To mod or not to mod, that is the question...

RiderOnTheStorm · September 28th, 2012, 11:16 AM

Hey everyone,

So I'm afraid NE Ohio's winter is probably going to limit my riding time during winter months, but that does mean plenty of time for mods...

Here's the dilemma. I bought the 250 with the intention of riding it a season or two and then selling it to move to a 600. However, after riding for about 6 months, I realize I'm not ready for that 600, and more importantly, I love my 250! So I'm thinking about keeping her the life of my riding career.

Is it worth putting money into the bike (adjustable levers, adjustable rear sets, new seat, possibly flush mount turn signals) if I know I'm going to still buy that bigger bike when my skills are up to the challenge? Again, I'm planning on keeping it, but at the same time don't want to diminish it's value too much, in case I stop riding it.

Thanks for your input!!

subxero · September 28th, 2012, 12:27 PM

^ just based on how describe how much riding you will get to do, and you are getting a another larger bike in the near future i would shy away from mods personally.

If you ever decide to sell it mods won't increase the sale value, maybe even hurt.

If i were you i would save my money for down payment on a nice larger bike, or for upgrades to the larger bike

JMO

I am going to mod the crap out of my 250 after i get a few miles on it, but that has been the plan all along, I will most likely never buy another street bike and never sell this one so i might as well personalize it a bit and tweak some things to keep it fun and fresh.

CThunder-blue · September 28th, 2012, 12:35 PM

When I installed my adjustable levers, it made a pretty big difference in comfort. I would mod the bike and keep the stock stuff. You can pull off the mods when/if you sell the bike later. If you think you'll be keeping the bike for a long time, I don't see why you shouldn't mod it.

RiderOnTheStorm · September 28th, 2012, 03:05 PM

I appreciate the views. I don't get to ride as much as I want to, but I don't plant on selling the bike or stopping riding because of that.

I am really looking at ergo and visibility (taillight) mods, nothing performance since I know this won't be a supersport, nor do I need it to be. And as you mentioned above, I want the mods to be reversible so I can sell the bike stock, if I do want to sell it.

Yakaru · September 28th, 2012, 03:18 PM

Yeah, keep it to things that are simple and cheap. New exhaust? Probably a bad idea. New levers? Go for it.

Jiggles · September 28th, 2012, 03:50 PM

wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Get a real exhaust, best mod you can make

dirty nasty · September 28th, 2012, 04:34 PM

The best modification is the one that you make to your own riding skills. So do a track day.

You will see zero return on any modifications you make and will be taking a huge loss. If this is okay with you, then go for it. If I ever end up going nuts with the mods on my 250, then chances are good I plan on keeping the bike for life. However, I still don't know what I want to do with it, so I just leave it as is.

choneofakind · September 28th, 2012, 04:40 PM

Track day: You're more than welcome to tag along with csmith12 and I. I've been once. I will be going back next season.

RiderOnTheStorm · September 28th, 2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Track day: You're more than welcome to tag along with csmith12 and I. I've been once. I will be going back next season.

I for sure will be there. I want to get out there! Do you know when next season starts??

choneofakind · September 28th, 2012, 05:04 PM

You'll have to check Mid-Ohio's site. For me, next season starts mid-May. That's when summer break starts.

RiderOnTheStorm · September 30th, 2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Get a real exhaust, best mod you can make

I thought an exhaust meant you had to mess with carbs because of the difference in back pressure?

psych0hans · September 30th, 2012, 07:49 AM

Yeah, do what I did, just mod the **** of it... After all my mods, I can safely say I'm riding a completely different bike. It's so much better to ride and so much more eager than a stock 250. I'd test the top end, but I'm too scared. Today I hit like 85mph and backed off coz I was too scared. It was still pulling like a freight train at that speed.

RiderOnTheStorm · September 30th, 2012, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psych0hans

Yeah, do what I did, just mod the **** of it... After all my mods, I can safely say I'm riding a completely different bike. It's so much better to ride and so much more eager than a stock 250. I'd test the top end, but I'm too scared. Today I hit like 85mph and backed off coz I was too scared. It was still pulling like a freight train at that speed.

What did you do??

psych0hans · September 30th, 2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

What did you do??

Among other things, I have a full exhaust, k&n 0990 pod filter, power commander V, auto tune at 200. Also did the zip tie mod.

choneofakind · September 30th, 2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

I thought an exhaust meant you had to mess with carbs because of the difference in back pressure?

Yes. Any time you mess with the intake/exhaust, you have to mess with the jetting as well. It's not bad, just time consuming and it has to be done one thing at a time, or it gets confusing.

psych0hans · September 30th, 2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirty nasty

The best modification is the one that you make to your own riding skills. So do a track day.

Spoken like a boss

planning to attend a track school in November.

blink · September 30th, 2012, 09:57 AM

No

Dragonracer76 · September 30th, 2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

No

Yes.

blink · October 29th, 2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonracer76

Yes.

No.

Dragonracer76 · October 29th, 2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

No.

fine.

September 28th, 2012, 11:16 AM	#1
RiderOnTheStorm ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: El Paso, TX Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Blue 08 250 - Blue Magic Posts: 162	To mod or not to mod, that is the question... Hey everyone, So I'm afraid NE Ohio's winter is probably going to limit my riding time during winter months, but that does mean plenty of time for mods... Here's the dilemma. I bought the 250 with the intention of riding it a season or two and then selling it to move to a 600. However, after riding for about 6 months, I realize I'm not ready for that 600, and more importantly, I love my 250! So I'm thinking about keeping her the life of my riding career. Is it worth putting money into the bike (adjustable levers, adjustable rear sets, new seat, possibly flush mount turn signals) if I know I'm going to still buy that bigger bike when my skills are up to the challenge? Again, I'm planning on keeping it, but at the same time don't want to diminish it's value too much, in case I stop riding it. Thanks for your input!!

September 28th, 2012, 12:35 PM	#3
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	When I installed my adjustable levers, it made a pretty big difference in comfort. I would mod the bike and keep the stock stuff. You can pull off the mods when/if you sell the bike later. If you think you'll be keeping the bike for a long time, I don't see why you shouldn't mod it. __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 28th, 2012, 03:50 PM	#6
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut. Get a real exhaust, best mod you can make __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

September 30th, 2012, 07:49 AM	#12
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.	Yeah, do what I did, just mod the **** of it... After all my mods, I can safely say I'm riding a completely different bike. It's so much better to ride and so much more eager than a stock 250. I'd test the top end, but I'm too scared. Today I hit like 85mph and backed off coz I was too scared. It was still pulling like a freight train at that speed. __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this.

September 30th, 2012, 09:57 AM	#17
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	No __________________________________________________ blink-182

September 28th, 2012, 12:27 PM	#2
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	^ just based on how describe how much riding you will get to do, and you are getting a another larger bike in the near future i would shy away from mods personally. If you ever decide to sell it mods won't increase the sale value, maybe even hurt. If i were you i would save my money for down payment on a nice larger bike, or for upgrades to the larger bike JMO I am going to mod the crap out of my 250 after i get a few miles on it, but that has been the plan all along, I will most likely never buy another street bike and never sell this one so i might as well personalize it a bit and tweak some things to keep it fun and fresh.

September 28th, 2012, 03:05 PM	#4
RiderOnTheStorm ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: El Paso, TX Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Blue 08 250 - Blue Magic Posts: 162	I appreciate the views. I don't get to ride as much as I want to, but I don't plant on selling the bike or stopping riding because of that. I am really looking at ergo and visibility (taillight) mods, nothing performance since I know this won't be a supersport, nor do I need it to be. And as you mentioned above, I want the mods to be reversible so I can sell the bike stock, if I do want to sell it.

September 28th, 2012, 03:18 PM	#5
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	Yeah, keep it to things that are simple and cheap. New exhaust? Probably a bad idea. New levers? Go for it.

September 28th, 2012, 04:34 PM	#7
dirty nasty ninjette.org sage Name: Karl Location: MA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Kwak Ninja 250 and 1998 Yamaha YZ400F Posts: 534	The best modification is the one that you make to your own riding skills. So do a track day. You will see zero return on any modifications you make and will be taking a huge loss. If this is okay with you, then go for it. If I ever end up going nuts with the mods on my 250, then chances are good I plan on keeping the bike for life. However, I still don't know what I want to do with it, so I just leave it as is.

September 28th, 2012, 04:40 PM	#8
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Track day: You're more than welcome to tag along with csmith12 and I. I've been once. I will be going back next season.

September 28th, 2012, 05:04 PM	#10
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	You'll have to check Mid-Ohio's site. For me, next season starts mid-May. That's when summer break starts.

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