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

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*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. For other options, see the [[Am I too small for this motorcycle?|Am I too small?]] FAQ article.

*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 [http:~~/~~/www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kn-250-r-gl.shtml Corbin] now has a ready-made seat for the 250, the only company to do so.~~

*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. 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").

*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.

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.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 *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. For other options, see the [[Am I too small for this motorcycle?|Am I too small?]] FAQ article.
 *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 [http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kn-250-r-gl.shtml Corbin] now has a ready-made seat for the 250, the only company  to do so.
+*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.  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").
 *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.
 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.