Initial Experiences (& Questions)

makairamazara · 06-04-2008, 09:10 PM

I got a great deal on a '07 Ninja 250R last week (427 miles) and have been having a great time. I'll admit fault, I took the MSF course but it was five years ago and I 'waited' until now to buy a motorcycle (didn't really have money during college), but I remembered everything quite quickly and still have the notes from the course. That being said, here are my questions/comments:

(1) It's still in the break-in phase; I have it past 500 miles and can now take it up to 6k rpm, but I since I still need it to get to work and back I have no choice but to get up to speed (45mph is the highest I need to go on the slowest route to work) I feel as though shifting at 6k in each gear in order to get up to speed doesn't feel right at all (of course, it shouldn't, and I'm sure it will feel better once I'm past the break-in phase) and am wondering if this can damage the bike at all?

(2) I've had to fill up twice so far and according to the manual the fuel capacity is 4.8 gallons, yet each time I run out of gas (literally, the bike dies and I have to switch to reserve) I fill it up and the pump stops at a little over two gallons. I look into the tank and it even looks full. Why is it that I'm not getting the full 4.8 gallons out of the tank?

(3) [bitch&moan] Anybody up for gathering some funds to hire a lobbyist to fight for our right as motorcyclists to be felt by stop-light weight sensors? I hate having to wait for a car to pull up in order for me to go through a light...

[/bitch&moan]

gatorSMASH · 06-04-2008, 09:14 PM

the break in period is a big debate, some say slamming the engine is best so you get the rings to settle right and some say its terrible and to do it as kawi says.

and for the sensors i know what you mean, most of the time i resort to running them, there is a string of about 3 or 4 of them outside a house that i frequent and the cycle doesnt include them unless they are triggered.

makairamazara · 06-04-2008, 09:29 PM

Any ideas on my fuel paradox?

Skoalbasher · 06-04-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makairamazara

Any ideas on my fuel paradox?

If you are filling up while your bike is on the side stand, it will look like there's more gas in it than there really is. The automatic pump stop is triggering because of how the gas is sitting in the tank. You can probably put another 2 gallons or so in. Just watch it and be careful.

makairamazara · 06-04-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

If you are filling up while your bike is on the side stand, it will look like there's more gas in it than there really is. The automatic pump stop is triggering because of how the gas is sitting in the tank. You can probably put another 2 gallons or so in. Just watch it and be careful.

You know, I thought of that and then never did it because I didn't think it would make that much of a difference. I'll go up to the nearest gas station and try it tomorrow.

Whymista · 06-04-2008, 10:31 PM

I had the same prob with my 250 and I filled it up while on it so it wasn't on its side. Never got more than like 4 something in it after running dry.

Sensor suck and most cops say if you wait 2-3 cycles its "ok" to run them,.

Seifer21 · 06-05-2008, 12:15 AM

We don't have sensor lights in Detroit booya

Whymista · 06-05-2008, 12:18 AM

Fuck you red wing fool!

Seifer21 · 06-05-2008, 12:58 AM

Don't be hatin

Whymista · 06-05-2008, 12:58 AM

Oh I be hatin!

I'm gonna clip those wings off lol

OldSchlPunk · 06-05-2008, 01:19 AM

Stoplight sensors aren't weight sensitive, they are inductive. Meaning they trigger when ferrous metal (steel) breaks the "field". Problem is that most sportbikes don't have much steel to break the field.

The best you can do is to run your axles directly above the coils. This will mean positioning your bike pretty far to the left or right in your lane. Most times you can see where they were cut into the concrete.

Another thing that can help is to put your kickstand down over the coil, but this means you have to be in neutral which I prefer not to do.

dynamite196 · 06-05-2008, 08:13 AM

Breaking the 6K barrier when getting it up to speed won't cause any issues, the manual is more concerned with cruising at high rpms IMO. The most important thing to remember during break in is lots of on/off throttle (i.e. accelerate and then engine brake) and doing your oil changes on time!! Some people say to do them as soon as 50 miles, thats a little too soon IMO but I would def do one at 100, 400, 700, and 1000 miles using regular dyno oil (no synthetic) and then at your last oil change switch to synthetic if you prefer.

jerome_oneil · 06-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Get a big assed speaker magnet and safety wire it to the bottom of your bike. You'll never have a problem tripping light sensors again.

Skoalbasher · 06-05-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerome_oneil

Get a big assed speaker magnet and safety wire it to the bottom of your bike. You'll never have a problem tripping light sensors again.

Yeah, I was thinking about doing this with hard drive magnets. The only problem is, I can't get to my frame the way my bike is set up, just this fiberglass piece on the bottom that doesn't allow me to zip-tie the magnet on very securly.