Need help on deciding on what to upgrade first

[Kiwi]

So my original plan was to tear the 250 apart this winter and finally upgrade all the things that I've been meaning to. That includes the front suspension (higher rate springs and some cartridge emulators), rear suspension (new fully adjustable shock from Wilburs) and a Corbin seat.
 
Now things have changed. It looks like I'm going to be buying a house in the next few months, so my toy budget has to go on a diet. I still plan on upgrading everything eventually, I'm just going to have to do it one thing at a time.
 
Out of the three things I've listed, what do think will give me the most bang for my buck? I'm looking for more comfort over long distances as well as being able to carry luggage or a passenger without over loading the suspension. The stock Kawasaki seat is about as comfortable as a cinder block. So I'm leaning towards doing that first, but I'm open to suggestions.

[MarcS]

What about a budget version of all 3?

I wouldn't do just the front or the rear -- both are too underdamped and undersprung on the 250. For starters, you'll lose the proper geometry of the bike.

SV650 rear shock -- you'll need to drill it, IIRC, but you can get one on eBay for probably under $25 to your door.

Heavy fork oil, eBay springs and cartridge emulators.

Donno about the Corbin, it's new, and Corbin seats can be hit-or-miss on sportbikes. Some sportbike pans just don't lend themselves to a Corbin. What about a sheepskin or beaded seat cover? Or airhawk?

Or pick up a few used seats on eBay, and experiment with a DIY seat using Temperfoam? Might not look pretty, but if you've already got an electric knife, staple gun, and patience, you can order the temperfoam off the 'net and DIY. Use that while you wait for that Corbin to show up on eBay?

[Dichotomous]

I have an sv650 and a gsxr750 rear shock sitting around, you could have either one for whatever it would cost to ship plus $10.  the sv shock might fit up easier since it doesnt have the big old reservoir on it.  pm me and let me know

[Yankee Dog]

Well, if I lived in Minnisota the first upgrade I would make would be heated clothing.  Try this for a cheap DIY version.  
 
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/heatedclothing.html
 
Of course I bought a Gerbing, but that is because I have more money than time (or sense).
 
Yankee Dog

[RickC1957]

IMHO...spend the money on gas and tires:D If Vivid1 can ride a saddle sore on a stock 954 seat...anyone can ride 500 miles on any stock saddle. So I would definetely leave the Corbin for when you are flush with cash.

[Kiwi]

Well, if I lived in Minnisota the first upgrade I would make would be heated clothing. Try this for a cheap DIY version.
 
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/heatedclothing.html
 
Of course I bought a Gerbing, but that is because I have more money than time (or sense).
 
Yankee Dog

I've thought about getting heated clothing before. The problem is the little ninja's electrical system dosen't really have alot of room for extra electronics. I think I'd run into charging issues with a full electric vest. Besides, I haven't really had much of a problem staying warm in the fall and spring. I just wear thermal underwear under my regular clothes and riding gear. Once the snow hits the ground the bike goes into storage anyway. There's no way I'm going to try to ride in the ice and snow around the hills of Duluth. The last thing I need is a SUV sliding into me.
 

IMHO...spend the money on gas and tires:D If Vivid1 can ride a saddle sore on a stock 954 seat...anyone can ride 500 miles on any stock saddle. So I would definetely leave the Corbin for when you are flush with cash.

I can live with the stock seat for a little while longer. It's not comfortable, but I've gotten used to it. I think I'm gonna upgrade the front suspension first. Then I just need to decide what to do about the rear. I've been tossing around the idea of going the cheap route (SV650 rear shock), but I'm just thinking that I'll probably end up with a custom one anyway. I dunno, I guess I've got 3-4 months to make up my mind. I think it all depends on how my finances look after Christmas and buying a house.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Seeing that you live in Duluth, shouldn't your first upgrade be your location?   I kid.  I live in Michigan, so it's a toss up who's got it worse.
 
If you ride long days, the seat would probably be the way to go.  I had a Corbin on my last bike (a 67,000 mile Concours) and it was built and looked awesome.  It just wasn't any more comfortable than the stock unit.  Maybe try a Sargent instead.

[MarcS]

IMHO...spend the money on gas and tires:D If Vivid1 can ride a saddle sore on a stock 954 seat...anyone can ride 500 miles on any stock saddle. So I would definetely leave the Corbin for when you are flush with cash.

Hey now, everyone's butt (and pain/discomfort tolerance) is different.

[Y.B Slo]

I would do the seat first. A stock seat has always been a sore spot for me:lol:

[Lon]

IMHO...spend the money on gas and tires:D If Vivid1 can ride a saddle sore on a stock 954 seat...anyone can ride 500 miles on any stock saddle. So I would definetely leave the Corbin for when you are flush with cash.

That's not fair.  VIVID1 is superhuman.  You've ridden enough with her to have realized that by now, haven't you?

[Lon]

Out of the three things I've listed, what do think will give me the most bang for my buck? I'm looking for more comfort over long distances as well as being able to carry luggage or a passenger without over loading the suspension.

Seat would probably be best bang for your buck.

2-up... On a Ninja 250, I'd worry about overloading the frame and tires.  It has a rather small 340lb load capacity (for me, that's me, wife, and our safety gear; with a bit left over - but certainly not enough for a weekend tour).

[GRN]

Off base of your original list, did you do the 14 tooth front sprocket yet? If not, that's a good bang for $12 and 10 minutes to throw it on yourself. On your list... suspension first, and maybe look at getting the stock seat pan modified (cheaper). There is a member, Spencer, on ST-owners.com who has been doing a lot of seat mods for a lot of happy folks, I may send him my Sprint pan over the winter to lower and firm up a bit. Good luck man, those are fun little rides!

[Kiwi]

Seat would probably be best bang for your buck.
 
2-up... On a Ninja 250, I'd worry about overloading the frame and tires. It has a rather small 340lb load capacity (for me, that's me, wife, and our safety gear; with a bit left over - but certainly not enough for a weekend tour).

Any 2-up riding will just be around town. If the fiance ever gets comfortable enough to ride with me long distances I'll look into getting a bigger bike. I weigh 220 just by myself, so 2-up with luggage is pretty much out of the question.
 

Off base of your original list, did you do the 14 tooth front sprocket yet? If not, that's a good bang for $12 and 10 minutes to throw it on yourself. On your list... suspension first, and maybe look at getting the stock seat pan modified (cheaper). There is a member, Spencer, on ST-owners.com who has been doing a lot of seat mods for a lot of happy folks, I may send him my Sprint pan over the winter to lower and firm up a bit. Good luck man, those are fun little rides!

Actually it's a 15 tooth front sprocket, the stock one is 14, and yes I already bought one. It's going to be installed over the winter along with the other mods. I'm going to look into modifying the stock seat as well. I figure I've got about 4 months to play around with it. If by then I can't figure it out myself or have someone else modify it, I'll look into buying a Corbin.

[Yankee Dog]

I've thought about getting heated clothing before. The problem is the little ninja's electrical system dosen't really have alot of room for extra electronics. I think I'd run into charging issues with a full electric vest. ..................

I think you would be suprised.  The missus run a Gerbing full sleeve liner on her Suzuki GZ250.  The bike has no problems with it.  
 
The only thing I will say about buying or not buying  one is that someday you will and then you will wonder why you waited so long.  
 
Yankee Dog

[iceman]

Not trying to be a jerk, but you're killing that little bike. I would do the suspension first and see if that helps the ride. Most likely need a stiffer spring in the back. Have you checked the suspension sag? That could be the biggest problem with being uncomfortable. The seat does leave a lot to be desired, but no seat will bring comfort if the suspension is set up wrong.