Old vs New-Gen - Initial impressions

[Nemy]

Well today I finally have an 06 and an 09 sitting in my garage. So here are my initial impressions of how the new-gen stands up to the long unchanged old-gens.

Cons:
1) The seat sucks! First thing I noticed and probably the worst thing about the new-gens. On the 06 I was happy sitting on her riding for hours. Once I sat down on the 09 I felt like I was sitting on cardboard. And it's a slightly different riding position... one that seems to like squishing "the boys"

Fix: corbin or alaska sheepskin buttpad

2) The mirrors look alot nicer but sacrifice utility. I think they need to extend out another inch or two. As it is now, I've tried multiple adjustments but it's hard to get a good view of the lanes beside you. On the old gens I could see around my arms/body and the two lanes on either side of me. Plus leaning over to one side a bit I could see partially behind me. With the new mirrors I lean over and I see more of my arm...

3) Lack of adjustable levers. I really liked the adjustable feature on the old gens. You could set it closer or farther away based on the size of your grip. So even though the new bike is setup perfectly for my grip, it would've been nice to be adjustable.

4) Most of us already know, but the fuel gauge is useless! I gassed up soon after riding off the dealership cause I knew I couldn't trust it. I filled her up and the gas tank shows one bar lower than full... not something that should happen on a 1 hour old bike Bring me back a good ol reserve tank and temp gauge so I know when my bike is fully warmed up!

5) No handlebar/grab bar? on the rear. I use that bar all the time to get my bike on the rear stands. Now there's just a little strap on the passenger seat that I don't know how much I can trust to hold her up...

Pros:
1) Best change I noticed was the dash. The entire gauge is lit up now rather than just the numbers - much easier to see. Plus the location of the signal light is at the top so you can see it without looking down to remember to turn off your signals.

2) Low-end power is definitely improved. I don't feel the need to near-redline the newgens as I would've my 06 because you can feel the power right away.

3) Of course, the styling... everybody loves the new styling. Plus the 1 exhaust now which cleans her up nicely and makes her easier to mod.


There's my rant Feel free to comment/add more

[kkim]

3) Lack of adjustable levers. I really liked the adjustable feature on the old gens. You could set it closer or farther away based on the size of your grip. So even though the new bike is setup perfectly for my grip, it would've been nice to be adjustable.

pregens never came with adjustable levers. you must have bought your pregen used?

I fully agree with you about the seat!

[Nemy]

Why do you always try and confuse me Kelly?!?! Second time today!

lol I had to run out and check my manual. They are stock! But maybe only the ZZR's and not the American EX's? "Brake and Clutch Lever Adjuster" as per the manual with 1-5 options on the dial.

[kkim]

lol... sorry, didn't remember you had a zzr.

never mind!

[miks]

Do you guys think the new body on the New-Gen affects the performance compared to the Oldies?

[Alex]

Not sure if I fully understand the question, but I'll give it a shot. Do you mean just the shape of the new plastics, does that change the performance due to aerodynamics alone? If that was the question, then I don't think so. The bike is aero limited to right around 100 mph with the new or old plastics, and the biggest inhibitor to more speed at that point is likely the rider on top of the bike than any of the cross-sectional area of the ninjette's body itself.

[Kurosaki]

I didn't think the seat was so bad.

But I don't spend a whole lot of time with my butt on the seat in the same spot so I can't really make an accurate observation in that way. >_<

[miks]

Originally Posted by Alex

Not sure if I fully understand the question, but I'll give it a shot. Do you mean just the shape of the new plastics, does that change the performance due to aerodynamics alone? If that was the question, then I don't think so. The bike is aero limited to right around 100 mph with the new or old plastics, and the biggest inhibitor to more speed at that point is likely the rider on top of the bike than any of the cross-sectional area of the ninjette's body itself.

Sorry about the misunderstanding, but you answered my question perfectly. I was talking about the new fairings and the new aerodynamics they give.

Thanks

[Nemy]

Originally Posted by Kurosaki

I didn't think the seat was so bad.

But I don't spend a whole lot of time with my butt on the seat in the same spot so I can't really make an accurate observation in that way. >_<

I'm sure I need to get used to it, but the old-gens feel like a plush leather couch compared to the new seats. That and I don't think my boys will ever get used to it...

[Sailariel]

I like the styling of the old gens better, particularly the ZZR. Acess seems better on the old gens. I am sure that someone makes a 2 into one exhaust system as well. I could`nt find an old gen here in Maine that wasn`t trashed. Probably were not on this Forum. The people on this forum are passionate about their bikes and really maintain them. I would have really liked a Black and Yellow or Yellow on Black ZZR.

[Nemy]

Yup, I've seen a 2 into 1 exhaust on an old 96ish ninja. Don't remember the make but it was LOUD!

I do like the styling of the old gens esp. the ZZR, but I just dont like the rear. On the new gens I just love the way the back arches up like the bigger bikes - looks cleaner (once you get rid of the fender )

[kkim]

so what are you going to do with the zzr? will you be selling it?

[Nemy]

Yup. Once the weather warms up and the market starts up I'll be selling her.

[kkim]

if you don't mind, could you give the ninjette people first crack at it by putting it in the classifieds here first for at least a few days before you actively seek other means?

[Nemy]

lol of course. From the member map, though, it doesn't look like there are too many in my neighborhood. But I guess we'll find out next month

[sm0kediver]

Good:

-Low/Mid range power. I used to have to shift a lot more on my old Ninja. It actually has some low end grunt now (well... more than before anyway)

-Styling. What a great looking bike

-Suspension. I much prefer the stiffer front and rear. +1 for adjustable pre load on rear.

-Better with a passenger (from my perspective and my passengers... she likes the high seat)

-Wind protection. That may just be perception, but I am less bothered by the wind on the new bike

-What Nemy said about the higher mounted turn flasher. I hadn't realized that before I read that. He's right. Now I cancel my signal every time

-Brighter headlight coverage IMO

-It just feels sportier

Bad:

-The seat. Ouch

-The lack of a reserve. Apparently PRI can function as reserve, but who could find that little switch buried under the fairing while going 70? Someone correct me on the function of that valve if I'm wrong

-Lack of temp gauge

-Lack of a good place to strap down a tail bag. The old Ninja had a pretty good platform back there.

-The helmet storage sucks. The rear seat is kind of weird to to remove/install to lock my helmet down. FWIW, the helmet storage on the old one sucked too, but for different reasons.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by sm0kediver

-The lack of a reserve. Apparently PRI can function as reserve, but who could find that little switch buried under the fairing while going 70? Someone correct me on the function of that valve if I'm wrong

PRI is not a reserve. It is a prime feature to let gas flow with no vacuum applied to the petcock. Used to fill the bowls with gas after the carbs have been serviced. Don't find out the hard way that there is no more gas even after you switch it to PRI.

[sm0kediver]

In the manual it didn't refer to it as a reserve, but it made mention of getting familiar with it so that it can be operated while riding. That was a little confusing. Why would I want to do that?

[kkim]

lol... yeah, some sections of the manual were taken directly from the pregen manuals when they had a reserve position. so much for whoever was hired to proofread the manual before printing.

[sm0kediver]

I notice that they also recommended using 'kerosine' to clean the chain...

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by sm0kediver

I notice that they also recommended using 'kerosine' to clean the chain...

Smoke, Kerosene is OK, but I much prefer WD-40. I also have a bicycle shop--so I use the stuff by the gallon. $12. a gallon at Home Depot--you supply your own spray bottle.

[sm0kediver]

Kerosene is all I ever used to clean the chain on my other bikes. I'll try WD40 though.

I was referring to the poorly edited manual. I don't know what 'kerosine' is.

[Sailariel]

Smoke, A lot of these manuals are direct translations from the Japaneese. I do a lot of work on Yanmar Marine Diesels, and the Yanmar manual is quite a challenge. Where they list a decision tree for diagnosis, One is really Ten. Some of the other renditions are really funny. In the transmission chapter, in order to get at the trans seal,one must remove a nut that has been puckered to keep from spinning off--In short, you need a nut breaker, and after the seal is replaced, you need to replace the nut as well--and pucker it. Translation--"Please remove nut with great violence".The manual is full of such statements--Takes getting used to. The Ninja manual is really pretty good compared to others.

[sm0kediver]

I've seen some stuff like that in instruction manuals for cheap asian products. Pretty funny stuff. You're right. By comparison, the Ninja manual is a literary masterpiece.

Still, I wonder about the Prime thing. It clearly states that I should learn to operate it from the seat, but that the bike isn't to be ridden or parked while in the Prime position. It doesn't look like they copied any of the instructions from the old manual reserve section. Not sure what they're trying to convey there.

I guess I'll just watch my gauge.

[kkim]

Originally Posted by sm0kediver

Still, I wonder about the Prime thing. It clearly states that I should learn to operate it from the seat, but that the bike isn't to be ridden or parked while in the Prime position. It doesn't look like they copied any of the instructions from the old manual reserve section. Not sure what they're trying to convey there.

I guess I'll just watch my gauge.

Okay, let's think this out. How could you even access the petcock from the seated position while riding with the side panel on?

If that doesn't change your mind that this is a misprint, are you going to carry a #3 phillips in your pocket every time you ride so you can remove the panel to access the petcock to turn it from on to prime with a flat blade screwdriver that you also would need to carry? How about the fact that even if you did all this, no extra fuel is available in the prime position that is available from the on position?

I say it's a misprint.