My '06 Nighthawk 250

[adholmes]

I finished my MSF on a Sunday and bought this guy the next Thursday!  One owner, full service history with work done at the dealer, Givi fairing and top case. 11k on the odo. I originally wanted a red NH, but the 2006 silver color is starting to grow on me.  It doesn't do much for visibility though.

Bike was put away with fuel stabilizer and fresh oil in late December. Sadly, the PO left the battery connected so we needed a quick charge to fire it up.  That got me home ok, but the battery has drained again.  It's OE as far as I can tell and will need to be replaced.  Same with the tires (any suggestions? I can't find 90/100-18s anywhere).  Both points I used to talk him down to a price I was more interested in paying. 

I really want a NH750, but I'm taking the slow road and learning on the 250 until I earn those 750cc's.

So now I am starting a list of to-dos to bring this guy up to forum standards.

Buy a shop manual
Replace OEM emergency toolset with Craftsman
Change battery, tires, oil, brake shoes
Drain/use stabilized fuel and run half-can of Seafoam with next fill-up
Clean/lube chain, set tension
Clean & polish & more pictures!

Am I missing anything? I was the only guy ATGATT at the MSF course, so that's not an issue. I'll be asking a lot of questions and lurking plenty more, so thanks in advance for sharing all the great info with complete strangers like me.

-Andrew

[Tryvelcro]

   to the addiction!  I like your approach, and I think she's purty and all matchy-matchy!!

Did you try motorcycle-superstore.com for tires?  They have a pretty broad variety at good prices.

[Laminar]

A 100/90-18 tire has the exact same diameter and circumference as a 90/100-18 tire and you have many more options for tires. It's theoretically wider which could cause rubbing issues, but I'd doubt it.

[Bumblebee]

Clean/lube chain, set chain slack

Fixed that for ya. Looser is better than tight. Just don't get it too loose. Do what the book says and check it every 300 miles.

Don't get in a big hurry to wrench on stuff. Start slow and go from there. Also figure out precisely what tools you need and replace the chinese junk with useful sizes for the type of riding you do.

Does ATGATT mean a full face helmet? If not, it should.
Of course you're not using jeans as crash pants.

For colors when it's an option: Think high contrast, not bright colors. Bright red or bright blue is near invisible against the typical eye level background shadow. Screaming yellow or radioactive puke lime green is good stuff.
BTW, even if you're a lighthouse in a black hole, at 10 feet with the fresnel aimed directly into the cagers eyes, you're still completely totally absolutely invisible. Behave accordingly.

Go to the local school or whatever parking lot that's empty and practice those MSF maneuvers at least 2 hours per month. MSF is a minimum standard for being safe in a parking lot. Minimum standards are inadequate. Train to a higher standards and stay proficient. Get creative and add to those maneuvers. Do things like emergency stops from more realistic 30 and 50mph.

Stay humble and have fun.

[adholmes]

Thanks for the welcome everybody.  And especially thanks to Bumblebee.  I know it's a rite of passage to get the scared straight riot act read to me!  Heck, most of what I wrote was an attempt to show I've already been lurking/learning.
I want to be sure I pass the test so ATGATT means to me a DOT & SNELL approved full-face Scorpion helmet, Fieldsheer textile jacket and pants with CE-approved armor, ankle-covering boots and motorcycle gloves with knuckle and palm protection, even if I'm grabbing a can of soup from the grocery store at the end of the street.  I already have my school parking lot staked out (I'm going to cut tennis balls in half for markers, how's that for an idea?) and I won't have to go more than 25mph and a mile to get there.  I have no desire to become a stain/statistic. I've already read Proficient Motorcycling and am burning through any other texts I can get my hands on.  I'll have to go back through that book often as I progress. 

Looking back at what I've written there, it appears I'm bragging about being humble.  Oh well.  I've def. come here to learn, so forgive me if I'm eager to show off what I've learned already.

As for tires, motorcycle-superstore.com has a few choices in the front 100/90-18, from $43 Shinko to $132 Metzeler Lasertecs.  The rear is specc'd 120/90-16 which has zero choices.  In fact, the only manuf. that has tires in sizes close to both my front and rear are those Metzelers.  100/90H-18 in the front and 130/90V in the rear.  $248.98 BEFORE I pay someone to put them on.  Ouch.  Is it worth it?

-Andrew

[Bumblebee]

That's not the riot act. Just general advice. You're off to a good start.

I thought about the tennis balls thing at one point. The parking space stripes in the parking lot work just as good if you treat them as limits and turn points. If you're really pushing the limits of your ability or near the edge of traction and go over a half tennis ball, you might end up on the ground... Heck, I end up picking my motorcycle up at least half a dozen times per hour as it is while doing slow school stuff.

[HandsomeSteve]

  Nice ride, like the looks of that fairing too!

[Burgi]

  Ouch.  Is it worth it?

-Andrew

 
Can't say if it is worth it to you but I've got Metzlers on two bikes and the life span has been MUCH better than other brands I tried. If you have to pay someone twice as often to install a cheaper tire figure that in your cost. However, if you won't be riding to much and tires will rot from old age before they wear out take that into consideration.

[muttstang]

great looking 250!  I really like the look of that fairing on there.  It is a nice touch

Welcome!

[detdrbuzzard]

thats one of the best looking NH250's ive seen.  to NHF adholmes

[Hawks_Nest]

Very nice looking bike. to the forum.  It's a fun bike and get the most out of it before you consider an upgrade.

Before you dis the battery, please check the fluid levels. If one of the cells are low in fluid level, refill with distilled (de-ionized) water. You can get a gallon jar at local pharmacy/supemarket for less than $2.

Ride safe.

[JB1290]

  to the NHF. Nice bike you have there. Congrats on taking the MSF course and seeking out more information to keep yourself safe. Many new riders don't do that and think that having a couple of hours riding time automatically makes them proficient enough for everyday riding. Plus, many of them do not understand the need for proper gear.

Kudos to you for not being one of them.

Ride safe   

[adholmes]

Before you dis the battery, please check the fluid levels. If one of the cells are low in fluid level, refill with distilled (de-ionized) water.

That's a great idea. I was going to take it to an Auto Zone and have them run diagnostics on it. I/they can check the fluid levels then. I guess I assumed a 4.5 year old battery would be shot.

Since its on the street, I was thinking of a solar trickle charger to keep it charged between rides. Does anyone have any experience with one of those?

-Andrew

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

[JB1290]

Here is a good tool kit for you.

http://www.bikebandit.com/cruz-tools-dmx2-tool-kit?WT.mc_id=2202184

[n5tbu]

Welcome,and that silver 250 is more visible than my Black Beauty 250 was! I still miss her tho.

[NH750Kitch]

+1 on the welcome and what a nicely decked out 250!  I have great affection for the baby Nighthawks as they are a direct descendant of my old CB175.  Congratulations on a sensible and stylish choice! 

[BlackLabel82]

Great looking 250! I like the fairing and the color. I've always liked silver on bikes. The givi case is a nice touch too! Work on your skills, always gear up, and don't ride beyond your abilities and before ya know it you'll be on the 750 and then onto the Big 1! 

[drdubb]

Like the bike...sounds like you are doing things right. Congratulations!

[hppants]

Welcome to the group Andrew - ride safe.

You are an ambassador for motorcycling.  I'll admit that I didn't start out taking all of the steps you have.  You are doing it right.

I like the silver - it's a good looking bike.

Where do you call home?

Best of luck to you. 

[gammer]

Hi Andrew and 

I like the colour and fairing on that 250...very nice.

I'm sorry if I missed it, but where are you located?

[Ol School]

Nice looking 250 ..I`d be proud to own it ...

[green427]

 

Those silver 250's are rare, you don't see many of them around. Most are either red or black. Even harder to find are the white ones.

I am seriously considering selling my wife's Rebel for one of those NH 250's. The cruiser riding position is just not working out for either one of us.

[allen_cherokee]

Hello I was wondering if you found a replacement front tire for your Nighthawk? If so what size did you use? I went to the local Honda dealer yesterday and they said that the 100/80-18 Dunlap D404 would be a almost exact fit to the OEM size and it was only $70. I'm still trying to find something cheaper for mine since its only a commuter and not a Harley or something. If you still need a battery i found one for my 91 CB250 for under $40 at Advance Auto Parts.

This is a post to my bike 
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,14379.new.html#new

[frz]

Like the color.

[Poligrafovich]

As for tires, motorcycle-superstore.com has a few choices in the front 100/90-18, from $43 Shinko to $132 Metzeler Lasertecs.  The rear is specc'd 120/90-16 which has zero choices.  In fact, the only manuf. that has tires in sizes close to both my front and rear are those Metzelers.

Check again. MSS has Kenda K657s in 100/90-18 and 120/90-16.

A 100/90-18 tire has the exact same diameter and circumference as a 90/100-18 tire and you have many more options for tires. It's theoretically wider which could cause rubbing issues, but I'd doubt it.

I can confirm this. My wife's bike has the above mentioned Kendas and the 100/90 front has a good 3/8" clearance everywhere. 100/90 is a better replacement for the NLA 90/100 than 100/80 since, as Laminar points out, the diameter is an exact match.