I've noticed several new ninjette owners are selling their rides

[Apex]

Originally Posted by cnichols79us

I REALLY like the look of the Versys too! Thought for sure that would be my next bike until I sat on it and WOW...... 33.1" seat height on the Versys vs. 29.7" on the ER-6N..... I have the shortest freeking Mr. Frodo, Hobbit A@#, inseam of anyone ever!! So, the 1" + makes a difference for me. Don't want to feel like I am riding a KLR when I am on a Sportier Steed...

I'm sure there is an easy mod to drop the seat height a little.

[silver_bullet]

Here are my 600's...no supersports juts 600's with a usable powerband

[Apex]

Those YZF600's are super comfortable. I wanted the one at the dealer. Selling for a decent price. But the dual sports are sooo tempting...

[silver_bullet]

I'd love one but can't see spending the kind of money they want for a brand new one. I kinda like having two YZF's in the stable. The blue one is getting lowered and inch front and back for her though.

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

Here are my 600's...no supersports juts 600's with a usable powerband

Are there 600's with non-usable power bands?

[silver_bullet]

Have you ridden the supersports? No the most practical powerband for the commuter. Besides, the Thundercat makes more HP and torque up to 10,500 rpm's than an R6. I still ride by those big black and white signs on the side of the road and they don't change if you're on a scooter, 250 or zx-14. I love the ergonomics of my Thundercat and she fell in love with it too. I'd rather she picked a Cat than a R6

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

Have you ridden the supersports? No the most practical powerband for the commuter. Besides, the Thundercat makes more HP and torque up to 10,500 rpm's than an R6. I still ride by those big black and white signs on the side of the road and they don't change if you're on a scooter, 250 or zx-14. I love the ergonomics of my Thundercat and she fell in love with it too. I'd rather she picked a Cat than a R6

Other than the little ninja I haven't been on a bike as small as an R6 in some time. I have, however, been riding liter bikes for the last 17 years and I find their power bands quite practical and useful... maybe even fun

[silver_bullet]

I'd love an R1 someday but the practicality and insurance price of it for me right now suck. I've found the powerband to be defferent on my friends R1vs another friends R6. The torque feels a lot more smooth on the 1000cc than the 600's. The closest comparison that I can think of is a Honda's VTEC. nothing, nothing nothing, POWER

[silver_bullet]

I'd absolutely kill for a Thunderace if I could find a good one. I'd suck up the insurance for one of those.

[Manimal]

I love my lil Ninja. Totally practical for the riding I do, twisty backroads. I have no need or lust for anything bigger. On the other hand, being vertically challenged, there aren't too many choices for me anyways If anything else, I'd probably go for a thumper (DRZ).

[Apex]

Originally Posted by silver_bullet

The closest comparison that I can think of is a Honda's VTEC. nothing, nothing nothing, POWER

I always thought the VTEC, it was nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, ohh...there is something, a little more something, nothing.

[silver_bullet]

I figured I'd be nice since I make my money from American Honda Motors

[Mista Bob]

I mainly sold my 250 because my knees would cramp up pretty badly after 100-150km's of riding. Bike was physically too small for me.
I'm not super tall or anything, but tall enough. Combined with my bad knees, it just doesn't work out.
It's low power didn't help much when it came time to decide either, to be honest.

Ended up upgrading to a DR650 dual sport, which I was much happier with in every single regard except for fuel mileage (comfort... power... handling... highway capability and just pure fun).

Now I have a 600 and I find the power to be useless. Not just because 100+ hp is useless on the street..... but more because of where that power is.
By the time the power kicks in fully in first gear, 10,000 rpm, you are already breaking the speed limit on any road that you would find here.

I'll probably be selling the 600 to go back to a dual sport soon.
Really wish I had enough room for two full sized bikes.... only reason I have room for my Honda is because it's so small.

[Apex]

Mista Bob: A guy at my father-in-laws oil shop talked to me today about getting a GSXR600. I told him not to. He asked why, and I gave him the same reason you just did. The fact that you have to rev it to the sky to get any power out of it.

I told him if he wanted a sporty ride that has usable power, look to rides like z1000, FZ1, Ninja 650, etc (even though the 1000's tend to be overkill).

He then mentioned that he wanted to ride all over the place, doing lots of traveling. I told him to 100% stay away from sportbikes. I even mentioned a KLR650 for him. I reminded him on long trips you carry a lot of gear, so the sportbike would be weighted down anyway. Need something with more utility. He agreed. He said he would think about it more and consider what I told him.

The more I think about it the less I want a supersport for my next ride. Where I live around Texas, there are no curves. If I ride to get to them, then it will be a 2hr ride, and that is too far. I'm better off with a dualsport, a sport-tourer, or something like that. I am going to save up some cash and try to talk my wife into my getting a 2nd bike. That will be fun conversation!!!

[cnichols79us]

Originally Posted by Apex

I'm sure there is an easy mod to drop the seat height a little.

There are mods to drop the ride height, but USUALLY in turn for some sort of handling issue, IMO....

I have ridden a couple KLR and DR 650's that had lowering links. I know they are a different type of bike, but even with the seat height at a more respectable level for me, they were like trying to lean a Truck into a turn. Really hard to use. This might be all in my head to, but I would rather buy something more manageable for me height wise from the get go...

[Apex]

Makes sense!

[Mista Bob]

Originally Posted by cnichols79us

There are mods to drop the ride height, but USUALLY in turn for some sort of handling issue, IMO....

I have ridden a couple KLR and DR 650's that had lowering links. I know they are a different type of bike, but even with the seat height at a more respectable level for me, they were like trying to lean a Truck into a turn. Really hard to use. This might be all in my head to, but I would rather buy something more manageable for me height wise from the get go...

It's all in your head.

A dual sport will turn in much easier than any sport bike ever will.
And the nice and wide handle bars + the sitting position lets you easily control the bike in any situation.
They are just all around extremely agile bikes.

[Betlog]

Originally Posted by Apex

I always thought the VTEC, it was nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, ohh...there is something, a little more something, nothing.

Depends on which Honda you are talking about. The newer Hondas/Acuras with the iVTEC is like you said... you can't feel much.

Back to motorcycles... I wish Honda would revive the 250RR.

[cnichols79us]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

It's all in your head.

A dual sport will turn in much easier than any sport bike ever will.
And the nice and wide handle bars + the sitting position lets you easily control the bike in any situation.
They are just all around extremely agile bikes.

I agree! BUT, throw some lowering links on a KLR 650 and compare it with a stock height... Which one is easier to turn?

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Apex

He then mentioned that he wanted to ride all over the place, doing lots of traveling. I told him to 100% stay away from sportbikes. I even mentioned a KLR650 for him. I reminded him on long trips you carry a lot of gear, so the sportbike would be weighted down anyway. Need something with more utility. He agreed. He said he would think about it more and consider what I told him.

Actually certain sportbikes make fantastic sport tourers. The yzf thundercats/thunderaces as mentioned a few posts above are great at it, as are the fireblades (929/954 bikes in particular). Apparently the sportbike riding position is more comfortable for the...err..."fatter" rider because it takes the weight off of the lower back....and allows them to straddle their gut.

Luggage room is always going to be a premium on a sportbike, but the same is true for any bike short of a Goldwing.

[Apex]

lol true about the luggage.

Too bad they don't make those bikes anymore...

The reason why I directed him towards more non SS bikes is because he was talking the GSXR600 and R6. He is about 5'10" and maybe weighs in at 150. He also wasn't pricing insurance either. Told him to do that as well so he gets a better overall picture.

[Mista Bob]

Originally Posted by cnichols79us

I agree! BUT, throw some lowering links on a KLR 650 and compare it with a stock height... Which one is easier to turn?

Shouldn't affect it too much so long as it was lowered within the manufacturers recommended specs in regards to lowering.
Not sure on the KLR 650, but with the DR650 the lowering was done via a lowering link along with lowering the front end by moving up the forks.
I'm almost 6'2 so I of course didn't lower mine.
so I don't actually have any experience with lowering links.

If only the rear was lowered (or lowered further then recommended) it could negatively affect the handling.
As I believe it would change up the steering angle on the front end. Increasing the rake, resulting in worse turn in.

Another thing that would add to it I'd imagine is, the higher up perspective you have due to the higher seat height and upright sitting position.
Which can take a lot of getting used to in the corners.
I know it took me a week or two to get back up to speed fully on the DR650 after coming off of the 250.

[cnichols79us]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Shouldn't affect it too much so long as it was lowered within the manufacturers recommended specs in regards to lowering.
Not sure on the KLR 650, but with the DR650 the lowering was done via a lowering link along with lowering the front end by moving up the forks.
I'm almost 6'2 so I of course didn't lower mine.
so I don't actually have any experience with lowering links.

If only the rear was lowered (or lowered further then recommended) it could negatively affect the handling.
As I believe it would change up the steering angle on the front end. Increasing the rake, resulting in worse turn in.

Another thing that would add to it I'd imagine is, the higher up perspective you have due to the higher seat height and upright sitting position.
Which can take a lot of getting used to in the corners.
I know it took me a week or two to get back up to speed fully on the DR650 after coming off of the 250.

You know, I'll bet that is what my experience has been. The couple that I have ridden with the lowering links in the rear had not been lowered at the fork. Good Point!!! Makes more sense.

[silver_bullet]

Originally Posted by Apex

lol true about the luggage.

Too bad they don't make those bikes anymore...

The reason why I directed him towards more non SS bikes is because he was talking the GSXR600 and R6. He is about 5'10" and maybe weighs in at 150. He also wasn't pricing insurance either. Told him to do that as well so he gets a better overall picture.

It really is. The new(last year) Yamaha FZ6R is a great bike though. Extremely comfortable. There are many more but I'm a Yamaha guy sooooo

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by Apex

The reason why I directed him towards more non SS bikes is because he was talking the GSXR600 and R6. He is about 5'10" and maybe weighs in at 150. He also wasn't pricing insurance either. Told him to do that as well so he gets a better overall picture.

Wow that dood's skinny LOL. He'd definitely fit better on a fizzer or something. Those shiney racing plastics are quite tempting, though, but a lot of the newer offerings are very attractive. I saw a brand new FZ6R at Taco Bell with dual scorpion cans on it. Very sweet!

[camaroz1985]

Test rode an '09 Versys Saturday. Don't know why I tempt myself. I don't know if I will be able to wait until next year, or even until the summer. Working on some numbers now, and checking with another dealer.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Wow that dood's skinny LOL. He'd definitely fit better on a fizzer or something. Those shiney racing plastics are quite tempting, though, but a lot of the newer offerings are very attractive. I saw a brand new FZ6R at Taco Bell with dual scorpion cans on it. Very sweet!

Oh man, now I am hungry for a gordita. Sat on a couple FZ6R, definitely lower spec than an R6 or even FZ6 from past years, but supposedly a very good bike, comfortable, and great rework of motor for everyday use.

[camaroz1985]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

Test rode an '09 Versys Saturday. Don't know why I tempt myself. I don't know if I will be able to wait until next year, or even until the summer. Working on some numbers now, and checking with another dealer.

Nevermind. I'll be waiting until the summer at least.

I just got off the phone with my insurance agent. I pay $380 a year for full coverage on my ninjette. A Versys with the same coverage would be $990!!!! When I turn 25 in July it will go down to $280 for the Versys.

Hopefully there will still be some left over '09s then.

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

Nevermind. I'll be waiting until the summer at least.

I just got off the phone with my insurance agent. I pay $380 a year for full coverage on my ninjette. A Versys with the same coverage would be $990!!!! When I turn 25 in July it will go down to $280 for the Versys.

Hopefully there will still be some left over '09s then.

LOL I wish i was getting $990/year.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Wow I am surprised at jump from 250R to versys. Now I am older (45) but pay $330 for full coverage with $1K deductible. A new ZX6R brings me to $900, a versys only raises a couple hundred.

[camaroz1985]

For the price difference I will wait 4 months.

[backinthesaddleagain]

I hear that as I think they only adjust the policy once per year (at its renewal). Just like I had a ticket come off in september, but rate didn't reduce until october (renewal).

[Sailariel]

This whole insurance scam is a mystery to me. For the Ninjette the premium is $285 a year. If I went to a Honda NT700 Deauville, it would be $190. This is with a 50 year totally clean record for both cage and bike. Makes no sense to me. I guess in insurance parlance, Ninja means wanton speed crazed misfit. Who knows? At my age, I am not going to fight them for a "few" dollars--life is too short, and I plan to enjoy what I have left.

[ninjabadger]

Unforunatly insurance cost is often dictated by arbitrary distictions. Our little ninjette is a "sportbike" so actuarily it commands a higher insurance premium where the NT700 as a "sport touring" bike is less risky according to the magical actuarial data. This data is the result of aggregated data over time. So really, if you want to blame anyone for the high cost of sport bike insurance, you can blame all the squids who have come before that wadded their bikes more fruequently than their non-sportbike riding peers.

I hear ya though about doin' what you gotta do though. Heck I have our two scooters insured, not so much to cover the hardware but the liability should someone get hurt or property damaged.
Posted via Mobile Device

[backinthesaddleagain]

How about I can get an FZ1 and insurance goes from $330 (ninjette) to $600. FZ1 is a literbike, with engine from previous gen R1, and a half fairing. However crash experience is low. Price out R1 from 2 years ago, power is relatively the same as FZ1 and its $1,300.

[lunerkid]

I already have near 2k miles and I know I am still learning.

I think the one thing I like about a bigger bike is not having to shift through all the gears.
Love the bike going through corners and really hope that when I do get to buying a bigger bike that I can still keep my ninja.

Though I think I may sell my ninja in a heart beat when this one comes out .

Yamahaette.org anyone ??

[Davidb1986]

Originally Posted by lunerkid

I already have near 2k miles and I know I am still learning.

I think the one thing I like about a bigger bike is not having to shift through all the gears.
Love the bike going through corners and really hope that when I do get to buying a bigger bike that I can still keep my ninja.

Though I think I may sell my ninja in a heart beat when this one comes out .

Yamahaette.org anyone ??

I wish this was out when I was looking for a bike. Is it coming out in the US?

[silver_bullet]

I was looking at those when it was time for the gf to get a bike, but in the end after importing it would have been about the same as the ninjette. I'd love to get one though! I don't think it'll come to the U.S since we're all size queens here.

[camaroz1985]

Found a differnt insurance company. $100K/300K, $250 deductible, full coverage on the ninjette is $185/yr, on the Versys is $391/yr. I'm going to the dealer tonight. If I can't get the price I want, I'll just wait. Its nice having a bike already and not "needing" one. Don't get me wrong I really want it, but I will make sure I get the deal I want.

This time next week I could be riding a Versys!! Don't worry I'm not leaving though (not that any of you were )

[ASecretNinja]

After wading through over a years worth of posted opinions and false hoods, I'm going ring in with my feelings here. I personally feel that 1000cc sport bikes are over kill. 90MPH in first gear? That's idiotic. 600 isn't really a happy medium, as they're fast too, albeit it slightly more sane. Here's what I think of some of the previous comments:

Originally Posted by Angel-be-Good

[list=1][*]I don't really want to spend $9k and pay the significant extra for insurance on my meager one year of experiece.

Did you even research insurance quotes while considering new bikes? I switched insurance companies and pay LESS with MORE COVERAGE for my newer 2006 CBR600RR ($180/year) than I did for my 1995 Ninjette ($220/year). I am a 27 year old male, licensed for 11 years ("3" years on a motorcycle) with a perfect driving record: No moving violations, no accidents, felonies, arrests, etc...

Originally Posted by DarkNinja52

My main concern with moving up from a 250 is safety..

Talk to Becky from Custom Seat Creations about the accident she had on her Ninjette.

As far as being "prone to accidents," you honestly probably shouldn't even be on a motorcycle in the first place. A common saying amongst my friends is that your "idiot check" is connected to the bottom of your right wrist.

Originally Posted by Apex

Mista Bob: A guy at my father-in-laws oil shop talked to me today about getting a GSXR600. I told him not to. He asked why, and I gave him the same reason you just did. The fact that you have to rev it to the sky to get any power out of it.

This made me laugh. If you have to rev a 600cc bike to the sky to get any power out of it, then by your standards the Ninjette is just a glorified moped, that couldn't rev its way out of a wet paper bag. As that thing makes no power untill about 9k, and tops out at a WHOPPING 29 WHP at what 15K RPM? A stock CBR puts out ~30 WHP at about 3400 RPM, and peaks at about 100HP @ a little over 13K RPM. With exhaust, air filter, velocity stacks, PCIII you can get into the upper 110s easy. A dyno run with custom fuel mapping will put you over 120HP at 13.6k RPM. This is all from a machine that weighs less than 100 pounds more than an EX250, yet puts out 4x the horsepower. "Rev it to the sky to get any power out of it." You're clueless.

But this is beside the point. Like typical testosterone driven meat heads, all you guys talk about is SPEED and POWER. There was one mention about "canyon carving" and while the Ninjette was a hoot to carve with, I feel much more comfortable leaning my CBR over in turns than I did towards the end of my career on my Ninjette. I'd attribute it to the reduced rake on the CBR, and of course better tires, but this thing feels like its on an absolute RAIL, and I still have a ****** Dunlop endurance tire on the rear. Turning IS different. It feels like you're making a commitment rather than just a simple change of direction, but once you get used to that, you're golden.

But let's get back to the speed and power nonsense. That's barely the half of it. Let's start with the brake systems on sport bikes. Dual 4 piston calipers up front clamping down on dual 3**mm rotors (versus the dual piston single calipers on the ninjettes). It's like dropping a smooth controlled anchor, even under aggressive braking. Brakes were a HUGE reason I wanted to step up. Suspension was an other reason. My Ninjette came with the EX500 rear shock on it, but I did have the disfortune of riding an EX250 with the stock suspension. It felt like an overly plush worn out cadillac. It was horrible. When dialed in correctly, the suspension on sport bikes bikes is nothing short of astounding, which will be reflected in the handling. Is a 600 fast? Yes. But so are Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs and a lot of other cars that a lot of people on this forum probably have in their garage.

While cliche and corny, I find the line from the Spider-Man movie appropriate here: With great power comes great responsibility. To me it all comes down to your idiot check connected to the bottom of your right wrist.