- This topic has 14 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 1 month ago by
eternal05.
’08 ninja 250 mods
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April 14, 2010 at 3:05 am #3872
aantionetti
ParticipantHi All,
New rider with more questions!
I have a 08 ninja 250, been riding for a month now having lots of fun.
only two problems i have with the bike: the seat is hard as a rock after an hour, and i can’t seem to adjust the mirrors right. Either i can see right behind me using the corner of the mirror and the rest blocked off by my elbows or i can adjust them out to see beside me and somewhat behind me, but it creates a blind spot for cars behind me at a certain distance.
I found some Corbin seats online, but they are really expensive, is it worth it?
Are there any aftermarket mirrors that stick out a little further?
thanks!
J.H.
April 14, 2010 at 4:32 am #25738briderdt
ParticipantI had the same issue on my SV650s. Had a GREAT view of my shoulders. Behind me? Not so much. I bought a set of the $15 eBay mirrors, installed them (in addition to the stock fairing-mounted mirrors), and liked them so much I took the stock ones off within a week. You can get little block-off plates to cover over the place where the fairing-mounted mirrors were.
As for the seat — no idea. I’m modding one for my girlfriend’s SV (so she can flat-foot it), but other than that, I have no experience. You could ask on the ninja25.org forum if people have had luck with Corbin or great-day-to-ride seats.
April 14, 2010 at 5:07 am #25741Gary856
ParticipantWith seats, my experience and my feeling are that people just needs to have enough seat time to condition their bottoms. When I started riding on a GS500, my bottom got pretty sore for a day after riding 3-4 hours; then I got used to it and much longer rides were fine. When I got the SV650, my bottom would get sore within 1/2 hr, and I thought its seat was awful; but, soon, I got used to it. Now, on the DRZ, which everyone seems to complain about its seat being narrow, hard, like a piece of 2 x 4 (it’s not, it’s actually pretty cushy), I have no problem with it even after 6 hours of riding, and wonder what all the fuss is about.
Some mirrors are better than others. I just move around to get a better angle for what I want to see – move the elbows in or move the head out to see behind, move forward and to the opposite side to check the side, sit up, bend down, turn the head; you get the picture.
April 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm #25743Sean_D
Participant.. You can likely get a seat custom fit for your GF for less than a Corbin seat, which still may not fit her correctly. I have included a link to a place near me called Bitchn Stitchn, so that you can get an idea of what they do. But, you should be able to find something similar in your neck of the woods.
http://www.bitchnstitchninc.com/sevices.html
+1 on the bar end mirrors!
April 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm #25744TrialsRider
ParticipantA piece of sheep skin was always a popular seat add on, needs to be attached so that it doesn’t slide around and removable on demand as it will take on water.
April 14, 2010 at 3:28 pm #25745CBBaron
ParticipantIf you are less concerned about looks I have seen good reviews on both bead seat covers and sheepskin. Much cheaper than a new seat.
I’m not too disappointed in the comfort of my `06 Ninja 250 but my knees cramp up after about an hour of riding. I really could use a little more space. I may try one of these to give myself a little more space. At 6’2″ I don’t have any problem putting my feet down on any bike, but most are very cramped in peg to seat distance.
Craig
April 14, 2010 at 3:34 pm #25746IBA270
Participant…pretty much suck on every bike. Bar end mirros are certainly one way to go, and they do a pretty good job. I like the slighty larger Nepolian style (might check my spelling on that); they are rectangular and give a little more area.
Ah yes… saddles. Well, every arse is different. Here are a couple of ideas before you go the saddle route…and I’ve got a crap ton of experience with what to wear and what to sit on.
For starters, motorcycle saddles are covered in vinyl. They don’t breathe and trap moisture. My guess is you’re wearing jeans, which are also cotton…and you might even be wearing cotton underwear. Those also trap moisture which of course causes irratation. Add to that…SEAMS!!!! Look at all the stinking seams on the pants you’re wearing; pockets, joining seams, seams from underwear…it’s more of a torture device than a comfy saddle to ride on. If you must wear jeans, try a long, seamless underwear or pants (or tights) made of a poly material. This will help wick moisture away and keep you a little drier. I like a product made by LDRiding Shorts. They are spendy, but ROCKIN’!
If that doesn’t work, there are three ways of handling your saddle situation; having someone rework your current, stock saddle (cheapest), buying an off the shelf aftermarket saddle like a corbin or sargent (more expensive, but results can be very good) or complete custom from Russell, one of the Meyer boys or several other regional or local folks (can be hideously expensive, but without question THE most comfortable). A full custom is probably not neccesary. They are hard to appreciate until you’ve just completed your fifth straight 1,000+ plus day…and you notice that you don’t notice your saddle.
Try first at looking what you wear, and then go towards the saddle.
Another thought; don’t worry so much about “flat footing” on your motorcycle. It’s just not neccessary. As you progress and gain more experience and confidence, you’ll notice that “low seat” options and having the ability to flat foot is no longer needed.
April 14, 2010 at 3:43 pm #25749ParticipantSheepskins rock too!!
One of my favorite places…great service, great deals…they look funny, but’s it’s another good alternative I forgot to list in another post.
April 14, 2010 at 4:31 pm #25750ParticipantToo bad nobody copied the K100RS mirrors, they not only provide good view coverage, they also shield your hands from rocks and rain. The only down side is they vibrate a little between 110 and 140 KPH …not a real big issue though because the bike seldom see those low speeds
April 14, 2010 at 4:49 pm #25751ParticipantYea, the K100/K11 mirrors do rock. Miss all three of my K100/K11’s. Best bikes ever built IMO…I want another one!
April 14, 2010 at 7:28 pm #25753ParticipantGeez, where’s my brain!?!? Yes, just wearing bike shorts under whatever jeans/pants/leathers you’re wearing will go a long way. And yes, those bike shorts are made to NOT wear anything under them.
April 14, 2010 at 10:58 pm #25759Jeff in Kentucky
ParticipantThis company has a sense of humor:
I wear bicycle racing shorts with gel padding, and nylon motorcycle pants over them. I also have a gel seat pad on top of the stock seat.
April 15, 2010 at 2:59 am #25760owlie
ParticipantThe in-person experience is great too.
April 15, 2010 at 3:32 am #25761Participant.. is the Airhawk Motorcycle Seat Cushions. They look a little funny, but some folks swear by them..
April 15, 2010 at 6:30 am #25762eternal05
ParticipantI don’t usually bother for quick rides around town, but for longer rides and definitely for track days, bike shorts are a must. Not only will the shammy provide your poor arse with one more layer of protection, but it will help enormously to make sure that you don’t accidentally slide forward in your seat over…er…certain parts of your anatomy.
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