New, and first, bike...

[tsanterre]

sharp looking bike! I would leave those stickers on there... doesn't look bad / girly at all.

Dings / Scratches... - Your call... sure you will get more of them as time goes on, but it's your first brand-new bike - so if it bothers you have the dealer fix it. Otherwise, just let it go and get 2 ridin!

[csmutty]

Nice ride man!

[TDL]

Nice choice, I started on a 250 (all black actually) last year. No regrets, it looks great and is wicked agile. Fun bike in general and a huge plus if you ever have to ride in the city. Plus, you shouldn't have a problem selling it if you decide to move up next year... although I still haven't gotten around to selling mine

[rolker]

Sharp looking bike! Great choice for a first bike. Most people will "outgrow" a Ninja 250 after a while, but some will stick with it and appreciate how much fun it can provide and how much it can teach you about riding efficiently. I started on a previous gen EX250 in 2006 and have not yet felt the need for a bigger bike.

Once you gain some street riding experience, you might consider taking the bike to the track at a track day. If you do consider it, don't think you don't have enough bike for the track, especially a technical track like Loudon. I've learned a lot on my EX250 at track days, and in fact had a lot of fun on it this past Monday!

But anyways, for now enjoy the MSF classes and and the streets!

[duganc1717]

Nice looking bike.

[camhabib]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm really looking forward to getting this class done with and getting out on the roads.

I'm a little embarrassed to ask this, but I figure better safe than sorry. How do you know when the bike is warmed up properly? I've been told to start it, pull the choke down, let it warm up, and then ease off the choke. Do I go by a certain RPM range, by time, sound / feel, etc?

[Talus]

welcome to the forum and the motorcycle community. great starter bike too. chips, nicks, scratches...it's going to happen.

[DocCola]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm really looking forward to getting this class done with and getting out on the roads.

I'm a little embarrassed to ask this, but I figure better safe than sorry. How do you know when the bike is warmed up properly? I've been told to start it, pull the choke down, let it warm up, and then ease off the choke. Do I go by a certain RPM range, by time, sound / feel, etc?

Not a dumb question but for me at least on my bike (01 ZX-6R) it was by "feel" of the bike. The temp gauge will tell you what you need to know but I could tell when the bike was warmed up while riding just by how she felt. It'll depend on the day/temps/etc but you will get it figured out.

More important though than the engine temp being warmed up is the tires. That'll takes some getting use to.

Wish I could see the pics (not sure why I can't) but enjoy your new bike and ride as much as you can!

[camhabib]

Not a dumb question but for me at least on my bike (01 ZX-6R) it was by "feel" of the bike. The temp gauge will tell you what you need to know but I could tell when the bike was warmed up while riding just by how she felt. It'll depend on the day/temps/etc but you will get it figured out.

More important though than the engine temp being warmed up is the tires. That'll takes some getting use to.

Sadly, there's only a tach, spedo, and gas, no temp gauge. I've just been letting it idle for about 2-3 minutes with the choke on, and then bringing it off so that it stays around 1.5k.

As for tire / brake temps, I'm used to that on a car (I've been tracking cars and carts for a bit now), but it was a bit easier to feel on a car then I imagine it is on a bike. Like anything, I'll start off slowly and go from there. No knee dragging for a while.

[KillBill]

Damn....that is a SHARP bike. Really like the paint scheme

[stoinkythepig]

Sadly, there's only a tach, spedo, and gas, no temp gauge. I've just been letting it idle for about 2-3 minutes with the choke on, and then bringing it off so that it stays around 1.5k.

As for tire / brake temps, I'm used to that on a car (I've been tracking cars and carts for a bit now), but it was a bit easier to feel on a car then I imagine it is on a bike. Like anything, I'll start off slowly and go from there. No knee dragging for a while.

Start it and when it'll idle without any choke, it's good to ride. No need to let it warm up more than maybe 15 seconds, most days. Ride it gently (but don't bog it) for the first 5 miles or so. I'll warm up much more quickly than at idle, if it has a load. If it has one of those "do not exceed 4000 RPM for the first 500 miles" stickers, ignore it. You'll be a hazard to traffic at 4000 RPM on that bike.

[ZX11D]

Very nice bike. Good luck with it.

[NeverlosT]

the small scratches shouldnt interfere with all the wheelies and stoppies so I wouldnt sweat them...

haha awesome bike! You are gonna be pumped on that thing this summer, especially when gas hits $5 a gallon...

Def the best looking 250 ive seen.

[ninjachica250]

I love the paint scheme on that bike! I have a first gen ninja and I love it!! Dont worry about the minor scratches you'll get little dings and scratches as you ride. Have fun.

[mzdagrl]

haha awesome bike! You are gonna be pumped on that thing this summer, especially when gas hits $5 a gallon...

Def the best looking 250 ive seen.

All of this is the truth! I got over 80mpg on my old 250, and it wasn't nearly as pretty as yours! Congrats on joining the community, and ask as many questions as you have - this is a great group of riders with tons of expertise. Welcome

[camhabib]

I got a chance to take a few trips up and down my street for the first time and have two questions.

1) Downshifting. I've got to be doing something wrong because every time I shift down, I get lurched forward (bike slows too much). Shifting up I'm as smooth as silk, but down, I clutch in, tap down one, and slowly let the clutch out. Should I try blipping the throttle or shifting down at a certain RPM range?

2) Any way to help break in gloves? I picked up a pair of Alpinestars gloves, and while they fit perfectly just standing, when I go to hold the grips, it pulls just enough to make the thumbs somewhat uncomfortably short. Heard about soaking them in water and wearing until they dry. Anyone ever do this?

[Rossco]

I got a chance to take a few trips up and down my street for the first time and have two questions.

1) Downshifting. I've got to be doing something wrong because every time I shift down, I get lurched forward (bike slows too much). Shifting up I'm as smooth as silk, but down, I clutch in, tap down one, and slowly let the clutch out. Should I try blipping the throttle or shifting down at a certain RPM range?

2) Any way to help break in gloves? I picked up a pair of Alpinestars gloves, and while they fit perfectly just standing, when I go to hold the grips, it pulls just enough to make the thumbs somewhat uncomfortably short. Heard about soaking them in water and wearing until they dry. Anyone ever do this?

1.Downshifting: Are you letting the clutch out in 1st when coming to a stop? I usually will downshift to first when coming to a stop but I won't let the clutch out until it's time to go again. 1st gear is really low so the bike will definitely lurch, hell sometimes the back might even lock for a sec if I do that.

2) I never tried the water trick, the only other method to breaking in gloves is time.

[camhabib]

1.Downshifting: Are you letting the clutch out in 1st when coming to a stop? I usually will downshift to first when coming to a stop but I won't let the clutch out until it's time to go again. 1st gear is really low so the bike will definitely lurch, hell sometimes the back might even lock for a sec if I do that.

2) I never tried the water trick, the only other method to breaking in gloves is time.

Coming to a stop hasn't been much of an issue for me. No matter what gear I'm in, I've been pulling in the clutch and just going down to first, not releasing until I'm ready to begin moving again. The issue is more like when I'm in 3rd and slowing a bit, going into 2nd, once I let the clutch out, I just get a bit of a jerk from the bike.

[csmutty]

Coming to a stop hasn't been much of an issue for me. No matter what gear I'm in, I've been pulling in the clutch and just going down to first, not releasing until I'm ready to begin moving again. The issue is more like when I'm in 3rd and slowing a bit, going into 2nd, once I let the clutch out, I just get a bit of a jerk from the bike.

I'd say that's normal. Try using the friction zone when you downshift. It will allow a more controllable slowing and will prevent any lurching or hard deceleration.

[camhabib]

I'd say that's normal. Try using the friction zone when you downshift. It will allow a more controllable slowing and will prevent any lurching or hard deceleration.

Is that.... ok to do? I'm a bit afraid of wearing through the clutch prematurely by slipping it too much.

[csmutty]

Is that.... ok to do? I'm a bit afraid of wearing through the clutch prematurely by slipping it too much.

Nope, it will be totally fine.

[OreoGaborio]

eeeeaaaassssseeeee the clutch out. It's immersed in oil. It can take a beating and be just fine.

[DankDirtyBird]

I got a chance to take a few trips up and down my street for the first time and have two questions.

1) Downshifting. I've got to be doing something wrong because every time I shift down, I get lurched forward (bike slows too much). Shifting up I'm as smooth as silk, but down, I clutch in, tap down one, and slowly let the clutch out. Should I try blipping the throttle or shifting down at a certain RPM range?

2) Any way to help break in gloves? I picked up a pair of Alpinestars gloves, and while they fit perfectly just standing, when I go to hold the grips, it pulls just enough to make the thumbs somewhat uncomfortably short. Heard about soaking them in water and wearing until they dry. Anyone ever do this?

Is that.... ok to do? I'm a bit afraid of wearing through the clutch prematurely by slipping it too much.

The wet glove trick works, but you better wait until its real warm out or else it will be a shitty ride. I made that mistake last year.

As for the clutch, don't worry about the wear. Those things are made to take a beating and you'll be moving on to a busa or something before clutch slippage would ever become an issue.

[kellis159]

Nice!!! Enjoy!!

[Argyle]

very sharp bike & color scheme. enjoy and be safe.