The Yeager's 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Delivery

The Yeager's 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Delivery and First Impressions

Delivery

March 15, 2008 -- I rode up to Sherman Power Sports on the Ninjette and noted a customer appreciation event was taking place with free hotdogs, chips, drinks, and other goodies being doled out from a tent located near the front door. "Good morning Dr. Yeager" greeted me as I walked in the door of Sherman Power Sports. Sales manager, Jonathan Hagen, stated they finally managed to get 4 new Ninja 250s out of the Dallas warehouse. "They uncrated all four before we could tell them not to." he apologized because he knew I wanted to see my bike uncrated.

Robert Rambo, my salesman, double checked my cell number as he had tried several times that morning to reach me. Rambo had spent a long couple of days getting the bikes in from the warehouse and started calling when the store opened that morning. Unfortunately I was on a 'breakfast run' with a group from McKinney (See the March 15th Journal Entry) and did not hear his call. I assured Rambo that he did indeed have the number correct.

Rambo took me to the service department to see the Ninjette II. Here I met Kevin Wrenn, a mechanic, who was building out the bike. I went back to the sales floor to finalize the paper work. The sales office was being pounded that early Saturday afternoon so Jonathan was busy multitasking. In the process of finalizing the paper work it was realized that the accepted, deposited price I agreed to did not match the sales price on the contract. After consulting the hard copies of the emails sent and a bit of angst caused by the computer system it was discovered the price agreed upon last December did not include the sales tax. Some computer manipulation by Mr. Hagen and the original price was satisfied.

After checking in with the service department and the spouse I rode home to Trenton via Texas 121. Once at the house I parked, cleaned, and covered the Ninjette; removed and put up my riding gear; connected the trailer; put a variety of straps and pads in the back of the Escort; picked up the 38 tooth JT sprocket; got Nathaniel; and headed back to Sherman Power Sports.

Upon arriving back from our quick trip to get the trailer we dropped the new rear sprocket off at the service department. Kevin Wrenn found the small size of the 38 tooth sprocket rather amusing. He commented that it was the smallest rear sprocket he had put on a bike, in fact he was going up to a 72 tooth rear on his stunt bike (yes, complete with fairing guard and tail skid). We chatted a bit and then Nathaniel and I headed back to the sales floor. As I left I called back, "Take good care of it." to Kevin as I approached the large overhead door leading to the dealership storage yard.

"I'll treat it like it was my own." responded Kevin.

"But you're a stunter." I quipped, pausing briefly on the way out.

"Let me rephrase that!" Kevin laughed.

Things were still hopping on the sales floor so Nathaniel and I went to Lowes and Wal-Mart to run a few errands while the 2008 and it's accompanying paper work was being completed. While Nathaniel and I were at Wal-Mart Robert Rambo celled to inform me that there was an issue with the re-assembly of the shortened chain after replacing the stock rear 45 tooth with the 38. The chain on the new Ninja 250R was a 520 X-ring, a definite plus; interestingly Sherman Power Sports had no spare 520X master links.

I arranged to drop the trailer in Sherman Power Sports storage yard as I didn't care to drag it back to Trenton again. I bid farewell all and Nathaniel and I drove back to Trenton.

March 16-18, 2008 -- Robert Rambo kept me abreast over the weekend and a trip to Joleen's folks in Quitman. The shop manual, the pillion cowling, and the520X master link came in Tuesday morning, March 18th.

March 19, 2008 -- I called Mr. Hagen just as they opened to be sure all was in order before Nathaniel and I headed to Sherman, Texas. After a quick trip to Wal-Mart and Lowes (with fuel prices as they are you have to make every trip to the "city" count) we arrived at Sherman Power Sports. We were greeted warmly as is normal.

Jonathan Hagen got the paper work while Rambo gathered the service manual and pillion cowling I ordered. The spools I ordered had not arrived at that time. The paperwork finished I was ushered over to see Linda Hagen, office manager and Jonathan's wife, to sign the papers and write the second largest I have ever written (my wife reminded the largest was the down payment on our home).

While completing the transaction, a process that clearly left Nathaniel uninspired, he began reading the various plaques and certificates on the wall behind Mrs. Hagen. The plaque that read read" I have PMS and a gun, any questions?" caught his eye. He read it out loud and then paused. "PMS, what's that?" Nathaniel broke the silence.

Linda stammered "Well that is difficult to explain." I was too busy giggling about the awkwardness of the situation to be of much value.

"Well", I began composing myself, "you know when mommy gets real crabby about once a month?" He nodded. "Well there you go."

At that point Nathaniel thought It was the funniest thing he had heard. Ah, to be a youth and discovering the intricacies of life.

Rambo and I loaded the Ninjette II on to the tilt-bed trailer and strapped it down for the trip to Trenton. The ride home was uneventful and the bike unloaded easily.

Modifications

As soon as the Ninjette II arrived home various safety and convenience items were installed:

Signal Dynamics light modulators and LED accent lighting
Gravel Guards
Dual one inch RAM ball mounts to the handle bars as per the RAM mount instructions.

First Impressions

The fit and finish of the vehicle is much improved over the earlier model. The overall design assures a solid feel to the fairing. The stainless hardware is a nice touch.
Black paint on black plastic is going to be easy to take care of and small nicks and scratches should be easily camouflaged. The down side is that unlike the silver metal flake of the 2005 with its more variegated visual texture, the high gloss black paint will show scars and surface scratches more easily. Care will need to be taken not to get damage it during cleaning and servicing. Cleaning in particular is an issue because on the road I live on as it will have to be cleaned often.
The shapely tank is nice with its indention for the rider's legs. I however am rather long legged for my height (5' 10" and a 34" inseam), therefore my knees are above the kneepad when I try to "hug the tank". I will be looking for a tank bra or a means to lower the foot pegs.
The muffler; love it, hate it. Located on one side and up-swept it is largely out of the way for maintenance and cleaning and I applaud the fact that it contains a catalytic convertor. On the other hand, this thing is big. Is it a 13 gallon stainless steel tall kitchen garbage that was reincarnated or was the designer inspired by a World War I howitzer? Its radical sweep will prevent moving the right foot around on the foot peg during long trips. Placing the ball of one's foot on the right foot peg, for example, tends to result in interference between one's heel and the muffler. Additionally, it clearly gets hotter than the exhaust system on the 2005.
I had thought the 2008s came with Bridgestone Battlax BT-45s as indicated in the Owners Manual. I was actually looking forward to those tires as I have gotten good service from them on the 2005. So what are Dunlop ArrowMax GT501s doing on this 2008? They look pretty and have an aggressive tread pattern but, interestingly, the Dunlop website has no record of this tire existing in speed rating or size. So I called Dunlop. The tires are a single compound, H-rated, sport tire manufactured for Kawasaki. Tread life is expected to be in the 3000 to 6000 mile range -- not great. On the other hand, they have an excellent reputation as a sport bike tire and they do seem to corner and ride well. There are no plans to make them available to retailers other than Kawasaki dealers. It has been impressive that Kawasaki has seen fit tospecify such good tires on what most consider an entry level motorcycle.
The factory tool kit takes up most of the storage space under the pillion. I intend to replace that with a more compact bicyclist all-in-one tool. If the Ninjette IIgets to the poiint I need to pull a spark plug on the side of the road it will be trailered back to the house for repairs.
The kickstand is a well engineered hollow design that places the motorcycle at a greater lean angle and provides a wider stance than the previous solid design.
The new engine holds less motor oil than the "classic" Ninja 250 engine. Isn't that a step backward?

Break-in

A detailed account of the break-in can be found in the 2008 section of the Ninja 250 Break-in Log and the maintenance performed during the break-in period is detailed in the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Maintenance Log.

Riding Impressions

The suspension is well balanced. I always tended to get tossed forward on the 2005 because the front fork was more compliant than the rear shock. The Ninjette II suspension is stiff, which I like, on both ends.
The brakes work well and are augmented by the decreased front end dive of the 2008.
The torque curve of the "new" power plant works well with the modified 14:38 final drive my 2008 and appears to have more "thrust" in the mid RPM range.
If the '08 is any heavier than the '05 this is not evident in handling or acceleration. In fact, handling is much better and "seat of the pants" acceleration is improved or similar.
The new bike inspires more confidence during "spirited" riding.
I like the seat. It is wider and firmer which I find more comfortable than "classic's" saddle. The upholstery on the other hand appears to leave something to be desired -- after only a couple of hundred miles the fabric has wrinkled.
Some early press reports mentioned that the sound of the bike entered into the design criteria. The 2008 is more satisfying auditorially when the engine, intake, and exhaust are taken as a package. It has a raspy growl and resonance at WOT the 2005 does not have. Like comparing Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow if you will.
Valve train clatter is reduced.
Like the 2005 the 2008's powerplant is very smooth under 8000 to 9000 RPM.
The fairing appears to create a more compact yet smoother air capsule for the rider with less wind noise than the 2005. My 2005 when combined with the Zero Gravity Double Bubble windscreen creates a larger but less distinct capsule compared to the 2008's less turbulent and more directed air flow around the rider. One does catch a little more wind on the 2008 but it is more "managed" and an improvement over the stock configuration of the previous models. "Tucking" on the 2008 is surprisingly comfortable and quiet. It maybe that a Double Bubble windscreen may be more of an option than a necessity as with the "classic" 250Rs.
The fairing has proven to be solid. Gone are fairing shakes, squeaks, and rattles that have always accompanied the 2005.
I have noted no flat spots in throttle response.
The rear-view mirrors show a similar amount of both road and elbow as the 2005 and will benefit from a couple small convex spot mirrors.
The trip reset button is better.
The night lighting on the instruments is easy to read at night.
The head light system throws for more lumens down the road than the 2005.