Right on!
Welcome to the ride
Welcome to the ride
Beginning rider, Ninja 250EX
Well I've been wanting to do it for a while now. I kept telling myself to put it off longer and longer and if I still wanted it after a year, I would get serious. I've been researching for about 2 months now. I decided on a Ninja 250 for obvious reasons. I'm not a veteran, and I've got no formal instruction. When I was younger I rode a 50cc dirt bike just long enough to end up in a canal. A testament to Kawasaki durability, it ran better than before once we went through it and filled it with new fluids. I sold my 1996 Pontiac Trans Am last November and have been trying to decide between leasing one nice car or buying a used one and getting a bike to learn on. Today I pulled up CycleTrader.com and found a 98 Ninja 250 local in road-ready condition for not too much. Here's the ad for it: http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/7/6/68341576.htm
So I met the guy today, went for a ride (with him, no need to die on the streets of Miami just yet), and worked out a deal. Ad says new chain, because it's only a couple months old, but he's put 13k miles on it in 7 months so he's replacing that and the front turn signals and i'm taking the bike for 1600 with a helmet (fits). Already had the rear fender removed too. It does need a front chain guard but i'm sure those go cheap on ebay.
Anyway he's delivering it tomorrow cleaned up with a new chain and all and I can't wait! I'll be sure to stay away from canals this time. I'm going to get familiar with it off the main road and then take the MSF course ($225 down here).
So I met the guy today, went for a ride (with him, no need to die on the streets of Miami just yet), and worked out a deal. Ad says new chain, because it's only a couple months old, but he's put 13k miles on it in 7 months so he's replacing that and the front turn signals and i'm taking the bike for 1600 with a helmet (fits). Already had the rear fender removed too. It does need a front chain guard but i'm sure those go cheap on ebay.
Anyway he's delivering it tomorrow cleaned up with a new chain and all and I can't wait! I'll be sure to stay away from canals this time. I'm going to get familiar with it off the main road and then take the MSF course ($225 down here).
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re
good deal!!
welcome :wink:
ride safe
good deal!!
welcome :wink:
ride safe
Welcome to our world! Enjoy!
Plan on it. 8) Any good recommendations out there? I dont need a $250 brain bucket just yet, I need to learn stopping and turning at low speeds first. I've fallen faster running on foot. I dont expect to be within 2 blocks of other vehicles.Viper_05 said:get a new helmet :?
find something you like at a local dealer, then search the net to find a better price.
try www.helmetharbor.com
try www.helmetharbor.com
Have to disagree there. Buy at the local dealer. They are there for a reason and if you get to be known it helps on future deals. I can walk into my local dealer and get at least 25% knocked of because I buy crap on a regular basis.
www.newenough.com look at the HJC helmets, they are pretty dang good helmets and affordable. Make sure you get one that is DOT and Snell 2000 certified.
Welcome and like Freakinout said make sure it is DOT and Snell approved and fits right plus feels comfortable. The majority of the high dollar dot and snell helmets are not safer than the much cheaper dot and snell approved helmets, usually just a better paint job. But comfort is very important. And ekinnee that is a good suggestion, find a good dealer or shop to get known in because they do take care of there repeat customers, because there is always stuff you need from them.
The helmet I have is Dot/Snell approved. Upon closer inspection it looks like Snell 85 :? Guess it's about time...
Took my first ride today. Gotta say "bikes aren't for everyone!" I used to ride the hell out of a mountain bike. This is waaay different. The brakes are insane...took me a couple times to adjust braking distance because it's much much shorter than any car. Biggest obstacle for me is accelerating from a stop and turning at the same time...just doesn't feel natural. I keep wanting to clutch with my left foot and shift with my right hand...but I don't act upon the instinct. Going straight was no problem, I finally got comfortable going up and down the gears, brought it up to about 40. Starting and stopping in a straight line is pretty easy. Whew...I was sweating pretty good before it was all over. Looking forward to the MSF course, but not so much getting into traffic with it.
Took my first ride today. Gotta say "bikes aren't for everyone!" I used to ride the hell out of a mountain bike. This is waaay different. The brakes are insane...took me a couple times to adjust braking distance because it's much much shorter than any car. Biggest obstacle for me is accelerating from a stop and turning at the same time...just doesn't feel natural. I keep wanting to clutch with my left foot and shift with my right hand...but I don't act upon the instinct. Going straight was no problem, I finally got comfortable going up and down the gears, brought it up to about 40. Starting and stopping in a straight line is pretty easy. Whew...I was sweating pretty good before it was all over. Looking forward to the MSF course, but not so much getting into traffic with it.
Nah, once you learn to control the bike properly, traffic will be a piece of cake (even if you guys do ride/drive on the wrong side of the road ).
Just always be turning your head so you know what's going on around you. Best thing I ever learnt.
).Just always be turning your head so you know what's going on around you. Best thing I ever learnt.
If you want to know what's really hard, try taking of uphill into a turn! I always go around the block to get out of my neighborhood because of that. I can pull it off it's just a pain.
Uphill and into a turn isn't so bad, I do it all the time, but I'm also a bit on the crazy side :shock:ekinnee said:If you want to know what's really hard, try taking of uphill into a turn! I always go around the block to get out of my neighborhood because of that. I can pull it off it's just a pain.
I can see where that would be useful! :wink:Dave 96TA said:I need to learn stopping
Just wanted to include a pic of my bike. It has been dogged pretty hard for the past 6 months by the previous owner who rode it daily and put 13k miles on it :shock: Now it's living a comfortable life and will probably eventually be sold in better condition than when I got it. It's stock other than the 140/90-16 rear tire, fender (and signals/plate bracket...) eliminator, and ugly aftermarket front turn signals. In the last 6 months it's received two new tires, rear chain tensioner, cam chain tensioner, chain, front/rear brakes, and front/rear sprockets. It has been dropped before on the left side and bears a cracked fairing but that's fine to learn on.
All in all it's in good enough condition to be reliable as a daily so it should serve me well. It learns well under 9000rpm, and plays well above it
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All in all it's in good enough condition to be reliable as a daily so it should serve me well. It learns well under 9000rpm, and plays well above it
Freakinout said:www.newenough.com look at the HJC helmets, they are pretty dang good helmets and affordable. Make sure you get one that is DOT and Snell 2000 certified.
yes www.newenough.com is awesome, I bought my boots and tank bag from there.
Also check out www.cyclegear.com they have an awesome return policy on all of their products.
newenough is 10 miles from here, I never have to wait for my stuff. :lol:NinjaGirl said:Freakinout said:www.newenough.com look at the HJC helmets, they are pretty dang good helmets and affordable. Make sure you get one that is DOT and Snell 2000 certified.
yes www.newenough.com is awesome, I bought my boots and tank bag from there.
Also check out www.cyclegear.com they have an awesome return policy on all of their products.
Ah, so unfair...Freakinout said:newenough is 10 miles from here, I never have to wait for my stuff. :lol:
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