Too small for a ninja 500?

[007NinjaGirl]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Wendy

I find the weight makes most of a difference when you can't put your feet flat. When you are on the balls of your feet, especially trying to maneuver in a parking lot like was mentioned below, the weight becomes much more of an issue. You can handle more weight if you are more stable on your feet.

Originally Posted by NCDave

All I need is to be smarter!!! LOL

As for the bike, unless you're a serious sport racer, lowering the bike isn't going to make that much of a difference on handling. The changes you'll feel will be slight. Generally, the biggest impact is lowering the front end as that has effect on the rake and trail. I lowered the front of my VX800 about half and inch to make it a little quicker to steer, but the change was negligable. I'd say don't be afraid to get the bike that you want, lower it as much as you can, and enjoy the heck out of it!

By the way....we take long weekends to go riding in the western NC mountains every once in a while. You're welcome to ride along and enjoy the fellowship! My 650R will be there....I'll race you across the Cherahola Skyway!

Ouch, thats a very scary road! How 'bout I just buy you a beer?
Is that the same road as "the dragons tail".
I am just getting good and comfy in the N. Georgia Mountians.... I would try the sky way, but the people behind me might get mad when I SLOW down to go through a tight turn. Saftey first children! Ha ha ha I will be in Highlands, NC next week, taking the car. Sorry. But if it rains, you will thank me

[ROMAD]

Hell, just buy a small "cruiser" instead of a crotch rocket! I weigh (see not a petite woman giving weight here!) right at 250 lbs, stand 5'9", but only wear a 28" inseam. (Got a LOT of upper body, especially the horizontal middle part! God has SUCH a sense of humor!) With the weight a bit more than the Ninja (which I just couldn't find comfort on), the seat is only 25 inches high! Even my grandkids can flatfoot either side! And if you have more fun on a rocket than I do that little cruiser, you gotta be doing something illegal! It is like a rocking chair with atittude. The only ones who leave me in their dust are the BIG rockets (at 170 or so, I HOPE I am behind you!). I keep up with the Harleys and even the bigger Kawis. (notwithstanding getting beat to death in a quartering wind) I know I probably look like a pumpkin on a toothpick (one of the HD rider's comments) but I LOVE that bike. In fact I gave up a Honda V65 1100 with only a few hundred miles because I couldn't hit the ground with a slingshot! A friend who bought it has longer legs and loves it. (and is one of the few who outrun me! Lord that thing flies!)
If you buy what FITS, rather than what LOOKS right, it's love match! Try 'em and ignore EVERYONE'S advice, including mine! (everyone else does, why not you?)

[007NinjaGirl]

Thats so funny! Pumpkin on a toothpick. When I see a really really big guy on a sports bike I think to myself "he wears that sports bike like a g-string. But I also think "you go boy"
My problem is solved... lowering my bike, gel hand gripes. I'm golden.

Whats with all the jabs about my weight??? Since when is it a bad thing be small? I wasnt bragging, I was just trying to give you an idea of my situation. Doesnt matter, if I weigh 125 or if I had said I was 5'5" and 200 lbs, you would all still be telling me to get a cruiser.

[JimmyD]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

Went to the Kawi shop today... wanted to find out about lowering the 500R... he said no kit is needed, just adjust the springs....cool!
DONT be worried about the weight of the 500R (388lbs dry), If I can lift it, you can too!

Most of the time the spring is around the halfway mark from factory. You probably wont be seeing much of a change by adjusting the spring preload alone.

On ex-500.com you can find info on FOG's dogbone modification, AKA "fog"bones to help lower the rear seat, although the process might be something you would need done in a shop.

[007NinjaGirl]

Awww, you burst my bubble. Oh well, I will take her into the shop. You're right though, do it right instead of doing it twice.

[JimmyD]

It apparently isn't hard to do, I've just never done it. I dont mind playing with my bike but telling someone else who may or may not be mechanically apt to do it is different. I've found this out the hard way!

[ROMAD]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

Thats so funny! Pumpkin on a toothpick. When I see a really really big guy on a sports bike I think to myself "he wears that sports bike like a g-string. But I also think "you go boy"
My problem is solved... lowering my bike, gel hand gripes. I'm golden.

Whats with all the jabs about my weight??? Since when is it a bad thing be small? I wasnt bragging, I was just trying to give you an idea of my situation. Doesnt matter, if I weigh 125 or if I had said I was 5'5" and 200 lbs, you would all still be telling me to get a cruiser.

YEP!! Haha! We would!! We been found out. (actually most us are just jealous cause we have to go through doors at a slant! Certainly not side to!!)

'course, you even be better off, if you got some Gel Grips to go with those Gel GRIPES! Ha! Backatcha!

[007NinjaGirl]

Ahh, now you know my down fall. SPELLING! Can’t help it, Thats what I get for going to school in the Southern Mississippi school system. Spelling was an elective. Ha ha ha I guess it would be in my best interest to down load the spell check feature hu? I know that wont help with my punctuation either.
Yea, I guess grips would work better than gripes, but it’s worked for me all these years
Thanks for sticking up for me on the weight issue. It was really starting to hack me off.
What does ROMAD stand for?

[007NinjaGirl]

Originally Posted by JimmyD

It apparently isn't hard to do, I've just never done it. I dont mind playing with my bike but telling someone else who may or may not be mechanically apt to do it is different. I've found this out the hard way!

I'm getting conflicting information on this lowering thing. The Kawi shop said to adjust the springs; I could get almost an inch lower. Someone here said “no” it would help enough, husband agrees with the NO, won’t make much of a difference. Oh hell, I don’t know. I just want to have my feel flat on the ground without wearing wedge heels.

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

Ouch, thats a very scary road! How 'bout I just buy you a beer?
Is that the same road as "the dragons tail".
I am just getting good and comfy in the N. Georgia Mountians.... I would try the sky way, but the people behind me might get mad when I SLOW down to go through a tight turn. Saftey first children! Ha ha ha I will be in Highlands, NC next week, taking the car. Sorry. But if it rains, you will thank me

Don't worry about riding slow. I'll wait up for you!

That's one thing that I make sure to tell anyone I ride with whether better than me or less experienced. Go have fun, but if the person in front gets too far ahead, make sure to wait up every once in a while.

The Cherahala Skyway isn't as twisty as the Dragon is, but you should try riding them both sometime. Don't worry about riding too slow, there are also cruisers that ride across both of them, and it's just fine. Everyone rides at their own pace.

Beer....absolutely!!!

Here's some pics from western NC this weekend. Enjoy Highlands, the colors should be pretty good!

Picasa Web Albums - Dave - Bike Trip Oct...

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

Whats with all the jabs about my weight??? Since when is it a bad thing be small? I wasnt bragging, I was just trying to give you an idea of my situation. Doesnt matter, if I weigh 125 or if I had said I was 5'5" and 200 lbs, you would all still be telling me to get a cruiser.

I'm not!!!

[hordak]

Originally Posted by ROMAD

Hell, just buy a small "cruiser" instead of a crotch rocket! I weigh (see not a petite woman giving weight here!) right at 250 lbs, stand 5'9", but only wear a 28" inseam. (Got a LOT of upper body, especially the horizontal middle part! God has SUCH a sense of humor!) With the weight a bit more than the Ninja (which I just couldn't find comfort on), the seat is only 25 inches high! Even my grandkids can flatfoot either side! And if you have more fun on a rocket than I do that little cruiser, you gotta be doing something illegal! It is like a rocking chair with atittude. The only ones who leave me in their dust are the BIG rockets (at 170 or so, I HOPE I am behind you!). I keep up with the Harleys and even the bigger Kawis. (notwithstanding getting beat to death in a quartering wind) I know I probably look like a pumpkin on a toothpick (one of the HD rider's comments) but I LOVE that bike. In fact I gave up a Honda V65 1100 with only a few hundred miles because I couldn't hit the ground with a slingshot! A friend who bought it has longer legs and loves it. (and is one of the few who outrun me! Lord that thing flies!)
If you buy what FITS, rather than what LOOKS right, it's love match! Try 'em and ignore EVERYONE'S advice, including mine! (everyone else does, why not you?)

Not a big fan of the cruisers. I love the way they look but I hate the way they feel. When sitting on a sports bike I have full mobility of my feet and ankles but with my legs stretched out in front of me on a cruiser I can't get my toes under the shifter.( at least on the few cruisers I might be able to finance and have sat on) I would have to ride around in flip flops if I ever wanted to get out of 1st gear.

[sarcasmo]

Originally Posted by JimmyD

Most of the time the spring is around the halfway mark from factory. You probably wont be seeing much of a change by adjusting the spring preload alone.

On ex-500.com you can find info on FOG's dogbone modification, AKA "fog"bones to help lower the rear seat, although the process might be something you would need done in a shop.

Just a note - the FOG dogbones that I'm aware of raise the bike for better cornering clearance (FOG is an ex racer). He may have a set for lowering the bike, but I haven't heard of them. If you do contact FOG be very clear you want to lower the bike so you don't end up with a mod that will do the exact opposite of your intent.

Good luck with the 500. I love mine.

[ROMAD]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

Ahh, now you know my down fall. SPELLING! Can’t help it, Thats what I get for going to school in the Southern Mississippi school system. Spelling was an elective. Ha ha ha I guess it would be in my best interest to down load the spell check feature hu? I know that wont help with my punctuation either.
Yea, I guess grips would work better than gripes, but it’s worked for me all these years
Thanks for sticking up for me on the weight issue. It was really starting to hack me off.
What does ROMAD stand for?

ROMAD has stood as an acronym for several things over the years. The current one is Recon - Observe - Mark - And - Destroy (love that last part!), or an older, unofficial one, (Rotten Old Mean *** Drunks)

For info if you really want to know more. go to The ROMAD Locator, and look under TACP 411, description heading.

A small excerpt: "Only a select few wear the Black Beret that symbolizes the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). The Air Force specialists are assigned to Army combat maneuver units around the world. On a battlefield, they form a tactical air control party team that plans, requests and directs air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces. A TACP is generally a two-airman team, working in an Army ground unit and directing close air support firepower toward enemy targets on the ground."

Their motto is and always has been: "The Strong Shall Stand, and the weak shall fall by the wayside"

It was my job, life and frankly love, for about 14 years of my service. (been out now longer than I served, but still FEEL military, with no apologies to anyone, anywhere)

There's no such THING, as an Ex-ROMAD!!

Now, isn't that more than you wanted??

[ROMAD]

Originally Posted by hordak

Not a big fan of the cruisers. I love the way they look but I hate the way they feel. When sitting on a sports bike I have full mobility of my feet and ankles but with my legs stretched out in front of me on a cruiser I can't get my toes under the shifter.( at least on the few cruisers I might be able to finance and have sat on) I would have to ride around in flip flops if I ever wanted to get out of 1st gear.

Had the same problem. Check out the shifter mod on Paul Andreasen's Motorcycle Mods Page. Has been applied to several different bikes in one form or another!!

[CT1200]

Originally Posted by 007NinjaGirl

I'm getting conflicting information on this lowering thing. The Kawi shop said to adjust the springs; I could get almost an inch lower. Someone here said “no” it would help enough, husband agrees with the NO, won’t make much of a difference. Oh hell, I don’t know. I just want to have my feel flat on the ground without wearing wedge heels.

Two things are at play here. You have the bikes height with no rider or gear on it, then you have what they call "rider sag" which all depends on how much you weight and how much gear your carrying with you, tools, locks, leather jacket??? It all really adds up. But yes with a stock shock "at best" your going to get I'd say 1/2" to 3/4" of adjustment, anything more and your changing the bike's geometry which will make it handle "differently", not necessarily worse or better, but "differently". The key is whatever you do the front and/or the rear they need to remain equal. The turn cut in will be quicker or slower, depending on who you setup the bike, but maybe this will help with a learning rider, I'd go for the slower turn cut in... But thats just me.

Now I'm sure you can find a Penske or Fox racing shock at will give you 1",2" maybe even 3" of adjustment but now your talking $800-900+ just for ONE shock.

Now if your looking at a bike thats got a linkage suspension, the ZX line, they make aftermarket links that will change the linkage setup on the suspension and then your going to get the 2",3",4" of drop you might be looking for.
But again that much of a drop is going to change the way the bike handles.

[CT1200]

Originally Posted by hordak

Not a big fan of the cruisers. I love the way they look but I hate the way they feel. When sitting on a sports bike I have full mobility of my feet and ankles but with my legs stretched out in front of me on a cruiser I can't get my toes under the shifter.( at least on the few cruisers I might be able to finance and have sat on) I would have to ride around in flip flops if I ever wanted to get out of 1st gear.

Everything is adjustable and not every cruiser has Forward Controls.
Look at most any of the European bikes, mostly all mid mounts.

[hordak]

Originally Posted by ROMAD

Had the same problem. Check out the shifter mod on Paul Andreasen's Motorcycle Mods Page. Has been applied to several different bikes in one form or another!!

Pretty clever idea. However because I live on base the only bikes at the lemon lot are Gixxers , CBR 600s and up abused by the A1C squids or BMW and Harley 1200s that only a butterbar or Senior NCO can afford. This Ninja 500 is the cheapest, smallest and safest bike i can get here on base.

[007NinjaGirl]