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Lever reach

by Karen

I just purchased a 2009 Yamaha V-Star 950. Has anyone had to have their clutch lever adjusted in for a better grip?

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Nov 15, 2011

950
by: Anonymous

My husband and I both have VS950's and love them. Yes, he has adjusted our clutches. Every once in awhile they tend to get a little slack.

Nov 09, 2011

Yes
by: Sapphire

I have a Kawasaki Balius 250cc that has adjustable levers. I adjusted my clutch and brake levers closer to the handles because I have small hands. It was easy.

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Stall in Neutral and 1st Gear - Ninja 250

by Lin
(VA)

Hi,

I'm very new motorcycle and just recently got a 2009 ninja 250 with 2600 miles on it. I have only been on it about six times, since weather is getting colder. The first two times I rode the bike, it was fine. But later I noticed when I start in first gear and trying to give it gas, it slowly went into stall. I tried it couple more times and the same thing happened. I believe I got the friction zone down pretty well. I also noticed if I just keep in the friction zone with no gas for awhile and eventually the problem goes away. I did check the throttle play and clutch play and they both seem ok. I still need to check my air filter. Any other things I should look into that might cause this problem. Oh, the idle speed is set at 1300 rmp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Nov 18, 2011

250 Ninja
by: Anonymous

My first bike was also a 250 Ninja, great little bike. It is a VERY cold natured beast so it has to warm up a long time. The idle can also be adjusted probably down to around 300 to 500 RPM.

But your best resoultion is take it to a dealer if whis doesn't help

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engine piston compatibility between year models

by Evan Westervelt
(Demorest, Georgia. USA)

i have a 2001 kawasaki ninja 250. and one of the pistons somehow got a hold blown through it. i believe it melted. (its a long story) but i found an add on ebay for a whole set with the pistons and the cylinders.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-KAWASAKI-EX250-CYLINDER-PISTON-RINGS-WRIST-
PIN-/230662423244?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35b48d42cc#ht_1790wt_952

but it is off of a 2009 bike. (mine is a 2001) they look almost the same other than on my bike the little round dimples in the head of the piston to allow the valves to come in, mine have a small raised area in the middle of each dimple. (i couldnt attach a pic so i made a criagslist listing with pics on it(only thing i could think of)) but the ones on the 2009 model dont have the little raised area. any thoughts if this will work or not? it will save me aprox. $200 if i can get this part. thanks in advance!

this is the link to the pictures
http://athensga.craigslist.org/wan/2691588482.html

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Nov 09, 2011

Ask at a dealer service department
by: Wanda

I don't know the answer to your question. Have you thought of calling a Kawasaki dealership service department and asking them? Or you might just go over there and ask to speak to one of the technicians who actually services the bikes.

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making sharp turns from a stop

by Mary
(Bear, Delaware)

I have been wanting to ride a motorcycle since I was little and I finally decided it was the time (I'm 45 now). I took the MSF class and passed with flying colors. It was great. I was riding on a 125cc. The instructors told me I was a natural. Well after much discussion with many riders, they convinced me to start on a bigger bike because I would be bored with a 250 within weeks. I bought a Suzuki boulevard 800cc bike and its beautiful!!! But my god am I terrified of making sharp turns. I have had her in a parking lot two times but just do not feel comfortable turning....can anyone help??? I find it extremely confusing to be giving the bike gas while foot is on brake...

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Dec 30, 2011

Turning
by: Anonymous

If you are turning from a dead stop, turn the handlebars in the direction you want to go. From 0-7 mph, you turn the handlebars like a bicycle. There are vids on Youtube that demonstrate this.

One of the reasons we did the box and U-turns in class, was to get you used to turning the handlebars fully at a slow speed.

From a dead stop, you are not going fast enough to countersteer.

I was wondering why I was always making turns that were not sharp enough and almost going into the opposite lane into oncoming traffic when I was turning from a dead stop. I finally checked it out on youtube and the lightbulb went off. Now, from a dead stop, I make very tight turns. Of course, I am also looking and turning my head to where I want to go.

Keep practicing, you'll get it.

Dec 22, 2011

Balance
by: Anonymous

My trick for making these slow turns is keeping my body straight, but having the bike leaning. This keeps you from having the feeling your going to fall off the bike and helps with the balance. If your making a right turn, sit on the left side of the seat, this should help with your problem

Nov 27, 2011

figure 8's and U turns
by: Anonymous

When I took the rider safety course I had a terrible time with that exercise. I did not trust the bike, me or what my instructor told me - which is to look back over my shoulder and the bike will follow. Keep the throttle steady as well - and - lo and behold - just like he said - I was able to make the figure 8 and it was actually kinda easy. I still practice that in the local parking lot sometimes - just to maintain that skill. Of course this then translates to cornering and such. Best of luck with your bike and just keep riding.

Nov 16, 2011

sharp turns
by: Mary

Thank you for all your comments....I guess i should have clarified what i meant by that....Its the u turns and figure 8's....that's where the problem lies.....going really slow is my problem.

Nov 16, 2011

sharp turns
by: Anonymous

You don't hold your brake when you go straight from a stop, so same thing applies to making a turn from a stop, you don't use the brake. TURN your head and look over your shoulder to where you want to go, take your foot off the brake, apply throttle and turn the corner keeping you eye on where you want to go. Sounds scary., but the bike will go where you look and Don't look at the ground pick something that is eye level. As new riders, seems we all want to watch that front wheel, even me but onced I trained myself to look around the corner and out in front of the bike, it was amazing thats where the bike & I went...LOL

Nov 16, 2011

MSF COURSE
by: Robin

Slow, Look, Press, Roll

You are not braking and throttling at the same time. Slow before the corner, look into the corner, press the handlebars in the direction of the corner, then roll the throttle, giving it gas to actually keep the bike up. You can actually go too slow in the coner, making it difficult

Nov 15, 2011

Practice!
by: Anonymous

Keep practicing! I started on a large bike myself and was also afraid of the turns. It has been four years on that same bike, and it comes easy now. Keep practicing and you will one day do the turns without thinking about it.

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Buy or Ride

by Allie
(Anderson, SC)

My husband is wanting to do a trans-America tour next year. We have heard some people advise me to ride with him, but I feel like it would be more enjoyable for me to ride my own. Thoughts?

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Nov 19, 2011

Two is always better
by: Irene

Let's start with the one-bike deal (experienced on a 2-up, 400 mile trip a few years ago):

Less gas/toll money
Passenger can read map on the go
Can take on-the-go pictures
Can look around more
If bike breaks down, stuck until help shows up (eg, AAA)
Less storage space
Can't shift or stretch at will
Tense whenever driver does anything unexpected, road grooves catch a tire, it's windy, etc

Now, 2 bikes (experienced this year on a 6,500 miles):

More storage
Less stress (you aren't tense when you are in control)
Enjoying people's reactions
Can scoot forward or back whenever uncomfortable
Having another vehicle if one bike breaks down or runs out of gas (my bike died but we had a way to around, eg, for gas, food, hotel, etc)
More gas and toll money needed

Some are practical, some not. But I always ride my own.

Nov 13, 2011

Ride
by: Denise

I couldn't stand to be a passenger at all, no matter what the length of trip. That's just me!

Nov 11, 2011

Buy or Ride
by: Allie

So I don't have a bike. My husband has been wanting me to learn to ride, but it hasn't happened yet. Money is an issue and it would be way less expensive to just ride his with fuel prices and all. But I'm just worried that I would get bored riding with him. I just was curious if there are any obvious pros and cons that I am missing.

Nov 10, 2011

Ride Your Own
by: Wanda

Personally, I'd much rather ride my own. Take care of yourself, eat right, and exercise to prepare for the trip. You will have more space to carry your clothes and gear taking two bikes. Whatever you decide will be fine--the important thing is to get out there and have fun!

Nov 09, 2011

Buy or Ride
by: Barbie

Guess you have to weight the pros and cons.
How long is the trip? At one point I rode as a passanger last year. I have ridden my own for a long time. But just got my bike trned into a trike, and was not sure I could do the trip as I needed more strength in my arm.
I should of road my own.. It was great riding down, but being a passanger the next day on the way home was a killer.
I ride my own...... And will not under any circumstances by the passanger again..
Lots of things you must consider before you make the desision. You said "Buy" You do not have your own ride now??

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