hey guys im a newer 250 owner but ive ridden motorcycles before... just had the 250 for a week and finally took it on the freeway. it seems to be really bouncy. i mean im a little guy only about 130lbs and i checked the rear shock setting and looks like it is on 1. it should be the softest setting right? anything i can do to make the ride less bouncy? bigger tires? sprocket size? etc?

Im 120 lbs. and this is my first bike. I will have had the bike a year in two weeks. According to professional suspension advice preload for me should be a click lower than capable with stock suspension. Freeway riding was fine for me after getting used to it. I have since purchased larger tires 120/150 and it made a huge difference in greater stability but sacrificed with slightly less flickablity. I also just installed an aftermarket shock with spring matched for my weight and am going to try it out for the first time this morning. I wouldn't necessarily advise getting a new shock for the price of shock to price of bike ratio isn't good. I don't see how changing sprockets would help your issue. There are a few riders on here that are around your weight and the shock works well for them (Subzero, minizoom).

I'm 136 pounds and so far have never had to adjust my suspension. Stock settings are set for my weight. I've had the bike (and myself :D) see Dave Moss with Catalyst Reaction and Dave(?) with Aftershock Suspension and both have said the same thing. I think it's just one of those things you get used to. Adjusting it at this point would only make the bike more bouncy (for lack of a better word) from my understanding as the pre-load is set tighter so the bike will ride more rigid. Stock is the softest setting for your weight.

I have since purchased larger tires 120/150 and it made a huge difference in greater stability but sacrificed with slightly less flickablity.

Hhhhmmm. I find that a tad bit odd. My tires (BT 090) are larger then stock and I have noticed an increase in "flickability" not a decrease. Same thing I experienced on my 04 250R when I had larger then stock tires on that bike. I had started doing that because of the increased stability and "flickability" as told to me by the expert racers who taught me how to ride.

Hhhhmmm. I find that a tad bit odd. My tires (BT 090) are larger then stock and I have noticed an increase in "flickability" not a decrease. Same thing I experienced on my 04 250R when I had larger then stock tires on that bike. I had started doing that because of the increased stability and "flickability" as told to me by the expert racers who taught me how to ride.
what? okay. what size tires are we talking here? How could adding a larger contact patch, more drag, and more stickiness make the bike more "flickable"?

hey guys, thanks for the advice, i think it was just the freeway i was on cuz it only happened that time... it was my first time on the freeway on my new bike so i was just concerned.

My advice.. Find better roads...

Some of the freeways here in Socal are so choppy it's ridicules...
Much of the 10 fwy is like riding a wash board...

Washboard? I got your washboard right here.
The 110 south carpool lanes (both of them) between the 10 to the 91.
I can no longer drink coffee at home in the morning before this commute.
Nuff said.

The 605 freeway between the 91 and 405 is bumpy as well. I'm plan on getting 150 rear tires this week.

I' m 290 lb. and wonder if my new ninja will be able to handle it ?

You should be fine...

I've gone 2-up with my gf on the 250 and had no problem doin 80ish... I'm sure our combined weight is comparable to the figure you mentioned... She'll ride like a Cadillac...

...i checked the rear shock setting and looks like it is on 1. it should be the softest setting right? ...

I believe that it has been decided that it was the road, but I don't think this question was answered. Yes, 1 is the "softest" setting.

what? okay. what size tires are we talking here? How could adding a larger contact patch, more drag, and more stickiness make the bike more "flickable"?

i second this question! someone is confused about what the senses are telling them. definitely not a development rider in the making eh!

I'm 300 lb and my rear spring is set on 4. The bike handles marvelously well.

i weigh around 130 and my 11 ninja rides smooth, depending on the road that is.. the 405 south gets a bit rough and the bike gets "bouncy" but its just the road, my gixxer 600 did the same thing.