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. There are also some kits to adapt standard handlebars. [http://www.storzperf.com/ Storz Performance Products] makes one. The bolt spacing for the Concours is the same as the Ninja 250, so call and see if the current kit will work on the 250.

*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 ~~it appears that~~ Corbin ~~will only do one in person. As of July, 2006, there is no known manufacturer of~~ a ~~pre~~-made ~~"custom" Ninja~~ 250 ~~seat~~.

*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.

*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.

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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. There are also some kits to adapt standard handlebars. [http://www.storzperf.com/ Storz Performance Products] makes one. The bolt spacing for the Concours is the same as the Ninja 250, so call and see if the current kit will work on the 250.
 *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 it appears that Corbin will only do one in person. As of July, 2006, there is no known manufacturer of a pre-made "custom" Ninja 250 seat.
+*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.
 *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.