Ninja 250R/500R

[lilredridingliz]

My full fairings are made by a company called Targa. No, you can't swap on a 250 fairing; it won't fit.

Here is a link to an eBay store that sells the fairings:
The Targa Garage eBay Store About My Store

They are a bit pricey brand new, but well worth the way they make the bike look. Sometimes you can find plastics on Craisglist, too.

If you do get a new fairing, be sure and install frame sliders before you install the fairing—that will help protect the fairing if you drop the bike again (but try not to do that! ).

[jaydub77]

Hey thanks for the info, I was looking last night actually and I stumbled upon them myself, but it was thanks to looking aroud based on your bike. They are pretty expensive, I guess I'll have to save up for a while . Did that lower fairing from targa bolt up like a stock lower fairing, or is there differences? Thanks again for the info. Your bike looks awesome by the way.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Hmmm, you're waffling here, Chuck! 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!?

What the heck is "waffling" ???

I really like the no-graphics look. I would go naked myself, but I'm concerned that I would take off some paint in the process and it's not worth the risk.

Show off that clean look, that custom paint. The "what kind of bike is that?" mystery must continue

[s!ckNinja]

Hey i just bought an '07 Ninja 250.....Any suggestions on some good mods to it???

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by jaydub77

Hey thanks for the info, I was looking last night actually and I stumbled upon them myself, but it was thanks to looking aroud based on your bike. They are pretty expensive, I guess I'll have to save up for a while . Did that lower fairing from targa bolt up like a stock lower fairing, or is there differences? Thanks again for the info. Your bike looks awesome by the way.

Thanks for the compliment!

I believe the Targa fairing bolts on differently, but I don't know because I have not taken it apart—yet. I need to spend some time on this one of these weekends so that I can install frame sliders. If I'm able to get to this on the weekend (or next) I will post back about how they go on.

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by messer00

What the heck is "waffling" ???

"Waffling" is the same as vacillating. (I probably picked the word up from my mother or another relative!)

It seemed to me you couldn't decide whether or not you thought it was stupid or cool to to use my ZX-5R decals. And I 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.

And I'm totally proud of my bike; there's nothing about my bike I don't like. Except I think at some point I'm going to want a 4-cyl, but not yet. And since I can't decide on any graphics, I'll probably leave it as is and just add the Ninja decals. I have the one with the Japanese kanji (letter symbols) for "Ninja" (at least, I hope that's what it says! )

[love2ride]

Originally Posted by s!ckNinja

Hey i just bought an '07 Ninja 250.....Any suggestions on some good mods to it???

If you are a newb, than learn to ride it first.

There is not much for the 250 anyways.

[Oldone]

Originally Posted by love2ride

If you are a newb, than learn to ride it first.

There is not much for the 250 anyways.

Wow--why isn't there much for the 250????????????
I have a Ducati ST3, full access to a Z14 ( i own it, my grandson rides it) a Road King and a torn down R90S, a torn down Ariel square 4, a really torn down Indian, plus a Ninja 250. I started riding in 1948.

My choice out of the lot is the Ninja 250, but of course, when you ride the the Ninja you have to know how to ride a motorcycle, where as, the rest rides you and makes up for a lot of your short comings. The immature power trap, just like my grandson--twin turbo's and NOS.

Look real hard at the Dragon and North Ga, Look at the Ninja 250 ( when set up and with a decent rider ) keeps up with all the big boys with there big and bad machines. It will push a 310 lb man all day long at 90 true miles an hour with ease, with full up gear.

I have owned the biggest and Baddest, and thru luck found this little jewel. So pardon me for laughing when you say " there isn't much for it" and I will keep and prefer my little nothing. I will be going from N. Georgia to Des Plains, Ill, then on up into Michigan the end of next month on my not much for it .

[messer00]

I have TWO reasons to feel like the biggest idiot right now... #1 - I have no idea what "vacillating" means either. #2 - I thought the ZX-5R was something else, but based on the little bit of information I found on the internet a ZX-5R is a EX500? (which explains why I made no sense in my previous posting). If true, what's the difference, if any?

[lilredridingliz]

Chuck, read on…
"Waffling" is a slang term for vacillating, which means unable to pick between two choices, not able to choose between one thing and another. Of course I didn't understand that you were unaware of the EX500's true designation (not being a ZX in any way, shape or form).

Regarding the designation of the EX500:
There is no such thing as a ZX-5R. All the 500cc bikes are EX500s. The ZX designation by Kawasaki means it's a 4-cylinder bike. "R" usually designates the sportier sportbike version (or, "race" prepped version).

The first generation of EX500s were designated 500E. The current generation is the 500R, but the intention of that isn't necessarily the same as on the bigger bikes (so I can't answer why Kawi uses that R designation for the 500).

Does this help?

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by Oldone

Wow--why isn't there much for the 250????????????
I have a Ducati ST3, full access to a Z14 ( i own it, my grandson rides it) a Road King and a torn down R90S, a torn down Ariel square 4, a really torn down Indian, plus a Ninja 250. I started riding in 1948.

My choice out of the lot is the Ninja 250, but of course, when you ride the the Ninja you have to know how to ride a motorcycle, where as, the rest rides you and makes up for a lot of your short comings. The immature power trap, just like my grandson--twin turbo's and NOS.

Look real hard at the Dragon and North Ga, Look at the Ninja 250 ( when set up and with a decent rider ) keeps up with all the big boys with there big and bad machines. It will push a 310 lb man all day long at 90 true miles an hour with ease, with full up gear.

I have owned the biggest and Baddest, and thru luck found this little jewel. So pardon me for laughing when you say " there isn't much for it" and I will keep and prefer my little nothing. I will be going from N. Georgia to Des Plains, Ill, then on up into Michigan the end of next month on my not much for it .

The 250 is a wonderful bike! There are so many people on this forum who love theirs. You are right when you say they will keep up with and surpass the "bigger" bikes in the twisties.

Wish I could answer the question about aftermarket parts for the 250, but I don't know.

Have a great ride next month!

[Oldone]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

The 250 is a wonderful bike! There are so many people on this forum who love theirs. You are right when you say they will keep up with and surpass the "bigger" bikes in the twisties.

Wish I could answer the question about aftermarket parts for the 250, but I don't know.

Have a great ride next month!

Hehe, I reread my post and it sounds like I am upset, which I am not. In fact, I thought it was funny and had a good laugh. Last year, when I saw posts about this little bugger, I thought "why would anybody want that little thing", now I know.

I have everything I want installed on my bike, Tomtom Ryder with Scala FM-Bluetooth headset ( don't buy one of these, people aggravate you to death on the telephone ), heated grips, vista cruise control, coffee cup holder, gel seat insert, 600 rear shock, Two Bros Exhaust, variable rate springs in front forks and finally decent tires.

Everyones taste is different and thats the reason they make so many different sizes and makes.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Chuck, read on…
"Waffling" is a slang term for vacillating, which means unable to pick between two choices, not able to choose between one thing and another. Of course I didn't understand that you were unaware of the EX500's true designation (not being a ZX in any way, shape or form).

Regarding the designation of the EX500:
There is no such thing as a ZX-5R. All the 500cc bikes are EX500s. The ZX designation by Kawasaki means it's a 4-cylinder bike. "R" usually designates the sportier sportbike version (or, "race" prepped version).

The first generation of EX500s were designated 500E. The current generation is the 500R, but the intention of that isn't necessarily the same as on the bigger bikes (so I can't answer why Kawi uses that R designation for the 500).

Does this help?

Thanks for the definitions... I guess I'd lose on that TV show "are you smarter than a 5th grader"

Another thanks for a little history of the EX-500... I saw a few pics on the internet where people put ZX-5R stickers on their bike and it looked really cool. Do you know where that all started since it's not a real model? Funny you mentioned the "R" thing, too. People have asked me what the "R" stood for and I had no idea.

As always, you rock Liz, and this forum rocks. I've learned so much since becoming a member.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by Oldone

Hehe, I reread my post and it sounds like I am upset, which I am not. In fact, I thought it was funny and had a good laugh. Last year, when I saw posts about this little bugger, I thought "why would anybody want that little thing", now I know.

I have everything I want installed on my bike, Tomtom Ryder with Scala FM-Bluetooth headset ( don't buy one of these, people aggravate you to death on the telephone ), heated grips, vista cruise control, coffee cup holder, gel seat insert, 600 rear shock, Two Bros Exhaust, variable rate springs in front forks and finally decent tires.

Everyones taste is different and thats the reason they make so many different sizes and makes.

That's the tricky part about a forum like this (trying to put your thoughts into words). Even with the different "smiles" you can put with your messages, things are sometimes things are taken the wrong way.... You'll find that most people on this forum are absolutely wonderfull and have a great sense of humor, so no worries mate (in my best Aussy voice).

[EARPLUG]

A couple years back I had a 250 with works/racetech suspension, full exhaust, pretty much everything I could do to it. It was the love of my life and I sold it to a friend who was learning to ride and he trashed it I am currently riding another ninja 250 (all stock) saving my $$$ and getting ready to do all the mods again and keep it forever I really missed riding it, and don't think I'll get rid of it this time around. It's perfect for getting around town or even in the twisties.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by EARPLUG

A couple years back I had a 250 with works/racetech suspension, full exhaust, pretty much everything I could do to it. It was the love of my life and I sold it to a friend who was learning to ride and he trashed it I am currently riding another ninja 250 (all stock) saving my $$$ and getting ready to do all the mods again and keep it forever I really missed riding it, and don't think I'll get rid of it this time around. It's perfect for getting around town or even in the twisties.

The 2008 250's are super sweet. I'm 235 pounds and found the 500 had the power I needed to move my fat butt. Otherwise, I was SO CLOSE to joining you in the 250 club

[Oldone]

Originally Posted by messer00

The 2008 250's are super sweet. I'm 235 pounds and found the 500 had the power I needed to move my fat butt. Otherwise, I was SO CLOSE to joining you in the 250 club

Skinny I am 310 and the 250 is just fine . I thought about the 500 but with a 28" inseam, the 250 was sooooooo much more comfortable, plus with my health, a lot easier to maneuver.

It puts a smile on my face the ZX14 and ST3 can't. Sadly, I am not a fan of the 2008, I am old school, I guess.

[gatorswamp]

Originally Posted by Oldone

Wow--why isn't there much for the 250????????????
I have a Ducati ST3, full access to a Z14 ( i own it, my grandson rides it) a Road King and a torn down R90S, a torn down Ariel square 4, a really torn down Indian, plus a Ninja 250. I started riding in 1948.

My choice out of the lot is the Ninja 250, but of course, when you ride the the Ninja you have to know how to ride a motorcycle, where as, the rest rides you and makes up for a lot of your short comings. The immature power trap, just like my grandson--twin turbo's and NOS.

Look real hard at the Dragon and North Ga, Look at the Ninja 250 ( when set up and with a decent rider ) keeps up with all the big boys with there big and bad machines. It will push a 310 lb man all day long at 90 true miles an hour with ease, with full up gear.

I have owned the biggest and Baddest, and thru luck found this little jewel. So pardon me for laughing when you say " there isn't much for it" and I will keep and prefer my little nothing. I will be going from N. Georgia to Des Plains, Ill, then on up into Michigan the end of next month on my not much for it .

love2ride is right. he always is. he knows these bikes more than all of us together. there is just a handful of aftermarket parts for our bike. but with the "rebirth" of the 250 hopefully there will be more stuff made for the 08 that will be work with our classic model.


btw anyone ride a blue or yellow 250 in east tennessee? i saw 2 in one day. both looked like 06 07s.

[gatorswamp]