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Rider Profile: geekonabike ()
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| 5/20/2010: I am tired of reading my old profile, with its long auto-motobiography, so I think I'll change it. Here goes:
A good Classic Ninja specimen is a phenomenal bike. I've had mine five years now, and I bought it new. It replaced a flaky GS500E I was tired of trying to sort out. Ninjas are the best 250cc all-street motorcycles, period. If you're looking for an economical bike, or a beginner bike, well you can deny it if you like, but someday you will want to ride fast highways, perhaps to meet friends or family two states away, and these bikes can do it. By contrast, all the Japanese 250cc cruisers are at their limits on 70mph highways, assuming they can get up to that speed (actual, not indicated). The Honda CB250 Nighthawk is basically the Honda Rebel cruiser in standard drag, and while it is a more comfortable size and seating position, it not only has that same low top speed but has a drum front brake for more exciting stops (plus it was discontinued). The Yamaha Virago--sorry, V-Star 250--I'm told has more oomph, but is more expensive and yet comes with a standard (non O-ring) chain, and is still a bit on the slow side. The Taiwanese Venox can do highways a little better than the non-Kawasaki Japanese 250 streetbikes, and is very comfy, but build quality is suspect and you can't cruise all day in top gear because it's too high-geared, so you need to go down a gear for much of the ride down the highway, which you can do all day in fact but it makes you wonder. The Korean 250's can ride those speeds but their engines have a reputation for self-destructing when ridden hard, which you sometimes have to do because, well, they're air/oil-cooled 250's. (Update: I'm hearing better things are coming from Korea of late. If so, that is welcome news. Look around at Hyosungs for yourself.) There has been some life shown by some of the dual-sport 250 and unders, but that's another story. If you want a pure streetbike, the Ninja's the one to beat, and it hasn't been yet. Why? Because when you're on an interstate on-ramp, the Ninja's motor is just waking up as you merge, where the other Japanese 250's are tapped out. That can be very unsettling. I bought my Ninja in 2005 because I wanted something brand-new, and it fit my budget. I bought a DL650 V-Strom in 2007 because I always wanted one and my budget had grown, but I still did a couple 400 mile days on the Ninja since then, on fast interstates, and it was right at home there. Sure it feels like a toy at first when I ride it right after riding the V-Strom, but I quickly get used to its lightness and then I just grin from ear to ear. I haven't ridden the next generation Ninja yet. If I owned one, I would probably farm out the valve adjusts to a dealer with a shim kit, and might also want to do something with the seat, but they seem like pretty righteous motorcycles as well. I admit they are very, very pretty, and have seen them performing admirably in the wild, flying down interstates in traffic. But I'm probably keeping my 2005 for a very long time. I know that I would miss it if I ever gave it up. I will still take my V-Strom when I want to go for very long rides, for the sake of my own frame, but I plan on doing some long days on the Ninja this summer (2010), for the grin factor if nothing else. Riding Apparel: My main gear includes my HJC CL-15 helmet, Olympia AST jacket (yellow) and pants (black), Frank Thomas boots (two styles). I have other outfits (see pics) but these form my best kit. Ninja Mods: 15/41 front/rear sprockets: I recommend this mod for higher gearing to anyone who might do a lot of highway riding, unless you are in the mountains a lot. Even then, you'll want a seventh gear now and then, and you'll get that top ratio with 15/41. When sixth is too tall, drop to fifth, which is about where sixth was with the stock gearing. As a plus, if you cruise in the new sixth you keep revs down where you're unlikely to have the bike consume any oil even on very long rides. Stiffer (0.80kg/mm) Sonic fork springs: Another great mod, helping the front end feel more planted, and greatly reducing fork dive during braking. Galfer stainless steel brake lines: Not too difficult, and really helps brake feel. 120-width rear tires: For me it's Pirelli MT75 on back, though I had an earlier Avon I liked a lot, and will try their Viper Stryke next. I've grown to like the handling with the lower tire, and it did bring the gearing down a little from the very tall 15/41 sprockets I put on there. Jeb's rack: Very useful on the few occasions I tied stuff to it. Oxford First Time tail and saddle bags: The tail bag is more useful to me. The saddle bags are tricky to put on, and I haven't gotten around to getting paint protecting film for the bike's side covers, so the saddle bags sit in my garage. Mike's Touring and Sport Touring shields: These are nice if you want a little less wind. The largest shields are great in winter. Extra brake lights mod: You haven't done this yet? Shame. Alaska Leather "Sheepskin Buttpad": I love it in summer especially, to help fight monkey butt. It makes the seat a little taller and makes you feel more vaguely planted, but I am used to it. I bought one for my V-Strom too, and it's useless on it. Be sure you get one with a tall pile if you have a choice. |
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| Last Updated July 25, 2010 |