7
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

July 17th, 2010, 11:18 AM	#4
AgentCircus ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 41	Yeah, I did feel a bit safer with my friend following me - but that was a one time thing. For now I just stick to empty streets around my house. I still haven't filled up gas yet, the gas station is too far (By far I mean a 1.5 miles, lol). My goal is to be a reasonably proficient rider by the end of summer, because in fall the bike will be my only means of transportation. Oh, as for interstates. I don't think I'll be on a freeway for the first year of me riding at least. Maybe that'll change once I get comfortable. The fastest I've gone on the bike is about 50 MPH - and not for longer than a second or so, so 65-75 MPH just seems insane to me right now.

July 17th, 2010, 06:25 PM	#8
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Welcome to the forum

July 17th, 2010, 10:05 PM	#9
ninjagirl ninjette.org member Name: Nicky Location: Georgia Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 27	Just take it slow. When I first got my bike I drove it around the neighborhood for a few days. I'm glad I did because I droped it in my driveway because I couldnt reach the ground lol...It was actually kind of funny to watch it was in slow motion lol. So after i got my bike lowered I finally took it out in the street. The first time was at night and I felt much better about doing that because there was less traffic. I couldnt go over 35 mph because I was breaking in the engine, and at that time people were very mad at me! But now I can go 50 + and it feels great! Just take it easy, and remember you have to adjust to the bike, the bike doesnt adjust to you Have fun and be safe!

July 19th, 2010, 11:36 AM	#10
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	__________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

July 19th, 2010, 12:05 PM	#11
scttlthn ninjette.org member Name: cisco Location: washington, dc Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 13	welcome.. and nice bike..

July 19th, 2010, 12:54 PM	#12
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	There are a few members that live in your area. I suggest getting together with them and riding so they can give you pointers and keep you safe. Welcome! __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

July 19th, 2010, 01:01 PM	#13
scttlthn ninjette.org member Name: cisco Location: washington, dc Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 13	@ CC Cowboy.. Thanks for the advice.. I plan on doing just that.. But I'm still saving up for my bike.. So all the advice I get now are words of wisdom.. Posted via Mobile Device

July 20th, 2010, 03:18 AM	#14
BIGT94z ninjette.org member Name: b Location: midwest Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250r Posts: 119	welcome to your new home!

July 20th, 2010, 08:48 AM	#15
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.

July 20th, 2010, 09:10 AM	#16
fenwaynomar45 Greenman! Name: Jack Location: South NJ Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 109	I practiced at a school at night when I first got my bike even after taking the MSF course. I just kept going faster and faster until I had confidence.

July 20th, 2010, 09:31 AM	#17
AgentCircus ninjette.org member Name: Michael Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 41	Yeah, if anyone is near the valley and wants to give a few pointers just send me a pm.

July 20th, 2010, 11:32 AM	#18
dimeified ninjette.org guru Name: Lucas Location: Pompton Lakes, NJ Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue 250R Posts: 446	The comfort of riding with traffic on the highway at speed came in my first season after a month or two. I remember when 35 felt fast. I remember joining this forum when someone told me that they remembered 35 feeling fast. I remember 60 scaring the crap out of me. Now in my second season, when im crouched down going 85-100 and get back up and slow down to 60 i feel like im crawling. __________________________________________________ 2 thumbs up

August 20th, 2010, 04:54 PM	#19
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

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