Ninja 250R/500R

[madladnz]

Hey, have you seent he Yoshimura exhaust available? It looks great, I found it at: http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/07_Ninja250_RS3.asp

[4W4K3]

Yah, Yoshimura makes exhausts for ALL kinds of bikes it seems like. I've seen them on Kawi's, Honda's, Yamaha, etc. I think they look great, although that "pinched" end design in that particular picture isn't my favorite.

[iwakunidiver]

Hey everyone! First post!

Quick intro... My name is Scott, I live and work in Japan (lucky me), originally from Seattle (rains too much and too many grouchy coffee snobs for me). I have been dirt riding for years and just last week, I decided it was time to break down and buy a street bike.

I have been lurking the forums for a while and thought that I would chime in. In the last week I have been reading and reading and (guess what?) more reading about bikes while perusing the Japanese auctions. A few days ago I decided that the ZZR 250 was the bike for me for the following reasons. Please let me know if I miss anything, you won't hurt my feelings I promise.

1. I'm a n00b. Yeah dirt riding is cool and all but the major consensus is that dirt is dirt and street is street. That's cool with me, I don't mind being a n00b for while.
2. I'm too crazy for a ZX-6 no matter how sexy they are. Sure, becoming a dad has mellowed me... but not that much.
3. Here in Japan we have what's called JCI, or Japanese Compulsory Insurance. For the uninitiated it's basically a bi-annual vehicle inspection that costs about $600 (US) and gives you consent by the Japanese Government to operate your fun-machine on Japanese roads. For now, all 2 wheeled vehicles 250cc and under are exempt from this extortionist practice.
4. The ZZR 250 is the sexiest "little" sport bike made.
5. They're cheap here used and I'm feeling like being cheap on my first sport bike.

So there you have it folks! A little about me and what I'm doing here. Nice to meet you all!

Anyway, believe it or not, I do actually have a question for the rest of you not living in the US. Here in Japan there are a ton of 250cc bikes to choose from. Mostly cruiser n00b-y, cheap-o bikes but there are quite a few 250cc sport bikes. Most notably are the Kawi ZZR 250 and ZXR 250. Both are fairly similar in cheapness but I was wondering if any of you are familiar with the differences in these two models. I'd ask the dealers myself but my Japanese is awful.

Scott

[fretbuzz]

I figure I can look through every page of this thread to see if this has been asked or I could just ask. I'm lazy so I'm just gonna ask.

Does anyone know an online site that sells aftermarket parts for EX500 Ninja? I've checked J and P Cycles and Dennis Kirk and they don't seem to sell anything for the 500.

My son wants to buy flush-mount turn signal lenses and colormatched windscreen. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Tod]

Welcome Scott, I think the main difference (other than some plastics) between the ZZR250 and the ZXR250 is the number of cylinders, and the suspension. ZZR has better shocks, and 4 cyl...But I could be wrong.

Someone with some more knowledge please chime in.

[Nick D]

I figure I can look through every page of this thread to see if this has been asked or I could just ask. I'm lazy so I'm just gonna ask.

Does anyone know an online site that sells aftermarket parts for EX500 Ninja? I've checked J and P Cycles and Dennis Kirk and they don't seem to sell anything for the 500.

My son wants to buy flush-mount turn signal lenses and colormatched windscreen. Any ideas? Thanks.

Just as a quick note, Dennis Kirk does have some things available for the EX500. If you have a brand new bike then there may be some discrepancies, but anything from 1994 to current is exactly the same, so any will work. Alternatively, anything from 1987 to 1993 is all exactly the same as well.

That said, any set of flushmount signals can be fitted, you just need to get 3 wire style for the front and 2 wire style for the rear.

These adapters are also available to fill the recessed hole on the fairing:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...&mmyId=8200016

Once you put those on you just find the signals you want and run the wires/mounting screw through the hole and you're done.

When I found my flushmounts I just went to a local store and looked through what they had. A Lockhart Philips catalog is a good place to start, or just check the brands they carry and go from there.

A search for 2006 on Dennis Kirk only brought up this:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...&mmyId=8200016

Actually, you can check out Lockhart Philips website, too.
http://lockhartphillipsusa.com/

And for good measure, my how-to video on integrating your rear signals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAItaiKhcHo

And how to chop the rear fender, if it's something he'd want to do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMKHpLEZQEU

Okay, that's all I've got.

[fretbuzz]

Thanks for the excellent info, Nick.

[Nick D]

You're welcome, it's no problem.

When I came back to the site this morning my links were nonexistent, so I repaired them for posterity's sake. If one of the mods changed it for some reason (I fixed them because I assumed it was an error), please note changes so I'll know not to undo them.

[jeep4x4055]

hello,

im about to get my bike inspected and the blinkers work yet when i turn them on it stays on and doesn't blink what does this mean? ive checked the fuses all 4 blinkers work.

may it be the little box were you here a click?

[Nick D]

hello,

im about to get my bike inspected and the blinkers work yet when i turn them on it stays on and doesn't blink what does this mean? ive checked the fuses all 4 blinkers work.

may it be the little box were you here a click?

Nice bike. Looks like my 500's little brother, but way nicer .

If all the bulbs are good and the lights just stay on when you hit the switch then I'm thinking your relay is bad - yes, it's the box that clicks. I had a Cavalier do the exact same thing and it was the relay in that instance.

[jeep4x4055]

yea its pretty nice for only 700$ with 10k miles on it.... also when does the radiator fan turn on? is there a switch or when it reaches a temperature?

yea i was told that i could not have gotten a small bike because ill always be trying to keep up with the bigger bikes and be gassing it to much...

[chichi41]

Hi all,

I'm a complete newb when it comes to bikes and I've decided that I'm buying an EX500.

I keep seeing people refer to EX500s and 500Rs. This might be a dumb question but are they the same thing?

[4W4K3]

I keep seeing people refer to EX500s and 500Rs. This might be a dumb question but are they the same thing?

Yes. It's "original" production name was the EX500. They rebadged it the 500R. And I believe it is even known as teh GPZ500S.

[KoukiFC3S]

The dealer is asking me $65 for an oil change. Should I go for it or learn to do it myself?

[4W4K3]

Do you have a bike stand and a small socket/wrench set? If so, you can do it yourself for cheap. Really it's not that hard.

Check out this vid it's very informative - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N63UsX-99ig

[scoobywrx05]

The dealer is asking me $65 for an oil change. Should I go for it or learn to do it myself?

Ouch 65 bucks, I'd do it myself. Use a good filter(like bosch) and about 3 quarts of oil. You can do it yourself for about 20$,thats alot cheaper than 65

[Commuter]

Hey all, just installed a set of DowCo luggage on my 500R. I ride about 100 miles per day on my commute and so far the bike has been great. Got about 17K on her since I get her last April. The luggage should help alot. I have been using a backpack as a tailbag.

The 3-piece set was $105 at www.motorcycle-superstore.com with free shipping. I wasn't sure if I wanted a tankbag or a tailbag but at this price what the heck, I figured get the whole set and give 'em a try.

Here is a shot of my daughter with the bike:

ex500_009_250x187.jpg

The only thing I don't like is the pad/heatshield between the saddlebags and the bike. They seem a little oversize and unsightly. We'll run it for now and see how it goes.

[KoukiFC3S]

Thanks, can I use the bike center stand or do I need to purchase one? What's a good price for one?
Hamh Motorsports is local and I saw they had some there.

[4W4K3]

Doable on the center stand, but the chances of it tipping over are higher considering you will be working on the bike and applying force and such. A rear tire stand is alot more stable, and is very useful for other maintenance as well. If you have the money it's a great investment.

As far as the manual, you can order one from kawasaki.com

http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame...OSEVEHICLE.ASP

Just folow that link, enter bike info. Service manual is $35 new

[jeep4x4055]

does any one know when the radiator kicks in? while idleing my bike temp climbs and i just want to know when the radiator kicks in so it don't over heat...

also, the bike idles at 4-5k RPM when warmed up so im guessing the carb. needs cleaning any advice step by step cleaning carbs.?..