Ninja 250R/500R

[nixoid]

MegMadness

Have you though about safty gear? It is super important. Whatever you do don't buy the cheapest garments out there, price and safety generally run hand in hand.

If you plan on buying leather make sure it is not too soft and pliable. You want it to hold up in a crash. when you're slidiing on the ground - and if you crash there will be a bit of that - you'll appreciate a tough hide that may not have been the most comfortable garment you looked at.

Cordura toughness is measured on how tight a weave [Denier] it is. The higher the number the tougher it is. My opinion is at least 600 Denier should be the minimum but I would stay at the 1000 denier mark if I were you.

[Titanium]

Hello all, just bought a new 250r on Saturday, already have 400 miles on it. Already, I'm seeing that it needs some things.

First, the stock turn signals are HUGE and are quite goofy in my opinion. Has anyone found a good way to correct this? I thought about putting the bulbs from the back into those two red lenses on either side of the brakelight, as they are inoperative anyway... but not sure what to do about the fronts.

Pegs- My riding buddies tell me i'm already leaned out, that if I go any farther i'll be grinding peg to road. Also, when in a full down position, my feet hang off the back, which leaves me one option, a high rear set. What aftermarket rearsets are available?

Tires- Even with the limits on the pegs, i've scrubbed my tires out to the last 1-2 mm, and I know the bike wants to go farther. I'd like to drop the profile and possibly move to a slightly wider tread, but i'm not sure if the clearances will allow me. What tires can I move to?

Exhaust - Too quiet and too low. After I breach the peg mark, the low slung exhaust will be the next to hit, so I'd like to look into getting a hi-pipe. I haven't had much success finding one online, but i'm probably not looking in the right places.

Other mods - I'm still braking it in, thus only revving to 4k, but I'm already seeing that I'd like more power. I'd like to look into what is available in that area.


Maintenance - I'm going to try to beat the schedule that comes in the MOM, and would like to know what oils and other lubricants you guys suggest to use.

Thanks!

[pizzarro]

I just did the taillight mod that you're referring to and it looks very nice. I used fingernail polish remover to get the black paint of the covers. Then I just snipped the wires, ran them through the mount holes, spliced them back, and epoxied the lights into place.
Speaking of owner's manuals...
I have a used 250 and it didn't come with an owner's manual. Does anyone happen to have one that I could download? I'm really not quite up to service manual level, yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to check fluid levels and such.
Hehehe...
JJ

[Homeguard]

does the ex500 really take 3.59 quarts of oil? that seems like a lot to me but i dunno.

[JTpaintball70]

It'll actually take just over that... But you have to remember that the clutch plates are immersed in oil, so thats one reason it takes so much... I think...

[flashpoint]

hello all. i have a 2005 ninja 500 and my question is, is that when im driving the bike, when i get to 5500 rpms in any gear, it starts to make a little rattling noise. when the bike is in lower rpms the noise is absent. any ideas on what this could be. the bike has 2800 miles so far and the noise doesnt seem to be affecting the bike. kinda worries me though as maybe it might start to affect the way the bike preforms. thanks for any replies.

steve

[JTpaintball70]

Finally! Someone else who had that happen to them.EVeryone around here thought I was crazy. I would finish trying to figure it out, but I can't be of much help... Kelly, Kyle, either of you know?

[98Blue4.3]

I have a question. I'm just looking into getting a bike and learning how to ride and what not. I'm not trying to spend too much money, and was wondering were the older 250s all are? So far, its basically 2000 and newer ones for sale. I've been hard pressed to find any older. Just wondering because college is leaving me strapped for cash.

[pizzarro]

I just bought a '90 250 for $825 on ninja250.net. It seems to be in good condition. It could use a tune-up and the fairings look like they have been replaced (different stripe colors) but I haven't had any major problems. It even came with some spare parts. Add to it that insurance is $144/year and it gets ~50mpg on 87. I think it's a great deal.
With it all said and done, though...
If I had it to do over again, now, I might just get a new one. When you add tune-up, new tires, etc... it's not as cheap as the original $825. Of course, it's been dropped by my wife, dad, and self, so I wouldn't have wanted to get a new one a month ago. Now I would, though, with some experience.
JJ

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by pizzarro

If I had it to do over again, now, I might just get a new one. When you add tune-up, new tires, etc... it's not as cheap as the original $825. Of course, it's been dropped by my wife, dad, and self, so I wouldn't have wanted to get a new one a month ago. Now I would, though, with some experience.
JJ

That's kind of where I'm at. I'd want a new bike based on my buying experience with cars.

My first car was used (paid $3K for it) and I put almost the price of the car into it in the 2+ years I owned it. Granted, it ran great the first year, but soon after, expensive stuff went wrong. On the other hand, though I paid more for it off the top, my first new car only required the replacement of the alternator with an inexpensive rebuilt unit after 5 years of ownership. Fast foward several years, I've had my current truck for over 6 years now. The only major expenses have been tires, brakes and an oxygen sensor. The computer was was found to be defective, but was replaced under warranty. All other expenses have been maintenance schedule items. If all goes well, the next big wear and tear item down the road should be suspension work once that wears out. So far, the mechanical stuff is excellent. The extra money I spent buying new has been well worth having a very reliable vehicle instead of one that is in the shop getting the next part replaced. In addition, it was nice to choose exactly what I wanted, rather than pick from what was available out there.

I'm a careful driver and I take care of my vehicles. In reality, I'm the guy you'd want to buy a used vehicle from because the most work you'd most likely need to do is perform the next regular service checkup when that time comes. The fact that I know I'll take proper care of the vehicle is why I want to start from scratch and know where it's been.

[yoassizmine]

I just wanted to know... how much faster is the ninja 250 than other cars on the rode percentage wise? thanks

[IWRXIT]

its about as fast as a stock wrx...that is all.

for an above post...

turn signals can be found on ebay. i have smoke black flush mounts.

the pegs feelers can be unscrewed to get more clearance. i did that after the first time i slid them on the concrete. i think the center stand hits next. i dont have mine on anymore, so im not sure.

130 is the widest tire yo ucan fit without mods. the wheel is actually designed for a 120. i would suggest the pirelli sport demons. as soon as my bike is back, ill be getting some.

i have only seen custom hi-pipes. i believe the muzzy is the highest mount available.
you could drill out the rivets to make the stock pipes sound tons better.

tough to get more power outta the little bike. filter pod, new sproket, re-jet and exhaust is the econimic way to go.

and i take my bike tio the dealer for all mods seeing as its an '05 and i am scared to ruin it...again...

[Redline]

Originally Posted by JTpaintball70

Finally! Someone else who had that happen to them.EVeryone around here thought I was crazy. I would finish trying to figure it out, but I can't be of much help... Kelly, Kyle, either of you know?

I get that too, just assumed it was subharmonics from an un balance-shafted double thumper. I get a lot of chain noise and other stuff too. I rode around the neighborhood for a few minutes without my helmet the other day and realized my bike sounds like a rolling junkyard....... This old Shoei helmet I have actually works pretty well.

[BleedGreen]

Originally Posted by CTRider

That's kind of where I'm at. I'd want a new bike based on my buying experience with cars.

My first car was used (paid $3K for it) and I put almost the price of the car into it in the 2+ years I owned it. Granted, it ran great the first year, but soon after, expensive stuff went wrong. On the other hand, though I paid more for it off the top, my first new car only required the replacement of the alternator with an inexpensive rebuilt unit after 5 years of ownership. Fast foward several years, I've had my current truck for over 6 years now. The only major expenses have been tires, brakes and an oxygen sensor. The computer was was found to be defective, but was replaced under warranty. All other expenses have been maintenance schedule items. If all goes well, the next big wear and tear item down the road should be suspension work once that wears out. So far, the mechanical stuff is excellent. The extra money I spent buying new has been well worth having a very reliable vehicle instead of one that is in the shop getting the next part replaced. In addition, it was nice to choose exactly what I wanted, rather than pick from what was available out there.

I'm a careful driver and I take care of my vehicles. In reality, I'm the guy you'd want to buy a used vehicle from because the most work you'd most likely need to do is perform the next regular service checkup when that time comes. The fact that I know I'll take proper care of the vehicle is why I want to start from scratch and know where it's been.

in that case, when do you plan on selling your bike lol

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by BleedGreen

in that case, when do you plan on selling your bike lol

LOL - much later!

[jaiwhe]

I am looking for exhaust options for my 2004 EX 250R. I found that cobra had some slip ons but they only went up to year 2001. I called a couple of places and did some internet searches have only come up with Muzzy's. With a twin and 400.00 a piece. I'm looking at 1,000 with the dyno jet kit. This is 50% of what I spent on the bike. There has to be a cheaper alternative. Anyone have any info out there????

[pizzarro]

You could just drill out the rivets, if you only want a little more sound.
Aside from that, you could buy used online.
JJ

[jaiwhe]

Originally Posted by pizzarro

You could just drill out the rivets, if you only want a little more sound.
Aside from that, you could buy used online.
JJ

After reading these forums, I have decided to drill out the riverts-definately. Do I need to do any jetting?

Used-who?What?When?Where?Why?How?

I just can't seem to figure out what fits the 2004 250 besides a muzzy. Any info would be appreciated.

[slamed_250r]

Hey guys im new to the site im just trying to get some feed back from you ninja people! Have any of you seen a streached AND slamed ninja 250r on the streets where ever you live?? Or anywhere for that matter? I bought my girl a 2000 Ninja 250r for her birthday/christmas (its is a way early christmas!) she has no idea i got it for her its sitting at the next level performance shop i work at. Me and the owner have some big plans for it before she receves it. We bought all the race fairings for it convereted it to one pipe out the back middle and are curently about to slam it as far as it will go and streach the back 5-10 inchs... her paint will be a custom pink with hello kitty grapics... ill try to get some before and after pictures up later but tell me what you think about the ideas we have for it thanks....

[jaiwhe]

Originally Posted by slamed_250r

Hey guys im new to the site im just trying to get some feed back from you ninja people! Have any of you seen a streached AND slamed ninja 250r on the streets where ever you live?? Or anywhere for that matter? I bought my girl a 2000 Ninja 250r for her birthday/christmas (its is a way early christmas!) she has no idea i got it for her its sitting at the next level performance shop i work at. Me and the owner have some big plans for it before she receves it. We bought all the race fairings for it convereted it to one pipe out the back middle and are curently about to slam it as far as it will go and streach the back 5-10 inchs... her paint will be a custom pink with hello kitty grapics... ill try to get some before and after pictures up later but tell me what you think about the ideas we have for it thanks....

Well I have never seen a stretched and slammed ninja 250r. I think most people don't do it because your spending more money than the bike is worth. Kinda like spending 40,000 to trick out my mini van only worth 25,000. Sounds silly. But to each his own. Ninja's do a great job of holding their value unlike traditional cars, so lets just hope your girlfriend knows how to ride and isn't a newbie, because then you'll be crushed when she drops it. We all do when we are new!!!!!! Good luck and I definately have to see pics when your done. By the way, how much did it cost for the new exhaust system?-I would love that on mine!!!!!!