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03-14-2008
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#1044 (permalink) |
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All the fast I can afford
BTK Expert
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 492
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I have to say this little bike is blast to ride. It's a thrill taking it around the corners and winding it out. I'm used to heavier motorcycles so the Ninja is pretty drastic style change for me.
 It’s also working real well as a commuter. The trek to work is 30 miles and then 30s mile back. I have ridden it almost everyday and still have half a tank of gas left. Where gas is reaching sky rocket prices it’s nice to have this means of transpiration. Not to mention it’s just a fun toy. 
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Speed costs money, kid! How fast can you afford to go? 2008 Concours 14 ABS I'm a CMA member |
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03-15-2008
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#1046 (permalink) |
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All the fast I can afford
BTK Expert
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 492
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I have been cruise in along at 80mph at about 8,000 RPM. It has a 14,000 RPM read line so it's not that bad. It doesn't sound like a moped either. The sound is cool. It's not a 4 banger but it gets the job done.
Fastest I have gotten it is 100 mph. I still had a couple thousand left on the RPM gage. It wasn’t topping out yet. The speedometer says 120 mph; it might be able to do that.
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Speed costs money, kid! How fast can you afford to go? 2008 Concours 14 ABS I'm a CMA member |
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03-18-2008
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#1049 (permalink) |
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Addicted to riding…
Forum Supporter
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern California coast
Posts: 1,560
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I know there are a couple of people with 250s who have installed flush mounted front turn signals. I'm guessing there is an option to do that with a 500, also, but I have been doing some research and am unable to find a good option for the 500. Anyone done this? And if so, what product did you use? Thanks.
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03-18-2008
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#1050 (permalink) |
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Wants better weather!
BTK Expert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 759
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I thought about switching mine over to flush mounted, but I also commute on my bike and I noticed the smaller signals and the flush mounted signals aren't as visable. I just put on Clear Alternatives and it looks great (pics coming soon). They just discontinued making them, so if you want them, you may have to get them from one of their vendors.
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03-19-2008
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#1051 (permalink) |
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Addicted to riding…
Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern California coast
Posts: 1,560
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Hey, Chuck. Yes, I have thought about the visibility issues, but I just think the stock lights are kind of dorky looking, like alien antennas. I know they're visible and that's a good thing, I'm just struggling with "the look". Probably dumb, but my designer's aesthetic thinks flush mounts would look better.
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03-19-2008
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#1052 (permalink) | |
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Wants better weather!
BTK Expert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 759
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Quote:
(LOL) They do stick out a bit, I can't argue with that. I just got back my mid-fairings from the paint guy and put them on, so I'll post some pics of the Clear Alternatrives in a few days (I'm waiting for my smoke windscreen to arrive before I take pics). I ride on the freeway and through very busy city streets to get to work, so visability/safety is a top priority. I'll live with the alien antennas  |
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03-19-2008
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#1053 (permalink) |
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Addicted to riding…
Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern California coast
Posts: 1,560
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Can't wait to see! Are you happy with the paint job? I've got the smoke windscreen, too, and love the way it looks.
Visibility/safety is of course top priority, so I should just put that designer devil in me away!  But maybe just not quite yet… |
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03-19-2008
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#1054 (permalink) | |
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Wants better weather!
BTK Expert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 759
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Quote:
It was tough trying to match the Kawasaki Metalic Titanium (they couldn't locate the color code the dealer gave me), but I think they came extremely close and I'm very happy with it. It looks like a different bike with the full fairing look to it. I can't wait for my new windscreen The integrated and flush mounted stuff looks super cool and I was going to do it, but I recently went on a ride with a few guys that had the integrated tail/sigs and they were super hard to see. |
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03-19-2008
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#1055 (permalink) | |
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Wants better weather!
BTK Expert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 759
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Quote:
As for your "designer devil", that's the best part about the 500's... Switch it over to a full fairing (by either switching out the whole thing or filling-in that middle section), and maybe a few other small things to lose that stock look, and you're done. The lines a simple and smooth (not "old school"). I hate when people rag on it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. |
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03-19-2008
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#1056 (permalink) | |
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Addicted to riding…
Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern California coast
Posts: 1,560
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Quote:
The bike also came without the standard rear signals also; the brake and turn signals are integrated. That helps with the "custom" look. I'm now working on designing some kind of graphics for the bike. I have silver decals, but also want something else to really make the bike unique to me. Just not sure what that will be, though… |
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03-19-2008
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#1058 (permalink) | |
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Wants better weather!
BTK Expert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 759
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Quote:
It's a EX500 or 500R (whatever you prefer to call it), so YES, you will be struck down. Be proud of your bike and the fact that it's a 500... Wear your TRUE COLORS with pride !!! Or keep it a mystery... That's fun, too. |
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03-19-2008
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#1059 (permalink) | |
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Addicted to riding…
Forum Supporter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northern California coast
Posts: 1,560
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Quote:
Which is it…?It was my bf who bought the decals for me; he thought it would be "cool" to be different, but, yeah, I'm sure I would be flamed for the ZX-5R stickers. Although wouldn't it be sweet if Kawi would make the next gen 500 into a ZX model!?  |
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03-19-2008
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#1060 (permalink) | |
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Uncle Bob's Love Child
BTK Expert
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 286
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Quote:
 ), so now I have a blank slate as for what to do to the front end as far as looks go. I want it to look like a full fairing bike, can I just swap in a 250 fairing of the same gen bike? I would greatly appreaciate any help you could give me...thanks alot
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'87 EX500 ~Jay |
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