Ninja 250R/500R

[ervins]

Yes. Indeed it is. Depends on how you are as an individual. I am pretty level headed and take things step by step. I learned on a ripping 636...Never looked back. If I could do it again I would start on my 636 again and again. However, now that I have a bit over a year under my belt I feel happy I started on my 636 and save any upgrade anguish over a short period. I took a friend riding today (I called in sick!) I took him on the back roads behind my area and he did fine on his YZF600r. I told him prior, take it easy and take it at your pace. I will go slow. He did well with flying colors...Though again I live on a mountain (hills) and he was scared of the winding down hill roads. Steep stuff. At one point he pulled over. I went back and he was cool...Just wanted to slow up the pace. He is taking baby steps as I did...He is doing great. Now if you respect the ride you will get, then you will be fine. Just gear up well...He was wearing jeans and wished he had riding pants like I do. Said he would feel safer...I agree. Take care and good luck.

[3x500r]

Well, I have been riding for about 22 years now and am currently on my third 500. It is a great learning bike and as far as commuting goes it is affordable. If I feel like cutting loose it is capable at the higer revs. Hope this helps.

[FlipParkr]

thanks alot for the advice guys im looking at buying one right now as long as its in good shape.

[dagger1278]

Hey guys, been reading through some of the pages. It looks like I'm going to be the owner of a '06 500r here soon and I'm intrigued by the options I may have in tweaking/modifying the bike. But short of going into the dealership and looking at books, are there any good websites that show me whats available? I found one, but it only mentions the ex500, would products be compatible?

edit: been looking around a bit more..found a few different sites. Most of the "mods" I've found though are only for the bigger bikes. Hope that isn't entirely true

[cpslaughter]

HI all, as you can see, I'm a newbie to this forum and I'm a newbie to bikes too. I really wanted to get into bikes and bought a Ninja 500R to get some experience. Well, I was trying to change the oil and I accidently broke the Main Gallery plug (part #92066-1205). I have ordered a new one and bought a torque wrench. I need to know how many foot pounds of torque to put on it. Where can I find this info or does anyone know?

[cpslaughter]

Hi, I just bought any EX500. I love it ! It's got plenty of power great on gas , but I haven't been able to find modifications or many accessories online . I started calling some of the 800 numbers for the dealers and learned that there are many modifications available . I hope you enjoy a new bike as much as I love mine .

[FlipParkr]

what do you think the person means by this?...
"i know it has a upgraded cam and complete rebuild for that cam"
they are refering to their 91 ex500 that im looking at buying

[pillen140]

me and my wife are thinking about buying a pair of 250r's. how are they for long distance rides? also i have heard they have no gas gauge, is this true? and where is a good place to look for parts and accessories for a 250r?

[cpslaughter]

my 500 has no gas gauge I'm sure the 250 doesn't either . I'm sure the 250 could handle long distances , but I doubt you would find it very comfortable . I don't think I would want to ride more than 150 to 200 miles at a time on my 500 . It's great for getting around town and riding in the country. At these gas prices the amount of money I save, just by commuting , covers my bike payment . that means the bike is free!

[3x500r]

I agree with cpslaughter. I have a 500 I ride on the freeway about 60 miles one way to work, and it does ok. The 250 would be running pretty high on the RPMs at sustained highway speeds. The 500 is ok but would not want to take it on long trips. Great around town / commuting bike. Neither the 250 or 500 have fuel guages, I use the second trip meter and reset to zero each fill up. The 500 goes about 200 miles of mixed driving before I fill up. It also flucuates depending on how much I get on the throttle : ), but only by a mile or two per gallon. I average about 55 MPG.

[Quadin]

First post, and would like to say "HI" to everyone.
I bought a 1990 EX500 / Ninja cheap. It was laid down and the front end slid into a pole, naturally the forks are bend slightly and the instrument cluster is a mess. Are there other front end assemblies off other bikes that are interchangable with this bike. I hear the stock ones are a little weak/undersized anyway. Or would I be better off looking for something a little newer.
Thanks for the info
Mike

[Dman007]

Hey everyone, I just got a 93 EX500. How do I get the gas cap off, the bike didn't come with keys. I took the tank off the bike and took out the screws for the cap, but it still not coming off. There is some old gas I want to drain and I also need another key cylinder and while Im at it, just want to install a new cap all together.

[TWISTEDEMPIRE23]

Yo everyone, i recently replaced my rear sprocket on my ex250 to a 42 from a 45. i got a little more top end, but now my bike wont go over 11000 and i didnt even put the bigger sprocket on the front yet. is there a rev limiter i can take off or something. could it be old spark plugs?

[RickaSaki]

I just picked up a '93 EX500 for $350 that has some roadrash and a cracked fairing. I got it on Monday, put it back together on Wednesday and was riding it that afternoon. Sweet ride.

Quad: I believe that between 86-93 they were constantly improving. I have read stuff by googling 1993 EX500 and there are people that have fabricated "rat rides" and put front ends from other makes on an EX...

Dman: There is a screw under the gas cap on the right side. You can't get to it without opening the cap. Most locksmiths or key shops can make a key for you. You may have to take the seatlock off or the ignition and take it to them. They'll be able to cut a key. To drain the fuel tank, take the petcock off, you'll get better drain that way and most sediment will come too.

Twisted: I think the only thing that limits the RPM's is the engine itself and/or the electronig ignition. I don't think plugs would matter but aspiration, fuel delivery, friction resistance (problem), could be a few areas. Make sure your air cleaner is clean. Also, did it go above 11K rpm's before the swap? Try switching back to the other sprocket and see if it changes. May just be the upper limit for that ratio.

Ok, the temperature is up, i'm going riding!

[cpslaughter]

Hi you really seem to know a lot about the ex500 , so I hope you can help me out what the problem I'm having with mine . it's probably a simple problem for someone with your experience . I accidentally broke my main oil gallery plug . I went out and bought another one and broke it also. I know to torque it to 12ft/lbs. there is a hole drilled through the center of the plug , and another hole drilled through the side . There is also a small hole in the block . It looks to me like oil is applied to the top end via the hole on the plug matching up with the one on the block . do these two holes need to line up ? Or should I pay more attention to the 12 ft/lb torque?

[RickaSaki]

CP, maybe I missed it, but what year is your EX? Main oil gallery plug.... same as drain plug, no? I have a '93 but have had several other makes and models. I would not consider myself an expert by any means but I like wrenchin' and have been riding since 5 yoa. I had to learn the hard way that if you're gonna ride it, you better know what's happening between your legs....

Does the plug you are talking about have a recessed area where the hole is? I guess that I am not catching your description correctly. I'll look up the part number.

[RickaSaki]

OK, I think I get what you are talking about. It's typically called a "Banjo" bolt. There's a recess arouond the circumference where the holes are at. It's kinda like a hollow bolt with a hole through the threads. Obviously DO NOT overtighten it, it's too fragile. There should be a copper washer accompanied. This fastener gets about 10 ft. lbs but not much more. Most Ft. Lbs. torque wrenches do a bad job at low settings. I would suggest snugging it down but not too tight and if it leaks, snug it about 1/8 of a turn until it does not leak. NOTE: If your mating surfaces are dirty, gouged, bent, or damaged, or the copper washer is bent or bad, you will not get a good seal. Treat these banjo fittings like glass. They hold liquid really good until treated rough. Same fitting on your brake hoses.

Hope this helps!

[cpslaughter]

Thanks a lot. I have a 2006 500R. The Main Gallery plug on this bike has an O' ring instead of a copper washer. I think that older models have a copper washer. It sounds like you know the part. I really don't know squat about fixing bikes, but I'm a college student and can't afford to hire someone. I think. I think over torqued the last plug in trying to make the hole in the plug match up with the hole in the bike. This plug is really making me crazy. I can't ride my bike until I get it fixed. The weather here in VA is perfect for riding (I hope it is just as good in Indianapolis).

[RickaSaki]

Yea, the o-ring has replaced the copper but i do not think they last as long. I was a college student once too but I spent most of the time drinking beer and fixing bikes rather than riding. I should have flipped those around and I might have done better! Fix 'em yourself, you learn to appreciate them more.
So for the "plug" or Banjo bolt..... You'll be one lucky man if you got the holes to match up more than once on luck! Forget that and just torque them until the o-ring starts to squash under the bolt head about half the original thickness. That should be just enough and about 10 ft. lbs. but always re-check with a torque wrench.
As for the weather here, I put about 22 miles on this afternoon but that wind out of the west got chilly coming back to the house. Although any cold day on a bike is still better than any day at work!!

Regards!

[chimera]

Hi all!
I am just curious, as my little ninja 500R is almost broken in....I have about 350km's or so left....anyway, when he is broken in, where is the sweet spot in the RPM's?..... I find when I've had to open it up a little around 7000 or so the bike starts 'growling' , it's an enjoyable sound..... is that the area?.... and I know it isn't a SS or anything but when he has to, that bike has power