2009 Ninja 650R

[dgrimes]

Originally Posted by messer00

You hit on two topics that people ALWAYS disagree on... What is the best first bike and should it be used or new?

Personally., I think the 650R is the ideal first bike. I started off with a (new) 07' 500R and traded it in for a (new) 07' 650R just four months later. While the 500R was fast enough, the bike was outdated is so many different ways that I felt I should just buy the bike I wanted in the first place. The throttle is extremely user-friendly and the riding position was not too aggressive. In my opinion, any new rider could handle this bike. As for dropping bikes, a lot of new riders drop bikes in low speed turns or situations by looking at the ground and not looking up and where they want to go. The other would be failing to put their kickstand down, which is even done sometimes by experienced riders, and can easily be avoided by actually remembering to put your kickstand down !!!! ~ A few years and 20,000 miles later I decided to make the move up to a supersport because the 650R is not the ideal track bike and that's where my focus is at right now. ~ Anyways, like I said earlier, there's more than one way to look at those two questions and that's just my opinion.

Totally agree with you, very informative post, props to you. I have been riding for about 2 years now myself and I still once in awhile forget to put the kickstand done, it happens!!!....I mean i dont drop it, but when i get off im like,, wow this is leaning over a little to far, lol...as for the 650r being a good first bike...I wasn't really saying it "wouldn't" be a good first bike, what I was trying to say was I dont think a new ride should get a BRAND NEW 650r as the guy was saying. To me, thats like a 16 yr old asking for a bmw or mercedes for their first car. Which I still think is retarded seeing the little kids driving convertible eclipses, lexus, pimped out cadilacs...

Sorry, now back on track of the topic, lol..I also think 650r is a great beginner bike but just not brand new one.

[GreenRocket]

I think there are many needs a first time rider has but the most important one is LIGHTWEIGHT and low seat. You need a bike that is hard to drop when a newbie does something wrong.
The Ninja 250 and 500 have the best of both these areas. The 650 is about 65 pounds heavier than the new 250 and the seat is almost 1 inch higher.

The second important thing is that the bike be inexpensive. This is why used bikes are always a good recommendation. I would never advise anyone who has never rode to go out and spend $10,000 on a new bike, gear and insurance.

Speaking of which I just compared quotes on 2 bikes- the 2009 Yamaha FZ6R and the 2009 Ninja 650R. The Ninja's insurance was over $500 less! With that and the cost of me having to buy new gear (Kawi green clashes too much with Yellow) it looks like I'll be shopping for the larger Ninja this month!

[GAS2HI]

Does anyone have a Throttlemeister on the 09 650r ?
I went to the website and the 09 isn't listed but I did get a part number. Cant order direct off the web from them so I look around and found another site.. says year 06+ 650R but shows another part number. I could really use the info on a working unit.

[GAS2HI]

What mods can I do to get better MPG ? Windscreen ? PCIII ? Aftermarket pipes ? Most of my riding is to from work and all the "poker runs" I can do. I ride it easy and so far my best range is 140 miles per tank. Any lil bit will help.

[GAS2HI]

Opinions needed about "Pig spotter" mirrors. I'm thinking about installing some but not having a bike to sit on that already has them it holding me back. Any blind spots ? more/less vibrations ? Will I have to ride bent over or still see them sitting up normal ? Oh ya. I'm also looking for a seat upgrade of some sort. Made a 4 Hr trip to ride the "Pig Trail" (Arkansas Hwy 23) and by the time I got back home some 10 hrs later my butt was cussing me