Calling all bikers, advice wanted

[requiem]

Then look long and hard and buy the ninja

Sign up for a TB membership - you get a decent discount from most retailers on gear if you a TB member (I saved close on R2k when I bought my gear because I bought a R190 membership).

I must admit I wouldn't mind a 300 ninja to mess around on

 

[carstensdj]

Im in the same boat....100km commuting a day. Looking at a SV650 (rare secondhand) or a ER6n. Those are worth a look IMO, fuel economy on the ER6n is very good

I must agree with you here! I used to ride the ER6N when I worked for Kawa for a while and its a great commuter!

I just think it might be overkill for someone who hasn't ridden in over 5yrs...

Sent from my BlackBerry 9360 using Tapatalk

 

[D3x!]

Then look long and hard and buy the ninja

Sign up for a TB membership - you get a decent discount from most retailers on gear if you a TB member (I saved close on R2k when I bought my gear because I bought a R190 membership).

I must admit I wouldn't mind a 300 ninja to mess around on

I did see that on the site thanks

 

[AniV]

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

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.

Just saw it now for the first time. Also very pretty! But costs almost 10k more than the 250, so not sure if the extra 50cc is worth the money? Unless they're discontinuing the 250s?

I live in my biker boots. I bought a pair of Forma ATV Boots (knee-highs) at the FT Clearance Store in Edenvale for R1600. I don't like short boots - I've burnt my calves on motorbike exhausts enough times to have learnt that i'm a knee-high boots kinda person. I also recently bought a pair of Assault Easy-Overs (also at FT) and I wear those daily. They're easy to just zip on over the clothes you're already wearing.

As for shoes - I do keep a pair of tekkies in my desk drawer at work but I rarely ever change out of my boots into them. I work in a very chilled work environment where everyone wears jeans and t-shirts and flipflops or whatever, so my boots are fine.

I also keep a towel in my drawer, and one in a pillion pack that rides on my bike, for those unexpected wet days. I also have a Perfecto rainsuit (pants and jacket) that ride in the pillion pack too, especially Sep-April. In winter the pillion pack has an extra jersey and scarf.

You need to budget more for your gear:

• A decent jacket will set you back around R1500 - R2000.
• Boots range from R1000 - R4000, depending on what you want.
• A good helmet will be around R1500-R2000. You can get away with an R800 - R1000 helmet. I rode for 2 years with a R700 AGV helmet. I recently got a R2000 Shark helmet at one of the FT Clearance sales for R1600.
• Gloves can be around R250 -R500, again depending on what you want. I ride with short gloves (summer) with carbon fibre knuckles, and wear removable thermal inners in wintertime. Most guys I've spoken to though prefer the long gloves (winter).
• My Assault easy-overs were R1000 (on special) and what's great about Assault is that it is generally cheaper than XKulcha because it is FT's own brand. They also provide great repair/return warranty on the Assault gear. The XKulchas have to be sent back to XKulcha for repair so that takes longer etc.

I recommend checking out the FT Clearance Store in Edenvale.
...And yes, I type very fast. And waaay too much.

 

[AniV]

Oh and one more note:

I ride about 75kms a day (return) with large portions of it on the Highway.

When there's no traffic - my 250 handles just fine, going 120km/h (or 140km/h if I'm in a hurry) with acceleration to spare. I don't like breaking the speed limit all that much and prefer to ride safely.

When there is traffic - you'll be stuck weaving at around 20 - 60km/h anyway and then you'll be very glad you have the 250. It is light, thin, manoeuvreable and doesn't overheat very fast.

I get stuck behind okes on their big bikes daily who have heavy, hot bikes that can't nimbly weave between the traffic. The ninja can squeeze through small spaces with ease. When you do stand still or are crawling along at 10-20kmph (sometimes it is unavoidable) the bike doesn't get hot underneath you like the bigger bikes do. It takes a fair amount of time for the bike to become warm against your legs.

I rode a 600 at one stage and after just a few minutes of 60/80kmph stop start riding the temp was over 100*C and the bike was so hot I didn't want to touch any part except the material seat. Just this morning I was stuck behind 3 okes on their monster machines who couldn't weave properly or go faster than 40 because their bikes are so wide they "walk" them through the gaps between the cars.

 

[requiem]

Oh and one more note:

I ride about 75kms a day (return) with large portions of it on the Highway.

When there's no traffic - my 250 handles just fine, going 120km/h (or 140km/h if I'm in a hurry) with acceleration to spare. I don't like breaking the speed limit all that much and prefer to ride safely.

When there is traffic - you'll be stuck weaving at around 20 - 60km/h anyway and then you'll be very glad you have the 250. It is light, thin, manoeuvreable and doesn't overheat very fast.

I get stuck behind okes on their big bikes daily who have heavy, hot bikes that can't nimbly weave between the traffic. The ninja can squeeze through small spaces with ease. When you do stand still or are crawling along at 10-20kmph (sometimes it is unavoidable) the bike doesn't get hot underneath you like the bigger bikes do. It takes a fair amount of time for the bike to become warm against your legs.

I rode a 600 at one stage and after just a few minutes of 60/80kmph stop start riding the temp was over 100*C and the bike was so hot I didn't want to touch any part except the material seat. Just this morning I was stuck behind 3 okes on their monster machines who couldn't weave properly or go faster than 40 because their bikes are so wide they "walk" them through the gaps between the cars.

My 650GS is an absolute pleasure in traffic -

 

[AniV]

My 650GS is an absolute pleasure in traffic -

Not saying other motorcycles don't handle well in traffic, just saying that the Ninja 250 specifically (which is the bike he is keen on getting) does handle incredibly well in traffic because of its lightness, sleekness, nimbleness and lack of overheating.

Everybody seems insistent that he should get something bigger than a 250. I don't see the need. I've had my 250 for 3 years now and I am perfectly happy. Anything bigger would just be too powerful and I would be tempted to ride too fast. A 250 is a perfectly good ride on the highway.

Why do all bikers need to break the speed limit all the time?

 

[carstensdj]

Not saying other motorcycles don't handle well in traffic, just saying that the Ninja 250 specifically (which is the bike he is keen on getting) does handle incredibly well in traffic because of its lightness, sleekness, nimbleness and lack of overheating.

Everybody seems insistent that he should get something bigger than a 250. I don't see the need. I've had my 250 for 3 years now and I am perfectly happy. Anything bigger would just be too powerful and I would be tempted to ride too fast. A 250 is a perfectly good ride on the highway.

Why do all bikers need to break the speed limit all the time?

Thats your opinion though... I'd tend to disagree... ALOT!

I had my 250 for a year, but was bored 5h1tl3ss after 3months... How on earth you've lasted 3yrs on that thing is beside me!

Each to their own i guess

 

[AniV]

Thats your opinion though... I'd tend to disagree... ALOT!

I had my 250 for a year, but was bored 5h1tl3ss after 3months... How on earth you've lasted 3yrs on that thing is beside me!

Each to their own i guess

Riding on 2 wheels is NEVER boring.. Whether you're going 10kmph or 180kmph

PS I'm a weenie little lady. I like my adrenaline a lot, and my baby provides it just fine.
Besides, whether you're going 120 on a 250cc or going 120 on a 1000cc.. you're still going 120!

 

[carstensdj]

Riding on 2 wheels is NEVER boring.. Whether you're going 10kmph or 180kmph

Hahaha, i cant argue with that

 

[Mila]

Jeez you are making it harder to say no.
Dang!

 

[Jimmeh]

Bigger is better. Taxi's get agro when tiny bikes do not have the acceleration to get out of their way. Rather safe than squished.

 

[Pyro]

hi all,

so I want a bike again, last time I rode was 5 years ago I had a little Honda ls125, 2 stroke FTW!

so I am looking for a smallish super bike look starter bike to commute with, maybe a good ride on a Sunday etc.

so far I am very keen on the Kawasaki ninja 250r, they are pricey though, but that will give u an idea of what I want.

so any suggestions?

thx

You can find a few nice examples for around R35k.
The CBR250R is also a nice commuter, but it has a different character as it's a single cylinder.

Bigger is better. Taxi's get agro when tiny bikes do not have the acceleration to get out of their way. Rather safe than squished.

I've also got a 250 Ninja. Do not confuse it with the knockoff brands that have underpowered single-cylinder air-cooled engines.
It easily outpaces most cars on the road, so a Taxi is most definitely is not a problem.

I'm currently considering an upgrade, but it's hard to justify getting anything bigger on my commute.
I'm not a tall guy, inseam is roughly 75cm, so most other bikes in stock trim with fresh shocks feel uncomfortably high. Not a problem if you're on the open road and at speed, but does become a problem if you need to stop and get your foot down in awkward situations.

The new 300cc Kawa would be an awesome first bike, but sadly we're not getting the 400R in SA. That would've been everything you really need on the road.

The 300R has a hefty R60k sticker price though

As for the 'not a sport bike' bit. The 250R is a 'standard' bike, similar to the ER6. You're sitting position is about 15-25degrees forward. This gives excellent visibility and does not put strain on your lower back at low speeds.

The superbikes don't make good low-speed commuters, as they are more aggresively forward. At high speed the wind pushes you up, so it's not a problem, but at low speed you have to carry that weight with your back to keep your arms light on the bars. Arms are for steering, not for holding on.
Engines are similarly tuned for high-end power and throttle response instead of economy and low-down torque.

With the 250 you can have fun throwing it around, as it's light, pushing the bike's limits.
On a big bike, you'll likely be breaking the law way before you start having fun, and still be nowhere near the bike's limits. You can do just about everything on the road in two of the gears, so your gear lever becomes more of a fuel economy lever.

I like shifting gears

---

Also - a nice site to get an idea of how a bike sits:
www.cycle-ergo.com

 

[Nocturnity]

Besides, whether you're going 120 on a 250cc or going 120 on a 1000cc.. you're still going 120!

This is not true. At all.
First, if you have a bike with decent wind protection (fairing + screen), 120 feels like nothing, where 120 on a naked bike feels like you need to hang on to the handlebars.
Second, getting to 120 on a Hayabusa is a little different to getting to 120 on scooter. Both will get there but the one will do it in first in under 3 seconds where the other will take about 20-30 seconds.

Now, I had an 1800 Boulevard, 1340 Gen2 Busa (120 feels like 20 on other bikes), Z750S and I currently ride a Honda XR650R motard. They are all vastly different bikes and they all have very different strengths and weaknesses.
- The Boulevard was an awesome city bruiser. It was a loud, blingy, torque monster but it was hella uncomfortable over 120 and if you rode anything over 100km.
- The Busa was a menacingly fast hyperbike. It would lift the front wheel in just about any gear, hit more than 120 in first gear and also chug down litres of petrol doing so. It was made to be fast and that shows in the handling. It's long wheelbase and heavy weight made it unwieldy in the city.
- The Z750S was the perfect little commuter. The revs were just right at highway speeds (low vibration, good fuel economy) and it still had plenty of oomph left for overtaking. The little bikini fairing kept the worst of the wind off you and it was a nice light, nimble bike with a great seating position and a decent height.
- The XR650R I ride now is a lot of fun. It's a total hooligan tool in that it weighs almost nothing, makes tons of power (very torquey) and I can just swop wheels over the weekend and jump around on the motocross track. That said, it's horrible if you need to ride on the highway. No wind protection, vibey engine, too light, low top speed.

To summarize, not all bikes are created equal. Go out and sit on a few. Try to ride them if you can. Read some reviews and take in what advice you receive. In my opinion, the CBR250 or Ninja 250 are great little commuters and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[carstensdj]

This is not true. At all.
First, if you have a bike with decent wind protection (fairing + screen), 120 feels like nothing, where 120 on a naked bike feels like you need to hang on to the handlebars.
Second, getting to 120 on a Hayabusa is a little different to getting to 120 on scooter. Both will get there but the one will do it in first in under 3 seconds where the other will take about 20-30 seconds.

Now, I had an 1800 Boulevard, 1340 Gen2 Busa (120 feels like 20 on other bikes), Z750S and I currently ride a Honda XR650R motard. They are all vastly different bikes and they all have very different strengths and weaknesses.
- The Boulevard was an awesome city bruiser. It was a loud, blingy, torque monster but it was hella uncomfortable over 120 and if you rode anything over 100km.
- The Busa was a menacingly fast hyperbike. It would lift the front wheel in just about any gear, hit more than 120 in first gear and also chug down litres of petrol doing so. It was made to be fast and that shows in the handling. It's long wheelbase and heavy weight made it unwieldy in the city.
- The Z750S was the perfect little commuter. The revs were just right at highway speeds (low vibration, good fuel economy) and it still had plenty of oomph left for overtaking. The little bikini fairing kept the worst of the wind off you and it was a nice light, nimble bike with a great seating position and a decent height.
- The XR650R I ride now is a lot of fun. It's a total hooligan tool in that it weighs almost nothing, makes tons of power (very torquey) and I can just swop wheels over the weekend and jump around on the motocross track. That said, it's horrible if you need to ride on the highway. No wind protection, vibey engine, too light, low top speed.

To summarize, not all bikes are created equal. Go out and sit on a few. Try to ride them if you can. Read some reviews and take in what advice you receive. In my opinion, the CBR250 or Ninja 250 are great little commuters and you can't go wrong with either.

Well said mate! I completely agree with you here through my own personal experience.

You mentioned the Z750... I had the Z1000 for a month when working at Kawa and OMG what an amazing machine! They are indeed great all rounders!

 

[AniV]

Besides, whether you're going 120 on a 250cc or going 120 on a 1000cc.. you're still going 120!

This is not true. At all.

My statement was actually more about riding safely and not speeding like a maniac. To me, buying a 1000cc bike makes no sense because I choose not to ride at high speeds. I go 120-130 on average, maybe maybe push it to 140 if I am in hurry, but usually not for very long. The bike is capable of going 180, but we shouldn't be, so I don't.

I completely agree that different bikes handle differently at different speeds based on their build. I really enjoyed your comparison of the various bikes you've owned.

I have to say though that I agree with Pyro - a Ninja250's seating position is more upright and comfortable than a superbike, and at 120 it isn't super noisy or vibrating badly, and you can cruise in 6th gear at 120 and still have some power to pull away from cars.

OP will ultimately find the bike that both makes his heart beat faster & suits his pocket and riding style. He showed a specific interest in the 250 Ninja, so as an owner I gave him all the feedback that I could. I hope it has been useful to him. However, if he goes off and buys something else entirely, that's up to him.

I am just excited that he is coming back to 2 wheels. More people should be riding bikes!

 

[D3x!]

lol thanks all for the insights, however as mentioned before I do not want a bigger bike so don't come here with your giant bike tendencies

so far I still am keen on the ninja 250.

If you are willing to pay for the bike, gear and medical aid then sure I will get a 600 plus

 

[AniV]

I would like to take this opportunity to say though:
The new Kawasaki hybrid SX1000R... ooooooooo baby! YEAH!

SHHHHH. Don't tell my 250. It's not cheating if you're just... ogling it on your desktop because it happens to be your background... right?

 

[carstensdj]

I would like to take this opportunity to say though:
The new Kawasaki hybrid SX1000R... ooooooooo baby! YEAH!

SHHHHH. Don't tell my 250. It's not cheating if you're just... ogling it on your desktop because it happens to be your background... right?

Careful, your 250 is gonna high side your a55 if you keep staring at others