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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Guess What I Got Today??? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1471752224 Message started by stewmills on 08/20/16 at 21:03:43 |
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Title: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/20/16 at 21:03:43 8-) |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by cheapnewb24 on 08/20/16 at 21:16:16 Yay! :D I like Ninja 250's. Are ya gonna keep it factory or do something cool with it? https://www.google.com/search?q=ninja+250+scrambler&espv=2&biw=780&bih=348&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiguLSh09HOAhUTySYKHS_pDkkQsAQIGw |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/20/16 at 21:21:56 Keep it just like that and have fun! |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by KennyG on 08/20/16 at 21:55:46 Stew, That is a nice looking bike. Kenny G |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by verslagen1 on 08/20/16 at 23:35:36 Where's my can opener ? ;D |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/21/16 at 03:36:13 Give us the "dirt" on this bike.....the only thing I can tell from the photo is that the bike is red, and it need turn signals in back! Does is run? |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/21/16 at 04:54:53 Oh yeah, it runs. 2007 with 21k miles. Here is the posting details below. Easier for me to paste than retype. Also note on the rear turn signals are in the rear fender beside the stop light. He said they are hard to find, but replaced the stock rear red lenses with Amber and rewired, etc. Original post: This bike has been great to me, and thoroughly enjoyable, but it's time to move on. I've regularly ridden it, and meticulously maintained it. The following have been done in the last few months: -Valve adjustment (this is regularly done) -Oil/filter change (last week) -Rear suspension upgraded to the modern 2009+ Ninja 250 shock -D.I.D chain and sprockets (about 600 miles on them) -Pirelli Sport Demon tires front and rear (about 600 miles on them) -Galfer steel braided brake line in the front -Speed Bleeders on front and rear brakes, with a brake flush -New pads front and rear -New battery |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/21/16 at 05:40:34 Looks like a total gas! How do you like how you fit? Do you like where the mirrors are? The pictures of you on the Taxi make me think you're not a big guy, so I expect it would haul you around and be pretty sassy doing it. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/21/16 at 05:50:01 Just got it last night. Haven't ridden it yet but I am 5`6" and sitting on it I think it fits like a glove. I'm excited. Hope to take it for a spin today if the weather holds out. And NO, the Savage is not going anywhere....it will never be sold no matter what other bike swapping/trading I do. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Steve H on 08/21/16 at 06:03:41 Very nice :) You'll have a great time riding it all over. The turn signal relocation is a common mod but like you said, the lenses are getting harder to find since that body style ended in 07. It does give the rear a little sleeker look and no worries about relocating signals if you get some saddle bags. You'll have to check out ninjette.org. I'm beginning to wonder if you can actually wear out a set of tires on it. Looks like a great bike. Have fun with it. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Art Webb on 08/21/16 at 06:46:57 awesome! enjoy! |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/21/16 at 19:36:06 Washed the bike and got familiar with it today. Weather is sketchy so I only rode about 10 miles to go fuel up before hitting another shower so I went back home instead of a joy ride. It feels comfy and fun, it's just a different bike that feels, well, different. You wind through the gears quickly (kinda fun) and have to get used to the RPMs. It is more sensitive to throttle on and off on the Ninjas chain drive versus the softer response of the belt drive Savage but it is to be expected in a sport bike. Probably the biggest difference I noted, as odd as it may seem, is that the windshield, mirrors, and instruments don't move with your turn whereas on a cruiser it does since it is attached to the forks. It is a different feeling that I will have to adjust to. On the Savage I feel like everything moving gives me a situational awareness of where the bike is headed, and on the Ninja the only cues are which way you have the handlebars turned since nothing else moves and you don't see the tire under the farings. Not saying any of this is bad or that I won't adjust accordingly, but to jump off the Savage and hit the Dragon on the Ninja on the first day....Probably not the smartest thing. 8-) I'm looking forward to riding more this week if the rain will hold off. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by jcstokes on 08/21/16 at 22:01:15 What a very good idea to leave as is Stewmills, I hope it provides many miles of riding, in a different style to your Savage. I certainly wouldn't be concerned about "cool"???? |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 02:08:42 0B0212150E0A0412610 wrote:
Yep.....this is a bike that certainly doesn't get any attention, anywhere. With my Savage Cafe' bike I am used to lots of folks looking and asking whenever I stop.....the little Ninja gets almost none. There are a few folks who appreciate what the little Ninja can do and how much fun it is - but they are few and far between. When I got mine in had about 9,000 miles and 12 years on the original tires - the tread was not worn evenly and the bike rode a lot nicer with new tires on it. With a couple of bungee chords the little hooks on the side of the seat make it possible to take a backpack or gym bag really easily. I do a lot of errand running on my little Ninja. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Steve H on 08/22/16 at 04:19:04 I got one of the little stretchy cargo nets. You can carry a couple bags of groceries that way if you need to. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by RaleighGuy on 08/22/16 at 04:35:36 That's a nice looking bike, bud. I hope you have a blast running it around!! I've never been on a sport bike before but I'd sure like to try it sometime. And yeah, I agree with jcstokes..... don't worry about cool. Just enjoy the differences between the two bikes and have fun. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 04:44:45 4C4948445449494B43260 wrote:
By the current standards....the early Ninja 250 and 500 are not sport bikes. The seating position, peg and handlebar location are not nearly as aggressive as the modern sport bikes.....and they are really pretty comfortable for us smaller riders. You sit a lot more upright on these older bikes......you don't lean nearly as far over the fuel tank as you would on a modern sport bike. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by RaleighGuy on 08/22/16 at 04:52:08 4C4948445449494B43260 wrote:
------------------------------------------- Oh, ok. Thanks Dave. Didn't know that. In that case, I'll definitely have to try one out. I thought most all of those Ninjas were considered "sport" but that's the main reason I haven't considered one before. I didn't think my back could take the constant leaning for an hour or more but I'm 5'6" just like Stew so maybe it wouldn't be too terrible. Is the design significantly different on the newer models? I noticed that SteveH mentioned the body style changed quite a lot after 2007. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 05:06:00 Early 250 Ninja: (Note handlebars are higher than the top of the fuel tank). http://i65.tinypic.com/nvwt5f.jpg Later 250 Ninja: (Note handlebars are below the top of the fuel tank). http://i65.tinypic.com/20sj1x.jpg |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by RaleighGuy on 08/22/16 at 05:10:40 Wow, that seat did a major dive and dipped down, didn't it? And the tank sticks WAAAAY up in the air in later years. Sorry Stew, didn't mean to hijack your topic. But no wonder you choose an '07 model. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Art Webb on 08/22/16 at 07:20:17 I always refered to my 500 Ninja as a sport-ee commuter bike, rather than a sport bike, although the insurance guys say otherwise |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/22/16 at 07:32:18 Yep...I have one of those nets on my Savage and he also threw one in with the Ninja. I intend to leave it just as is unless I need to make any sensible modifications for better running and/or longevity. Other than that, I went ahead and spent a bit more than I originally planned (was looking for a cheap fixer upper) for a clean running bike versus a fixer upper so I could enjoy it and not be in the shop wrenching on it all the time...and making my wife mad >:( She'd rather me have this bike that works. Bike cleaned up real good. Only notable blemish (that I knew about before buying) is the one you see on the faring under the handlebar, which I may source an auto paint pen that matches as close as I can find and at least cover the exposed area to prevent any chipping on the raw paint edge. Looked for matching paint online and it seems hard to find, and I can't see paying $60...just seems a bit much. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/22/16 at 07:35:16 7E7B7A76667B7B7971140 wrote:
No worries! Bring it on...we're all learning some good stuff here. I'm new to the Ninja talk too ;) Yes, I do agree that the sitting position is comfy. I haven't tried one, but I don't think I would be as happy with a newer one that requires you to be in a more aggressive forward leaning position. I don't want that. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by springman on 08/22/16 at 10:32:23 Way to go Stew. Enjoy it. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 10:59:35 I guess the SavageForum needs to have a Ninja 250 gathering at the Dragon.....Summer 2017? And......we can go 300+ miles between stops for fuel! (And....it is not appropriate for the Savage Faithful to refer to us as "whiners".....the little engine just needs to be wound up a bit before it will do anything. Just when the 650 Thumper is running out of steam.....the little Ninja motor is starting to make some power on the way up to 14,000 rpm where the 30 Horsies are corralled). |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Oldfeller on 08/22/16 at 11:59:03 I never said you whined -- I said your little engine did, but it did keep ahead and up front and that is all that counts. ;D I may get me a Vulcan S with the same RPM redline number, just to have me a tonal harmony ability. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 12:15:48 Just stay away form the fresh tar snakes....the little Ninja's don't like them! Last month when we were riding through GA, we were on the same road with those nasty tar snakes that made the Ninja jump sideways, and my Savage Cafe' bike didn't even care and was stable as can be. I mentioned that to the fellow who rides down there all the time, and he blamed it on the little 16" rims/tires on the Ninjette. That is the only time the little bike has surprised me so far......... |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/22/16 at 12:55:45 So is there a solution for the tar snakes such as a fork brace for stability, or is it just something in the way the Ninjette is different and it is what it is? |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 13:49:55 4E49584A505451514E3D0 wrote:
I am not sure there is on the Ninjette.....I think the tiny little front tire has a small footprint, and the tar snakes can take up a lot of that area. I only ever noticed a problem once, in Georgia on 76 going into Haiwassee....the tar snakes appeared to be very fresh and they where squishy and a bit "proud" of the surface....and I just had to stay off them when cornering or the bike would just jump sideways until the tires were on the pavement again. It might have just been a fluke related to those fresh snakes......I have never noticed it being a problem anywhere else - but I rode them 2 days in a row and it behaved the same way both days. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/22/16 at 14:07:36 Cool. I'll try to pay attention when I stumble upon some of them and see if I can tell anything. At minimum I know now to be cautious. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/22/16 at 17:38:55 Dave, Here's a look at the rear turn signals. Keep in mind you know WAYYYYYY more about these than I, but it appears this is a complete tail light housing swap. I didn't look at the bulbs, but certainly this is all DOT. I'm still going to probably do the LEDs right there on that vertical black strip. Also, once again I am thrilled at how much this forum has taught me on the Savage that I can transcend onto other things...namely motorcycles...and the Ninja. I had a little oil on the top of the Ninja crankcase around the breather hose. It wasn't leaking on the ground so I suspected it was just high-speed blowby that was finding it's way out. I cleaned things up, removed the breather hose to make sure it was not cracked, and it was in great shape. Looked closer and there was oil on the top side of the breather hose, which made me think. I looked closer and saw the little hose coming off of the air box that also had oily residue and grime on it. What was it....The puke tube of course. I opened it up and a fair amount of oil came out. I don't think it was enough to fill up the entire puke tube, but it was a good bit. I suspect this had something to do with the oil starting to show it's face on the top of the case as it appeared to be coming from the bottom of the air box where the puke tube and breather hose all route into the bottom. I guess the PO didn't clear it much, or he did and he just rode it a lot at high speed and it built up fast. Anyhow, I of course drained the puke tube and cleaned up things real well so next time I ride I can keep an eye on things and see if I have corrected things. Thanks Team! |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Dave on 08/22/16 at 18:57:37 Well I just went out and looked at mine. The lenses, reflectors and holes for the lights are there....but there a no light sockets installed. Evidently Kawasaki stopped putting bulbs and sockets in them for some reason....my lenses are red. I still have the stock turn signals...so I could put running lights in there - or even better I could put dual filament bulbs and sockets and have running lights and turn signals. I would expect that as long as you have 21W bulbs in there (not 8 watt running light bulbs), they are probably working just fine for turn signals! |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by Steve H on 08/26/16 at 04:40:07 There was some discussion on the ninjette board about the turn signal mod not meeting minimum DOT requirements for distance from center, or tail light, or something like that. Hey, at least you can see those. Much better than a lot of the stuff you see running around. There's info on ninjette about what sockets, where to source, and a company that is still making the amber lens kit. |
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Title: Re: Guess What I Got Today??? Post by stewmills on 08/26/16 at 07:14:31 Thanks SteveH. I'll have been around the ninjette forum a little but don't think I have stumbled on that topic yet. I have been looking at discussions on changing the front signals to flush mounts (I only want DOT approved stuff) and there are arguments that even if they are DOT approved ones they are hard to see at certain angles and distance as opposed to stock ones. If I find a good DOT approved set with good visibility I will consider this swap but I don't want to do it at the expense of safety. |
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