[Budd]

taken in context with the rest of my post, I don’t think that I come off as malicious. I gave my opinion, stated that I was interested in your progress, reinsured you that you would not be the first. Honestly, in the spirit of this sight, I do hope to one day here you say, “I should have started smaller.” If for no other reason, than to encourage those that are not as methodical and responsible in their learning to start smaller.

Anyway, you said ready to be flamed. I think, “I hope to her you say, ‘I should have started out on a smaller bike,” is probably just a spark. I do wish you the best on your bike.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

I would disagree with smoke and ilnam here. Downshifting one gear at a time is better for your safety and, from what I have read, better for your clutch plates. By properly downshifting you are always in the right gear to get going again when you need to. Also smoke may be able to get away with droping the clutch on his cruiser when upshifting but I wouldn’t develop this as a habit as on some bikes that will get you up on one wheel fairly easy. He may have meant that you quick shift when going up, but it should be smooth. Dropping the clutch is very abrupt.

As for down shifting. I use that and engine breaking when approaching a light or stop sign almost without breaks. Try and tap your breaks so that people don’t rear end you though. Downshifting is one of the harder things to learn to do well. Don’t get lazy and just hold in the clutch untill you come to a stop. In traffic, you will upshift and downshift a lot as traffic stops and goes. I can hear when I can down shift with slow release and no jerk, just a nice growl from the engine. If I don’t need to front brake I can roll the throttle and release a bit quicker pretty smooth. My hands just don’t let me roll on while breaking and I can’t adjust the levers on my bike.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

That was supposed to be as opposed to the next line. I wish you no ill will and hope the bike works out for you. I realize different strokes for different folks, but you have to admit that your learning curve has probably been slower than if you were on a smaller bike, no?

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Harley developed the bad boy image in the 60’s. People, especially tax accountants, want that bad boy image. They also are an United Statesian company, so some people by them out of national pride. Harley’s also cost a lot more so they are a status symbol of sorts. Harley also limits their production numbers every year. This creates a supply and demand issue that makes the bike more desirable due to the trouble in finding a new one.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

I think multiple choice questions suck. How many drinks are in your system? Who cares, I don’t drink and don’t plan on starting. Where should you scan? Everywhere, sure it is good to watch the road ahead but if you are doing that and don’t see the tail lights of the car in front of you… ouch. I don’t know what they wanted on the parked car thing but when riding past parked cars, stay as far away from them as possible. Everything on a bike is situational, the DMV test isn’t specific enough for you to pick a good decision.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

The new 650r is smoking hot. I could see trading in the baby ninja for one of those in the future. Have to pay off the car and save to take the kids to Disney next year before I can even think of a new bike. With gas prices, I may just keep the 250 for commuting and use the 650 for fun.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Yeah, the guy across the street started out on an R6. He laughed when I told him I was getting a 250. Turns out he was scared of the R6 the whole time. He no longer rides. He wants to again, but his wife won’t let him. I am guessing he took her out on the back of the thing once.

The little Ninja is a great bike and makes riding almost intuitive as a beginner. I think if you do get one, it will make you a much better and much more confident rider.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Wow, thanks Weapon Zero. I thought my bike was doing fine on the freeway at consistant speeds over 80mph, but after reading your post I realized that it is indeed too small of a bike. I must have just been imagining the last few months of my life.

I have to know, how long did you ride your ninja 250 before you traded up. I would like to know so I can stay on schedule and ride with the big boys when I grow up.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Or you could get a smaller lighter bike that you can hold up that is faired and not worry about dropping it, because you have control of it.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Smoke- you called for the flames and then you got them. When you got the flames you were a bit obnoxious in your responses. We get it, the MSF sucked and you didn’t learn anything. Good for you. Do you want a cookie? Well, too bad. I don’t have one and if I did I would eat it myself. This thread has shifted into a name calling session and it should die and be buried.

I would like to think that you learned nothing new from the MSF because you got it here first. Let other people get that same advise and not get turned off by this thread. Let this thread die.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

After watching the video, I am sold. Well maybe not. That ninja 650 is hawt too!

I am thinking maybe I bleed Kawasaki green.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Unfortunately this is the way that they are sent to the bike shop as well. Probably using fed x or UPS even. I used to work for UPS. You don’t want to know what those boxes go through.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

Passenger Riding Tips

I mean, come on. I googled it and it was the first thing that came up. Google is your friend.

These are some good tips.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

The classic 250 sits almost straight up. The bars have about a two inch rise on them. I wouldn’t worry about control of the thing as it goes where you want it too.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Budd]

It is real easy to do this with a center stand. I mean really easy.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Author]

Posts