Out With the Old, In With the New

So Yes I posted a few weeks back saying I loved my ZZR, and I would never get rid of it, but unfortunately two weeks ago when I was up the old road with some friends, It died, some would tell me it was time for me to go, me I think it was an untimely death, but it died.

No, I didn't crash it, no it didn't explode, in fact at the moment  it's sitting in my driveway. It's effectively a 200kg paperweight, I do love that bike and will continue to do so, it had a hard life, and it soldiered on till it could do no more. What happened? Well to be as exact as I can, I popped a spark plug and in the process shredded the thread that normally holds it in.

Some may ask why not get a helicoil done to replace it? Well the answer is, I phoned around and asked a few places they said it's a $700 cost minimum, by the time they drop the engine out and remove the head and do the helicoil and replace the engine in the chassis. So I had to make a judgement call, I decided to move on to new ground(in this case a new bike). So I searched for days and days(ask my girlfriend, I was possessed). I found one a CBF250 on Bikesales, I went to look at it and it was a no go for many reasons, looked like it was a repaired write off, and had oil leaking from cylinder heads, just looked like a general lack of maintenance. So I got frustrated, I called Western Motorcycles about their CBR250R Repsol Edition for $4990, said I couldn't have one in my time frame, then they called me back about an 08 Ninja 250R which had less than 10,000Km's on the clock and was in great nick. I offered them $3,750 for it(down from the $4,990 they 'planned' to put on it) and they said yes, I rode it away that afternoon!

Now almost a week later and I love it, after a few issues with the bike, western has said they will more than happily reimburse me for my troubles. But I have had a blast, riding this new ninja, it goes quick, it sounds great and feels even better when cornering, does well as a commuter as well. Never look back is something that applies to this bike. It's just to fast.

Now unfortunately because I'm at uni I am unable to upload pictures of this new investment, But they will come. Probably tonight.

Till Next Time

-James

Commuting and the perils of doing so

So I haven't been posting on here for a while but I have been busy as hell.

Thought I would talk about my daily commutes, I've been commuting for almost three months and I have had a ball knowing that everyday I get to wake up and ride every morning. I love the feeling, though in my rather short time riding in traffic, I have had enough moments to last me a lifetime.

Yesterday I was riding in my left lane, with a car about 3 meters in front of me in the right lane and one about 30 meters in front of me in my lane. The white lancer in my right lane suddenly without intent moves into my lane, no biggie I had enough space, but before I could back off he slammed on the brakes and I ended up  on my front wheel trying to stop without hitting him. I did so and managed to make it back down safely, I pulled off into a side street and collected myself.

Admittedly I was scared of it happening again when I was heading off as I still had 15Km to work. But I got back on the bike.

In other words when commuting you have to assume that no one can see you and that you are invisible, Riding a motorbike is dangerous, but getting on it every time you have to have your head on straight.

Personally I have a routine every morning, Jacket on, Helmet on, Start bike, Zip jacket, Helmet done up, Sunglasses on, gloves on, stand up, first gear, ride off.

I love riding and plan to ride till my body gives up. But it is dangerous and you need to have your head on straight and concentrate.

Till next time.

-James

Finally! and thanks

Finally! After waiting what seemed like an eternity My aftermarket fairings arrive yesterday as I left for work, so when I got home I opened the box and put them on, admittedly not an easy install as a few of the holes did not line up but I got there it was an experience to say the least. Pictures below:

You can see no scratches and finally all shiny!

They were a bit frustrating as I wanted to get them on straight away and they took me a good 2 hours to install, I could have installed OEM fairings quicker but the aftermarket set cost was a little more justifiable.

I love it my bike finally feels like mine, complete, and It looks like I now have pride in my bike. I love my little ZZR, and have decided I will be holding on to it for a few years till I am off restrictions.

Now as for riding I do have to thank my girlfriend Laura for pushing back onto a bike as after an accident where I wrote off an 09 ninja and broke 3 ribs I was a bit scared but she made me promise I'd get back on the bike as she knew deep down I was dying to get on the bike. At first I was nervous, I never really told her how scared I was about riding again and I don't think anyone will really know. I decided after much deliberation to start looking then my little ZZR popped up for $500 needing a lot of work.

I didn't mind the work as it meant I got to know the insides of my bike, I got to replace parts that I rely on to survive and therefore have trust that they aren't going to fail. I also got a little attached to my little bike.

I remember the first time I rode the ZZR I was so scared, but I decided that I had to get my licence and fulfill that promise. I went and got my licence all thanks to Laura pushing me all the time, asking me "Have you booked your course yet?" Finally I did, and here I am 2 months later riding around everywhere and constantly more comfortable on the bike.

At the same time I feel like without that accident I wouldn't be aware of the dangers of riding fully, that accident has honestly mad me a more decisive but also careful rider!

For now

-Enrgkid

Challenges we face...

As motorbike riders whether it be commuting riders or weekend riders. We all have adverse challenges we face every single ride.

These can be anything from the weather turning for the worst, to drivers not checking before changing lanes.

My challenge of the day was riding home from the girlfriends house it bucketed down admittedly it started raining well before I left but I had no other choice as I do not drive. So as the determined little fellow I am I got on my bike kissed my girl goodbye, "the usual "text me when you get home, I love you" and off I went, first bit was a bit off putting(did I mention this was my first time at night in a serious downpour) I haven't been avoiding this situation it just hadn't happened yet.

Anyway so off I go, got a feel for my bike in the wet through the first roundabout and right hander then left hander. So I decided to avoid the wet weather traffic to go the back rural route home which I know really well. First thing I noticed about the rain is when it settles on your visor it magnifies the light from oncoming headlights which can make it very hard through the bends, particularly without cat eyes on some parts.

Challenge one of wet weather riding completed, all I did was slowed down and took it a bit slower. Challenge two was the matter of actually seeing through my visor, I can't be constantly wiping it off so I found that the best way was too just focus beyond the water droplets and I could see fine.

They were the only challenges I found, and I did not have an issue in fact I loved my ride home in the rain, people ask me "what do you do when it rains?" I normally say "get on my bike" and even after heavier rain I will still give the same response. I mean don't get me wrong I won't be making a habit of taking on the putty or the old road in torrential rain, but I am more than comfortable to commute and ride where I need to in the rain.


That's it for now. I'll leave you with the drying postions of my gear

The gloves drying

The Jacket is Drying out

Till Next Time

-James

Testing 1..2..3...

Just checking that this works. Just kidding I know it works.

Welcome to my new Blog "Guy On A Bike". My name is James, I'm 20 and have recently taken up riding motorbikes...again. After a few years off a bike I decided it was time to get back in the saddle, so the hunt began, for a cheap and fun little bike to commute and still be able to have fun on weekends. The search took a while, eventually I found a fun little bike, A 1999 Kawasaki ZZR250. I'll admit it wasn't in fantastic condition, In fact unridable , but I paid $500 for a bike that needed a little bit of TLC.

You can't see it but the fairings are in bad condition

By TLC I mean a qualified mechanic, unfortunately I am not one, fortunately I am a curious fellow and I decided screw it, I can do this. The list of tasks looked a little like this:

• Change oil and oil filter (K&N)
• Change air filter (K&N)
• New brake and clutch levers(OEM)
• New chain and sprockets(OEM)
• Carby Clean out and re tune
• Fuel tank flush and clean out
• New Tyres (Dunlop GT501)
• New Fairings (REPLICA)
• New Battery(MOTOBATT)
• New Fuses

Now to someone who has worked on bikes for a long time, this list may not be so daunting. But for me, It was a little worrying. 2 months after purchasing the bike I was almost ready to go, I taught myself how to do everything. The only thing I bought in help for was the carby re tune and clean, A mate of mine has worked on boat and motorbike engines and carbys since he was 6, so he came round and did my carbys for free( Saving me about $300). Below are some work shop pictures(my driveway):

Above: Old Sprocket

Above: New Front and Rear Sprocket

So now I have been riding the bike for about 2 months now which makes it about 5 months since I purchased my little toy. The only thing left to do is to replace fairings which are on their way as well as new fairing bolts.

I'm Proud of my little ZZR250, and it's treated me well so far, had a few runs up the putty with people from some great forums called Netrider. Great folks and willing to help develop a rider like myself into a better rider.

First Putty Ride

So that's all there is to my story...So far

For now goodbye.

-James