I'd like to improve my bike for touring: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Luggage & Touring]]
[[Category:Luggage & Touring]]
Leon's longest days on the 250 exceed 1500 miles. He's exceeded 1000 miles in 24 hours about a dozen times ([http://www.saddlesore.com/ssbbfin.htm saddlesore.com], search for 'Ninja 250'). One of his Ninja 250s has more than 100k miles. (Not the chopper.)
Leon's longest days on the 250 exceed 1500 miles. He's exceeded 1000 miles in 24 hours about a dozen times ([http://www.saddlesore.com/ssbbfin.htm saddlesore.com], search for 'Ninja 250'). There are many other riders who do fast distance rides and touring on their 250. Here are some bike mods that can be done especially for long distance touring.
 
Bike mods done especially for long distance touring:
   
   
*Windscreen: See the [[I want a new windscreen.|FAQ windscreen article]].
*Windscreen: See the [[I want a new windscreen|FAQ windscreen article]].
*Handlebars: For a touring bike, you should sit on the seat and, without leaning forward, reach your arms out to where the handlebars should be. Handlebars from an EX500 can be trimmed and fit on the 250. That will make them a bit taller. There are also some kits to adapt standard handlebars. [http://www.storzperf.com/ Storz Performance Products] makes one. The bolt spacing for the Concours is the same as the Ninja 250, so call and see if the current kit will work on the 250.
*Handlebars: For a touring bike, you should sit on the seat and, without leaning forward, reach your arms out to where the handlebars should be. See the [[Am I too small for this motorcycle?|Am I too small?]] FAQ article.
*[[Adding lower footpegs]]
*Rear shock: The EX500 shock is a good economical choice for touring. See the FAQ articles on [[Suspension|suspension upgrades]].  
*Rear shock: The EX500 shock is a good economical choice for touring. See the FAQ articles on [[Suspension|suspension upgrades]].  
*Seat: If the stock seat is at all uncomfortable after a few hours, you can have the seat modified, or modify it yourself. See the [[I want to reshape my seat|FAQ seat article]] for information on doing it yourself. There are also numerous businesses which will reshape your seat for you. This is an incomplete list: [http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm Sargent Cycle], [http://www.richscustomseats.com/ Rich's Custom Seats], and [http://www.corbin.com/ Corbin]. Sargent and Rich's will do a custom seat by mail-order, and it appears that Corbin will only do one in person. As of July, 2006, there is no known manufacturer of a pre-made "custom" Ninja 250 seat.
*Seat: See the articles in the [[Luggage & Touring|Luggage & Touring]] section of the FAQ.  
*Throttle lock: a throttle lock will allow you to take your right hand off the handlebar, relax and/or exercise it while underway.  There are several models available, such as [http://www.throttlemeister.com/ Throttlemeister], or [http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=16022&Category_Code=Vista-Cruise Vista Cruise] (use Universal model 7/8").
*[[I want a throttle lock/cruise control|Throttle lock]]: a throttle lock will allow you to take your right hand off the handlebar, relax and/or exercise it while underway.   
*Power access: Adding some way to get at 12V power will allow you to hook up electric clothing or accessories like a GPS. Some riders use BMW power sockets and plugs (available from BMW motorcycle dealers; expensive; finished-looking), some use SAE connectors (available at any auto parts store; cheap; unsightly). Any safe access to power is great, although keep in mind that the Ninja 250's alternator will only provide about 60W for extra stuff before it stops charging the battery. The alternator produces peak power (roughly 60W extra) at 10k RPM. Any engine speed below that will produce less extra power, so keep that in mind when calculating extra power available.  
*Power access: Adding some way to get at 12V power will allow you to hook up electric clothing or accessories like a GPS. Some riders use BMW power sockets and plugs (available from BMW motorcycle dealers; expensive; finished-looking), some use SAE connectors (available at any auto parts store; cheap; unsightly). Any safe access to power is great, although keep in mind that the Ninja 250's alternator will only provide about 60W for extra stuff before it stops charging the battery. The alternator produces peak power (roughly 60W extra) at 6k RPM. Any engine speed below that will produce less extra power, so keep that in mind when calculating extra power available.  See [[Alternator Information|this article]] for more information on the alternator.
*Luggage: See the appropriate articles in the FAQ [[Luggage & Touring|Luggage & Touring]] category.  
*Luggage: See the appropriate articles in the FAQ [[Luggage & Touring|Luggage & Touring]] category.  


On longer rides, make sure you stretch regularly. Don't grip the bars any tighter than needed to maintain control. If you're too far forward, and have some of your weight on the bars, that also causes fatigue. A larger windscreen removes the fatigue caused by the wind beating you around, but it also removes the lifting forces that take some of the weight off your hands.
On longer rides, make sure you stretch regularly. Don't grip the bars any tighter than needed to maintain control. If you're too far forward, and have some of your weight on the bars, that also causes fatigue. A larger windscreen removes the fatigue caused by the wind beating you around, but it also removes the lifting forces that take some of the weight off your hands.

Latest revision as of 18:23, 17 August 2009

Leon's longest days on the 250 exceed 1500 miles. He's exceeded 1000 miles in 24 hours about a dozen times (saddlesore.com, search for 'Ninja 250'). There are many other riders who do fast distance rides and touring on their 250. Here are some bike mods that can be done especially for long distance touring.

  • Windscreen: See the FAQ windscreen article.
  • Handlebars: For a touring bike, you should sit on the seat and, without leaning forward, reach your arms out to where the handlebars should be. See the Am I too small? FAQ article.
  • Adding lower footpegs
  • Rear shock: The EX500 shock is a good economical choice for touring. See the FAQ articles on suspension upgrades.
  • Seat: See the articles in the Luggage & Touring section of the FAQ.
  • Throttle lock: a throttle lock will allow you to take your right hand off the handlebar, relax and/or exercise it while underway.
  • Power access: Adding some way to get at 12V power will allow you to hook up electric clothing or accessories like a GPS. Some riders use BMW power sockets and plugs (available from BMW motorcycle dealers; expensive; finished-looking), some use SAE connectors (available at any auto parts store; cheap; unsightly). Any safe access to power is great, although keep in mind that the Ninja 250's alternator will only provide about 60W for extra stuff before it stops charging the battery. The alternator produces peak power (roughly 60W extra) at 6k RPM. Any engine speed below that will produce less extra power, so keep that in mind when calculating extra power available. See this article for more information on the alternator.
  • Luggage: See the appropriate articles in the FAQ Luggage & Touring category.

On longer rides, make sure you stretch regularly. Don't grip the bars any tighter than needed to maintain control. If you're too far forward, and have some of your weight on the bars, that also causes fatigue. A larger windscreen removes the fatigue caused by the wind beating you around, but it also removes the lifting forces that take some of the weight off your hands.

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