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The “Five to Survive” Rule & Why You Should Use It
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paulurmstonParticipant
Look, depending on your skill level, the 250r is a great little bike to really get to grips with the sports way of riding.
It’s true you will grow out of it.. .but then again, I never did.
I LOVED the fact the little engine was working so hard, the high revs, flying round corners with confidence.
I drove around he Chilean highways very often at 90-100mph and it was like a dream… LOUD.. but a dream jajaja.
(HEY! I’d just like to say that the Chilean highways are much more quiet than in the US or Europe, and that of course I don’t drive like a speed freak (or idiot as I call them) every day. But when you are riding, its a warm, sunny 35celsius day, and there is not a car in sight…. you HAVE to let rip just a little… right?
Or am I the only one here to ever do that? ; )
Compared to a 600, yes you’ll miss the kick… but my GOD does that 250r fight back with all its heart!
paulurmstonParticipantOk, 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!
paulurmstonParticipantThanks. Will do. I was just a little worried as of course… once I hit 120Kmh’s… it’s a little late to start worrying.
I’m sure I will be fine. Just worrying I guess.
In Chile, there isn’t really very much in between towns to help if you get stuck.
Thanks again.
February 1, 2010 at 3:41 am in reply to: Just passed 10k miles on my 2008 Kawasaki… it should be a crime to enjoy something so much. #24319paulurmstonParticipantThis Wednesday I am on my way to the south of Chile.
I think it’s about 600km one way… I will stop and take some pics if I see anything interesting.
Take care everyone and happy riding.
January 31, 2010 at 4:21 pm in reply to: Just passed 10k miles on my 2008 Kawasaki… it should be a crime to enjoy something so much. #24313paulurmstonParticipantNamaste amigo
January 30, 2010 at 9:42 pm in reply to: Just passed 10k miles on my 2008 Kawasaki… it should be a crime to enjoy something so much. #24293paulurmstonParticipantI used the following to put the img, it should be showing, but it’s not.
< img>http://www.learn.cl/personal/imgs/10kmiles.jpg< /img>
(obviously the spaces after the > I didn’t put… they are there so you can see the html code.)
Any ideas?
January 30, 2010 at 9:31 pm in reply to: My new Kawi 250R…Some pix, I hope the link will work #24292paulurmstonParticipantI am constantly cleaning the damned black paint. But I just found out that I can repaint the thing from an guy who is an ex painter for Kawasaki here in Chile.
the price of the paint job? 70 US dollars.
So keep cleaning… I´ll just paint every 6 months.
paulurmstonParticipantNext week, I will be driving from La Serena in the North of Chile (desert) to Concepcion in the south (rural/green)
Should be quite interesting.
Around 15 hours drive on a ninja 250r
My poor ass!
January 29, 2010 at 4:15 pm in reply to: Are 250 motorcycles suited for carrying around 2 people? #24274paulurmstonParticipantI hear ya. My girl is constantly asking me to take her for rides. Where I live is a capital city, but around 15 minutes away are mountainous twisty roads that beg to be rode. TAKE IT EASY.
The power ratio drops, it will take longer to feel the bike respond… but braking is the worst. It takes REAL long to break.
I would suggest being VERY careful, and thinking at least twice before jumping out into oncoming traffic to pass someone.
January 27, 2010 at 11:44 pm in reply to: My new Kawi 250R…Some pix, I hope the link will work #24259paulurmstonParticipantI got exactly the same model, but I had a Yoshimura exhaust system to it and now it sounds so much better.
Really gives it some grunt, although it “does” set car alarms off if I rev it too much :S
Enjoy it!
Namaste
August 10, 2009 at 7:52 pm in reply to: MY FIRST RIDE ON THE NINJA… OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!! #21462paulurmstonParticipantThe classes were awesome.
Really enjoyed it!
The swerve was nothing new, have had to do THAT a few times before… but the emergency stop was terrible… I was so ashamed of myself. Normally it’s no problem.. but I think with having everyone stare at you… it was a little like stage fright. JAjaja.. Almost flew of the bike. The worst was we had to take a curve, something I have done thousands and thousands of times. And wouldn’t you know it… there was a spillage on the road. Almost slid off the bike, but JUST managed to control it. My heart was almost jumping out of my rib cage.
Anyway. Everyone MSF is a blast. Go get some!
August 9, 2009 at 8:50 am in reply to: Hi from California – Future rider in need of assistance!! #21405paulurmstonParticipantMy 2 cents…
I just recently bought the a ninja 250cc… it’s my first ever motorbike. Before that I have only ever drove cars, and for the last few years I also got a scooter to help me get from a to b.
For me the +’s seriously outweighed the -‘s.
Tell your parents…
1. The MSF Course
MSF Taking a MSF will make you a better driver. Not only to ride a motorbike, but also as a car driver. It opened my eyes to how badly I treated motorbike users around me before. Now that I ride my bike, I must admit, when the cars cut in front of me, or simply look at me, then pretend I don’t exist and still change lane when they know I am still there makes me secretly smile… I used to be one of those arrogant people as well.
2. Costs
I live in a capital city. Not only is there the traffic jams, but also parking to consider. I use to burn through petrol in my car as if it were as cheap as water. My Mazda 3 had a 1.6 engine, and sitting in the traffic moving at a snails pace was upsetting as I watched the petrol needle simple go down and down. Not only that, but once parked, I then had to pay by the hour just to be parked close to my office. With a motorbike, my consumption is not even close. I drive as I would in my car. As the lights change to red. While the other cars remain behind each other, I use the opportunity to slip between then all and drive between the lanes. By the time the light changes back to green… I normally find I have jumped 15 cars in front of me, and am normally at the front of the queue. Your petrol costs will therefor be much less. I don’t condole swerving in and out of traffic (driving like that is suicidal)… but once the cars are at a standstill, there is little danger.
Also, with the bike I can park almost wherever I go. Meeting friends in a bar or restaurant… I simply park right in front. On the sidewalk hidden by trees, there is always a spot. jajaja thinking about it (more for you than your parents) it is actually cool when I arrive at starbucks and everyone starts looking at you. I can tell the guys in suits are looking thinking with envy… yep. Driving a motorbike had a spot in ever mans heart I am realizing.
3. Environment.
Think about the CO2. I am sure (you have a jeep, right) Your MPG is going to be considerably less. As I said, I have had my bike now for 3 days… I filled the tank half full and have drove around a little… I don’t seem to remember the needle moving that much at all… if indeed it HAS moved. a 250cc engine uses so little petrol… it’s so cheap.
4. Time
My commute time to the office has been cut to 33%. I can leave home at 8:40, and still get to work for 9am. I used to leave a little before 8.
5. Enjoyment.
You know, I never realized how free-ing a motorbike is. I find myself driving just to drive now. I realize I am out more often, meeting friends, meetings, whatever the occasion. I always find an excuse to jump on the bike and go there. There is no other similar feeling that just suiting up, jumping on the bike, twisting back the throttle, and feeling that thing go. It’s addictive. Anyone here will I am sure agree with me. Trying to explain the feeling to someone who has never done it before is so difficult. My girlfriend had an almost phobia about motorbikes. It took me a year to convince her that I wasn’t going to crash and die in 24 hours. I drive carefully, don’t do stupid tricks, and generally take every precaution I can. She changed her mind. She is now glad that I have my bike. She can feel how happy I am, and she knows that if life says it’s your time to crash… be it in car, bike, horse, wheelbarrow, roller skates… whatever.. Crash is crash.
Look. Do you want to wake up aged 60 and think… I wish I would have drove a motorbike? I waited 32 years… and I feel like I missed something.
I have plenty of friends who have had car accidents. Yeah sure, they are still alive to talk about it… but it doesn’t make a difference. We could all get hit by a bus tomorrow. Life is…. just that. Life. You never know.
So. be paranoid. Sell the jeep. Wrap yourself up in cotton wool…. or enjoy life. Get a bike. Get protection. Take a MSF. Be a respectful, careful driver. And have an experience that is unforgettable.
I only have had my bike for 3 days… I feel like I will never be without a bike for the rest of my life.
It’s such an enjoyable feeling.
August 8, 2009 at 4:02 pm in reply to: MY FIRST RIDE ON THE NINJA… OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!! #21391paulurmstonParticipantMy first day on the course starts in 30 minutes.
Will tell you all how the Chilean version of the course goes..
And call me Paul… no need for the whole name.
paulurmstonParticipantYou know, I found a guy who posts videos on youtube that was really clear and precise in showing how to change up and down gears, how to layout your own space for practice turns, etc…
His website is http://www.motorcycleassistant.com/ and all the videos are on youtube (the counter turning one is very nicely described!!)
** Hope it’s ok to put a external link… not promoting.. just wanting to pass on a little help!! ++
BTW… Munch says “Oh yea and ask Elwood about this one… Proper shut down and dismount procedure..lol.”
Go on… what happened? This I have got to know.
paulurmstonParticipantWhat’s Ben’s user name or email?
Anyone know? I work in website design / publicity… maybe I could give a hand on a few things.
I also found the electronic PDF version for the ninja 2008 model… if anyone needs it.. give me a shout
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