Ninja 250 to a 600cc SS

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e90 said:
Yeah ok.. I'll stick with the 250.

Also - let me clarify what I meant when I said "I don't like corners"... what I MEANT was I've tried to lean in hard before and to be honest it is not a good feeling for me... its... its.. scary... there I said it... I just am so afraid of low-siding the thing given that I've heard so many terrible things about the stock 250 tires and all. So this is why I've kept my enjoyment to clutch dumping and ripping through the gears.

I absolutely want to be all Lorenzo into the corners but I'm worried that I'll never get there. The very few times I'm gone in hard I felt like someone should have witnessed to tell me all the **** that I did wrong and I remember mid corner just thinking ""I have no idea what I'm doing right now"".

Yes yes.. will wait till next year for the widowmaker.
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I've had a ninja 250 and yes the tires are far from confidence inspiring, but you've only been riding for a month! Baby steps are key, watch Twist of the Wrist II and slowly work your way to being a better rider in the turns.

Don't treat the road like a track though, if you really want to become the next Lorenzo you'll need to take it to the track.
 
Technically I'd say OP hasn't ridden at all. Temperature's been no where near what it needs to be to ride hard since he started riding.
 
油井緋色;1987872 said:
The lack of confidence in corners with the 250 isn't entirely your fault. I believe the 250 (someone with one chime in) has suspension issues. I don't recall if it was too hard or too soft but cornering felt unstable with it but I only rode it for a day.
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Suspension is like butter, but that is an old problem that many have solved. DIY's are everywhere online. It's a very forgiving bike built for noobs.

OP, keep the ninja and take some track courses. Or spend a day in the upper Kawartha/Haliburton area. Lots of roads up there to get comfy with leaning.


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I upgraded from a 250 to a 600 in the same season last year and wish I did it sooner. I say upgrade ;)
 
250 is great in the corners. Just make sure you aren't on the oem tires. If you can't drag a knee on it, you sure as hell won't with a 600 either.
 
TomC said:
250 is great in the corners. Just make sure you aren't on the oem tires. If you can't drag a knee on it, you sure as hell won't with a 600 either.
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Definitely still on the OEM tyres. Any recommendations on tires here? I'd be looking at a $200 budget for both.
 
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油井緋色;1987872 said:
The lack of confidence in corners with the 250 isn't entirely your fault. I believe the 250 (someone with one chime in) has suspension issues. I don't recall if it was too hard or too soft but cornering felt unstable with it but I only rode it for a day.
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no it doesn't have suspension issues, you make it sound like it has a problematic suspension...Its just not comparable to a SS as is nothing else on the bike...
You can still push it hard and fast enough to have your tires looking this this...notice I still have some chicken strip, although that's due to an upsized tire on the stock rim, not because I wasn't pushing it hard enough
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LoneRonin said:
no it doesn't have suspension issues, you make it sound like it has a problematic suspension...Its just not comparable to a SS as is nothing else on the bike...
You can still push it hard and fast enough to have your tires looking this this...notice I still have some chicken strip, although that's due to an upsized tire on the stock rim, not because I wasn't pushing it hard enough
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I was not referring to the suspensions sucking. I was referring to the stock suspension settings adding to the lack of rider confidence level. When suspensions feel too "hard" or "too soft", the bike doesn't feel as responsive and takes away from the rider's initial confidence. This may attribute to the OP's issue with cornering.

EDIT: And forgot, I was comparing the GS500F
 
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Going fast in a line, isn't fun on any bike, I've gone pretty darn fast on my 600 and it's not really fun. Just wanted to do it to catch up to another rider who was blowin it just to see how fast my bike can go. I'll never do that again, honestly going 130 vs 230 (for example) doesn't feel any different.

Cornering on the other hand is just a beautiful thing! If you're timid in the corners on a 250, you'll only avoid them more when you get onto a 600. My bet is at first it will seem bulkier and of course, it is heavier which will scare you into thinking you'll drop it and can't hold it up in the corner if you need to. Learn to corner on your 250 with some confidence and then move up! Definitely watch Twist of the Wrist as well, some great points in there about cornering!

When the road is clear, I find the best way is to do the following:

-go at the right speed so you don't have to brake before entering your turn (helps overcome the mental block of braking before turns). It will feel too fast at first even if you're going at like 30 km/h

-WHEN THE COAST IS CLEAR, slowly start trying to do this at slightly higher speeds, try it at 34 km/h, 38, 40, etc. until you can stay well within your lane and you're at a higher speed.

-Avoid braking and taking a corner really slow with "steering"; rather turn with a slow "counter-steer"

-get some pylons/markers and practise U-turns and figure 8's in a parking lot


Don't upgrade to a 600 if you're not comfortable with a 250, it's only going to get worse and you'll be MORE scared to push your limits/learn to ride properly.
 
i went straight from my 250 to an SV1k. Mind you, I put 33,000km on that 250 in 2 seasons, and was very comfortable with it.
 
I did 3,800kms on my 2012 Ninja 250 last season. I traded it in on a 2012 ZX6R for this season.

I am far from being an experienced rider and like the OP I am not a cornering monster. I am more of a laid back cruising type of rider and prefer the straight highways over the twisties. I've had people comment that I should just keep with the 250 or buy a cruiser. For me the 250 was a stepping stone of sorts to get to the bike I wanted which was a 600SS. I prefer the looks of sport-bikes and have never had any interest in riding a cruiser style of bike.

I have lots to learn this season and even more so now when I pickup the new bike but I plan to take my time, respect the power, spend a day in a parking lot getting used to the breaking and low speed manoeuvres etc. I have Twist of the Wrist II and will watch it a few more times and start practicing their teaching. As others have suggested, if you haven't watched it take the time and do it. Watching won't make you a better rider overnight but mentally I have new outlook on cornering and can't wait to see how I can apply some of their instructions through the corners this year.

E90, when you think you are ready to move up only you can tell yourself when you are ready. Most people will say I am not ready to move up or that if I am not going to kill my chicken strips on my 250 then I shouldn't bother with a 600SS. I ride the way I want and don't care what others think, if I want to ride a 600SS a little slower through the corners then that is the way I will ride. If I have full chicken strips at the end of this year (which I am sure I will) so be it, I am just not that interested in putting my knee down through corners. For me I am looking to ride within my abilities, ride safe and have fun doing it, I am not riding to impress others or to ride to their standards.
 
toysareforboys said:
Best tires for your bike:

Front: http://www.petes-superbike.com/1107017-sport-demon-front-p-35654.html
Rear: http://www.petes-superbike.com/1307017tl-sport-demon-rear-p-35662.html

Get em shipped right to Daniel at Heritage Auto and you can ride in, ride out :)

-Jamie M.
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Hey thanks for the link. I know that the guys at the 250 forum cream over these tyres. However, would there really be a difference in speed rating for these (H vs V)? I'm trying to see if they offer them in a rear 140 :P (I know.. I just can't help it)

Considering these as well:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/72/962/35009/ITEM/Pirelli-Diablo-Rosso-II-Front-Tire.aspx
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/72/962/35011/ITEM/Pirelli-Diablo-Rosso-II-Rear-Tire.aspx




How is Pete's Superbike? I see their prices are very good but what other fees are associated with it? I see that they ship from Quebec. Also what should I be looking at for labour to get both sets mounted (I do not know how to remove the wheels myself) and do bike tires need to be balanced etc?
 
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i love my pirelli's too =)
using rosso corsa here

very sticky around corners, and good in the wet too
 
daisoman said:
Get the 600. Lots of people started on 600 so you'll be fine. Lots of people will disagree but it's your choice.
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What he said, if you plan on getting the 600 just be mature about it. When people try to race you and stuff just let them go because you already won.
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