i got a 250 ninja

[paui]

just got home from getting a 250 ninja in west virginia.....5, 097 miles, $1,500, red and black (not the ugly red and purple), yoshimura exhaust (!), ugly leather LP tank protector, flush mount blinkers, big ugly fender...
took 7 hours to drive there and as soon as we got there we tested it, paid for it, and i rode it back for about 3 hours in the FREEZING cold....i think it was a chilly night around 50 degrees with freezing cold rain.....i had a mesh jacket on (my joe rocket nova didnt get here in time) with like 4 sweatshirt......no matter how many layers u wear, if the wind can get through at least a little, might as well wear nothing at all.....
went to a motel at like 3 am, check out exactly noon and then bought a windbreaker jacket at kmart! best $12.99 ive ever spent! i only wore a long sleeve shirt, the new jacket and my mesh jacket and i felt great! (not my finers tho)....oh yea and i used a tshirt to wrap around my neck area.....took a few breaks along the way, was met by ALOT fo traffic back in NYC and finally got back around 8:30 and chained it to the gs
what have i got to say about the ninja? its a bit weak in passing power, engagement point for the clutch SUCKS (its around "right before u let it go completely"), it doesnt pull a little like the gs when in the friction zone, and the shifting doesnt feel that clean...besides that, i guess my girlfriend just got herself a nice bike (at my expense)
oh  yea.......i drive/rode more than 900 miles at a constant 90 or 80mph with ZERO tickets! haha i wanna die now......

[JamesG]

Baby Ninjas are neat little motorcycles.  I want to catch one and keep it as a pet in the back yard.  

I sympathize and know exactly how you feel. Last Feb I wrode Lita's GS up to Atlanta (97 miles each way) and back to go to a friend's b-day party. It got down to around 38. I was hating life when I got home. But the warm bed sure did feel good!

[Rashad]

Cool. I like those little bikes. They feel light and small.. but theyre fun to whip around.

As for the clutch, that is easily adjustable bro. Just use the perch.  

Its not like its a trait of the ninja..lol

[spacebug]

Hey, i got one of those myself, for the girlfriend also, a yellow '02 i got for $2000.  I agree with you about the clutch, also give it an oil change with synthetic, it made a huge difference with the shifting.  It's really fun revving that little machine up.  Progressive springs are awesome improvement also, same part as for the GS, and just as easy install.  Enjoy!

[pantablo]

...same part as for the GS...

Hmm, good to know.




Congrats on the new aquisition.

ninja 250 discussion board:
http://disc.server.com/Indices/5109.html

ninja 250 riders club:
http://www.ninja250.net/

ninja 250 FAQ:
http://ninja250.info/

[nice pic of a zx-2r!]

[oldsport]

Those little Ninja's are as cute as can be.

next time, get some newspaper and line you chest with 3 or 4 pages and you'll be suprised how well it helps keep you warm.  Stick some up your pants legs too.  

os

[yamahonkawazuki]

next time, get some newspaper and line you chest with 3 or 4 pages and you'll be suprised how well it helps keep you warm. Stick some up your pants legs too.

so do those large trash bags, plus it makes a really cheesy, and really cheap upper rain suit.

[paui]

even if i adjust the clutch, im afraid there will still be no feeling whatsoever when i get into the friction zone......and the guy i bought it from put in brand new mobil 1 right before i left....takes some getting used to.......

[paui]

oh yea....can the shifter be adjusted to have less movement before actually getting the shift completed? feels like i have to bring my knee up above my elbow to shift....thanks..

[Rashad]

oh yea....can the shifter be adjusted to have less movement before actually getting the shift completed? feels like i have to bring my knee up above my elbow to shift....thanks..

Loosen the bolt all the way, pull off the shifter, and reinstall pointing at a more downward angle.

The clutch "feel" cannot be adjusted, but the friction zone itself can.. if it doesnt grab until almost all the way out, you NEED to adjust it.

[JamesG]

I like mine that way.
That way I can slip the clutch with 2 fingers like the brake lever and still keep a grip on the bar.

[paui]

man that 250 makes me realize how much i love the gs.....after riding the 250, the friction zone on the gs seems to REALLY pull me! its almost like im giving it gas but im not!  funny how i used to think the gs was underpowered lsat week.....
another thing that sucks about having the 250 is that the forums for it SUCK! they dont even come close to this one...

[Rashad]

I like mine that way.
That way I can slip the clutch with 2 fingers like the brake lever and still keep a grip on the bar.

NOT what i meant..

I have always used two fingers on the brake AND clutch.. probably from riding dirt bikes..

But mine still isnt adjusted to where its almost all the way out before it grabs..

Youd have to have pretty fat fingers to need that much slack

[RC]

Congrats on the Ninja 250.

Question for someone who has ridden both-
What's the power difference like b/t the GS and Ninja 250--is it real obvious in day to day riding?

Granted the engine size is 1/2, but look at some of the cruisers out there with large engines and minimal performance.

I bet the Ninja is a blast corner in.

[ashman]

I rode a ex250 for a month or so and now own a GS. Is their that much of a power difference? Ehh, YES! and no. The ninja has its real power from say 9-14 rpm. The GS has that power lower in the rpm band and maybe a lil more kick. But once you hit the right spot in rev's, to tell ya the truth the difference isnt't vastly noticable. Just harder to find w/ the Ninja,  :mrgreen: But if your talking about handling, HA! GS is a world of difference, tho the Ninja was a lil more comfortable on interstate.
-ash

[paui]

the power is very noticeable.....the gs pulls when ur in the friction zone.....the ninja barely lets u kno....the gs can pass on the highway by wacking the throttle open...with the ninja ud have to whack it open and wait as the revs climb.....the ninja does flick better tho.....even with the handling advantage, id rather have the gs...

[ashman]

Paui,
I think its diseaving to say the power difference is very noticeable. Its not like going from a GS to a Busa. Also, you think the ninja is more flickable? I dunno if my GS has some serious non stock parts but its takes twisties better and i can manuver it easier then a ex250. Mine has Mez Z2 nd Z4 and aftermarket handlebars- but i dont think theirs that big of a diff from stock. Looking side by side, my the GS has lower profile tires and just seems more set up for being flug around? I dunno, maybe not, mine does tho.
-ash
2001 Ninja 250(stock) vs 1993 GS500 (aftermarket handlebars)

[paui]

it IS very noticeable...

[ashman]

If you look at the preformance numbers you'll find their not that far off AT ALL. Guess I'm just a good driver, you have to know how to rev a 250 to get the similar power i'm talking about.
-ash

[paui]

not just power but power delivery