Well after waiting since early May for one of these to turn up I finally paid the balance and got the keys from Metropolis in Vauxhall.
First impressions; It's very green! Second; god it's tiny. Third; seats a bit hard.
Having spent the last twenty two odd years on bigger bikes, VFR750/800's mostly, this is really a toy to play with. It's a stage of life thing I guess. I saw it at last years show in Docklands and I was thinking of getting a "back up" scooter but just couldn't bring myself to do it. This seemed to fit
the bill.
Right, so, leg over and here we go. Did I mention it's tiny? I come in at 5'6" plus change, so it's a mind thing because it's not really that small even if it's the first bike I've had where I could have both feet flat on the ground at the same time. Need to get my brain around the new scale of things. On goes the engine first time with a little throttle, all well and good, slip the clutch and up
the revs.... hang on where's the bite? More revs... nope... okay 6000 finally gets me going! Hmm this is going to be interesting since the manual states "Don't go over 4000 for the first 600 miles".(?). If anyone who is not a member of the clergy manages 600 miles on one of these without going over 4000 revs
I will be amazed.
Those 6000 revs in first will get you to a grand old speed of around 15 MPH. So no wheelies away from the lights until it's run in I guess. It becomes very obvious as I run around the one way system that the Ninja needs lot's of gear-changing and revs to keep up in the traffic.
Here's the a problem, every single car driver seems to expect me to be able to do 0-60 in a
gnat's tadgers. Isn't going to happen. The mirrors make everything behind me look like its on my arse... oh! they are!! The mirrors are very nice and give a good view of the traffic bearing down on me as I work my way up the Embankment into Central London.
I've read most of the reviews and they all condemn the Thai tyres fitted to the Ninja. I don't think they are as bad as they believe, but then I remember the JapLop tyres that I had on my 250 Superdream back in the mists of time. They were crap even in the dry! These tyres are Ok for around town and straight line work but you will not be getting your knee down with them. Not unless you want it followed by the rest of your body and the bike! Maybe I'll get them changed at the first service.
Despite what this may read like, this bike is fun. After about five miles I've got the hang of pulling away from the lights without being run over by the car behind; Lots of revs, only stay in first for as long as it takes you to get your foot under the gear shift, then second very briefly then into
third as quickly as you can. Once this thing has all it's revs available it will be even more fun. I find myself grinning like a loon going across Blackfrairs bridge. Did I mention that this is fun?
I get more comments in 30 minutes than I have on any other bike. Unusually they are all polite! "Is that an import?", "Is that an R6 ?", (Err no!). Generally it seems to turn the heads of all the scooter boys. Well good, maybe it will encourage them off of their scooters onto a "real" bike. Equally
the "Big Boys" give me a sideways glance as they zip past me at what seems like insane speeds. Is that me on the VFR?
The brakes are very good. More than enough to pull a stoppy if that is you thing. The tyres are relatively narrow so it feels a little twitchy over the London tarmac but not dangerously so. The engine is very revvy and has a nice whine to it at 6000 that has me grinning again. You can see this 4000 has gone out of the window can't you?
The finish on the bike looks good, although there are a few missing paint flakes around the footrest hangers by the time I finish my first day out. The exhaust can is very chrome and sets the look of the bike off nicely. However the downpipes look like something that should be hanging out off of a gas boiler! They are not going to last. 22mm mild steel I would say. Let's hope the aftermarket comes out with something to match the standard pipe in a better finish.
Dog leg(ish) levers are an easy reach even for small fingers. The clutch action is easy and light but I did manage to get the brake lever all the way to the grip on a couple of occasions before I adjusted my brain to the force actually needed. This bike is quite light after all.
By the end of the day I've put in 80 odd miles, not a lot I know but I was working as well. I could have doubled that without a doubt and no aching back or numb fingers. The riding position is quite upright for a "sports" bike but I think if you're over 6" you might have a different opinion.
All in a very enjoyable first day out. Remember A: it's a 250 not a 600. B: It's fun just like biking is supposed to be.
