Ninja 250R/500R

[makenzie71]

hmmm...I don't think he was talking about the lower fairing, but maybe...I thought he was takling about a solo seat cowl.

The lower made by Targa does look great. Do a search for threads started my freakinout with "targa" as a key word and you'll find several really good pictures of his...which looks great. Daekar's too. ****, mine's poorly paint, scratched and mangled and it STILL looks cool.

[Travisimo]

Right now, I'm getting ready to start riding. Of course I'll have full gear and take the MSF, my question is regarding a 250r. I am seriously in love with the silver with an orange stripe paint job. However, I can't really afford to buy/insure the newer bikes this came on. I'm wondering if the fairings of an old one could be replaced with the newer ones. What years would be interchangeable and what do you think the price tag would be?

[makenzie71]

Yeah the fairings will easily swap around. Kind of a hassle, though, because finding the fairings as a set can be troublesome. For what you'll spend on the plastics and then shipping you'll be able to afford a decent, custom paint job.

i can't see insurance being an issue with the 250...regardless of your or it's age.

[Travisimo]

thanks makenzie. I've been doing more price shopping and you seem right. I'm going to drop my bike sometime, so I'll probly do this after a few months of owning it. Insurance isn't a big deal, but I am 16, probly 17 when I'll be riding. I'm an unemployed jew, making me the cheapest of the cheap . I gotta save this money wherever I can.
The two main reasons for me riding are money and fun. To get my car where I want to have it fast enough, it'll be about twice the cost of every last thing I'll need to ride. Gas money and reliability are also important.
Argh, I love that paint job though. It just hits me right.

[rfourt]

I ride a Suzuki LC 1500 cruiser. It is a very comfortable and capable bike. But I am wanting to get a second bike for a "daily rider", good gas mileage, and something fun for local riding in the twisties. I had this motor when it was a 454cc version in a 1985 LTD 454 and that was a great bike, although I frequently got a little head shake on tight curves.

This is one of many bikes I am considering. I am 56 years old and have been riding since I was 12, and have had my motorcycle license since I was 14.

Other bikes I am looking at include the new Kawasaki Z750S, and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000.

I understand the Ninja 500 is capable of over 60 miles per gallon as is the Z750S. the V-strom probably only about 50.

I ride a relaxed pace most of the time, but occasionally get a little spirited on my 1500 at which point I begin dragging the floorboards, and am wishing for more clearance so I can see what I can do.

Your stories of stuffing 600 cc and larger sportbikes in the twisties is very interesting. I have no intentions of trying that, but just want a fun bike, that is comfortable and gives good wind protection.

I am 6'2" and weight "about" 200 pounds. I wonder if I will have enough legroom, and not too much weight on my wrists to be comfortable for an all day ride in the hills around here.

I can see you all really love your EX 500's and Ninja 500's. I know it is a great motor, and would be interested in hearing any and all stories about your general experiences with this bike, ergonomics, motor, wind protection, how far it will lean over before it feels like you will loose it, gas mileage, freeway riding at 80 miles per hour, just anything you could share with me, I would enjoy reading imensley.

I subscribe 4 or 5 moto-mags, and this bike get favorable reviews, although as more of a beginners bike, but if it as fast as my old 454 (and I am sure it is faster), why would anyone need anything any bigger?

Of course it is nice to cruise the freeway at 60 miles per hour at 2,300 rpm on my big Suzi, but if I bump it up to 80 I am looking at 30 miles per gallon. I have installed a K & N, with the top cut out for more flow, and put in the stage III jets.

Thank You.

[CTRider]

Question for anyone: Does anyone make a rear luggage rack for a Ninja 500R? I found this one (below) for a Ninja ZX-7R. I found it on this site: http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/traeger.html#

Anyone know where I could find something similar for a 500R? Any chance this would fit the 500? This one appears to allow for mounting of saddlebags without ustilizing the back seat for the straps. It would be nice to be able to pack for a trip, but still have room for a passenger or even a second tailback on the rear seat for long trips.

[makenzie71]

Originally Posted by rfourt

I ride a Suzuki LC 1500 cruiser. It is a very comfortable and capable bike. But I am wanting to get a second bike for a "daily rider", good gas mileage, and something fun for local riding in the twisties. I had this motor when it was a 454cc version in a 1985 LTD 454 and that was a great bike, although I frequently got a little head shake on tight curves.

You make the 500 sound just right for your needs. The bike is a general purpose, capable of mildly attacking every task. It's not the sportiest, but it can handle some sproty riding. It's not the fluffiest, but it handles cruising with ease. And so on. I can tell you that unless you like the idea of a dirtbike on the street, the vstrom just won't be good. It's basically a vtwin stuffed intoa dirtbike chassis...very tall and handles like it's in the dirt all the time. I don't know anything about the Z750.

[Daekar]

Yep, the 500R is general purpose. I've been experimenting with how to minimize lean angle while maintaining speed in turns and I've never had a scary moment - there are no surprises in this bike... except my constant amazement at how fast it is. To be perfectly honest, I've done everything with this bike except take it to the track, and I've certainly put it through it's paces on the road... the thing that kills me is, if I move up to a bigger bike, I'm not gonna be able to do everything! Drives me nuts and makes me appreciate my baby!

[Green Knight]

Originally Posted by Daekar

Yep, the 500R is general purpose. I've been experimenting with how to minimize lean angle while maintaining speed in turns and I've never had a scary moment - there are no surprises in this bike... except my constant amazement at how fast it is. To be perfectly honest, I've done everything with this bike except take it to the track, and I've certainly put it through it's paces on the road... the thing that kills me is, if I move up to a bigger bike, I'm not gonna be able to do everything! Drives me nuts and makes me appreciate my baby!

Basicly there are 2 ways to increase speed and minmize lean angle in a corner.

1st: Get your @ss off the bike. Hang off like a monkey. Getting more weight on the inside of the corner will help tremendously.

2nd: Turn later and quicker. If you go deeper into the corner and flick the bike over faster you won't have to lean is as far to ge through the corner.

[vf454]

Originally Posted by Travisimo

Right now, I'm getting ready to start riding. Of course I'll have full gear and take the MSF, my question is regarding a 250r. I am seriously in love with the silver with an orange stripe paint job. However, I can't really afford to buy/insure the newer bikes this came on. I'm wondering if the fairings of an old one could be replaced with the newer ones. What years would be interchangeable and what do you think the price tag would be?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4552232085&catego ry=34284 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4552232085&catego ry=34284 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34284&item=4552234 648&rd=1

[Lab Lizerd]

Hello everyone! Over the last week or two I've started reading through these forums and getting familiar with things, so tonight I've finally registered! Unfortunately, I'm not a rider yet but hopefully some day soon. I've registered for the safety course coming up this August, and I can't wait!!

I've been keeping my eye on the 500R *sigh* maybe someday. Any tips and suggestions for a hopeful soon-to-be rider?

[blackshirt77]

I just bought my first bike recently, a 2001 ninja 500. I was wondering if there is a certain RPMs that I should be upshifting and down shifting at? I have done a little experimenting but I don't want to be crusing around in a lower gear than I should be in, but at the same time I don't want to be in too high of a gear for my bike to be unresponsive if needed to accelerate or something.

[JTpaintball70]

When I was just crusing, I always upshifted at around 6-7k or so... down shifting, I always just did it when it felt right...

[makenzie71]

Originally Posted by Lab Lizerd

I've been keeping my eye on the 500R *sigh* maybe someday. Any tips and suggestions for a hopeful soon-to-be rider?

Get good gear, jump into the game, and play smart. There's a lot of threads with advice on the 500 and such, just do a quick search in the Streetbikes section and you'll have hit after hit after hit.

Originally Posted by blackshirt77

I just bought my first bike recently, a 2001 ninja 500. I was wondering if there is a certain RPMs that I should be upshifting and down shifting at? I have done a little experimenting but I don't want to be crusing around in a lower gear than I should be in, but at the same time I don't want to be in too high of a gear for my bike to be unresponsive if needed to accelerate or something.

Shift where ever you feel comfortable. If the bike's in too low a gear the noise and twitchy throttle should be irritating enough to upshift, and if you're in too low a gear the bike will lug and chug enough to make you want to down shift. A little experience will fix any questions concerning shift points.

[pizzarro]

Whoohoo...
I just got a 250!!! It's old and ugly, but it gets the job done.
Hehehe...
JJ

[FzrRider]

Does anyone happen to know where i can get a decent priced lower fairing for mine and also how much does it cost to put exhaust on one. im wanting to have only 1 pipe and what all has to be done when changing it over to 1 pipe?

[JTpaintball70]

Exhaust usually entails getting an aftermarket exhaust kit... the cheapest 2-1 I've seen was around $350... Check and try and find an older V&H, those are pretty good, or a Muzzy.
As for the lower fairing, you might wanna check eBay. That den of evilness () normally has at least one or two lowers at any given time... although it seems like they're normally pre-94, you should still be able to find one...

[jimmyh]

I have 99 500r with a V&H exhaust. I am thinking about replacing the exhaust with something quieter. The V&H is VERY loud! Any recommendations?

Also, I believe the jets are stock, and I have been told that is what is causing a big hole in the power between 6-7k rpms. What kind of jet kit should I get, and where to get it?

[FzrRider]

i also was wondering with this being my first bike what oil and filter to use? what do u all use?

[pizzarro]

Originally Posted by Airforce7704

i also was wondering with this being my first bike what oil and filter to use? what do u all use?

Which is the bike, the 250 or the 500?
JJ