Prepping a Ninja 250 for the track?

TegRacer243 · 06-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Well I've decided to take my Ninja 250 to a track day. It may be slow, but I don't really care I just wanna learn how to push it and ride it better without fear of dying on the road.

Does anyone know what most people typically do to prep these bikes for the track? I already know it's probably a good idea to take the feelers off should I take the center stand off also? I was also thinking about doing a 15/42 conversion. Is that a good idea for the track? I know I'll have more top end, but not so sure it'll be good for acceleration while there.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 06-15-2007, 04:50 PM

Removing the center stand is a really good idea on any bike heading to the track. As far as the gearing, I would leave it stock for your 1st day on the track with the bike, defenitely something I wouldn't be concerned with right now. You could always bring the proper tools with to change the gearing (if you already own the new gearing) so you could do it at the track if you just couldn't stand what's on there now, but in my opinion I wouldn't mess with it at this point in the game!

OreoGaborio · 06-15-2007, 05:31 PM

I'm w/ Mike... pull off the centerstand for sure. Leave the peg feelers on there, assuming they're not huge. If you leave them on there, they'll let you know your technique needs adjustment long before you run out of tire.

All you really need is a bike in tip top condition & some good sport rubber... what ya got on those hoops?

Other than that, just research the rules that the people running the event have in place & prep your bike accordingly.

RRRR6 · 06-16-2007, 10:05 AM

tape your plastic lenses and have newer tires and ease into the day

TegRacer243 · 06-16-2007, 01:34 PM

Alright thanks guys. Oreo I'm goin to Tony's anyway so I just gotta follow his rules. I have Metzler Lazertechs on there right now. Anyone know if they're any good? The guy who had it before me put them on. They don't seem to be too bad so far, but I dunno I'm sure Sport Demons would be better.

Chris527 · 06-20-2007, 05:49 AM

+1 on the center stand! Check out www.ninja250.com they have a ton of information on there and several people who race ninja 250's. Im not sure exactly the lazertecs, as long as you are not running the stock dunlops you should be fine. If you have the time and the money before the trackday upgrade the suspension, it will be the biggest limit on the bike's corner speed and you will grind through your boots really fast

There is info on what you can do to beef up the suspension at that website!

You're gonna have a blast

LDS · 06-20-2007, 09:40 AM

Definitely remove the centerstand.

I'd go ahead and pull the feelers off of the pegs, too. They drag waaaay early. My girlfriend was doing her first trackday on our Too Fiddy, and they meatballed her because of the feelers sparking. I pulled them off real quick and she was good to go.

GooseKZ1000 · 06-20-2007, 09:45 AM

+1 on the center stand. I had a friend who ran a 250 for nesba track days. Just use blue painters tape for your headlights and turnsignals. also take the fuse out for your headlights! or you will have a mess takin that cooked on tape.

OreoGaborio · 06-20-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TegRacer243

Alright thanks guys. Oreo I'm goin to Tony's anyway so I just gotta follow his rules. I have Metzler Lazertechs on there right now. Anyone know if they're any good? The guy who had it before me put them on. They don't seem to be too bad so far, but I dunno I'm sure Sport Demons would be better.

Oh awesome!

Which date are you attending? Chances are I'll be there. Only ones left this year that I'm not planning on being at (yet

) are the August & October dates, but that may change.

The lazertechs should be just fine. My teammate raced on those his first year when he had an EX500 w/ the 16" rims. They're not the best but at this stage in the game they'll most certainly get the job done. Basically, if you're comfortable riding them in the twisties, you'll be fine on the track.

Tony's website does an awesome job at explaining everything really well... but I do work for Tony as an Instructor/Control rider, so if you have any questions at all about rules, bike prep, rider prep, transportation, etc etc feel free to ask & I'll answer em the best I can.

TegRacer243 · 06-20-2007, 05:18 PM

Thanks a lot for all the replies guys.

Oreo I'm goin to the next one July 12th. Yeah I think I get most of what I need to do for the prep. Wiring the oil filter might be the only thing a little tricky. If I got anything I'll definately ask.

It's weird I posted the samething on ninja250.net and I didn't get many replies. Now I know where to go to ask track questions around here lol.

OreoGaborio · 06-20-2007, 05:36 PM

cool man, I'll see ya on the 12th. It's gonna be my first time back on the track since i broke my wrist racing back in April, I can't friggin wait.

As for the oil filter, it's easier than it sounds... all you need is a hose clamp & maybe some safety wire. If you want, just show up w/ a hose clamp that fits around the filter & track down a staff member.... or come lookin for me, I'll help ya out.

Are you on any of the local forums?
www.nestreetriders.com is the best New England based forum on the net. There's a ton of Tony's Track Day customers on there as well as control riders & instructors. Even Tony is a big regular on that forum.

not to mention the friends ya make over there on group rides & parties.

Mmelmann · 06-20-2007, 08:56 PM

My dog wanted me to tell you to pull of your center stand... since everybody and their dog said the same thing a dozen times in a row.

It was hard to translate since he's of German descent. I had to pull out my Germanwoof to Englishwoof translation book... and then translate woof to text.

ARRA757-89-91 · 06-20-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TegRacer243

Well I've decided to take my Ninja 250 to a track day. It may be slow, but I don't really care I just wanna learn how to push it and ride it better without fear of dying on the road.

Does anyone know what most people typically do to prep these bikes for the track? I already know it's probably a good idea to take the feelers off should I take the center stand off also? I was also thinking about doing a 15/42 conversion. Is that a good idea for the track? I know I'll have more top end, but not so sure it'll be good for acceleration while there.

=======================================

I would add the following...

A new motor
New suspension
New Brakes
and overall about 100 HP to what you already have, but thats just me

OreoGaborio · 06-20-2007, 09:58 PM

good thing he's not you.

Not everyone needs 100hp to have fun... I can ride a stock crf50 & have a blast.... shit, just look at my avatar.

The goal of Tony's Track Days is to improve the skills of the average street rider. Nothing about that requires you to be on a top of the line supersport. This guy's going about things the right way unlike alot of other people I see on the track. I know riders that could ride circles around alot of people, including myself on an EX250.

TegRacer243 · 06-22-2007, 01:48 PM

Well Arra if you'd like to lend me your Ducati 1098 for the track then I'll take your suggestions otherwise you can......you get the picture.

Yeah Oreo that sucks. I'm hoping not to leave the track with any injuries. God I'd never hear the end of it from my family.

I'll track to track you down when I'm there.