Calling all bikers, advice wanted

carstensdj said:
Are you on crack?!?!?!?!? I agree, that LS125R was an AWESOME little machine, and used to pull the Aprilia RS125 away, but i dont care what you say... that bike did NOT hit 200km/h! It topped out at around 170km/h
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lol dude mine did not trying to be a hero lying, it did and like I said was stupid on this skinny tires and small bike.

also just note that it was a long slight downhill gradient on a highway stretch that I got that
 
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AniV said:
Hi D3x!

I have the 250 Ninja and it is a great bike. Very light and manoeuvreable, it has decent oomph to it but is not so powerful or fast that it will leave you behind. It has good fuel economy (I get +- 26km/L) and I can go 160/170 if I need to (Fastest I ever went was about 185kmph a few weeks after I bought it, then I chickened out and haven't gone that fast again). However, I bought mine as a commuter so I generally go 120 - 140 and my baby is quite happy with that, but still has that extra bit of power for if I need to pull away from a sticky situation.

It's also a lot more upright than a racer, so it is quite a comfortable ride. And I think it's quite pretty. Looks like a big sexy beast but it isn't. I have ridden my Kawa for almost 3 years now and it has served me extremely well. There have been no issues, no flat tyres, nothing. Just regular scheduled services and all has been well.

Only thing is that you can't really be much taller than 1.7m - as soon as you go over 1.7 you'll find yourself too tall for the 250 Ninja. It's more ideal for riders 1.5 - 1.7m in length, perhaps pushable to 1.75. Buying a bike that suits your height is important.

However, the 250 is a good choice and if you get a 2nd hand one with FSH (done by Kawa) then there shouldn't be any issues. Just be aware that the chain and tyres need replacement about every 25-30k so keep that in mind when looking at the km's of the used bikes.
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awesome thanks for the write up :)

I am around 1.73 I think, I sat on it and it felt comfortable.

how often are you servicing, at what cost and at the dealer?
 
D3x! said:
awesome thanks for the write up :)

I am around 1.73 I think, I sat on it and it felt comfortable.

how often are you servicing, at what cost and at the dealer?
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1.73 should be okay, just remember that once you have gear, hopefully you'll have decent boots and those add around 1-2cm which can make the bike feel very different. I decided early on that a 600 was too big, fast, powerful and heavy for little old me, so I was also looking for something in the 200-400 range. Then I laid eyes on the Ninja.

First time I saw the 250 it made my heart beat faster. Much faster. So then I sat on it and it felt like the faring had been cast to fit my body. It was perfect, every contour just melded with my legs and I was convinced the bike had been designed for just me. It was also year-end so I got mine brand new at a crazy special price because they discount the bikes at the end of the year to make room for the new year models. I got mine for R42k from Centurion Lifestyle Kawasaki (but this was Dec 2009)

I service.. err.. every time the book tells me to! :D It's every 6000km if I recall. I commute to Joburg daily so that means about every 3 months for me. My service prices have ranged between R800 - R2500, depending on the service and what they do. Obviously the more expensive services are the ones where they replaced the chain and sprockets or other big-ticket items. Actually, I think the chain & sprockets have been the only big-ticket items.

So I would (wildly thumbsuck) estimate that a service is around R1200 average. I service my bike at Centurion Lifestyle Kawasaki, same guys I bought it from. They are technically excellent. I once got a little hole in my exhaust right after a service and they fixed it for me for free. I had my Kawa serviced at Fourways once and they replaced my brake pads and they put the rear brake caliper & tube thingey on backwards. Couldn't work out what the problems was for a week, wheel kept locking up and felt like I had a flat. Rode into Centurion Kawa - Ernest took one look and spotted the problem. They fixed that for me for free too.

Where are you located? I didn't get to actually RIDE on the 250 before I bought it (just got to sit on it, too) but if you'd like to take mine for a spin around the block (& you're somewhere in Pta/Joburg) just shout.

I've modded mine slightly though - I replaced the rear 40 sprocket with a 42, which gives me a touch less power but improves my fuel economy.
 
AniV said:
1.73 should be okay, just remember that once you have gear, hopefully you'll have decent boots and those add around 1-2cm which can make the bike feel very different. I decided early on that a 600 was too big, fast, powerful and heavy for little old me, so I was also looking for something in the 200-400 range. Then I laid eyes on the Ninja.

First time I saw the 250 it made my heart beat faster. Much faster. So then I sat on it and it felt like the faring had been cast to fit my body. It was perfect, every contour just melded with my legs and I was convinced the bike had been designed for just me. It was also year-end so I got mine brand new at a crazy special price because they discount the bikes at the end of the year to make room for the new year models. I got mine for R42k from Centurion Lifestyle Kawasaki (but this was Dec 2009)

I service.. err.. every time the book tells me to! :D It's every 6000km if I recall. I commute to Joburg daily so that means about every 3 months for me. My service prices have ranged between R800 - R2500, depending on the service and what they do. Obviously the more expensive services are the ones where they replaced the chain and sprockets or other big-ticket items. Actually, I think the chain & sprockets have been the only big-ticket items.

So I would (wildly thumbsuck) estimate that a service is around R1200 average. I service my bike at Centurion Lifestyle Kawasaki, same guys I bought it from. They are technically excellent. I once got a little hole in my exhaust right after a service and they fixed it for me for free. I had my Kawa serviced at Fourways once and they replaced my brake pads and they put the rear brake caliper & tube thingey on backwards. Couldn't work out what the problems was for a week, wheel kept locking up and felt like I had a flat. Rode into Centurion Kawa - Ernest took one look and spotted the problem. They fixed that for me for free too.

Where are you located? I didn't get to actually RIDE on the 250 before I bought it (just got to sit on it, too) but if you'd like to take mine for a spin around the block (& you're somewhere in Pta/Joburg) just shout.

I've modded mine slightly though - I replaced the rear 40 sprocket with a 42, which gives me a touch less power but improves my fuel economy.
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I am on the east rand but I appreciate the offer :)

I unfortunately have other things to budget on so can't buy new. but have you seen the new model, the 300 :love:

as for boots, as well as pants, how do you work it when arriving at work etc? I am not keen to ride with work pants or shoes on.
 
D3x! said:
I am on the east rand but I appreciate the offer :)

I unfortunately have other things to budget on so can't buy new. but have you seen the new model, the 300 :love:

as for boots, as well as pants, how do you work it when arriving at work etc? I am not keen to ride with work pants or shoes on.
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This is why you need to come on over to the Think Bike forums. Loads of people there to answer your questions.

The most practical, but also expensive way is to get a large top box and xkulcha easy overs. Easy overs fit over normal work pants.
When you get to work boots and easy overs go into top box. If that's all you can fit, carry the helmet and jacket with you.

Oh, and your budget of R4k for gear might be a little short. You can look on gumtree for boots, jackets and pants that have hardly been used. I picked up a band new R3k pair of Dainese boots for R1k.

Buy a brand new helmet..don't risk a second hand one.
 
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RandomGRK said:
This is why you need to come on over to the Think Bike forums. Loads of people there to answer your questions.

The most practical, but also expensive way is to get a large top box and xkulcha easy overs. Easy overs fit over normal work pants.
When you get to work boots and easy overs go into top box. If that's all you can fit, carry the helmet and jacket with you.

Oh, and your budget of R4k for gear might be a little short. You can look on gumtree for boots, jackets and pants that have hardly been used. I picked up a band new R3k pair of Dainese boots for R1k.

Buy a brand new helmet..don't risk a second hand one.
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I have been over there but you wait for yonks for a moderator to approve before you can do anything.
 
D3x! said:
lol dude mine did not trying to be a hero lying, it did and like I said was stupid on this skinny tires and small bike.

also just note that it was a long slight downhill gradient on a highway stretch that I got that
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No, no, no ... your LS125 did not do 200 kmph ... if it showed anywhere close to that on its speedo, then you merely had a broken speedo.
 
DONT get a 400. parts are becomming a problem.It seems you have your heart set on the 250 ninja anyway. google 250 ninja touring. in america some people tour all over on those.
 
D3x! said:
I have been over there but you wait for yonks for a moderator to approve before you can do anything.
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Lies.

It's an automated sign up process. The only time you need a moderator to approve anything is when you purchase a "think bike" membership.
 
requiem said:
Lies.

It's an automated sign up process. The only time you need a moderator to approve anything is when you purchase a "think bike" membership.
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why would i lie, that is what it tells me and i am still unable to post etc
 
D3x! said:
why would i lie, that is what it tells me and i am still unable to post etc
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When you register - you should get an email and click on a link to activate. There is no moderator involvement required. There are certain sub forums which are restricted to paid up Think Bike Members (R190 a year).

Which forum can't you post in? What username did you register as?
 
requiem said:
When you register - you should get an email and click on a link to activate. There is no moderator involvement required. There are certain sub forums which are restricted to paid up Think Bike Members (R190 a year).

Which forum can't you post in? What username did you register as?
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I just got an email saying my account has been moderated :p

Dear D3x!,

We have now activated your account at the Think Bike. The forums can be found here:
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D3x, just remember that these new 250's and until recently, 300's are commuters... If thats what you going for then by all means, they are great! But you cannot compare the performance and ride-ability of them with that of the 400's! The last 400's were made in 1994 EG Honda RVF400R (NC35). These bikes were made to race! They are quick and they are bundles of fun...

Not sure what you are looking for in a bike, but keep that in mind ;) In my case a bike needs to be fun and i'd get bored of the new 250/300's within 2-3months of having it - They are basically suped up post office bikes! WHich once again, if it's just daily commuting you're looking for then it would be wise to go that route, but dont expect to be "WOW'd" by them in the fun department like a 400 would do...
 
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When I bought my F650GS I was told by everyone that I would soon get bored of the power, and would be sad I didn't get a faster bike. I thought they were all wrong. Of course I did get bored of the lack of insane acceleration. I intend on buying a second "fast" bike soon enough.

If you are planning on doing more than 20km a day (especially if part of it is on the highway, get a real bike (600cc or greater)
 
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