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| | | Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/17/2008 11:00:53 PM
Posts: 10, Visits: 23 |
| | I plan to get a 2008 Ninja 250R but I only have experience on a dirtbike. I know the two handle much differently, and there is no MSF Course anywhere near where I live so that is not an option. What would be the best approach to start practicing and getting the feel of the bike again without severely damaging the bike and injuring myself? |
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/18/2008 3:14:28 PM
Posts: 321, Visits: 316 |
| first of all, great bike choice for your situation.
first suggestion is to start out slow, to help you gain a feel for the difference between dirt and street bikes. one of the big differences will be positioning for turning. for a street bike, you don't want to lean to the outside of the turn and turn the bike under you. instead, you want to lean your body to the inside of the turn. also on a street bike, you will want to use countersteering, where pressing the right handlebar, makes the bike lean and turn right, and pressing on the left makes you lean and turn left. don't worry about this much at first, until you get a feel for the bike overall.
this may sound dumb, but keep your feet on the pegs. as no-brainer as this sounds, you'll likely get the urge to put that foot down at times, don't.
also remember you won't be sliding the back end (hopefully) so if that means getting more braking done earlier, you'll need to do that.
Lastly, don't worry too much, as long as you take it easy and don't get into much traffic right away, the differences will smoothe out, but they are there.
K$ |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/17/2008 11:00:53 PM
Posts: 10, Visits: 23 |
| | Thanks for the info, it will really help me out come time. |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/17/2008 11:00:53 PM
Posts: 10, Visits: 23 |
| | Someone had posted on another topic that a good way to practice is to find a flat, dry grassy field when you start out that way when and if you dump the bike you wont damage it or get road rash. Would that be a good idea or would it make the bike to hard to handle? |
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/18/2008 3:14:28 PM
Posts: 321, Visits: 316 |
| you don't ever have to dump the bike in the first place, but starting out on grass is a good way to increase the chances of it. it will also mean that if you do successfully ride in a field, then going onto a real road will feel foreign, and you'll be more likely to lose stability there.
don't fall for the line that "everyone dumps it at least once or twice starting out."
all that can be accomplished by believing this idea is creating a lack of discipline in learning. its true that many bikes hit the ground at some point, but it is not inevitable.
the bike is designed for paved surfaces, ride it there as much as possible.
K$ |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/17/2008 11:00:53 PM
Posts: 10, Visits: 23 |
| | Thanks for the insight, I hadn't thought about it like that. I will just take it slow. |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 4/15/2008 8:29:27 AM
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| I'm still very new at the street bike thing. I grew up on dirt bikes and loved every minute of it. That was about 15 years ago. Then I decided to get back into riding. Got a 2006 ninja 250. second day, put the thing in a ditch. I thought I knew what I was doing. But I had to relearn how to ride. now I'm still nervous but taking little baby steps.
The 250 is a great bike and easy to handle. |
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/18/2008 3:14:28 PM
Posts: 321, Visits: 316 |
| it happens. maybe the MSF riders course would help refresh your memory. I take it about once every three or four years, (usually along with someone I'm introducing to riding), and I can see how it would be very helpful for someone getting back into riding.
K$ |
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