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Vex's guidelines and observations in the 250r forum

50K views 49 replies 31 participants last post by  1986Ninja600r2005Ninja250 
#1 · (Edited)
Ok, truth be told I don't pay much attention in this section anymore because it has gotten terribly repeatative and IMO not moderated enough.
People don't seem to feel like searching, but blindly creating threads and expecting others to eagerly answer their questions. Then said poster gets flamed and gets a bad feeling towards Kawiforums as a whole. For this reason I'm creating this thread to give simple answers (with links) to threads I see pop up a LOT, general observations, along with a thread on how to search. If I see a thread posted that's been posted 100 times before, I'm going to link to this thread. If you disregard it, I will give you incorrect answers and/or flame you. So here's my blackjack (21) guidelines to make the 250r forum less of "that damn forum" that at times is the plague of Kawiforums. ;)

1.) The tubes hanging underneath the motorcycle are NORMAL:
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/104984-two-cut-off-hoses.html (I merged about a dozen threads all asking that question here).
2.) The gas cap makes noise? That's a common issue, and there's a fix for it.
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/107901-gas-tank-noise-elimination-mod-pictures.html
3.) If you did a FE, or changed out any of the bulbs for LED's, and now they won't blink? :( There's a reason and a couple of fixes for it.
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/118237-no-cut-fender-eliminator-kit-installed.html (That's one thread talking about it, and how to fix it. There are over a dozen other threads asking that same question and I refer to that generally thread to keep things more centralized on the topic).
4.) You haven't started the bike in a while and now it doesn't run right? Or it runs only with the choke on, and barely at that? You're not the first:
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/124981-engine-dies-without-choke.html There are numerous threads about winterizing as well. SEARCH for them and do some reading!
5.) Modifications: Don't ask how to install or modify ANYTHING without first checking this thread. If you don't see a thread pertaining to the item in question, try searching!
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/108573-2008-ninja-250-mod-diy-faq.html Also notice it's in the sticky at the top of the forum? CHECK out some of the threads up there as a lot of general questions are answered up there!
6.) Are you wondering if a 250 is right for you? Good, this isn't the forum for it. (check the newbie forum, or two wheel discussion forum). This thread is overly congested with people asking that question. It also seems people are embarassed to go into the "newbie" forum and therefore ask those questions in the 250 section instead :squint:. There's no shame in asking questions about things you don't understand, and in this case this not the applicable forum.
Newbie Corner : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums <-- Newbie forum --- Two Wheeled Discussion ---> Two Wheeled Discussion : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums
7.) What type of gas do you use in a 250? No, it does NOT say 91 octane anywhere on the bike. It says 91 RON which is not the same as 91 RON/MON (the octane measuring system used in the United States). And NO higher octane does NOT = more power... Whatever your pops has told you, or your buddy with the Chevelle swears by, octane does not mean more power :cussing:.
http://www.kawiforums.com/two-wheeled-discussion/119384-octane-what-ok.html
8.) Every day someone creates a thread asking if they should do *insert modification* to their bike. It's silly and annoying to go onto a forum and blindly ask people to make decisions for you. There are probably 10 threads of people who have installed or done the modification in question and have feedback about it. THAT'S what a forum is about, so do a little legwork! Go ahead and make a thread asking what jet you should use, what sprockets you should use, etc. I am GOING to steer you in the wrong direction on purpose.
9.) What gear should you wear? This isn't the forum for those questions. Gear question is not motorcyle specific so DON'T ask those questions in here. If you have a piece of gear that you wear that only works on a 250, then go right ahead and post it in here :headshake:.
10.) Have a story about a ride or observation? It doesn't belong in this forum. The two wheeled discussion forum is generally more suitable.
11.) "I want to get more power out of the bike, don't tell me to get a bigger bike!" It's an economy bike... There's a reason why it costs a little over 1/3 of what supersport bikes START at. If you have a lot of money, time, and experience, and knowledge then feel free to drop $4k+ into beefing up your bike to make it a BAMF bike. THEN create a thread about it. I'm serious! It's interesting seeing how people go about custom work and it can also yield creative advice, critiques, etc.... DON'T create a thread though expecting people to give you advice on how to turbocharge, nitrous inject, etc. your 250. If you have to ask those questions, you aren't qualified to be doing those sort of modifications and no there are no power adder "kits" available for the 250 and I doubt there ever will be.
12.) Again the 250 isn't a super sport bike. It doesn't push the envelope in any fashion! Everytime people ask about steering dampers it makes me want to punch a baby. The bike doesn't need it (unless you're racing in a class that requires it). If you are getting head shake, then there is another problem (incorrect tire pressure, balance, head bearings, etc.). Steering dampers aren't magical headshake removers. The same goes for slipper clutches as well :mad:
http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/110647-find-me-steering-stabilizer.html
 
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#35 ·
I can appreciate the frustration that inspired this thread, as well as the efforts on Vex's part to compile such a great resource.

However, I wish I hadn't read it.

Being a complete noob, I simply lack the vocabulary to make the search utility, well...useful.

Also, it's been good for me to see simple questions asked...because I don't always know what questions to ask.

Maybe it's just me, but as I noob, I joined this KF to become a part of a community, not simply to gain access to some "good reading."

But that's just me.

Maybe I'll come back after I've learned the basics elsewhere.

Cheers, and ride safe.
 
#39 ·
#42 ·
*round of applause*

I may be a newbie, but these types of issues plague every forum Ive ever been a part of. The search feature is your friend!
 
#44 ·
I left this forum, after a short stay, in part because of all the cruft. But also because of what seemed like a lot of harsh answers to noob questions.

VeX's post about the 250, riding on freeways, cost, and riding in general is spot on. Not that he needs my validation.... This post may help correctly frame potential new rider's mindsets. It's not easy riding safely or choosing the right motorcycle, gear, friends to listen to and ride with....

I love my 250. It gets awesome gas mileage, keeps up just fine on the freeway and everywhere else. I recently geared it down (or is that up?) to reduce RPMs on the highway. It needed a new chain anyway... The only problem with it is I can't take my girl with me....someday I'll size up just for that...
 
#49 ·
If you can ride the bike until the gas tank is empty, a long trip is just several of these sections put together.

It would be wise to do an all day trip before doing a 2-day trip, then later a 3-day trip. An interstate at 75 mph will be more tiring than a straight highway at 60 mph, and intersections and corners are more risky as you get more tired.

For safety, if you start to feel tired or thirsty or too hot, or you start to get monkey-butt, stop and rest for awhile. The longer the trip, the longer the breaks will probably get toward the end. For a 3-day trip with riding 10 hours a day, I need a couple of hour long breaks during the last 4 hours of riding, now that I am in my 50s.

A 250 will do 1000 miles in 24 hours, but you will likely be more sore and tired afterwards compared to a heavier bike with a higher quality seat. A lot of people add an Airhawk brand seat cushion for longer trips.

In the 1970s, riders with passengers rode 350cc twin cylinder bikes with an 80 mph top speed across the US. Most people think this is way too small now- the weight of a passenger made it more comfortable with the low quality suspensions then.
 
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