riding a 250cc (or less) bike on the 401 (or other major highways)

OMGSelenaGomez said:
Ninja 250 / CBR 250 are fine on those highways. You can safely merge at the right speed and can comfortably give yourself space without fear of getting tailgated.

125 is another story. Started out on a CBR 125 and there was many issues riding on 100km/h stretches of highway. For one, it's impossible to hit 100km/h only given the merge lane. Secondly, it tops out at 105ish on an incline and 115ish on a flat surface. Not being able to give yourself room between cars is not something you want.
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Either you weren't in the correct gear, or you are really heavy (I'll assume wrong gear). Hitting an onramp at 100km should be no problem, as should cruising at 120km.
 
recently got up to 162 on the GPS an a Ninja 250. Thats fast enough for just about any highway...and wasn't really tucking.

edit: just wanted to point out speedo was saying just a hair under 180...I wish.
 
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Anybody rides 2up on the highway with a 250?
 
victorbrca said:
Anybody rides 2up on the highway with a 250?
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I have. Back then I was 265 lbs and my girlfriend was 200. Had to keep it pinned in 5th just to hold 120-125 km/h on the speedo. Though, my friend does have larger tires on it. 120/70 front and 150/70 rear. I'm only 195 lbs now and when I ride his bike from time to time, it feels MUCH faster now. I wouldn't know what the weight difference would do on my fz6r for a comparison, as I got it when I was 195 as well.
 
Good to know. I'm still a long way before feeling comfortable for the highway... but I'm happy my gf will be able to tag along when I'm ready.
 
Cranky Pete said:
I think a distinction needs to be made between the 401 (GTA) and the 401 outside the city. Once you're clear of the city, it's like any other highway. Within the GTA (Mon-Fri) it's a mess--tons of truck traffic, high levels of driver aggression, and lots and lots of lanes. Whether or not it's statistically dangerous, it just gives me the heebie jeebies.
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agreed. the sheer number of idiotic moves done on the 401 inside the borders of the gta is stunning. ride past the edges of the gta, and everything levels out very nicely.
 
Wasted said:
As an auto claims adjuster I can assure you that you are wrong. 90% of the claims that come across my desk happen at an intersection. #1 is a rear ender at a red light and a VERY close #2 is the left had turn at an intersection. After that it's a cluster**** if things that you can't imagine people trying to pull off. If you're nervous about having less reaction time on the highway than that is your fault for following too closely. And as for the rain, I'd rather ride on the realatively straight constant speed that a highway provides than to have to start, stop, turn, and watch out for cars on a side street.
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This is spot on. It's much easier to keep tabs on vehicles around me on the highway then city streets. Not to mention the fact that there are no intersections and we're all going in the same direction. If I don't like how someone else is driving on the highway I can easily move away from them.
 
5:12 said:
Sorry, I meant to say: anymore cruiser bike stories/experience? windshield/no windshield?

:)
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To be honest, I've been here a few years and I can't think of many 250cc cruiser riders who can give their experiences. Try beginnerbikers.org, there are more cruiser riders and advocate starting on smaller bikes.
 
alhope34 said:
I have. Back then I was 265 lbs and my girlfriend was 200. Had to keep it pinned in 5th just to hold 120-125 km/h on the speedo. Though, my friend does have larger tires on it. 120/70 front and 150/70 rear. I'm only 195 lbs now and when I ride his bike from time to time, it feels MUCH faster now. I wouldn't know what the weight difference would do on my fz6r for a comparison, as I got it when I was 195 as well.
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Wow...what is the load limit for the Ninja 250r? My CBR250 has a limit of 365, the bike itself weighs 366...
 
victorbrca said:
Good to know. I'm still a long way before feeling comfortable for the highway... but I'm happy my gf will be able to tag along when I'm ready.
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Well yea, if it's taking TTC or Ninja, the choice is obvious, but you shouldn't expect much from your gf after a long ride LOL

Have you ever been on the back seat ?
It hurts =)

For this reason only actually, I sometimes wish I had a cruiser =))
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