[Wetmelon]

Hi everybody,

The name’s Paul. I’ve been looking to buy a motorcycle for a while now. I thought I wanted one a while back, got rid of that silly notion… or so I thought. I’ve got the itch bad now, and I can tell it’s not going away xD

If anyone’s got tips for importing a bike across the Canadian border (From the U.S. to Canada), let me know! I’ve got a permanent address in North Carolina, but am attending school in Ontario, so I am hoping to save money and time by licensing in NC.

Probably the Ninja 250, but tempted to start at a 600… I have to go fully faired, I just can’t stand naked bikes. Not unless they’re for show, anyway. Oh and if you have a good deal for me in NC or ON, give me a shout +

Hi

[Munch]

Howdy….and welcome from NC

[Wetmelon]

Well, I called the MSC people in this town and it doesn’t start until April. Oh well

[Wetmelon]

A Ninja 250r gonna fit a 6’2″ guy, do you think? I hate having my knees jammed up (like airplanes).

[CBBaron]

The pre-08 Ninja 250r fits just fine (I’m 6’2″ with a 34″ inseam). You can ride the newer 250r but you will probably find their is a crease in the fairing that hits you right in the side of the knee. You are supposed to be able to tuck your knee in below it but my legs were too long. The Ninja 500r had the same problem. The Suzuki GS500F is a similar faired bike that does fit me very nicely.

Read the articles and discusson about a 600 superbike as a first motorcycle. Highly NOT recommended. Even a 650r or SV650 would be better.

I picked up an `06 Ninja 250r. It looks great, was cheap, easy to ride and still has plenty of power.

One disadvantage of faired bikes for starting out is that you will likely drop it early in your learning process. It can be quite expensive to repair the fairings. Naked bikes have less to replace in the event of a drop.

Craig

[Wetmelon]

I think I’ll just have to go to the dealership and sit on the bikes to see what works for me. Thanks for the response though

Why would a 650r or SV650 be better? Are they tuned differently? (I actually meant the 650r, not the Supersport, btw)

[SantaCruzRider]

The SV is a V-twin and the 650 is a parallel twin, and both are tuned to generate their power in the lower rev ranges. This makes them both pretty street and beginner friendly, and certainly more so than most parallel 4s.

This is not to say that parallel 4s can’t be detuned to make their power lower (many sport tourers do just that). But all things being equal (and they NEVER are), V-twins, followed by parallel twins are more often built and tuned in a manner that makes them more beginner friendly. Meanwhile, many parallel 4s are built and tuned to take advantage of their inherent abilities to rev very high and put out high hps.

There are a lot things that go into comparing various bike and engine displacement is often one of the most inconsistent measures. That’s why sometimes, 650ccs feels smaller than 500.

+1 on the idea of sitting on lots of bikes. Printed specs and recommendations can only take you so far. Eventually, how the bike feels under you will make all the difference in whether you love your new bike.

[eternal05]

I’m 6’4″, and like CBBaron, I had issues with the tank pinching me in the side of the knee. The answer comes in the form of ~$120 adjustable footpegs. Move the pegs down and voila! Problem solved.

[paulurmston]

Ok, just for the record I would like to stake that my name’s Paul, and I too have a Ninja 250r, 2008 model.

(must be something in the name I guess, jaja)

All I can say is GET ONE! You will not regret it. If this is your first bike, it is a great runner for a learner. Lots of margin of error and very forgiving to the rider.

I am 1m 95cm, which is around 6,4″ if I am not mistaken. Yes, I feel a “little” big on the bike, but not too much.

I can tell you however that it is a great bike to know if you really do have biking in your blood, or if all you really nned is just to scratch an itch you have.

It’s cheap and economical, not too expensive to repair, and looks amazing.

I have been riding mine now for around 6 months, and I already feel a few HP missing underneath me, so hopefully before the end of the years I will be trading up for something round a 600cc… but again, in 6 months I also sold my car and never want to sit in one, start one, or waste time in one waiting in traffic again my whole life.

I never realized just how much I had riding in me, and the ninja I am sure has played a large part of that.

Would I have had more HP or CC underneath me, I would have (truth be told) probably spun out and landed on my ass before now. I have learnt so much on the thing, it’s ridiculous that they gave me a license. I thought I understood biking, but until you get on one, and actually ride… there is no comparison.

It’s that last form of complete freedom that’s left in the world to me. No phones, no traffic jams, no radio publicity.

Just me, the sound of my bike, and the feeling that I can leave everything around me for dust… all I have to do is pull back the throttle… hmmm.

Sorry guys, I gotta go ride around a few blocks aimlessly for a while.

Jajajja…. what I am trying to say is ENJOY IT!

Have fun, and hope to hear what you got soon!

[CBBaron]

Very similar motorcycles. Both are in the upper end of the recommend power and size for beginners. They have upright neutral riding positions instead of the more aggressive super sport position which also makes them easier to learn on. However I think the SV650S is probably too aggressive for a beginner. It is often used in amateur racing. The regular SV650 is a little more upright.

Either hit up some dealers or attend a motorcycle show where you can check out a number of models.

Craig

[CBBaron]

That’s cool. Where did you find the foot pegs? I wouldn’t mind a little lower foot pegs on my `06 if they fit.
The new 250rs are a much better looking motorcycle, though the pre-08s are a considerably better value currently.

Craig

[eternal05]

http://www.cyclepirates.com/

The site’s down at the moment so I can’t get to the actual product page. The pegs and the peg mounts (you need both) are sold separately, and total somewhere around $120. I can’t remember exactly. Either way, it’s a helluva lot cheaper than the available $350-$500 rearsets.

[Wetmelon]

Great advice, guys. I am certainly going to hit up a dealership and sit on some bikes before I buy anything. And the foot pegs are a great fix if I the bike I want has the height problem.

For power/tuning, I was planning on putting the engine on a dyno I have access to and tuning it for higher compression, timing, and so forth to get the most out of the engine I can. Ah, the joys of being in Engineering!

Do most MSF courses require you to have your own riding gear? (I understand that you ride their cycles, though?)

[Munch]

Depends on locale. Some require you to bring just gloves and over the ankle shoes, with long sleeves. I have heard of some go as far as needing your own helmet to. Call the location that your taking it and get them to answer that for you. And yes, you will be riding the bikes they provide you , unless your taking the advanced course by accident. In which case your first clue will be….well your the only cage in the parking lot.

[Wetmelon]

well your the only cage in the parking lot.

Hehe. OR the only one showing up on the bus xD

[Author]

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