Winter is upgrade season.

[Tylorwashere]

So with these few months of unrideable weather, I've decided to go for a few upgrades. I've already got the carbs out and ready to go through, but there's a few other things I want to do that I don't know as much about.

Can anyone recommend a good digital speedo/Rach? I see lots of cheap ones on Amazon, but I'm not sure what most people are using.

I'd like to replace the rear shock, which shocks are good choices? I've read the zx600 shock is a good option, but I'd like advice from people who actually ride and work on these bikes.

And lastly, I would like to drop a tooth or two on my drive sprocket, and get a new chain. I don't care much about top speed, just how quickly I get there. Is this a good idea? What all goes into doing something like that?

Thanks so much to anyone who helps me out.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

And lastly, I would like to drop a tooth or two on my drive sprocket, and get a new chain. I don't care much about top speed, just how quickly I get there. Is this a good idea? What all goes into doing something like that?

What sprocket is on it now? The stock 14 makes for a ridiculously low first gear and many of us go up a tooth in the front and down a few in the rear. A smaller front sprocket helps off the line, but that's about it.

[jkv45]

Changing 1 tooth on the countershaft usually changes the RPMs about 500.

Gearing down (-1T on the countershaft or adding teeth to the rear) will certainly help acceleration, but your cruising RPMs will begin to get excessive. On the hwy the little Ninjas are spinning pretty good with stock gearing, and some owners will trade some acceleration for a calmer cruise by adding a tooth to the countershaft.

Koso makes a nice gauge set-up.

Some amount of improvement comes with a New Gen (2008-2012) shock on a Pre Gen (up to 2007) like you have. Swapping shocks from other bikes is tricky - overall length, spring rate (linkage or not), and damping can all be off enough to cause handing problems.

A good set of tires goes a long way to improving handling and safety.

The proper rate fork springs (and fork oil) helps as well. The stockers are too light for all but the lightest riders. Sonic Springs is a good vendor for those.

Most of the time you are best to replace the chain and sprockets as a set. Worn sprocket with a new chain can wear the chain quickly and present other problems.

[taz]

For the rear do the gsxr600r mod works great and cheap.

[taz]

And here is great diy https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=214238

[Tylorwashere]

Thanks for all the input guys. I see I have alot of research to do still about changing sprocket teeth, this definitely put me in the right direction.

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Changing 1 tooth on the countershaft usually changes the RPMs about 500.

Gearing down (-1T on the countershaft or adding teeth to the rear) will certainly help acceleration, but your cruising RPMs will begin to get excessive. On the hwy the little Ninjas are spinning pretty good with stock gearing, and some owners will trade some acceleration for a calmer cruise by adding a tooth to the countershaft.

Koso makes a nice gauge set-up.

Some amount of improvement comes with a New Gen (2008-2012) shock on a Pre Gen (up to 2007) like you have. Swapping shocks from other bikes is tricky - overall length, spring rate (linkage or not), and damping can all be off enough to cause handing problems.

A good set of tires goes a long way to improving handling and safety.

The proper rate fork springs (and fork oil) helps as well. The stockers are too light for all but the lightest riders. Sonic Springs is a good vendor for those.

Most of the time you are best to replace the chain and sprockets as a set. Worn sprocket with a new chain can wear the chain quickly and present other problems.

My dad does alot of work rebuilding suspension, I asked him about the forks and he said it would be no problem so that is definitely going to happen as well. So is the zx600 rear shock a good choice?

[Triple Jim]

Another option is a newgen rear shock. It worked wonders for my pregen.

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Another option is a newgen rear shock. It worked wonders for my pregen.

Off of just the newgen 250r?

[Ram Jet]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

So with these few months of unrideable weather, I've decided to go for a few upgrades. I've already got the carbs out and ready to go through, but there's a few other things I want to do that I don't know as much about.

Can anyone recommend a good digital speedo/Rach? I see lots of cheap ones on Amazon, but I'm not sure what most people are using.

I'd like to replace the rear shock, which shocks are good choices? I've read the zx600 shock is a good option, but I'd like advice from people who actually ride and work on these bikes.

And lastly, I would like to drop a tooth or two on my drive sprocket, and get a new chain. I don't care much about top speed, just how quickly I get there. Is this a good idea? What all goes into doing something like that?

Thanks so much to anyone who helps me out.

Digital speedo and tach;

https://www.trailtech.net/digital-gauges/vapor?p=2?p=2

Shock;

http://www.hagonshocksusa.com

Do some serious reading about sprockets on ninja250.org and elsewhere. I'm running 15/42 sprockets. A smaller front sprocket will accelerate chain wear. If you must try to increase acceleration increase the size of the rear sprocket. Either way you're gonna beat the snot out of your engine.

By the way, I installed a Kaw EX500 rear shock and I'm happy with it. $50.00 on E-bay. Most of the "hair-on-fire" riders here would not approve. To do it over I probably would have gone the Hagon route but it's expensive.

Bill

[DannoXYZ]

Gsxr-600 shock lowers rear end about 15mm
Gsxr-1000 shock raises rear end about 5mm
Trail Tech Vapor dash is good.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

Off of just the newgen 250r?

Yes, it's a common mod to get a stock newgen rear shock cheaply and put it on a pregen. My '05 was way too softly sprung, and that simple change made it just right for me, at about 190 lbs with full gear. Damping is fine for spirited street riding, the Dragon, etc.. Sonic front springs fixed that end at a very reasonable price too. No more bottoming out during extreme stopping. The stiffer suspension has the added benefit of increasing cornering clearance noticeably too.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

My dad does alot of work rebuilding suspension, I asked him about the forks and he said it would be no problem so that is definitely going to happen as well. So is the zx600 rear shock a good choice?

Not sure - but chances are no.

The New Gen 250 shock is generally the best low-cost option.

The best option is a top-notch aftermarket shock (Ohlins, Penske, etc) with adjustable damping and the exact correct spring rate for your weight and riding style. Figure around $1000 for that.

[DannoXYZ]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Not sure - but chances are no.

The New Gen 250 shock is generally the best low-cost option.

The best option is a top-notch aftermarket shock (Ohlins, Penske, etc) with adjustable damping and the exact correct spring rate for your weight and riding style. Figure around $1000 for that.

Yeah! Tina approves!!!

[Ram Jet]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Not sure - but chances are no.

The New Gen 250 shock is generally the best low-cost option.

The best option is a top-notch aftermarket shock (Ohlins, Penske, etc) with adjustable damping and the exact correct spring rate for your weight and riding style. Figure around $1000 for that.

I had an afterthought. I changed my fork oil to PJ1 15wt. No bottoming even under heavy braking and I weigh in at about 182 lbs but I may not drive as aggressively as others.

Bill

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Ram Jet

I had an afterthought. I changed my fork oil to PJ1 15wt. No bottoming even under heavy braking and I weigh in at about 182 lbs but I may not drive as aggressively as others.

Adding more oil can help too, leaving less room for air, and effectively stiffening things up, but you need to be careful and methodical.

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Yes, it's a common mod to get a stock newgen rear shock cheaply and put it on a pregen. My '05 was way too softly sprung, and that simple change made it just right for me, at about 190 lbs with full gear. Damping is fine for spirited street riding, the Dragon, etc.. Sonic front springs fixed that end at a very reasonable price too. No more bottoming out during extreme stopping. The stiffer suspension has the added benefit of increasing cornering clearance noticeably too.

That's about what I weigh, so you're happy with your setup now? I just know right now I feel like I'm floating on off ramps and it kinda scares me. I forget the exact model, but i got Pirelli street tires and that did help, but I can tell most of the issue is in my suspension

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

That's about what I weigh, so you're happy with your setup now?

Absolutely I'm happy now. The motorcycle was $1,100, so I wasn't interested in high dollar upgrades. Now that I've done the front and rear for about $125 total, it feels great.


There's some information about suspension improvements here: https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Suspension

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Absolutely I'm happy now. The motorcycle was $1,100, so I wasn't interested in high dollar upgrades. Now that I've done the front and rear for about $125 total, it feels great.


There's some information about suspension improvements here: https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Suspension

I'm in the same boat, payed 700 for mine. It wouldn't run without the choke on and the front tire was so bad I don't know how i got it home. You could tell the people who owned it didn't know how to take care of it. It's slowly coming along though

[choneofakind]

RE: Gearing

Stock is 14/45.
I've run 14/45, 14/47, 15/45, and 15/43.

14/47 was a riot for rolling on out of a corner, but I found it to be busy on back roads and insanely low on the interstate to get to and from said back roads. You had to be in the right gear every time or you ran out of tach too quickly when exiting a corner. I never seemed to be able to casually run up between corners and it caused me extra shifts up and down, which isn't really my style when flowing a back road. Under 55 mph it was fine.

[DannoXYZ]

I really like 16x45t on my street bike. Really makes for calm smooth cruising on commute or back roads.

On my race-bike, I'm using 18x58t on 428 conversion. That's about same as stock without causing as much chain-wrap.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

That's about what I weigh, so you're happy with your setup now? I just know right now I feel like I'm floating on off ramps and it kinda scares me. I forget the exact model, but i got Pirelli street tires and that did help, but I can tell most of the issue is in my suspension

Most likely a damping issue. The decent New Gen shock (to replace the worn Pre Gen shock) and at least new fork oil (15W is probably what you want) should take care of that.

The New Gen shock will raise the rear slightly, and if the fork spring are too soft for your weight it might make the front sag more.

My son is <150# w/gear, and he went with stiffer Sonic Spring (.70 and 15W oil - pretty sure) in front and a New Gen shock. He rides pretty aggressively at times, but also does some hwy miles, and was happy with the overall improvements they made for the minimal cost.

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Most likely a damping issue. The decent New Gen shock (to replace the worn Pre Gen shock) and at least new fork oil (15W is probably what you want) should take care of that.

The New Gen shock will raise the rear slightly, and if the fork spring are too soft for your weight it might make the front sag more.

My son is <150# w/gear, and he went with stiffer Sonic Spring (.70 and 15W oil - pretty sure) in front and a New Gen shock. He rides pretty aggressively at times, but also does some hwy miles, and was happy with the overall improvements they made for the minimal cost.

I'm definitely thinking this will be the route I go

[spent_too_much]

I swap in a new-gen 250 / 300 rear shock on all of my builds. For about $35, and zero modifications, it's my go to.

[DannoXYZ]

I have new-gen rear-shock for sale $35 if you want it.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by spent_too_much

I swap in a new-gen 250 / 300 rear shock on all of my builds. For about $35, and zero modifications, it's my go to.

Sounds frugal to me.

And who says you spent too much?

[Tylorwashere]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Sounds frugal to me.

And who says you spent too much?

An ohlins shock costs more than I paid for my bike lol. 35 for a newgen sounds great to me

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Tylorwashere

An ohlins shock costs more than I paid for my bike lol. 35 for a newgen sounds great to me

Not many people really need to go that far unless they are racing. There aren't any moderately-priced "upgraded" shocks out there for the Ninja that I've seen.

Set-up with good tires, correct rate fork springs, fresh fork oil, and a New Gen shock, the Ninja should be able to handle most any reasonable street riding.

[DannoXYZ]

You are risking your life with anything but Ohlins!!! If there's a better product, why not go with it?

There's no way to predict when you'll hit that bump mid-corner and slide-out with a sub-par non-Ohlins shock. And as luck would have it, they'll be a 18-wheeler semi coming towards you in the other lane. Get Ohlins and sail through that corner with ease or crash and die with anything else. It's your choice!

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by JacRyann

You are risking your life with anything but Ohlins!!! If there's a better product, why not go with it?

There's no way to predict when you'll hit that bump mid-corner and slide-out with a sub-par non-Ohlins shock. And as luck would have it, they'll be a 18-wheeler semi coming towards you in the other lane. Get Ohlins and sail through that corner with ease or crash and die with anything else. It's your choice!

Whew! As luck would have it, I just put an Ohlins shock on my SV!

Good to know I averted disaster!