Ninja 250R/500R

[Iamjustifyd]

Yeah, asiancycle for the flush. I just bought some mirrors off Ebay...Jag mirrors I believe..they also have the integrated mirrors. I think there name is Bikers Planet. They are pretty good..vibrate a little. try i5motorcycle too

[clay92lx]

Emabarassing-
Is there a proper and safe way to get the 500 on the centerstand? I'm 200lb 5'10 I'm not weak or anything but I'm having problems getting it on the centerstand to do a little maint. (its definatly me nothing wrong with the bike)
The kid at the dealer did it no prob. and he was much smaller. I think that I'm afaid of dropping it but I'm yanking pritty hard.

[Zandrello]

Originally Posted by clay92lx

Emabarassing-
Is there a proper and safe way to get the 500 on the centerstand? I'm 200lb 5'10 I'm not weak or anything but I'm having problems getting it on the centerstand to do a little maint. (its definatly me nothing wrong with the bike)
The kid at the dealer did it no prob. and he was much smaller. I think that I'm afaid of dropping it but I'm yanking pritty hard.

Honestly dude, the best way I've found is to have 2 people. 1 stepping down on the center stand and pulling on the handlebar, and the other pulling on the opposite handlebar. This should give you good leverage. If you don't HAVE another person, you might try putting something under the front wheel, so as to keep the center stand from sliding across the garage floor. I have that problem sometimes cuz my garage floor is slick. Let me know if that works cuz I kinda just pulled that outta my @$$!

[Iamjustifyd]

YouTube - How to Use a Centerstand

This is pretty good video on how to do it. Sounds like you are using your arms too much and you should be using your leg to push down more.

[lilredridingliz]

Come on you guys! I'm a GIRL and I can get my bike on the center stand. It's a simple matter of physics and timing. I do have to admit I was intimidated by doing this the first couple of times, but once you "get" it, you will understand and it will be a piece of cake after that.

Make sure you keep your kickstand down while you attempt this; it's your safety margin.

I do this from the left side of the bike. Place your left hand on the left handlebar. Right hand goes on the grab bar behind the seat. Step on the center stand with your right foot, push the stand gently to the floor, and then shift your weight firmly onto the center stand, while rocking the bike up and back. It really is just a timing thing more than anything. I would have an experienced mechanic or friend help you with it the first time, and watch how they do it.

Good luck!!! (I mean that!)

[keyda81]

I simply lock the handle bars, grab that with my left hand, there is a spot on my bike under the seat to place my right hand, then put my right foot on the centerstand, and push down with my leg, pulling back a little with my left arm. I had a bit of trouble the first few times, but it's easy now.

[clay92lx]

Originally Posted by Zandrello

Honestly dude, the best way I've found is to have 2 people. 1 stepping down on the center stand and pulling on the handlebar, and the other pulling on the opposite handlebar. This should give you good leverage. If you don't HAVE another person, you might try putting something under the front wheel, so as to keep the center stand from sliding across the garage floor. I have that problem sometimes cuz my garage floor is slick. Let me know if that works cuz I kinda just pulled that outta my @$$!

My garage floor is the same thing it slides and freaks me out plus the FZR is right behind me so I could have a catastrophic mishap if I loose my balance.
Yea thats what I did the last time was have a friend help, we got it up but it slid like 8inch. back on the centerstand and scared me.
Anyway I was mad that I had to post such a question and went down stairs and put my right foot on the centerstand and grabbed the square frame connector bar doodad part of the frame and pulled up while stepping down on c.stand. It came right up all nice and easy no sliding dangerously across my garage floor. THANKS. (I left the regular kickstand down while I did it just incase it went crazy on me).

In other words the same thing Keyda81 did.

[Zandrello]

Yeah dude gotta hate those slippery floors! Glad to hear it worked out for you! That youtube vid was pretty helpful, I will definitely hear it when I go home this weekend.

[clay92lx]

My bike (500) is brand new and I'm wonder where to get regular parts like oil filter, oil etc. I just bought belray for the FZR and it cost like 60bucks for 4.222 quarts(writing 4.222quarts instead of 4quarts makes the price seem more reasonable. No not really!). I can't spend that kindof money on the 500. Only reason I did with the FZR is thats what the previous owner used. Any general were to go get the stuff you need, without breaking the bank and running arround like a jack@$$ all over town.

This is for a 500r so I feel that its legit. to post on this thread.

[clay92lx]

Originally Posted by Iamjustifyd

YouTube - How to Use a Centerstand

This is pretty good video on how to do it. Sounds like you are using your arms too much and you should be using your leg to push down more.

I just watched the video. It is good but is that guy 7ft. tall or what, it should be easy for him.

[keyda81]

Originally Posted by clay92lx

I just watched the video. It is good but is that guy 7ft. tall or what, it should be easy for him.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm wondering how that guy even fits on the bike! My hubby is 6'4", and he looks silly on my bike, and had a hard time fitting on it!

[rephormat]

--- Moved to root of ninja forum --

[blk wdw]

Is there a significant difference between a 250 vs 500? New rider wondering if 500 to start on is too much? Got a great deal on a 2001 500 for $1500.

[Swizzle Stick]

500 should be fine, esp. if you get a good deal. Don't pass it up just because of the extra displacement. As long as you don't get squirrely and squidly on it, it will be a fine motorcycle to start on and for years to come.

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by clay92lx

My bike (500) is brand new and I'm wonder where to get regular parts like oil filter, oil etc. I just bought belray for the FZR and it cost like 60bucks for 4.222 quarts(writing 4.222quarts instead of 4quarts makes the price seem more reasonable. No not really!). I can't spend that kindof money on the 500. Only reason I did with the FZR is thats what the previous owner used. Any general were to go get the stuff you need, without breaking the bank and running arround like a jack@$$ all over town.

This is for a 500r so I feel that its legit. to post on this thread.

Hi Clay…
I order my air filter, oil filter, spark plugs, from Dennis Kirk. Good prices, fast shipping. I don't put special oil in it, just go to my local parts store for that.

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by Swizzle Stick

500 should be fine, esp. if you get a good deal. Don't pass it up just because of the extra displacement. As long as you don't get squirrely and squidly on it, it will be a fine motorcycle to start on and for years to come.

+1 Great bike, the 500.

The only reason I might move up this spring to a 600 or so, is for more power on the freeway (road trips!). But I do love my 500 for commuting and cornering.

[clay92lx]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Hi Clay…
I order my air filter, oil filter, spark plugs, from Dennis Kirk. Good prices, fast shipping. I don't put special oil in it, just go to my local parts store for that.

Thanks for the info. I didn't think that I was going to get a reply on that question.

BLK WDW- I just bought my 500 a month and a half ago brand new, didn't do anything but grips and barend mirrors. In my oppinion I can see no way that the 500 could have too much power for anyone in a straight line and the bike is very forgiving. If the 500 your buying is in any kindof decent shape you can't lose a dime on that puchase.
I don't see your pysical size listed which IMO is a big deal with a new bike decision, but reguardless the 500r you can't beat to start with.

One thing that I failed to understand is that unlike a dirt bike or inline 4 the power of the 500r comes on so slow that power fear shouldn't even enter in to your mind at all. The power comes on like a trail quad real easy, and once your out of 1st and 2nd you can open it up all the way and its not going to rip away like crazy fast(thats not a suggestion that you should hop on and gun it though). The bike only has a notable pull for 6500 to 10k rpm's which is very easy to stay away from. Also the bike is very difficult to stall out which can be a fear of a new rider esp. with loud trucks around you at a stop so you can't hear your engine at all, and even if you give a bit too much throttle your not going to come off the bike or anything like that(just keep cool and go slow with the clutch release).

I feel that the 500 is actually underpower for some highways(that comment may buck the common opinion of this forum though). By that I meen that I have to absolutely be at high revs all the time on the highway and esp. getting onto the highway. I'm 5'10 190-200lbs but I really don't think that even minus 90lbs that the bike would be a different animal.

[blk wdw]

Clay- to answer you about my size I am 5'4" and 114 lbs. Im just a small lady wanting to ride a bike.....

[clay92lx]

Your size is what that bike was made for and don't you doubt that for a second, and weight is relatively insignificant(IMO). The bike weight that you feel while pushing it or just sitting on it with no stand is gone as soon as your rolling.
The bike as you now know has a good ride height in general and a non-agressive seating position (unlike the newer sport and super sport bikes)so it should be comfortable while riding. but most of the time. At a stop I guess that you will have your left leg down and the right leg/foot on the brake most of the time, I don't know if you can put both feet down at once, but that is the only difference for the bike between you and I (and I'm a guy,haha). Off of a stop it is great just easy gas will allow you not to stall as I said, but don't get me wrong its got plenty of power 0-60mph so that you don't feel like you have to gun it out of your driveway if a cars coming. Being a street newbie myself I felt that some of the info. about the bike from a newer riders prespective would help. The smoothness (if thats a word) allows you to pay attention to the things a new rider inharrently is very sensitive to I.E. looking through turns and looking further ahead than your used to in a car are the ones that I constantly force myself to do until it comes naturally to me. The 500 allows for that, it allows for hard shifts, for easy cornering.
I hope that my overview of the EX500 didn't give you any bad impressions of the bike at all it is a great bike for you to start on and stay on for as long as you want.

[Zandrello]

Originally Posted by blk wdw

Is there a significant difference between a 250 vs 500? New rider wondering if 500 to start on is too much? Got a great deal on a 2001 500 for $1500.

Massive difference, in power and handling. I got my '06 500 in November of '07, and it has been an AWESOME starter bike. Not boring in the slightest, and not too powerful. I do NOT regret starting with a 500 as opposed to a 600. Might have been too much power to start with. Carberation is the only thing that is tiring me of the 500. I really want Fuel Injection which is why I'm gonna try to sell mine to buy a 600 this summer!