Will be picking up my new '09 Candy Plasma Blue 250R tomorrow morning!!!! This will be my first motorcycle; I have been riding a scooter prior to this.

Looking forward to interacting with you guys and learning lots of useful info.


Deb

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome Deb! You're going to love the lil zx2.

welcome! another blue one jons the site. WE SHOULD CHANGE THE SITE TO BLUE250R.NET!

Hey welcome, id love to hear a first ride report....
Easy to learn on or not so much... Dropped it kept it up or saved it...more power than you expected or not as much....
You know that type of stuff....

Well I got my blue ninja on Saturday and the dealer delivered it to the house for me. After he unloaded it from the truck, it was just starting to rain so I only took it for a quick spin around the block. LOVED IT!!!!!

But...............I must admit I am having trouble withthe "friction zone". I stalled out a couple of times trying to start after braking at a stop sign. I know it'll tak time to learn the feel of it but it is quite embarrassing! Once I get going, I am fine. I can shift/brake with no problems whatsoever. Just can't seem to get a smooth start.

ANY TIPS OR HELPFUL suggestions would be greatly appreciated. For now, I plan to practice in the parking lot a block away from my house until I get it.

The ride was AWESOME though.

What I was taught was to let the clutch out really slowly without turning the throttle till you feel the bike start to move then slowly turn the throttle at the same time as slowly letting out the clutch all the way.
Did you take the MSF course?

Yes I did thake the MSF course a few weeks ago. By the end of the course, I was able to start w/out stalling. I'm sure that I just need to get some additional practice in. Every bike is different also. I feel confident about it and will just practice in the driveway until I am proficient. I am in no rush to get it out on the streets w/out being 100% prepared.

Also do what they taught you in MSF (if they in fact still teach it)... sit with both feet on the ground (as much as possible depending on your height) and slowly let the clutch out, once you feel it engage, pull the clutch back in. Basically rocking the bike back and forth with the clutch and your legs. This will get you accustom to where it engages. Once you have a good idea of where it engages, then work on easing the throttle open as you ease the clutch out like the amazing SubZero suggested.

Thanks SubZero and Zmoe for your helpful suggestions. I will be doing those exercises in my driveway/garage this weekend.

By the way, they do still teach that at the MSF class.

Thanks guys!!!!!!