[gsmurfette]

There’s a cruiser that gets like 100 or so, but I don’t remember what it is, there’s a good site that has it all together. I found it while I was looking for a bike for my mom, but I don’t remember what it was. I’d say google is your friend for this one.

[gsmurfette]

I think the 250 would do fine with you. I have an 09, but I’m tiny, and I’m trying to figure out how to set the sag lower on mine. The preload is already at 1. I’m about 125 with all my gear, so it’s a bit hard. If you do get a 250, you’ll have to set the pre-load. The stock is at 2. I read somewhere (through google) that 3 is about right for 170 lbs. It goes to 5, so you might be at the 5. There is no pre-load for the front. I’m looking into setting the compression, I’m just doing research, I have to go look at the bike next, lol. I think in my case, I might have to buy a new spring. It’s not bad for short rides of less than an hour, but after that I’m worn out. The seat isn’t bad, although, if I were riding the distances you will be, I would look at an after market seat, something gel, maybe? Anyways, good luck, hope this helps some. I’m on the other end of the spectrum, but it still sucks. Hubby offered to switch the 600 (since it’s fully adjustable) with me, but I love my lil’ ninja so much, I don’t know if I can part with her!

The RPM’s is where it’s at with the ninja’s. It’s a higher revving bike, Safety First said 6000 RPM, that pretty much the min that you want to be riding at. I try to keep it between 7 and 9. 6 still seems a big sluggish to me (if going up a hill, would not recommend it!).

I think that the 250 is a life long bike. Unless you want to go over triple digits, then it’s a great bike that is fun and corners great! I think it’s mostly an ego thing for the bigger bikes, I stay away from R1’s and the like. I love the YZF600r though. The 250 keeps up with the big boys just fine (imo), and I get better mileage than they do.

The 500- depends on what you get. My husband isn’t big on getting a 500. He thinks the lil’ ninja would stomp most 500’s. We both started out on a 250, he’s up to a 600 (he’s got years of experience on me though), and we’re not going any higher.

Putting a double bubble windscreen on the bike so that wind will go over me instead of pinging the crap out of me, and making me lay down at highway speeds. Zero Gravity (or Gravity Zero?) makes all sorts of screens, you can even put the sport-tourer screen on there since you’re pretty tall. Might make your ride a bit more comfortable.

I would wait until after the MSF though, you’ll have a better idea of what you like and such. You may find out you like cruisers. Who knows. Get whatever is most comfortable for you and fits your personality. Who cares about everyone else.

[gsmurfette]

That is some good gouge! Can we start a maintenance section? With a search if possible, it would make troubleshooting your own bike a bit easier…..

[gsmurfette]

ahh, I don’t want to deal with photo bucket. I’m on FB, all the pics are on there….
We drained the fuel out of it today, and it looked like a very dehydrated person pissed in the tank. Flushed out the fuel filter (they don’t have them anywhere around here, or I would have just replaced it). Changed the spark plugs, they were burned to hell. Won’t start, we think there’s gunk in the carbs. I tested the fuel pump and it works (but my jerry rig to catch the fuel didn’t work, lol). So, bright and early tomorrow going to get some cleaner (carb cleaner or that gunk out stuff?) while hubby is sleeping (he works nights). And then hopefully it will fire up.

[gsmurfette]

I second Owlie, if I had a plain helmet, hell I would, why not. I have no shame.

[gsmurfette]

finally found my camera cord….damn cat! lol.

The fairing:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4349.JPG

The front view of where the ignition should be:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4346.JPG

Rider’s view of where the ignition should be:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4345.JPG

The exhaust:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4342.JPG

The brake pedal:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4343.JPG

The handlebar:

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4343.JPG

The sisters (and half of my son’s “ninja”):

/Users/Gaylin/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2009/Roll 35/IMG_4351.JPG

WTF? How do I load pics? They’re on my facebook page, but I was just trying to copy and paste them from my computer? Is that possible or do I have to upload them to a site and then to that url thing?

[gsmurfette]

Looks space-invader-ish with no jaw, total power rangers with it. To each his/her own. I love things that other people think are out of control, I still wear/do it no matter how much crap I get. Gets old/annoying sometimes, but I just laugh it off.

[gsmurfette]

I’d be careful. I just bought a bike, and it had a key stuck and broken off in the gas tank (no ignition, b/c it was ripped out when stolen). It turns out it was a key that takes the impression of the lock, and they were trying to copy it (don’t know if it was still there or not lol). The locksmith pulled it out. It was the wrong type of lock to use the impression keys, and it wasn’t long enough to mess up the lock (spools or something?). They might have been trying to do that, so I’d lo-jack that right away. I’m getting alarms for both my bikes as soon as I have the $$.

[gsmurfette]

I agree with SantaCruzRider on the front and rear braking. I’ve got almost 1000 miles under my tires, and I make sure that I use both brakes so it’s ingrained into my brain. I don’t want to be in an emergency situation and not be able to stop, and not have anywhere to really go around (swerving). Sounds like you’re doing great. I read up on things as much as I can, as with my job, I learn something new everyday, and will for the rest of my life. The day I don’t is the day I quit.

[gsmurfette]

I’m not your typical lady, I HATE any kind of shopping unless it involves motors or rotors. That being said, I take a more practical approach than my husband. He wants a nice looking bike that is to his standards. I would like to have a nice looking bike, but I will sacrifice looks for the longevity of the engine, how I feel on it, the MPG, how much maintenance req’d, etc. I lucked out with both our bikes.

The first, the guy selling it lost his job, and had to get it off his hands (09 Ninja 250r), and the second (07 YZF 600r) has a clean title, but it was stolen and seized by the cops after the guy laid it down in the pursuit. It’s purely cosmetic other than the missing ignition (on order). We hot wired it today, but the battery was too dead, so charged it up, and waiting for hubby to get home because I don’t have enough hands (or not skilled enough?) to hot wire it and press the starter button. The fairing is all scratched, the slip-on exhaust is ground up a little, the crank case cover broke (on order, doesn’t effect the starter though). My hubby is happy we got it, and paid about 2-3 grand less than a running one with more miles. It’s only going to take about 200 to get it running and another 300 to make it look new (we do our own work). Hubby said he’s not worried about the cosmetics right now, just wants to get it where we can ride together.
So I guess for us, price and functionality come first and looks towards the bottom of the list.

PS-I think it adds a bit of character to the YZF….she’s got a story..lol

[gsmurfette]

I have no idea what hit me, I didn’t see it coming, I heard a loud noise (it hitting my face shield), and there were no mega guts, but there’s a 1/2 in. scratch on my face shield right in between the eyes. I’m glad I wasn’t wearing a brain bucket, b/c I think it would have hurt like hell….

[gsmurfette]

That’s the Fing truth! Deaf people are probably better drivers than the average hearing Joe out there. I didn’t know that it wasn’t a restriction. Had never really thought about it.

[gsmurfette]

I go back and forth (bad I know). Half of me feels like yeah, it’s a personal choice, but the other half of me thinks, well more than likely, they’re going to take someone else down with them. So then it does become my problem. I think it should be A LOT easier to lose your license, you basically have to drive drunk (and get caught), or kill someone to lose it. It should be taken away before that point. Just me. I had a friend that had a DUI like 6 or 7 years before he tried to drive through Canada to get to the lower 48. They wouldn’t let him through. They told him that if you’ve had a DUI in the last 10 years, then you can’t drive though. He had to fly and his wife had to drive through without him. Seems like they take driving more seriously than the US. Germans have the license thing right if you ask me. JMO.

[gsmurfette]

I’m with you! I nag my hubby when he whines about it being hot out and not wanting to wear his jacket….he wears his tennis shoes, but we’re trying to buy him a bike and new boots….so then he’ll wear them. We only have my bike right now, and I wouldn’t let him take it out if he didn’t wear his jacket…..I felt like such a B*tch. I told him that I didn’t really care to inherit his life insurance…….

[gsmurfette]

Awesome. I can’t wait for lessons to start, unfortunately, there’s something called money, and I don’t want to get a loan…..so the plan is to get the A&P, work until I got the 30G (that’s for commercial too), and go to ATP or Embry-Riddle. I’m going to transfer to ER next spring anyways. Then I’ll take on sky-diving…..I think I’m an adrenaline junkie!

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