Upgrade considerations for a 250 rider?

[vivek67]

Hi all,

Recently bought a 250 and plan to upgrade in the next 12 months. However, my experiences with the ninja 250 are mixed. I ride everyday to work with a backpack (laptop, compendium, shoes and a business shirt). My rides are between 35-45 mins in morning peak traffic.

I am however, going through some back pain by midweek. I am wondering if it is the supersport nature of the bike and the riding position or is it just my stamina that will develop over time?

Last sunday, I did 140 kms on 80km zones and I was very tired at the end of it. Is it how super sports bikes are? How do motorbike riding groups ride for 300 kms in a day and manage to get to work the following day?

Is it a stamina thing or just the wrong kinda bike for what I am doing?

Regards
Vivek

[Wattie]

you will get used to it.


However carrying the weight in your backpack will knock you around a bit.

Have you considered a Ventura rack and bag? so the weight is on the bike and not your person?

[Blurr]

the 250 is upright compared to a a 6r or 10r.

You will build up your strength as you ride more. Just like playing a new sport it hurts at first.

In saying that peak hour speed restricted commuting is the bain of bike riding most of the time.

[tim]

Ventura rack sounds like a good idea if you're getting back pain. You also could consider your riding posture and try some gentle stretching/ exercises before and after your ride to get the blood to the muscles and your joints lubed up.

[vivek67]

Ventura rack sounds like a good idea if you're getting back pain. You also could consider your riding posture and try some gentle stretching/ exercises before and after your ride to get the blood to the muscles and your joints lubed up.

Ill give it another 3-4 weeks to see if I get used to it. Ventura rack sound like a good idea. They' kinda make the bike look ugly though.

Anyone got videos/pics of a ninja 250 with the ventura rack fitted with and without the bag?

Regards

[Strika]

Please allow me to be the first to say HTFU. You are riding one of the most comfortable bikes on the market and iff you are finding that uncomfortable and cannot put up with it then sell it and buy a car.
If you were my age with a fucked back i could understand. But beibg youbger n healthy, i reckon you shoulf be able to ride even the most extremely positioned sports bike.

[Nelso]

Ventura rack sounds like a good idea if you're getting back pain. You also could consider your riding posture and try some gentle stretching/ exercises before and after your ride to get the blood to the muscles and your joints lubed up.

Ill give it another 3-4 weeks to see if I get used to it. Ventura rack sound like a good idea. They' kinda make the bike look ugly though.

Anyone got videos/pics of a ninja 250 with the ventura rack fitted with and without the bag?

Regards

Ninja 250's are ugly anyway. Put the rack on for trips or commuting and take it off on weekends if you don't like the look of it. I only put mine on when I need it, they're not that hard to take off and put back on.

Marty, I found a 250 extremely uncomfortable because it was too small for me. Not everyone has the luxury of being built like a jockey.

[Duane]

Please allow me to be the first to say HTFU. You are riding one of the most comfortable bikes on the market and iff you are finding that uncomfortable and cannot put up with it then sell it and buy a car.
If you were my age with a fucked back i could understand. But beibg youbger n healthy, i reckon you shoulf be able to ride even the most extremely positioned sports bike.

Tell us what you really think Marty! lol

It's ok I read your post a second time, I now see the original message - buy a ZRX and welcome to the forum.

[vivek67]

Please allow me to be the first to say HTFU. You are riding one of the most comfortable bikes on the market and iff you are finding that uncomfortable and cannot put up with it then sell it and buy a car.
If you were my age with a fucked back i could understand. But beibg youbger n healthy, i reckon you shoulf be able to ride even the most extremely positioned sports bike.

HTFU? what does that stand for?

Marty, my question was alluding more towards whether the upgrade path for me looks like a 650R or a zx-6r? Any thoughts on that?

The sad part about being a consultant is that I am never at one location, even for a week. Clients dont necessarily provide me with a locker either. I have to carry my mobile office with me. Laptop, compendium, shoes, suit jacket, business shirt, computer mouse, lunch box. I know this is a tough one to get around, but I am not seeking a solution to this.

Yes I have a car, and yes I know I can drive to work but thats not nearly as enjoyable as riding is. Suggesting someone on a bike forum to go and buy a car is just plain distasteful.

Others who suggested Ventura, kudos to you

Regards

[Strika]

Vivek, stop being a sensitive little clitoris with a lack of a sense of humour. I still stand by my comments, that if you are finding it uncomfortable commuting on a 250R, then a 650R, or a ZX6 is going to be even more uncomfortable. if you consider this advice as any less valid than what others have offered, then in future i will no longer reply to any of your questions.

As for the expression HTFU, it is a commonly and affectionately term used in here with regular monotony. It is a subtle suggestion that you "harden The Fuck Up". Your sarcastic response is evidentary of the fact that you need to.

People in here have a sense of humour, so perhaps develop one and drink a dose of cement before your oversensitivity causes you even more pshycological damage.

So, once again, as others have suggested, buy some luggage. Motorcycle shops i often find have them from time to time.

[Nelso]

Who pissed in your Weetbix this morning Marty?

[Strika]

Who pissed in your Weetbix this morning Marty?

You should know by now Nelso, that i don't suffer fools.

[fireyrob]

Get rid of the backpack with a Ventura Rack, relax more while u ride and the stamina will build up. Your best off to keep this bike until your on a full licence and feel ready. No point getting another LAMS. Like has been said its not in anyway as uncomfy as a zx6r

[Dafuzz31]

yeah ZXr aint comffyer then the 250....if ur worried about comfort get a cruiser or Z750 more of an upright possie.

[mr_messy]

Hi thought I'd offer some suggestions,

I've got the zxr250c which I rode daily and still ride. Also for a time I used it to ride up and down to Sydney from Melbourne at least 3 times a year.

If you can try to ride without a back pack. Or as little weight on your back as possible. Ventura rack is a great idea as well as a tank bag. Carrying extra weight will tire you easily.
On my long rides I would rest my torso and maybe belly on the tank bag also putting less strain on my back. Yay to the beer belly!

The seat on the zxr250 is angled very forward to racelike position. I'm planning on cutting the seat down soon after reading a how to on amcn. Maybe you can also look into that.