How to make a pregen cool?

codythomashunsberger · April 6th, 2013, 10:35 AM

After being licensed for half a year and getting all my gear and waiting an obscenely long time, I may have finally found the bike for me.

It's a black 2006 Ninjette pretty close to me, so I'm going to check it out on Sunday and if all goes well, perhaps I'll buy her.

ANYWAY, I decided to strongly consider this one because it's cheap and will train me well. I've looked at SV650s and all that but the little 250s sound like a lot of fun and will leave me with another grand for mods, gas, etc. I can overlook the ugliness, but I'll have some extra cash to put into making her something I can be proud to ride, so my question is this:

What "farkles" would you start with to make a black pregen "cool"?

Racer x · April 6th, 2013, 11:05 AM

new tires and a battery.
I am tall so a bubble shield is good for me. New rear sprocket maybe. If you do highway riding.
How is your gear helmet boots gloves that stuff?

csmith12 · April 6th, 2013, 11:07 AM

Assuming gear and all that jazz....

Tires, new ones if needed.
A few shims on the needles goes a long way.
Fender delete, move turn signal lights into the empty spaces of the tail light.
Flush the front turn signals.

A good cleaning, lube chain and change all fluids.

That is a cheap start.

iplante · April 6th, 2013, 11:24 AM

Muzzy 2 in 1 exhaust system
Woodcraft clip-ons
Raising the tail

Check out @choneofakind mod list

codythomashunsberger · April 6th, 2013, 12:03 PM

Should have mentioned that yes, I have all my gear.

Probably won't do much highway riding. My commute is comprised of 45 m.p.h. semi-rural roads.

GeorgeRYoung · April 6th, 2013, 12:21 PM

Reduces sponginess, improves brake 'feel'.

Racer x · April 6th, 2013, 01:12 PM

Stiffer front spring in the front. To me the first gen is a little soft.

choneofakind · April 6th, 2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplante

Check out @choneofakind mod list

Hey, you rock Isabelle

There's a link to my mod list in my signature. Check out my picture albums on here as well.

There's there's lots of goodies you can add to this bike, but remember one thing. You're on a motorcycle. That's pretty damn cool in its own right.

Knowing how to ride a motorcycle well is just as cool as riding a sweet tricked out motorcycle.

That being said, my bike is pretty sick for a pregen in my humble opinion.

Joshorilla · April 6th, 2013, 01:36 PM

Bikes are like women, every one is beautiful in their own right and perfect just the way they are.

But generally they can be improved with a few thousand dollars or cosmetic surgery, but it's best keeping the upgrades to the older ones small tasteful and subtle or you'll end up with Joan Rivers.

iplante · April 6th, 2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Bikes are like women, every one is beautiful in their own right and perfect just the way they are.

But generally they can be improved with a few thousand dollars or cosmetic surgery, but it's best keeping the upgrades to the older ones small tasteful and subtle or you'll end up with Joan Rivers.

psych0hans · April 6th, 2013, 02:09 PM

Sell old gen, but new gen

choneofakind · April 6th, 2013, 02:16 PM

Nahhhhh, the pregen's are just as good as the new gens. Cheaper to insure as well.

Really the only thing that makes the newgens better is the tire options. But for an average Joe, there really isn't a need for race tires.

Trailerboy531 · April 6th, 2013, 02:35 PM

The best way to make a pregen cool is to sell it and buy a new gen.

Right @choneofakind !?

But really, as far as pregens go, Chris has one of the top notch ones.

Motofool · April 6th, 2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codythomashunsberger

.........I can overlook the ugliness, but I'll have some extra cash to put into making her something I can be proud to ride.......

Pre-gens are not ugly.
If you are busy riding motorcycles, you will not have much time to pay attention to their appearance.

Strive for becoming a good and safe rider as quickly as possible.

Invest instead in some extra learning and practice to become someone she can be proud to be ridden by.

lgk · April 6th, 2013, 05:11 PM

fender delete

street fighter headlight

exhaust

allanoue · April 6th, 2013, 05:29 PM

300

lgk · April 6th, 2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanoue

300

transplanting a 300 engine?

yea that would be cool

allanoue · April 6th, 2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgk

transplanting a 300 engine?

yea that would be cool

&suspension &fi &wheels
&slipper meh

BlackNinja8 · April 6th, 2013, 05:46 PM

Do a lot of riding before you decide to invest money into it. Resist the urge. If a few months pass and you still love it start with some functional mods whose value you may be able to recoup if you sell it. If you do end up selling you will need that money for a new bike. If you decide to keep it then the time you spent riding it will help you prioritize how you want to improve it

MistahT · April 6th, 2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codythomashunsberger

What "farkles" would you start with to make a black pregen "cool"?

Tail swap or strip it down to make a street fighter or cafe

I hate the looks of the pregen.... says the guy with two in his garage.....

CZroe · April 15th, 2013, 09:22 AM

Complete suspension swap with newgen... wheels, fenders, brakes, shocks, handlebars, etc.
Add an Indonesian swingarms cover/hugger
Use a seat cover that gives a sport-cowl look (blends the passenger seat area with the body color) or install the Airtech solo seat cowl.
Get rid of the fender and integrate turn signals into the pods
Re-shape the front headlight and windscreen. I plan to use headlight mesh and vinyl to make a design that goes beyond the borders of the old lens shape. You can paint right over the windscreen to match the fairings.

Chicagobob · April 15th, 2013, 11:02 AM

Depends on what you think is "cool." The pregen's 80s styling is dated, especially the boxy tail, but underneath, it has a nice-looking engine and a traditional layout, allowing a lot of leeway in modifying it. Another thing is that all that bodywork weighs about 30 lbs.

Here's what I did:

I also like this new idea, from Blue Collar Bobbers:

Or:

psych0hans · April 15th, 2013, 11:06 AM

@Chicagobob has one of the neatest pre gens around... Do what he did

!!(0_o)!! · April 17th, 2013, 08:56 PM

Shim the carbs. Doing this was the best $0.38 I've EVER spent. Two #4 washers worked perfectly for me right after a fresh carb rebuild and valve adjustment.

Here's a link:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11963

Lose some weight. Not you, the bike (you too if you can, every bit helps) i took off my center stand (keep it, you'll need it for maintenance), grab bar, passenger sets, and a lot of low weight stuff just to tidy up some

The zip tie mod is nice:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26270

And get some good tires. I've got Avon viper srike 100 and 120/80 and I like em, but do your research and find out what best suits your driving style.

kirk595x · April 17th, 2013, 09:32 PM

New Muffler bearings, Turn Signal fluid and to top it off a Powerband

.

April 6th, 2013, 10:35 AM	#1
codythomashunsberger ninjette.org member Name: Cody Location: Montgomery County, PA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None as of yet Posts: 10	How to make a pregen cool? After being licensed for half a year and getting all my gear and waiting an obscenely long time, I may have finally found the bike for me. It's a black 2006 Ninjette pretty close to me, so I'm going to check it out on Sunday and if all goes well, perhaps I'll buy her. ANYWAY, I decided to strongly consider this one because it's cheap and will train me well. I've looked at SV650s and all that but the little 250s sound like a lot of fun and will leave me with another grand for mods, gas, etc. I can overlook the ugliness, but I'll have some extra cash to put into making her something I can be proud to ride, so my question is this: What "farkles" would you start with to make a black pregen "cool"?

April 6th, 2013, 11:05 AM	#2
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	new tires and a battery. I am tall so a bubble shield is good for me. New rear sprocket maybe. If you do highway riding. How is your gear helmet boots gloves that stuff? __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

April 6th, 2013, 11:07 AM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Assuming gear and all that jazz.... Tires, new ones if needed. A few shims on the needles goes a long way. Fender delete, move turn signal lights into the empty spaces of the tail light. Flush the front turn signals. A good cleaning, lube chain and change all fluids. That is a cheap start. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 6th, 2013, 12:21 PM	#6
GeorgeRYoung ninjette.org member Name: George Location: Ottawa, Canada Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): EX250, C10 Concours Posts: 109	stainless/teflon front brake line Reduces sponginess, improves brake 'feel'.

April 6th, 2013, 01:12 PM	#7
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Stiffer front spring in the front. To me the first gen is a little soft. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

April 6th, 2013, 11:24 AM	#4
iplante I ride like a granny Name: Isabelle Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250R - EX250F Posts: 521 Blog Entries: 1	Muzzy 2 in 1 exhaust system Woodcraft clip-ons Raising the tail Check out @choneofakind mod list __________________________________________________ WANTED for 88-07 Ninja 250: Corbin Gunfighter & Lady seat

April 6th, 2013, 12:03 PM	#5
codythomashunsberger ninjette.org member Name: Cody Location: Montgomery County, PA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): None as of yet Posts: 10	Should have mentioned that yes, I have all my gear. Probably won't do much highway riding. My commute is comprised of 45 m.p.h. semi-rural roads.

April 6th, 2013, 01:36 PM	#9
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	Bikes are like women, every one is beautiful in their own right and perfect just the way they are. But generally they can be improved with a few thousand dollars or cosmetic surgery, but it's best keeping the upgrades to the older ones small tasteful and subtle or you'll end up with Joan Rivers.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 6th, 2013, 02:09 PM	#11
psych0hans ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Hansveer Location: Bombay, India Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.	Sell old gen, but new gen __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this. Last futzed with by psych0hans; April 15th, 2013 at 11:05 AM.

April 6th, 2013, 02:16 PM	#12
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Nahhhhh, the pregen's are just as good as the new gens. Cheaper to insure as well. Really the only thing that makes the newgens better is the tire options. But for an average Joe, there really isn't a need for race tires.

April 6th, 2013, 02:35 PM	#13
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	The best way to make a pregen cool is to sell it and buy a new gen. Right @choneofakind !? But really, as far as pregens go, Chris has one of the top notch ones. __________________________________________________ CVMA #531
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 6th, 2013, 05:11 PM	#15
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	fender delete street fighter headlight exhaust __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

April 6th, 2013, 05:29 PM	#16
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	300

April 6th, 2013, 05:46 PM	#19
BlackNinja8 ninjette.org guru Name: NJ Location: Westchester, NY Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R (Sold); 2012 Vulcan 900; 2009 Harley Iron 883; 2004 SV650s; and a bunch of others over the years... Posts: 470	Do a lot of riding before you decide to invest money into it. Resist the urge. If a few months pass and you still love it start with some functional mods whose value you may be able to recoup if you sell it. If you do end up selling you will need that money for a new bike. If you decide to keep it then the time you spent riding it will help you prioritize how you want to improve it
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

April 15th, 2013, 09:22 AM	#21
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Complete suspension swap with newgen... wheels, fenders, brakes, shocks, handlebars, etc. Add an Indonesian swingarms cover/hugger Use a seat cover that gives a sport-cowl look (blends the passenger seat area with the body color) or install the Airtech solo seat cowl. Get rid of the fender and integrate turn signals into the pods Re-shape the front headlight and windscreen. I plan to use headlight mesh and vinyl to make a design that goes beyond the borders of the old lens shape. You can paint right over the windscreen to match the fairings.

April 15th, 2013, 11:02 AM	#22
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Depends on what you think is "cool." The pregen's 80s styling is dated, especially the boxy tail, but underneath, it has a nice-looking engine and a traditional layout, allowing a lot of leeway in modifying it. Another thing is that all that bodywork weighs about 30 lbs. Here's what I did: I also like this new idea, from Blue Collar Bobbers: Or:

April 15th, 2013, 11:06 AM	#23
psych0hans ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Hansveer Location: Bombay, India Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.	@Chicagobob has one of the neatest pre gens around... Do what he did __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this.

April 17th, 2013, 08:56 PM	#24
!!(0_o)!! ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: New Orleans Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03 ex250 Posts: 41	Shim the carbs. Doing this was the best $0.38 I've EVER spent. Two #4 washers worked perfectly for me right after a fresh carb rebuild and valve adjustment. Here's a link: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11963 Lose some weight. Not you, the bike (you too if you can, every bit helps) i took off my center stand (keep it, you'll need it for maintenance), grab bar, passenger sets, and a lot of low weight stuff just to tidy up some The zip tie mod is nice: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26270 And get some good tires. I've got Avon viper srike 100 and 120/80 and I like em, but do your research and find out what best suits your driving style.

April 17th, 2013, 09:32 PM	#25
kirk595x ninjette.org guru Name: Robbie Location: Sacramento Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03' Ninja 250ex Posts: 333	New Muffler bearings, Turn Signal fluid and to top it off a Powerband.

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