Hey all,

I've been reading through all the posts (even responded to a couple) and thought that I would start a thread and introduce myself. I am soon to be a 2009 Ninja 250 owner (next 2-3 weeks) though not sure on the color yet :-)

This will be my first bike (as the 250 is for many people) and I have been doing my best to learn how to ride a motorcycle without actually having one. I have watched videos, looked online, etc for tips and such.

I will be taking the motorcycle safty course but could not get into one until October and I could not pass up the opportunity to go for this 2009 when the opportunity arose. However I know i'm not going to be able to keep myself off of the bike until October when I take the class. I am going to get my permit and try and use the "break in" period on my bike to learn to ride. If any experienced riders have any tips or if anyone else is or has gone through learning how to ride recently please post your tips. Also is there anything to know specifically about the 250 that might be different from other bikes?

Thanks.

 

Take the MSF it will be a big help. Dont get stupid on the bike before you take the class. MSF is in a controlled environment less risk envolved for new riders.

 

Yeah I will be taking it easy for sure - I'll mostly just practice on my relatively short commute to work (abt 10 miles) and it will be good since I will break it in properly :-)

 

Finding parts for an '08 is not the best! Example: I have a rear tire (stock) on backorder; you can't even get an extra (blank) ignition key; backorder! Bad igniter; backorder!!! It seems to be this way for a lot of parts. I cannot imagine what it will be like for an '09!!! Hopefully, you don't need any parts for a long, long time.

2-3 weeks! Fantastic! I just read that it was probably going to be Jan or Feb for the '09s.

 

Yeah most will be Jan-Feb I think but any dealership that had 08s on order will be getting 1 09 in Aug and I'm gonna manage to get my hands on the one coming to my dealership - It's nice to be in Vermont as I have less competition. :-)

 

I had a voltage regulator issue with my 08 when I first got it. It took them about a week and a half to figure it out. Battery was overcharging and boiling the acid in it. Yuck, time bomb under my buttox. They got it fixed, thats the only problem I have had. Been running great since.