Just started

Just got my first bike, Ninja 300 with a mile on the odometer. She's already up to 150 or so. Still taking it slow (mostly) and learning. Any tips for noobs? Also, does anyone have experience with the Dowco WeatherAll Plus bike covers?



So far I'm loving it. Though to ride around in Nashville traffic takes balls of steel. I thought about getting a louder pipe, but they don't sound good on the 300.

 

Congrats! Nice bike.
Tips...ride like you are invisible to all the cars out there. Always have a plan B. Look into taking a MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) course.

Good luck!

 

congrat's on the bike it looks good. Like Hardscrabble said ride like you are invisible to all the cars, but have fun and take your time. I personally hate riding around the city any more people just don't care so I mostly ride out in the twisties when I have a chance.

 

Can't stress how much the MSF course helped me. Highly recommend taking one.

 

Yep MSF guy here too! Class is so helpful, I know it's made me worlds better and safer out there! Highly recommended.

 

I'll definitely take the MSF... can't hurt, right? I'm getting accustomed to the traffic, but I still get super paranoid on the highways, I guess due to the speed I'm traveling. That and I'm 6'1" so the wind screen is doing nothing. I've already had a run in with a left-turner not paying attention... but I slowed down because I know he couldn't see me. I like riding at night past 8 or 9 when there's very little traffic. So much better of a time to ride!

 

Also, do you guys have tips for washing the bike? So far I've just been going to the coin wash and using the "triple foam" blaster, since it seems to get in all of the nooks and crannies.

 

With the left turners, whenever I approach someone who looks like they could be turning I slow down a little. One thing the MSF taught me well was to always look ahead on the road to anticipate what it going to happen.

With washing, I take my seat off and just use a hose and a hand sponge. But I have a harley sportster, so everything is a lot more exposed. Don't have the fairing with the nooks and crannies.

 

Just popped these nokya hyper yellows in. Should help with visibility me thinks.

 

I have ridden for decades and have been very lucky. But the passenger cars make riding a dangerous sport.

I say passenger cars; for a reason; as most accidents involve them. Commercial drivers, and most truck drivers watch their surroundings more carefully that automobile drivers.

I don't know if it has gotten worse or not; but driver do seem to be distracted. Ok, Cell phones, multi-tasking, whatever. Yea, I had a boss that always told us that she was a good at multitasking; not so, she wasn't good at anything.

Watch those cars!

They don't watch for you.

oldracer

 

Yep MSF class will help you be safe. Just assume they can't see you unless you can actually see them! Been close many times, and have actually gone down too. Another word of wisdom invest in good safety riding gear. You never hear riders say after a crash, "gee wish I had worn less" lol.

 

I got all of the gear I need, I just dont wear my jacket as much as I would like. I need to get a locker for the gym I go to, because I can't really "fold up" a riding jacket to put in my backpack haha.

I still always wear riding jeans (with the kevlar and knee pads) and gloves, helmet, and riding shoes at all times though. It's a short ride going no more than 30mph usually but still. I need to wear my jacket too. I usually wear one of those fluorescent yellow shirts though if I don't have my jacket on.

 

Took (and passed) my MSF! Finally street legal! :sunglassesemoji:

 

Some of the people there were horrible, and one poor girl was so short that she couldn't flat floot a nighthawk even though she said she was gonna get one. She ended up having to ride on a Honda rebel.

There were a couple of Groms for class use too, but I didn't want to ride one even though I thought they were cool. I figured it would be too different of a seating position and feel compared to my Ninja, so I got on a Suzuki TU250X instead. Boy was I jealous of the Grom people when it came to "the Box". Even the people who were terrible riders could turn on a dime with those things. Too bad the people riding them never got used to the clutch. They stalled them constantly.

 

I know you said you already have riding gear, if you don't have a bright color helmet I suggest getting one. In traffic and dealing with oncoming left turners it really helps you stand out. I had a helmet that matched my bike (black with flames) and switched to a white helmet with bright red, I immediately noticed a difference with cars "seeing me" I think in my msf class I heard after your headlight the next thing a driver notices is the helmet.
I would be weary of running 2 of those aftermarket bulbs, they get hot and can melt wire harnesses and have a much shorter life span, you would be stranded if they both shit out on a night ride.

 

I ended up following your advice and bought one of these! It's hi viz yellow but doesn't scream safety nerd alert! Lol

 

Nice bike! I agree the exhausts on those make it sound like a glorified lawn mower.

If you ever are looking for another helmet, I am selling my other one. HJC FG-17 Thrust. Size XL. $140 shipped
@CanisLupus

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/hjc-fg-17-thrust-helmet?gclid=CJSi9vfrhdICFRGBswodAw4ECg

 

You have a big head

Matt