Ninja 250R/500R

[Curve]

I'm getting ready to insure my 500r and I'm just curious what the rest of you are paying for yours. I want to get a good idea so that I get the best deal possible. Include age, state, and if you have other vehicles insured under the same company. Myself, I'm 19 and live in california and have two other cars under the same insurance already. My insurance company is asking 1600 extra on my insurance. I have a perfect record too so it's probably just my age.That and they're probably just trying to screw me. Anyways lets hear it from you.

[Future]

Whereabouts in California and what insurance company?

[Curve]

Los Angeles area and through Mercury

[Tweak]

Curve,

1600!!!!

Age makes a difference, but D4MN!

My wife is, or really now was, an insurance agent for about 5 years. Things do differ from state to state, but here is what I got from her old office.

I live in Western PA. I am 30 (over 25 gets a lower rate), married (yet another lower rate), and I have 2 cars and my house with the same insurance company (this made no difference to them). I have an '06 Ninja 500 that I just bought a couple weeks ago. My insurance for the year is 250. This policy is seperate from my cars.

Now, a couple questions - do you have your license or just permit? This makes a difference.

Have you taken a motorcycle safety course? This can help as well.

I am guessing it is your age that is killing you. Are you sure they didn't quote you insurance for a 600 or larger bike? When I was looking at the 636 my insurance would have been about 1000 a year. When I checked the 500 it dropped to under 300!

I would check around because that seems high to me.

Good luck.

Tweak

[richsoucie]

the way my insurance does it is with classes 250cc-500cc is all one class so if you own a bike in that class it all cost the same. anyway here it goes. I am 19 have full coverage and have 4 tickets and one accident. I also have my permit and have not taken a safty course. and mine was under $300

[streetbiker05]

i have heard rumors of a 606 Stroker Kit that is available for a EX500, but i have not been able to find out much about it. Is it true that there is such a kit out there? Has anybody else heard of it? i can't find one but if somebody can find them for sale please let me know, i would like to buy one.

[Curve]

Curve,

1600!!!!

Age makes a difference, but D4MN!

My wife is, or really now was, an insurance agent for about 5 years. Things do differ from state to state, but here is what I got from her old office.

I live in Western PA. I am 30 (over 25 gets a lower rate), married (yet another lower rate), and I have 2 cars and my house with the same insurance company (this made no difference to them). I have an '06 Ninja 500 that I just bought a couple weeks ago. My insurance for the year is 250. This policy is seperate from my cars.

Now, a couple questions - do you have your license or just permit? This makes a difference.

Have you taken a motorcycle safety course? This can help as well.

I am guessing it is your age that is killing you. Are you sure they didn't quote you insurance for a 600 or larger bike? When I was looking at the 636 my insurance would have been about 1000 a year. When I checked the 500 it dropped to under 300!

I would check around because that seems high to me.

Good luck.

Tweak

Haha I wouldn't bother at all if I didn't have a license and yes I've completed the MSF course awhile back. I think I'm going to switch insurance companies anyways. State Farm quoted me 310 so I'm going to take advantage of that while I still can.

[Future]

Curve,
I live out in the San Bernardino area, we should ride sometime. Anyway Im in the same situation however, I have AAA and they are treating me okay. Long time member so they have given me every discount. Have you had motorcycles on the policy before? I havent that is why mine is kind of high (not near what yours was) but if you can get State Farm take advantage.

[Curve]

This will be my first MC on my policy. Want to hear something funny? Statefarm called my insurance company and minutes after the two companies spoke I get a call from my company, Mercury, saying that I can insure my bike for 297. I hate it when people try assume I'm naive and anxious because of my age but I guess it all worked out in the end.

[Tweak]

Nice - amazing how insurance companies try to screw you right, left and every which way they can!

That was the nice thing about having a wife that worked for an insurance company - I always knew (or she knew really) if I was getting a good deal.


Good luck and safe riding...

Tweak

[Mvlacrosse3788]

have any of you managed to drop a knee when riden the twisties.

[Tod]

I wouldn't advise trying it with the stock tires, but yeah you can totally carve on a 250 or 500 with some good aftermarket tires.

I'd also recommend swapping the rear shock for a better aftermarket one with a preload adjuster and smoother damping for better control if you're after some serious cornering action.

[Curve]

Speaking of 250r how well do those perform on freeways. Can it at least do 80mph with a 200lb male? I'm also 6'1.

[Tod]

I'm over 270, and I can do 80 easy, gets a little buzzy though.

If you're going to be pushing 70-80 on a regular basis, I'd advise getting some Bar-end weights, and some good gloves or gel grips.

[Curve]

I'm a newbie at bikes. What do you mean by bar end weights? Does doing 70-80mph affect your gas mileage negatively?

[ledhed]

I find that the Helmet locks on the Ninja 500R SUCK.

I did find these, Barend Locks, but I 'm having a tuff time getting the OEM bar ends off. Is there a trick to removing them or am I just not using enough torque. I dont want to strip the screws.

Thanks.

LedHed

------EDIT-------

Its amazing how strong Lick Tight can be, it took a hammer and an impact wrench to break it free...

[DiverDown]

They have red locktite on them. About the only way to get them off is with an impact wrench. (Air or manual).

[Future]

yeah I cant get my barends off either. I have chrome engraved ones I want to put on but the problem is the screws are too soft. Ive tried it with a torque wrench and it just eats up the screw. I think we are going to have to go to the dealer. If you do find out how to do it please share.

[johntammi]

Hello,
I'm 6' 2" and weigh 244, would the ninja 500 have plenty of power for me to commute on the freeway? Not looking to be a speed freak but will have some fun occassionally. Also, how about my height, will I be cramped at all?
Thanks

[Freakinout]

Hello,
I'm 6' 2" and weigh 244, would the ninja 500 have plenty of power for me to commute on the freeway? Not looking to be a speed freak but will have some fun occassionally. Also, how about my height, will I be cramped at all?
Thanks

It should scoot you around fine. I'm 6'2", so the room is good, you kinda have to learn how to sit on one, since its not a cruiser or anything. I go down the freeways at 70mph without any problem.