My First Ride!!

[Brackstone]

Ok so I was VERY scared about my first ride.

I kept finding reasons to put it off, mainly because the only road into or out of town is a 40 MpH road and I didn't know if I was ready for that yet or not.

I kept making up excuses but I finally said "Damnit Dave, if you don't do this now you'll NEVER do it!" so I saddled up and hit the road!

I had a bit of problem using the choke while letting my bike idle but I figured it out. By the time I was done putting my gear on I was ready to ride

I went and got my gas tank filled then headed back home!

I have two questions.

1. My only problem is it seemed even in 6th gear on my ninja when I was doing 35MpH my RPMs was at 4500. They tell me to keep it under 4k RPMs for the first 400 miles but I couldn't seem to do it on my road. Did I leave my choke on a bit by accident?

2. The guy at the gas station kept pushing premium gasoline on me saying all motorcycles need the high octane. But I told him I only wanted 87. He asked me if I wanted to "fill up" and I think he charged me a flat rate for my gas because when he tried to sell me up an octane he told me it was only $10 more. Did I pick the right octane? Is there a flat rate fillup for motorcycles?

All and all I'm still tingling from the experience. Man was it hot! I wanted to ride longer but I was sweating so much in my leather jacket I figured Is hould stop. I can see the importance of proper ventilated gear. I didn't even notice how dehydrated I was till I got off the bike and came inside.

[Johnj]

Dave

1) You shouldn't have your bike in 6th gear while doing 35mph, 4th would probably be fine.

2) Go to a self-service station and pump your own gas. That way you can put in whatever grade you want, then pay the just for the gas you pump.

[Brackstone]

Dave

1) You shouldn't have your bike in 6th gear while doing 35mph, 4th would probably be fine.

2) Go to a self-service station and pump your own gas. That way you can put in whatever grade you want, then pay the just for the gas you pump.

Hi John,

Thanks for the advice.

I don't know why it was running so high at that gear, maybe I wasn't upshifting properly.

Here in Jersey there are no self-service stations, it's illegal.

[dr_bar]

I don't care about the law, I have never let an attendant pump my fuel. That goes for every state I've travelled in from WA,OR, CA, and from the east coast of Canada down to Boston, into NY state and across the northern states bordering on Canada. Ther worst that I had to deal with was an attendant that said he had to start the pump for me...

[Brackstone]

I don't care about the law, I have never let an attendant pump my fuel. That goes for every state I've travelled in from WA,OR, CA, and from the east coast of Canada down to Boston, into NY state and across the northern states bordering on Canada. Ther worst that I had to deal with was an attendant that said he had to start the pump for me...

Hi Dr_Bar,

Sorry if I wasn't more clear. They did let me pump my own gas after the guy got it started for me. My understanding was John was recommending me to go to a self service pump station to completely cut out the attendant and those don't exist here in jersey.

[Septimus]

Ignore the "high octane is better for your motorcycle" crap. Your fuel requirements are in your manual and I imagine the 250 is the same as the 500 - 87 octane.

The attendant is not a gas salesman.

[Dragon on Wheels]

It's very hard to keep it under 4000 rpms unless you're willing to move around at about 25 mph. I would agree with the earlier post that you probably shouldn't be in 6th gear for 35 mph.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'flat rate'. Doesn't the gas pump say how much it is depending on how much gas you put in?

Also, make sure you drink lots of fluids after your ride! (maybe before too, but make sure you can reach a bathroom)

[ceemes]

Ignore the "high octane is better for your motorcycle" "crumb". Your fuel requirements are in your manual and I imagine the 250 is the same as the 500 - 87 octane.

The attendant is not a gas salesman.

I've recently started putting 89 octane (mid grade) fuel into the ole Sabre and have found I am getting better performance and mileage. Could be because its an old bike and needs a little more juice in its juice.

[Veda]

when he tried to sell me up an octane he told me it was only $10 more

Maybe he said or meant to say 10 cents more?

[Brackstone]

when he tried to sell me up an octane he told me it was only $10 more

Maybe he said or meant to say 10 cents more?

Hmm that is a good point, you could be right. I'll check the sign next time I'm goin by.