Would a Ninja 250 be a good bike to take to California Superbike School?

Dauntless · 05-09-2012, 07:58 AM

I am going to take the one day course at the California Superbike School. I have never been on a track before but I have been riding street bikes for 15 years. Should I use their BMW S1000RRs or bring my own bike. I currently have an R1200R but I have been thinking about buying a Ninja 250.

Yossarian™ · 05-09-2012, 08:02 AM

Use their bike.

If you are worried about damaging it, then buy the waiver insurance and have at it.

ikonoklass · 05-09-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauntless

I am going to take the one day course at the California Superbike School. I have never been on a track before but I have been riding street bikes for 15 years. Should I use their BMW S1000RRs or bring my own bike. I currently have an R1200R but I have been thinking about buying a Ninja 250.

My only concern would be your lack of speed relative to everyone else. The last time I was there, Karel Abraham was in the class, and he lapped the whole field repeatedly. He missed me by inches one time and apologized. Passing happens constantly, but i don't think it's particularly safe to be way slower than everyo else. On the other hand, Keith would probably say it was fine.

outlaws justice · 05-09-2012, 08:16 AM

I used a 500 Ninja on my first track day. If it is a tight technical track no problem, use the small bike and work on your cornering skills, if there is a lot of big straights and places to make big speed the 250 might not be a good choice. If that is the case look for a SV650 or something along those lines.

DAKEZ · 05-09-2012, 08:25 AM

It would be a FUN bike to take to Superbike School.

Mr. Magoo · 05-09-2012, 08:32 AM

I've taken the school. Use their bikes. Have a great time!

lemieuxmc · 05-09-2012, 08:51 AM

And since the BMW S1000rr has all of those gee-whiz electronics and the worlds finest ABS... well, you can just pin it and enjoy the ride!

ADVISORY WARNING!
This is a facetious and sarcastic post intended to illustrate the fact that technology never trumps stupidity, it only holds it off long enough to build up enough momentum for a really spectacular outcome. There is no inference, express or implied, that the BMW S1000rr or any of the other technologically superior BMW products aren't the greatest thing in motorcycling since the invention of assless chaps.

fast4d · 05-09-2012, 09:45 AM

use the school bike and damage it? you'll be responsible up to x amount. I think the limit is $2500 but please ask them.

ninja 250 is fine. I've see FG650/dualsport type bikes there.

Jim Moore · 05-09-2012, 01:34 PM

I'd either take the 12R or rent one of the school bikes. The 12R woudl be good practice for yoru daily rides. Otoh, if you've never been on a superbike, they're ... well ... terrifying. In a good way.

willis 2000 · 05-09-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemieuxmc

ADVISORY WARNING!
This is a facetious and sarcastic post intended to illustrate the fact that technology never trumps stupidity, it only holds it off long enough to build up enough momentum for a really spectacular outcome. There is no inference, express or implied, that the BMW S1000rr or any of the other technologically superior BMW products aren't the greatest thing in motorcycling since the invention of assless chaps.

The inertia of stupidity, I learn something new every day.

B.Curvin · 05-09-2012, 03:44 PM

Go for it. You'll be laughing in your helmet when you go around the outside of the guy on the S1000RR that left his 250 at home.

Mr. Magoo · 05-09-2012, 03:45 PM

What track?

Dauntless · 05-09-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Magoo

What track?

Thunderbolt Raceway in New Jersey.

car94 · 05-09-2012, 06:56 PM

Slow bikes are FUN to ride fast! I have taken my CRF230 with knobbies to the track. My XR650 and I have ridden a Ninja 250.

Misti Hurst · 05-15-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauntless

I am going to take the one day course at the California Superbike School. I have never been on a track before but I have been riding street bikes for 15 years. Should I use their BMW S1000RRs or bring my own bike. I currently have an R1200R but I have been thinking about buying a Ninja 250.

I'm a coach with the school and have been for the past 8 years. I'd say do whatever you are most comfortable with :) It is easier to ride the school bikes as you don't have to worry about transporting it to the track, gas, maintenance, and fixing it if you crash. The S1000RR's are amazing and fun to ride and you are only liable up to a certain amount (ask the office exactly what that is) so if you crash and only do $100 worth of damage then that is all you pay.

The Ninja 250 would be absolutely fine to ride at the school, we have students on all manner of bikes and sometimes the slowest ones are the ones on the "fastest" bikes.

Enjoy and have FUN whatever bike you choose and if you have any more questions about the school then just let me know and I'd be happy to answer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.Curvin

Go for it. You'll be laughing in your helmet when you go around the outside of the guy on the S1000RR that left his 250 at home.

Hehehehehe, soooo true!!

05-09-2012, 07:58 AM	#1
Dauntless ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Maryland Oddometer: 140	Would a Ninja 250 be a good bike to take to California Superbike School? I am going to take the one day course at the California Superbike School. I have never been on a track before but I have been riding street bikes for 15 years. Should I use their BMW S1000RRs or bring my own bike. I currently have an R1200R but I have been thinking about buying a Ninja 250.

05-09-2012, 08:02 AM	#2
Yossarian™ Deputy Cultural Attaché Joined: Jul 2007 Location: the 'Ha Oddometer: 8,130	Use their bike. If you are worried about damaging it, then buy the waiver insurance and have at it. __________________ Successfully surviving motorcycling since 1976.

05-09-2012, 08:16 AM	#4
outlaws justice Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: Watertown NY Oddometer: 787	I used a 500 Ninja on my first track day. If it is a tight technical track no problem, use the small bike and work on your cornering skills, if there is a lot of big straights and places to make big speed the 250 might not be a good choice. If that is the case look for a SV650 or something along those lines. __________________ David 2005 KTM950 Adventure, 2005 Yamaha Vmax, 2002 BMW K1200RS, 2005 Suzuki SV650S, 1991 Honda VFR750, 1990 Honda Hawk GT, 2004 Honda CRF250X, 2000 Buell Blast................

05-09-2012, 08:25 AM	#5
DAKEZ Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,983	It would be a FUN bike to take to Superbike School. __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

05-09-2012, 09:45 AM	#8
fast4d Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Oddometer: 1,545	use the school bike and damage it? you'll be responsible up to x amount. I think the limit is $2500 but please ask them. ninja 250 is fine. I've see FG650/dualsport type bikes there. __________________ Alan 2011 KTM RC8R 2012 BMW S1000RR 2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100

05-09-2012, 08:32 AM	#6
Mr. Magoo Follow me; I'm lost! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Sandhills of NC Oddometer: 4,286	I've taken the school. Use their bikes. Have a great time!

05-09-2012, 08:51 AM	#7
lemieuxmc Banned Joined: Mar 2009 Location: East La Jolla... it's just Clairemont!! Oddometer: 3,360	And since the BMW S1000rr has all of those gee-whiz electronics and the worlds finest ABS... well, you can just pin it and enjoy the ride! ADVISORY WARNING! This is a facetious and sarcastic post intended to illustrate the fact that technology never trumps stupidity, it only holds it off long enough to build up enough momentum for a really spectacular outcome. There is no inference, express or implied, that the BMW S1000rr or any of the other technologically superior BMW products aren't the greatest thing in motorcycling since the invention of assless chaps.

05-09-2012, 01:34 PM	#9
Jim Moore Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2001 Location: Jax, FL Oddometer: 10,301	I'd either take the 12R or rent one of the school bikes. The 12R woudl be good practice for yoru daily rides. Otoh, if you've never been on a superbike, they're ... well ... terrifying. In a good way. __________________ Jim Moore "Marines good. Press bad" -Turkish

05-09-2012, 03:44 PM	#11
B.Curvin Feral Chia tamer Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Left of the dial. Canton, NC Oddometer: 2,596	Go for it. You'll be laughing in your helmet when you go around the outside of the guy on the S1000RR that left his 250 at home. __________________ Mutt'n the custard. On the outside with my back turned.

05-09-2012, 03:45 PM	#12
Mr. Magoo Follow me; I'm lost! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Sandhills of NC Oddometer: 4,286	What track?

05-09-2012, 06:56 PM	#14
car94 What's this Box for? Joined: Sep 2010 Location: West Central Missouri Oddometer: 1,871	Slow bikes are FUN to ride fast! I have taken my CRF230 with knobbies to the track. My XR650 and I have ridden a Ninja 250. __________________ Ride Your Own Ride

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