My Ninja Story

[poet79ful]

NICE video. So it took 47 hours from cali to Florida? I am thinking baout buying the Ninja because for one I like the price. I don't want to spend $10,000 on a motorcycle. The 250 are selling for under $4,000. Were you able to travel at a constant speed of 75-80? I want to do the same trip you did but I live in Phoneix Arizona and I never been in the Northern part of the U.S. I have riden from Florida to Az. A very nce ride but now I want to do what you did but maybe Nova Scotia towards Alaska

[errezeta55]

Even four years later, yours is still the best Ninja story. Very inspiring. Question: with all your luggage, what was your typical speed on the I-5 and was the cruising comfortable? I'm thinking of buying a Ninja 250 and am wondering what long distance freeway riding will be like on the Kawasaki. Cheers!

[ddennis669]

@errezeta55

Thanks for the nice comment. Typical freeway speed was the flow of traffic. The 250 Ninja was fine at 70-75 mph and can run faster in certain stretches when needed. I know and have ridden with at least three other 250 riders that have crossed the continent on their 250s, and the common modification is to run a 15 tooth sprocket. That is the biggest improvement in cruising comfort.

[ddennis669]

@errezeta55

I made a number of other changes to deal with comfort on long stretches of highway. First, the addition of a Corbin saddle. Second, I used a taller windshield from Mike on the Ninja250 forum. Last I added some one inch bar risers. All of these things improved comfort for my six foot tall body on the interstates. It pushes a little more air sitting upright, so my mileage may have been worse then a smaller person in a tuck.

[ddennis669]

@errezeta55

The bike was also used in 2008 to go over 1400 miles from Mexico to Canada on I-15 in under 24 hours. I travelled with a friend on a 950 KTM and while I don't recall exceeding 85 mph for any significant distance, we did spend most of that day over 70 mph. It had to breathe hard to get over the Continental Divide with my speed dropping below 55, but doubt any one else covered that same stretch in less time that day.

[ddennis669]

@errezeta55

Its biggest test was in 2010. My wife and I travelled from California to Michigan, DC, Tennessee, Florida, and then back to California. We didn't get any speeding tickets going uphill, the climb over the Rockies in Colorado was tough, and the rear section of the Corbin required some tenacity on the part of my wife, but we made it and had an experience we will always cherish. We took 4 days to get to MI, 2 more to get to DC. 1 day to TN. 1 day to FL, and then 4 days to get back west.

[ddennis669]

@errezeta55

While I understand there are many ways to enjoy motorcycling, and the Ninja is not for everyone, I have complete faith in the 250 Kawasaki's ability to cover long distances.

Again, thanks for the kind words.

[errezeta55]

@ddennis669 Wow! ... thanks for all the great information. That's very useful. Much appreciated. You've seen the entire continent and must have some incredible memories. I'm also amazed you crossed the Rockies with two up. That is quite an endorsement for the little Ninja. I'm not a speed junkie, but I am looking forward to riding a light, versatile, fun, durable bike. (Sounds like getting enough sleep will be a bigger issue!) Thanks again.

[webdk123]

Nice trip, glad you lived up your dreams, hoping to do mine sometime in my lifetime.

[thefrackingderr]

Awesome bud, I own a 2011 ninja 250r in Canada and I'm actually planing a trip from Montreal to British Columbia then down to the US and then just picking a direction! Good job following your dream!! Keep the good times coming!

[ddennis669]

From the Ironbutt Association Certification list:

50cc Quest Finishers (Coast to Coast in under 50 hours):

David C. Dennis Maricopa, CA 06/11/07 Kawasaki Ninja SDO>JAX

David C. Dennis CA  06/07 Kawasaki Ninja 250 6,712

* * * Smallest motorcycle to complete the UCC! * * *

[maverickmohan]

Did you try ironbutt certification?

[holdrich]

ddennis669, absolutely amazing film!!! Oh, it's Swissican from ADVRider.com, by the way :-) Anywho, very impressed with your trip on your Ninja. Do you think that the more PS your bike has the more difficulties you'll have on trips like the one to Deadhorse? BTW, I have a nice video of my shiny bike on my "channel". Unfortunately she'll never be that clean again :-) ...

[theyellow240z]

I don't get it...How could you dislike this film?!?!

[burnhamny]

Love this - thanks for putting it together!

[Zarah0010]

i feel like a retard i thought this was about an NINJA like black suit with mask that sneak up and kill you ninja :3

[ddennis669]

Yes. Do not always believe what the marketers or those that are unsure of themselves say about what kind of motorcycle you "need". Ride what you like.

PS - This bike also went from inside Mexico to inside Canada, crossing the Continental Divide three times in the process, in less than 24 hours.

[toddcs]

My Ninja 250 story is quite different. At age 54, I'm a first-time motorcycle rider as of less than 3 months ago. My bike: a Ninja 250 (2007). I'm already doing 150-mile romps Sunday morning before lunch, and I just love the bike. But I always have this nagging feeling that my choice of 'cycle was just a concession to my extreme inexperience, that it's not a machine for a serious biker, and can it really handle long distances, anyway? Thanks for setting me straight and putting my mind at ease!

[lux4us]

Fantastic. I have enjoyed every second of your story !

Only riders with your experience (many years of riding), or riders with tremendous drive and spirit and no money for expensive bikes, can do awesome trips like this in a small bike.

Thanks for sharing,

R del Valle

Puerto Rico

[Katjump]

very cool, thank you. I had a 2007 250 that I really regret selling. They are wonderful little bikes.

[tonyhuang619]

Wonderful video!

[sinblesser]

Just keep riding and make the odometer reach 99,999 so it turns back to 0 and you'll have a brand new bike. ^^

[frenchwv]

Congrats. I linked to this from SideStand Up.

[bobaab]

Awesome, just awesome! This is very inspiring and my dream is to do a very similar trip in my little ninja 250 too! Stay safe out there and thanks for the video!

[bsmcrider]

Fantastic you tube. My longest trip was 1077 in 21 hours. WOW!!!!!

[19hotspots]

This my friend is why I Love You Tube! This is AWESOME,and very appreciated!One question thoe did you have any parts with and how much $ did it cost roughly to go from Bottom to top? thank you..

[ddennis669]

I carry some nuts, bolts, tape, wire and fuses, along with a tire plug kit and pump. It took about 100 gallons of gas and thanks to relatives along the way only 8 of the 14 nights were spent in motels. They ranged from $50 in San Antonio to $175 in Coldfoot.

[frontier1001]

Fantastic !!

[killerxiong]

woow, crazy , i lived in alaska and thats pretty scary to be traveling like that, but since you did it during the right season i guess it was fine, awesome, but that ninja has suffer much, lol

[ananga73]

Man this is just awesome. I just got into motorcycling and was fixated on big bikes. This definitely was an eye opener.

[TheLucas2696]

Don't forget valve checks every 6,000 miles! :)

[doug20874]

An excellent adventure and an inspiration.

[glocky2]

Pretty neat!

"Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not." -- George Bernard Shaw

[jbb303]

Wow! I'm in awe and dumbfounded at the same time. lol...

Did you buy the 250 specifically for the trip? Or is it simply a case of; that's the bike you had when you decided to go?

Awesome trip!!

[ddennis669]

Well,Yes I bought it with this trip in mind, and as a daily commuter. It seemed like the perfect adventure bike!

[kachilleas]

bravo

[LittleMalcomX]

Epic trip man. Nice

[dannym1994]

damn thats rlly kool

[pocket366]

Nice work!

Any flat tires? Did you change the oil during the trip? Did you use heavy duty tubes? Do you think a Honda Crf230L single piston could do a simular trip of approximately 2000 miles? thanks.

[ddennis669]

No flat tire. I ran a rather stout Metzler ME880 touring tire on the rear, that was fresh in California, and a Kenda 761 dual sport tire that I put on in Alaska. My tires are tubeless. I would run heavy tubes if they weren't. While highway speeds would be slower on a CR230L it would be easier to handle in the rough and muddy stuff on the way to Prudhoe.

[sanchezdx]

now that's an adventure I would love to experience myself with my 250r

[buzzkilling]

That is fantastic, Mr. Dennis!

There 's something to be said about the little 250!

[deathdealerr18]

good vid

[partychrisg]

What kind of rack is that on the back? I ride a 2003 Ninja 250 and I haven't been able to find a rack for hard bags that fits the bike.

[aerogirl076]

Thanks for the great motorcyclist journalism presented here. What a journey you had on a nimble little bullet-proof bike. To believe that some refuse to start with a 250cc, the ninja is a very capable motorcyle as you have shown.

[2WheelVenture]

Very impressive truly an inspiration! Alaska on a 250 takes some salt.

[heavenhold7]

Great video! Great job!

[TakeLife2TheExtreme]

Wow

[imahookerbyer]

dang Mr. Dennis!

That's awesome!

Hahah.

[alvinb2]

Wow! That's an adventure!

[JimNtexas]

Did you do that on the stock seat?

[ddennis669]

No. I use a Corbin. I love it. Slightly lower than stock.

[tradclimb06]

Great report and story

[talaska]

Good show.

[blackbirdzach]

Well done Dennis! One of the greatest Alaska ride reports I've seen!

[cripplermaximus]

you're a fucking bad ass. i had a yellow 2006 just like it. i STILL kick myself in the ass for selling it last summer.

ride safe.

[MorganMeader]

Excellent vid! Thanks for the inspiration!

[dave11686]

Excellent story!

What year is your Ninja?

[ddennis669]

2006

[Photar]

Epic.

[deanohit]

Awesome effort man!

[gettinginutube]

best ninja 250r story so far. and i have watched them all.

[Spensawr]

Hey it's good to know mentors have a life outside of school!

I'm glad you accomplished your goal.

[tehrealDOA]

Love the story

good work with the editing :P

[caferacerx]

Great story!

[wesleyb82]

ha, awesome

[ColdHeat16]

i like ur editing the clouds just zoom

[dukestor]

David,

Great Job!

-Duke

[redbeast2]

That was awesome! I wanted to ride my 250 to Prudhoe bay as well! Did you ride on interstates? How do you deal with the wind shaking your helmet? I get a pretty bad headache after a few hours because of that. What about the cold, did you install an electric clothing system?

[ddennis669]

I traveled on Interstate 8 and 10 from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville Beach, FL. (and back on 10 to L.A.). Then used I-5 to get to Canada. I have a slightly taller windshield and bar-risers that change the aerodynamics somewhat over stock. Worse M.P.G., less buffeting, no headaches. For the cold, I do use a heat liner in my jacket.

[cfarmer8]

I love your story