The Kawasaki Ninja 250 FAQ Brought to you by the folks at www.ninja250.info Table of Contents About the ZX-2R Model.............................................................................................................. 8 What is the "ZX-2R"?.......................................................................................................... 8 Can I get ZX-2R decals?...................................................................................................... 8 Is a seat cowl available for the Ninja 250? .......................................................................... 9 Newbies...................................................................................................................................... 10 I want to know more about the Ninja 250 motorcycle........................................................... 10 What is a Ninja 250?.......................................................................................................... 10 What kind of performance can I expect out of it? ............................................................. 10 Am I too big for this motorcycle?...................................................................................... 10 Am I too small for this motorcycle? .................................................................................. 11 How does the EX500 compare to the EX250? .................................................................. 11 What about the ZZR250; how does it compare?................................................................ 11 Is it a good investment; will it retain its value? ................................................................. 12 How long will a Ninja 250 engine last?............................................................................. 12 Shouldn't I consider a bigger bike? Won't I want one later anyway?................................ 12 Can I get some stats/specs for the bike? ............................................................................ 12 Specifications and Performance Statistics ..................................................................... 12 Dyno Chart..................................................................................................................... 14 What Colors Are Available?.............................................................................................. 14 Where can I find more info? .............................................................................................. 15 I want to know more about motorcycling in general ............................................................. 15 I want to get a bike but I don't know the "process." .......................................................... 15 What riding gear should I have? ........................................................................................ 15 Helmet............................................................................................................................ 15 I should wear a helmet, right?.................................................................................... 15 How much should I plan on spending?...................................................................... 16 Should I get a full-face helmet?................................................................................. 16 What are some good models? .................................................................................... 16 How do I keep my visor from fogging up?................................................................ 16 Jacket.............................................................................................................................. 17 Leather vs Cordura..................................................................................................... 17 Pants............................................................................................................................... 17 Joe Rocket Ballistic Pants.......................................................................................... 17 Draggin jeans ............................................................................................................. 17 Gloves ............................................................................................................................ 17 Street gloves............................................................................................................... 17 Widder heated gloves................................................................................................. 18 Boots .............................................................................................................................. 18 Are boots really necessary? ....................................................................................... 18 What are some models to consider?........................................................................... 18 Alpine Stars............................................................................................................ 18 Army Boots............................................................................................................ 19 Parachute Boots ..................................................................................................... 19 Other .......................................................................................................................... 19 Rain gear ................................................................................................................ 19 Earplugs ................................................................................................................. 20 Aerostich suit ......................................................................................................... 20 Full leathers............................................................................................................ 20 Back protector........................................................................................................ 20 2 Do I really need to wear all this stuff?................................................................... 21 What factors should I consider when looking for these items? ............................. 21 What do I need to know about insurance?................................................................. 22 How much is insurance going to cost me for the Ninja 250? ................................ 22 Should I get any extended coverage?..................................................................... 22 What insurance companies should I check out? .................................................... 22 Should I take an MSF course? ....................................................................................... 23 What is an MSF course? ............................................................................................ 23 Is the course hard; will I be able to pass? .................................................................. 23 What benefit will I get from it?.................................................................................. 24 But aren't those courses just for total newbies? ......................................................... 24 What are some good riding techniques? .................................................................... 24 Basic Controls........................................................................................................ 24 Turning and leaning ............................................................................................... 25 Accelerating, Changing Gears ............................................................................... 28 Braking................................................................................................................... 29 In the Rain – Basic Differences ............................................................................. 31 What's the meaning of some of this bike vocabulary I'm hearing? ........................... 31 Technical Jargon .................................................................................................... 31 Biker Speak............................................................................................................ 34 I want to get a bike but my parents won't let me. ...................................................... 35 I just got a Ninja 250, & I have some other questions about it.............................................. 35 Do I really have to follow this break-in period?................................................................ 35 How long do I have to wait before switching to synthetic oil? ......................................... 36 What is the correct way to apply choke at startup? ........................................................... 36 My bike jolts forward when I put it in gear after first starting; is this normal?................. 36 Why does my bike take so long to reach normal running temperature?............................ 37 How far can I go after putting the fuel petcock on "reserve"?........................................... 37 What kind of fuel should I use? ......................................................................................... 37 What are those tubes hanging down from the bike for? .................................................... 38 Should I use the side prop or centerstand when I park? .................................................... 38 Why does my gas tank sometimes whine when I stop?....................................................