[Dave 96TA]

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).

 

[Dave 96TA]

get a new helmet :?

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.

 

[Dave 96TA]

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.

 

[Dave 96TA]

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

 

[Dave 96TA]

Thanks. I'd have to say the purple rims is one of the less liked color schemes Kawasaki has come up with over the years. I think I'd like it better if they were powdercoated black. Either way I dont plan on having the bike too long so I'll settle with what I have.

 

[Dave 96TA]

Already getting too comfortable with the bike. It's a lot of work keeping up with the crazy cages on a 250cc. Wish I could say that any of my time on the road wasn't shared with at least a dozen other motorvehicles in each direction. Pretty soon I'll need something that doesn't require 14,000rpm just to get ahead of or merge with traffic. I suspect another 3 or 4 months and I'll move up, assuming I feel comfortable with my skills. I'll be sure to test ride a couple to get a feel for 4x the horsepower many of the 4cyl bikes are pushing.

I have a friend interested in riding who has offered to buy the bike when I'm done with it. I'm sure it will be as excellent for him as it is for me.

 

[Dave 96TA]

Check it out live: http://traffic.herald.com/miaCamera...m2.jpg&city=mia&CamName=I-95+&+NW 79th Street

 

[Dave 96TA]

Well this thread was (relatively) recently brought back to life, LOL.

I did end up selling that red 98 250 to a friend interested in riding. I had it for just over a year and decided to sell it to buy a second jet ski. Now that friend of mine is riding the 98 and doing well and I ended up buying a Nocturnal Blue 2005 EX250. I guess in a way it is an upgrade, this one is in pristine condition with only 2700 miles. I moved away from Miami and now enjoy cruising 2-up with the girlfriend. I got a great deal on the 250 and decided I ultimately don't need more power for how I/we ride. Let that be a lesson to newbie riders, not everyone HAS to trade up for more power. Just do what is right for you!